Motorcyclist USA — September-October 2017

� crAsHING YoUr motorcYcLe is a

bummer and may leave you with a

broken clutch lever, brake lever, or

shifter. Do you attempt to ride the bike

to a parts department, repair shop, or

back home? Or do you play it safe and

call a friend with a truck?

You’ll probably be okay if you busted

the front brake lever because you still

have use of the rear brake. If you choose

to ride the bike without the front brake,

go slowly, allow plenty of following

distance, and decelerate early for stop

signs and traffi c lights. If you broke your

shifter, you can often still operate it with

an agled boot toe, depending on where

the lever snapped.

You’ve got much bigger problems if

you snap off the clutch lever. In this case,

we recommend you call for assistance

because riding without clutch control

is risky. If that’s not an option and you

happen to be brave, then it is theoreti-

cally possible to ride without a clutch.

HERE’S HOW:

1. Pick a route with the fewest stops.


2. Start the bike in neutral.


3. Get the bike rolling at a suffi cient speed
   so the bike won’t stall when you force
   the shifter into gear. The safest way to do
   this is to roll down a hill. A riskier option
   is to run alongside the bike, step onto the
   footpeg, swing your leg over the saddle,
   and then fi nd fi rst gear.


4. To shift into higher gears, simply roll off
   the throttle and lift the gearshifter briskly.
   Most bikes will be fi ne upshifting without
   the clutch.


5. Downshift by slowing until the engine
   just begins to lug and then shift fi rmly.
   Alternatively, you can momentarily
   “blip” the throttle and then immediately
   downshift. The blip unloads the
   transmission gears, permitting the shift.


6. Slow early for traffi c lights (watch
   your mirrors) to allow time for the light
   to turn green.


7. If you must stop, try to slip the
   transmission into neutral, but be prepared
   for the engine to stall. If you’re in traffi c,
   get to the shoulder before you stall. To get
   going again, repeat the starting procedure.


8. To stop at your fi nal destination,
   downshift through each gear and apply
   the brakes fi rmly to complete the stop.
   Be ready for the bike to stop abruptly.

D.I.D’s 520ERV3 X-Ring®

Race Chain is a low friction,

high performance Super-

bike Champion

D.I.D’s patented X-Ring’s reduce

friction by twisting between the

side plates instead of being

squashed. Other chain maker’s

modified seals create friction

points that rob horseower. In

addition, X-Ring’s four sealing

points keep dirt out and

lubrication in for long chain life.

Andrea Dovizioso

Team Ducati

MotoGP

D.I.D’s VX X-Ring®

chains fit numerous street

& off road motorcycles

from 350cc to 1000cc

Gold or Unplated

Call or visit our website for additional information

Model Weight Tensile Maximum

Number per100 links Strength c.c.’s

520ERV3 3.30 lbs. 8,660 lbs. 750 c.c.

428VX 2.66 lbs. 7,420 lbs. 350 c.c.

520VX2 3.35 lbs. 8,210 lbs. 750 c.c.

525VX 4.05 lbs. 9,220 lbs. 900 c.c.

530VX 4.27 lbs. 9,220 lbs. 1,000 c.c.

MCY1017_SAVVY.indd 93 7/21/17 4:58 PM