When does everybody use their clutch? Only to start off and stopping? Every shift? Not when upshifting? Not when downshifting? What is the best method to use???

 

I use the clutch all the time. There's been a few times where I upshifted with no clutch and the bike didn't care for it too much so I clutch all the time now. I find if I'm rolling through town it allows for a smoother ride too to slip it a bit when shifting as opposed to clutch, shift, release where you have accel, coast, decel, accel. I'll catch the gear and throttle up while letting the clutch out.

 

I use the clutch any time I shift gears, up and down. I don't know lots about these things, but wouldn't there be way more wear and tear on the transmission if you don't?

 

All the time...feather as needed.

 

Clutch to start off and on down shifts with a blip of the throttle. No clutch needed on upshifts if done correctly, slightly let off the gas, snick into the next gear back on the gas.

 

Every time, but coming to a stop sign, as I am almost stopped I shift from maybe 3rd to first holding in the clutch, tap, tap, tap, but I don't actually pull in the clutch for each gear, just once and then shift down twice. OK now I'm confused

 

so upshifting done without the clutch correctly is okay for the transmission? I have also read the school of thought that the downshift without the clutch is fine too. It will be hard to bring myself to not use the clutch, but I won't use it if it is fine on the transmission, because if that is the case it should be better for the bike becuase of less clutch use! I also like the reduced hesitation in pick up when not using the clutch. I would love to know for sure what is best!!

 

In the dirt I will upshift without a clutch, but never on the street. I have never downshifted with no clutch. I'll have to try that.

 

You should use the clutch in all casual riding situations - it's better for the tranny.
If you're off-roading though, or racing, there may be times when it's not so convenient (or downright dangerous) to release your grip on the bars, to operate the clutch... In those situations, it's OK to "power shift" as I call it... Just try to release any accel/decel load from the transmission gears. You want them to basically be "freewheeling" as you hit the shift lever.

 

Keep your grip on the bars with a shorty clutch lever.