This may seem pretty stupid but I'm 14, learning more everyday, and i'm not really around any sport atv's. Though do you still have to shift while pulling the clutch lever on the newer sport atv's It's hard to explain though I mean just like driving a manual, you know, press in the clutch, shift, left off the clutch. I just remembered that I did that when I was riding my brothers old Honda a year ago. I'm sure this is a very ignorant question but I just need a bit of help.

 

All sport atvs i know of have a clutch.
some semi-sport quads are clutchless manual shifting, like the wolverine.

 

or a 250ex

 

I see, how long does it take to get used to? I remember the only problem I had was starting it and taking off. I never could let the clutch lever out easy enough, are the new sport atv's a bit more rider friendly when it comes to that kind of stuff then they used to be? Thanks for the help.

 

The V-Force is a rubber band drive full auto.

A full manual hand clutch is great! It offers so much more direct control of the power. Only place it isn't so great, is slow riding on technical terrain, where you would have to be slipping the clutch a lot. On that stuff, I prefer an autoclutch. Don't think there is currently an automatic that I would own.

 

Thanks for the response, I'm looking at the Z400 by the way, it seems to be a great all around atv I hear on the boards. I've been riding since I was 6 so I have plenty of experience, just not with a clutch. I'll be purchasing the atv next week or tomorrow if all goes as planned. I don't figure the Z400 will be too much bike for me, I'm 5'8 130 lbs. I don't weigh much but I'm in great shape and very athletic so I don't figure swinging it around will be much of a problem.

 

all my life i have rode utility wheelers (i'm 20) until about 2 months ago i got a new 400ex
before that i had never rode anything with a clutch besides a truck or car.

it only took me about two or three hours of practice around the yard too get the hang of it.
get in a good safe level place and practice taking off from a dead stop. don't dump the clutch on take off!
next try taking off from a dead stop on a small upward slope that is kind of hard because you have to use the brake too.
take off going downhill is easy just start rolling then let off the clutch.

have fun be safe
hope this helps!

 

I'm in the exact situation, I've rode utilities my whole life as well. Nothing else. After a while you feel the need for a change. Thanks for the clutch tips. I'll be in the South next week which is all flat land so it should be perfect for practicing.

 

there are other sport machines out there that have cvt (continulusly variable transmison) they are just about the same set up as a seld except a smaller belt...the v-force, scrambler 400 and 500 and the trailblazer are all examples of these...alot of the utes use the cvt's also...and with the cvts no need to shift because it is doing it for you...a plus on that is that you are always in the right gear and dont have to worry about shifting at certain points

 

Well, the more power (mainly torque) the easier it will be to start off. Weaker machines you have to be more precise to get the power there at the right time, while with my Raptor, I can let the clutch out pretty fast with out touchin the throttle and it'll go. Because it has enough power at idle to go. The only other clutch i've driven was a Warrior. Big difference. You have to be more precise. But you shouldn't have any problem at all after 2 or 3 days. It won't take long at all before it's just second nature to clutch it while shifting and braking. Have fun.