Double clutching is a technique used in some older motorcycles (typically those with non-synchronized or "crash" gearboxes) to facilitate smoother and more precise shifting. It involves a specific sequence of clutch and gear lever operations. However, it's important to note that modern motorcycles generally have synchronized gearboxes, making double clutching unnecessary for regular riding.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of the double clutching technique:
Shifting Down: When downshifting, you would typically initiate the process by pulling in the clutch lever. With double clutching, after pulling in the clutch lever, you briefly shift into neutral by releasing the gear lever.
Engaging the Clutch: With the motorcycle in neutral, you release the clutch lever momentarily to allow the engine and transmission to reach matching speeds. This helps synchronize the gears.
Shifting to the Lower Gear: After disengaging the clutch momentarily, you pull the clutch lever back in and shift down into the desired lower gear. This can be done by using the gear lever to select the gear.
Releasing the Clutch: Finally, you release the clutch lever while giving throttle input to smoothly engage the lower gear. This step is similar to the regular shifting process.
Double clutching can help match the rotational speeds of the transmission components during shifting, minimizing the load on the gearbox and promoting smoother gear engagement. It is particularly useful in older motorcycles or those with non-synchronized gearboxes that lack the synchronizer mechanism found in modern transmissions.
It's important to note that double clutching is not typically necessary or recommended for motorcycles with modern synchronized gearboxes. Synchronized gearboxes have built-in mechanisms that automatically match the transmission speeds, allowing for smoother shifts without the need for double clutching.