Slipper Clutch?

[BaggerDad]

I recently read about a V-Rod owner installing a slipper clutch in his bike.

Sorry if I sound like a newby - but what exactly is a slipper clutch and how is it different than a traditional motorcycle clutch? What does it do differently and how does it feel?

[Shed]

They will slip insted of locking up on fast downshifts.

PS the work a mate just seized his engine and the rear did not lock up.

[EZE RIDER]

Yes, A slipper clutch is named so due to the great safety advantage of the rear tire wont lock up on a hard downshift. It also reduces the pull pressure on the clutch lever by I think 20%. I bought a slipper clutch but I have not installed it yet.

[evoKENevo]

I did'nt know that either. Thanks for the update,guys ! It's really something to THINK about !!

[47knuck]

Originally Posted by EZE RIDER

Yes, A slipper clutch is named so due to the great safety advantage of the rear tire wont lock up on a hard downshift. It also reduces the pull pressure on the clutch lever by I think 20%. I bought a slipper clutch but I have not installed it yet.

Does that mean it has no noticable effect or feel when riding normally, but does act diferently only during hard down shifts?

When is this helpful other than on a race track?

[EZE RIDER]

Originally Posted by 47knuck

Does that mean it has no noticable effect or feel when riding normally, but does act diferently only during hard down shifts?

When is this helpful other than on a race track?

Some folks find the pulling effort on the stock setup a little too firm and complain about a tired arm/wrist. The slipper reduces that effort and at the same time increases clamping force on the clutch. As far as the rear wheel lockup is concerned it can really help. Did you ever shift into the wrong gear and slow down much more than you thought? On a patch of sand or gravel?
If your like me you can get a little carried away at times on the road and it helps then too.

I bought mine for $235. Hope this helped.

[evoKENevo]

Originally Posted by Shed

They will slip insted of locking up on fast downshifts.

PS the work a mate just seized his engine and the rear did not lock up.

As I mentioned in MY earlier post here (not the one quoted above) I was'nt familiar with this type of clutch. But, I took a particular interest in the idea of not locking-up the rear end in the event that my engine were to unexpectedly (of course) seize-up for whatever reason. It happened to a friend I was riding with one time..and,although he THUNK to clutch-it in time to get it back under control,the incident is ETCHED in my mind..especially because he almost took ME out,too !! Yeah,and, I'm thinking that this could eliminate at least one more concern as I'm going along..making things that much more fun,

[BlueBob]

So can anyone who's installed one recommend a good manufacturer? Sounds like a pretty good idea, safety wise. Might bump that one to the top of the list along with the true-track.

[texan321]

Originally Posted by BlueBob

So can anyone who's installed one recommend a good manufacturer? Sounds like a pretty good idea, safety wise. Might bump that one to the top of the list along with the true-track.

I would tend to agree here - but let me ask a couple of questions - it is easier to pull the clutch? Keeps the rear tire from locking when you mistakenly shift into wrong gear?

Would frisco use it?

Bob - on the true track - do you think it will really make a difference on your bike? Are you doing that much cornering?

[BlueBob]

Not on the in-town rides, but as soon as I hit the mountain roads it's hard not to. The twisties in Colorado are hard to beat.

Perhaps I am jumping the gun a bit though. I'll only be in Colorado for about another year and I doubt the roads in SoCal are quite so twisty. I probably should go for the Progressive Suspension shocks before the True-Track anyway. Mucho dinero for the True-Track.