The Ninja has a slipper clutch built in, which may explain why you can get to 1st from N, but in general, motorcycle transmissions are made with straight cut gear and can normally be shifted from 2-5/6 without any clutch action at all. Just release the gas and apply pressure to gear shift lever for upshifts, and blip throttle while applying pressure for downshifts. It's an artform, and when done correctly, doesn't hurt transmission at all. Using the clutch, however, makes things a little easier and allows some room for error. I have opted, therefore, to just lightly feather the clutch instead of a full depression while shifting. This also has the advantage of giving your rear wheel a bit of transition until engine braking, allowing for an easier traction management situation. That's critical in tight fast turning, so I'll continue to use clutch for downshifting, and occasionally go clutchless for upshifting. YMMV.

 

I generally up shift without the clutch, at times down shift. Never had an issue on any of my bikes that wasn't preexisting when I acquired the bike. I've never heard of starting from a stop without a clutch, or am I not understanding that part?

BMW S1000RR is specifically designed for this. Full throttle just shift up, bike does the rest. I'm sure there are others but that is the only one I have had experience with that did that.

As far as bent shift lever, that's the case for any backyard beater dirt bike.

 

I believe you can get the Power Commander 5 and add a quick shifter for the same function as the S1000RR. I have considered it, but since I can already upshift so quickly I dont think it is needed.

 

How are you going from N to first without stalling? are you moving already when you shift it?

 

or 1st to 2nd for that matter. I can't NOT hit neutral if I try to quickshift it. 1st to 2nd has always been a rougher shift for me, been trying to smooth it out without much luck.