Most motorcycles are built with a wet clutch and recently it was pointed out to me that you need to pull in the clutch for a bit before putting it in gear. I do this anyway, I don't know why! Maybe my dad taught me that was the correct starting procedure, when I was a kid, and it just became a habit. (Click on image to go to wikipedia topic.)
Motorcycle-Glossary.com defines a wet clutch as: A
clutch that contains many plates that are in the oil spray of the
transmission and the oil gets between the plates. The plates on wet
clutches have a tendency to stick together when the bike sits. So, when
you start the bike in the morning, before you put it in first gear to
move off, depress the clutch lever for about 30 seconds to allow the
oil on the plates to drain off and the plates to separate. Otherwise,
you’ll get a decided clunk and slight movement forward when you put it
in first. (Compare Dry Clutch)
Some motorcycles have dry clutches, which results in what one forum poster describes as the "Gawd-awful racket emanating from the tranny on a dry clutch…ala Ducati."
Your comments welcome!
I can’t hear my dry clutch noise over the whirl of my alternator drive gear on my 2006 Ural sidecar rig. LOL.
I just live with the thunk. I’ve never replaced a clutch or transmission so the thunk must not be too bad for the drivetrain.
I just do it because I have been caught with my pants down more than once…forgetting the bike was in gear for one reason or another. Yes, I always pull the clutch before cranking the bike. About the only time I don’t automaticly do that, is when I’m kick starting. (Haven’t had to do that in a major long time!)
Learning there is another good reason for an automatic action gives me hope…for what? Not sure, but I’ll find something to attach it to!
Ride safe.
Pulling in my clutch before, during and after start up has been a habit of mine for many…many years. Never realized it would help with the wet clutch…but I have been caught with my pants down a few too many times…forgetting my bike was sitting in gear for one reason or another.
The only time I can think of now where it isn’t an automatic reflex…is when kick starting a bike….but then again, once the bike is up and running…I have always pulled the clutch in and out several times as I am adjusting the enrichner…or adusting my seat on the bike…kinda like a “I got an itch, and I wanna scratch it” reflex thing.
Now I have another good reason for one of my ritual movements…like I ever needed a reason to do anything other than I tought it sounded like a good idea at the time!
Ride well…