OK, I am a noob so did not know about this, so figured that other noobs may not also. I know all you experienced riders will - but bear with me. Checked out a website - RidersGuide Biker Friendly / Motorcycle Friendly Accommodation, which lists good bike ride routes by area or county along with other information. Also includes a hints and tips section, which is where I picked this up from - clutchless shifting: "What you do is this: ride along, accelerating briskly in whatever gear you’re in. Apply a little upward pressure on the gear lever and as you do so, shut the throttle a fraction and immediately open it again to exactly where it was before. As the power reduces for that split second, the force that holds the gears in mesh with each other disappears and your light pressure on the lever should be enough to shift you smoothly into the next gear up without the lurching sometimes associated with using the clutch." Well it works a treat on the Bonnie - amazingly smooth and quick and didn't take long to get used to. Try it!