Even little guys can rip on...
Even little guys can rip on clutched-size bikes. Robbie Wageman can't touch the ground, but he can handle the little lever on the left-hand side of the bar just fine. Adjustment of the lever is critical for small-handed riders.
Engage!
Now that you have a feel for the engagement point, the next step is to engage and disengage the clutch. This time let the clutch get to the engagement point and then give the throttle a little twist while you slowly keep letting out the clutch. Then the bike starts to go! Right away you should pull the clutch back in and stop! Yes, you have to pull the clutch back in to stop, and this is something you should be practicing right from the start. So you start, then stop, only going a few feet every time you practice letting the clutch out then pulling it back in. Sometimes you might stall and other times the bike might lunge forward and keep going, but remember to pull the clutch back in and stop the bike with the brakes.
Grabbing Gears
It may seem like a lot of work, but it gets really easy quickly. After you have the stopping and starting down, then you can learn to shift. This is really simple, especially if you have shifted your automatic bike before. All you have to do is let off on the throttle, pull in the clutch lever, shift with your foot and then let the clutch right back out. The clutch makes the shift really smooth. You can actually shift without the clutch, but the bike will lunge, slow down harshly and possibly grind in the transmission, so it's best to use it every time. You can also use it on both upshifts and downshifts. But remember, you have to pull in the clutch every time to stop!
Practice Makes Perfect
As you get better with the clutch, you will learn to slip it-that is, quickly pull the lever partway in and release it smoothly-to give the bike a boost of power. Sometimes you even slip it when the bike has too much power to keep from doing a wheelie. Most of the time you will ride around and never even touch the clutch, but when you have to, you will know what to do-just don't always be slipping the clutch, because it will wear out. It's best to let it all the way out and control the power with the throttle.
Now that you know the secrets to riding with the clutch, it only takes time and a lot of practice to get really good at using it. Knowing how to control your bike's power with the clutch will make you a way better rider, too, so start practicing and have fun honing those newfound skills!
Minibike Mom and Dad's Guide to Proper Teaching:
Five Rules You Need to Know
1. Motorcycles are fun. If learning how to handle the clutch is getting difficult, forget about it for a while.
2. It's best to keep the old automatic-clutched bike around for a backup if things don't go so well at first. Don't worry, Junior will really want to ride that new bike at some point, but a clutch can be a scary thing at first.
3. Your kid's dexterity isn't like yours. Remember when you were a kid? I didn't think so. It takes more time and practice for a kid to get it figured out than you can comprehend now, but as soon as they get it handled, they will catch on quickly.
4. Read and remember the steps in this article-they really work! Junior is going to be so excited, he or she may forget some things, and that's where being an educated adult comes into play.
5. Sometimes it can be best to have someone else besides Mom and Dad to teach. Look for the most patient and calm person you can find. And always remember rule #1!
My First Ride On A Clutch Bike
By Sean Scudellari
Age: 11
Riding since: 2007
"When I first thought about riding a bigger bike with a clutch, I was nervous. It was very hard at first, but after a couple more tries, it got easier. I liked the clutch after I got good with it. Some of the things I like about the CRF80 that I got to ride was that it had better suspension, it was a lot faster and it was easier for me to ride than my CRF70. I'm glad I learned to use the clutch, because I got to ride a better bike. After I learned to ride the 80, I was on it for the rest of the day!"