8 replies to this topic

[5kcstq TT Member]

So all the recent talk of auto-clutches has me wondering....WHY?  What does the auto-clutch allow you to do that the stock clutch doesn't?  And I don't count manually clutching and shifting as a bad thing. I've ridden quads and play bikes with auto-clutches and never found them to be usefull for competent riders.  New riders I can see it making sense, but I think I'm missing something in terms of A-riders wanting an auto-clutch.  I mutch prefer the stocker I think... I still can't stand auto-trans cars either, so it might just be me.

Anyhow, was just curious what the point was of the auto-clutches? Not trying to poke a hornets nest, I'm just genuinely curious.

[JimDettman TT Gold Member]

5kcstq, on 19 June 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

Anyhow, was just curious what the point was of the auto-clutches?

You don't stall.  Clutch disconnects as soon as the engine idles.

Jim.

[DMC707 TT Platinum Member]

• You use less energy to go faster -
  
• one less thing you have to worry about in the heat of battle
  
• enhances traction --- feathers the clutch automatically better than you can do on your own
  
• More fun (this is subjective though)
  
• minimizes stalling
  
• engine stays running most of the time when you drop it
  
• more holeshots!  (the better traction thing --but then again if half the field is running a recluse also , maybe not)
  
• Its a lot tougher to drink a lukewarm Schlitz Ice when you have to donk around with a clutch --

[Krannie]

I like everything about the autoclutch accept the engagement. It softens the delivery of power at the lowest end of the scale.

[n i c k TT Bronze Member]

I think the OP is also assuming that the auto clutch shifts the gears for you. Or did I read that wrong? You still need to shift the gears yourself. I loved my recluse on my kxf when I had it.  But that's bc I was riding a MX bike on tight single track. The bike wouldn't stall. Now on my X, I don't think I'll add a recluse to it. With all the mods I've done to the engine and the way the bike just wants to go, I've never been in a situation where I think I would've needed one. But since I have done all those mods, the bike is a total handful in the super technical single track I like to ride here in Az. So I went and bought a yz250 2t and its so much more fun to ride in the tight stuff. I'll be putting a recluse on it in the next couple months.

[Krannie]

5kcstq, on 19 June 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

So all the recent talk of auto-clutches has me wondering....WHY?  What does the auto-clutch allow you to do that the stock clutch doesn't?  And I don't count manually clutching and shifting as a bad thing. I've ridden quads and play bikes with auto-clutches and never found them to be usefull for competent riders.  New riders I can see it making sense, but I think I'm missing something in terms of A-riders wanting an auto-clutch.  I mutch prefer the stocker I think... I still can't stand auto-trans cars either, so it might just be me.

Anyhow, was just curious what the point was of the auto-clutches? Not trying to poke a hornets nest, I'm just genuinely curious.

Not a CVV transmission (no shifting), not a centrifigal clutch (mini-bikes and lawn mowers), it's a 'anti-stall' device, that also provides other benefits (depending on your riding style).

All it does is make it a no-clutch lever operation.

[macklikesbikes TT Bronze Member]

GOOD:

When stuck and trying to spin/muscle a bike around on a hill or in a ditch you dont have to worry about your left hand/clutch. Pretty much eliminates stalling.

Great for hillclimbs: Start and finish any hillclimb in 3rd gear. No more 'sketchy-traction breaking' downshift into 2nd for that last 20 meters of steep gnar.

FORGIVABLE:

Bottom end right of the RPM's is somewhat softer of a 'hit'.

In the end this clutch can make you a pretty lazy rider, but this is a good thing. Also, you can hook up a rear handle bar brake if your not using the manual override lever.

[5kcstq TT Member]

Makes more sense... I can see it being really nice stuck on the side of a nasty rock hill, with not having to hold in the clutch.  I knew you still had to shift, but just wasn't sure what the big benefit on a dirt bike was.  Anyhow, thanks for the replies... I'm kinda old school so actually like having the clutch up there where I can manipulate it, but certainly there are times where it would be nice with an auto.  Like after a recent high side I had at about mile 10 of a 30 mile single track poker run I was in.  Smashed my left hand like crazy... tried to pull in the clutch and immediately "uh oh".  Eventually the hand went numb and I could clutch again... but yeah, an auto-clutch sure would have been nice there!

[DMC707 TT Platinum Member]

5kcstq, on 19 June 2013 - 06:37 PM, said:

Makes more sense... I can see it being really nice stuck on the side of a nasty rock hill, with not having to hold in the clutch.  I knew you still had to shift, but just wasn't sure what the big benefit on a dirt bike was.  Anyhow, thanks for the replies... I'm kinda old school so actually like having the clutch up there where I can manipulate it, but certainly there are times where it would be nice with an auto.  Like after a recent high side I had at about mile 10 of a 30 mile single track poker run I was in.  Smashed my left hand like crazy... tried to pull in the clutch and immediately "uh oh".  Eventually the hand went numb and I could clutch again... but yeah, an auto-clutch sure would have been nice there!

You can still fan the clutch like normal for aggressive riding with one ------ I had one on my motocross bike,  so used that feature  a lot to give the motor a shot of R's coming out of a turn  -----  In fact if you got on a bike with a Rekluse Core EXP clutch , and nobody told you it was in there -- you might not notice the difference at first