How do you use a clutch on a dirt bike?

Is it necessary to use the clutch when changing gears on a dirt bike?

• I have been riding a lot and sometimes I don't have a lot of time to pull in the clutch or other circumstances. Is it safe for the engine? Will it cause any harm to the dirt bike?

• Answer:

  The basic rule of thumb is to always (if you can help it) use the clutch to up-shift. When you down shift you don't want to use the clutch because when you pull it in and you are trying to slow down for a corner you want the engine to help you slow down. When you pull in the clutch it disengages the engine so you wont slow down as fast. It will NOT damage your engine. Also when using your clutch only use 1 or 2 fingers on it at a time, so that you can still hold onto your bike whale you are riding, and so you wont slow down because you can hold on from using all 4 fingers. when doing a motocross start use at least 2 but no more than 3 fingers on the clutch. When going down the strait try to use the clutch at least a little bit when shifting UP through the gears. Once you get on the breaks DON'T pull it in to DOWN shift. this tecknique will help you in the corners, and if you master it people wont be able to keep up with u in the corners. And there are more corners on a moto-x track than anything else. Hope this helps.