In driving I've always clutched downshifting (clutch, shift, heel-toe blip throttle, release) and ditto when riding the Suzuki GZ250 in my MSF class (except the blip is with the right wrist, of course).

I was kinda surprised yesterday riding my Ninja home that a little pressure on the shift lever plus an RPM-matching blip downshifted *without* the clutch.

I know quite a few racecars (even the trainers, like the Skip Barber car) do this and I've used it in simulation-racing on the computer.

Is it an intentional feature on the Ninja as well?

Every bike does that
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Clutchless upshifting --> generally OK
Clutchless downshifting --> generally not OK

Sportrider has a good article on this, and we've had a few threads here on it as well:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79439
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51617
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25516
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=78114

Scan scan scan scan ... ok, got it. If the RPMs aren't matched, engine braking will stress the shifter. If I was perfect with the throttle no issues, but I don't pretend to be perfect, and I don't feel obliged to start breaking parts yet. Thanks!

but breaking parts is so fun... you get to push your bike...

When I run out of gas, can I call you to push my bike :)

Don't forget the straws either.

Don't forget the straws either.

i've got rubber tubes now!

When I run out of gas, can I call you to push my bike :)

Don't forget the straws either.

Lol

Didn't someone else make a post about this somewhere else? Kevin or something...

Didn't someone else make a post about this somewhere else? Kevin or something...

I believe so too