Should You Pull the Clutch When Turning a Motorcycle?
4 Answers
When turning a motorcycle, you don't need to pull the clutch; simply release the throttle to slow down. Frequently pulling the clutch can affect its lifespan. Below are the relevant details: Reasons for not pulling the clutch when turning: Turning a motorcycle is similar to riding a bicycle—first, slow down, shift your body weight, and then steer. Generally, you only reduce the throttle without pulling the clutch, lightly applying the front or rear brake to decelerate. If the turn is very sharp or the speed is too high, you may need to downshift or even stop, in which case you should pull the clutch. When the clutch is engaged, you can control the speed using the throttle and brakes. However, when the clutch is disengaged, the motorcycle coasts on inertia, making it impossible to adjust speed with the throttle, which is less controllable. Therefore, it's generally not recommended to pull the clutch while turning. When to use the motorcycle clutch: When starting the motorcycle, you need to pull the clutch to shift from neutral to first gear; otherwise, the engine may stall. During riding, whether upshifting or downshifting, you must also pull the clutch to ensure smooth gear changes and reduce stress on the engine. Note that you should not coast for long periods with the clutch pulled or use the clutch to control speed. When stopping, pull the clutch and shift to neutral.
Riding motorcycles for over a decade has taught me that pulling the clutch in turns depends on the situation. When making slow 90-degree turns in the city, I partially engage the clutch while maintaining throttle—this prevents stalling and offers better control. However, I never pull the clutch when leaning into mountain curves; cutting power reduces rear tire traction, and last year I saw a beginner slide out of a bend doing just that. Keeping power on is especially crucial when cornering in the rain, as clutch use increases slippage risk. New riders should practice low-speed turns in empty lots first, learning to coordinate throttle and bike balance with partial clutch engagement before hitting the roads.
During the driving test, the instructor repeatedly emphasized: Pulling the clutch while turning is a major taboo! Motorcycles rely on engine traction to maintain balance, and pulling the clutch is equivalent to letting the rear wheel slide freely. I tried it at the training ground - at 20 km/h, pulling the clutch while turning instantly made the bike wobble violently. For daily riding, it's safest to downshift to the appropriate gear before entering a curve and maintain steady throttle through the turn. I remember two years ago when I installed a slipper clutch, I still almost crashed by mistakenly pulling the clutch mid-turn - this bad habit is really hard to break. I'd recommend installing a steering damper.
There are two scenarios for pulling the clutch while turning: During slalom practice, instructors teach using the half-clutch to control speed, but never pull it when riding on actual roads, especially with passengers or cargo! Once, while carrying camping gear and making a right turn, I pulled the clutch and the handlebars instantly wobbled—only slamming the rear brake saved me. Now, I always downshift to third gear or lower before a turn, relying on engine braking for stability. For modified bikes, pay attention to clutch cable tension; too tight increases accidental engagement risk.
