I seriously don't know if this is good, bad, or ugly. I can up and down shift the transmission without using the clutch. I do have to use it at a full stop of course, but the rest can be done sans clutch. I do believe I have that coffee maker grinding sound from my clutch when the bike is cold. I haven't done anything about it yet. Please let me know if this shift capability is a problem.
Thanks.

I often do the same thing, on the Vulcan and my KLX dirtbike (and my GMC Jimmy 5 speed before I sold it). IMO, as long as you aren't grinding any gears when ya shift, what damage could you be doing to anything?
All it takes is proper timing and solid shifts.
I made a bet with a riding buddy that I could go from speed to full stop without ever using the clutch. Didn't have any problem getting $5 of him!! LOL
Now going from full stop to speed is a different thing. I wouldn't try that unless I was on a downhill grade to get started.

as long as you match the rpms to the gear you can do it on a bike or a car. the problem is that if you make a mistake you can chip a tooth off the gear wheel and then you'll wish you had used the clutch

I downshifted from 2nd to 1st without the clutch "by mistake" while heading into my driveway. no complaint from the bike at all. She is very forgiving. I don't plan on doing it on purpose though.

using the clutch makes shifting smoother, and i probably wouldn't do it without a reason.... like maybe a broken clutch cable.
i broke the clutch cable on another bike i had once and rode it 40 miles home with the only trouble being at stoplights... i tried to avoid them, but got stuck at a couple and of course the bike quit running at the light. i had to put it on the side stand, tilt the bike so the rear wheel was off the ground, start the bike in first and let the wheel spin. when the light turned green i'd give it gas and sit it up straight and go. it was a much lighter bike than the vulcan though.. i don't think i could tip my vulcan on its sidestand to get the wheel off the ground.

it was a much lighter bike than the vulcan though.. i don't think i could tip my vulcan on its sidestand to get the wheel off the ground.

You could use the center stand. It raises the rear wheel off the ground.

As for smoother, when done at the right time, there's virtually no difference in how the bike goes into gear with or without the clutch.

Generally speaking you can easily do it as long as you're hitting the sweet spot. The key is matching the revs. Of course, your trans is going to last longer if you use the clutch.

I do it often, on this bike and others I've owned. I know other guys who do the same, especially when they're haulin' ass and trying to save some seconds by not clutching....

No destruction yet.

Get an air shifter and you won't even have to flick your foot. ;)