Extend clutch life

[swaldrop]

I am looking to extend the life of my clutch in my '11 450 and am hoping to gather some info from others who may also be clutch abusers.

Let me start by saying that I abuse my clutch like crazy and I always have. On 250f's I used it to keep the power up and on 450's I use it to keep the power down. Drag the brakes, slip the clutch. Terrible habits that I have always wanted to correct, but have never taken the time or put in the effort.

I recently purchased a Rekluse EXP (the $400 'starter' kit) with the idea being that if I don't know how to use a clutch properly, then I'll let the machine do it for me. I have ridden with it a few times and love it. It does what it says it does. However, I ride tracks only and most of that is on a sand track. Even if I don't touch the clutch lever I get serious fade and have to constantly be adjusting the lever during a moto. And adjusting the lever on the fly with the Rekluse is not as cut and dry as doing so with a standard clutch. Either way, because of the fact that only cable tension is used as a way to maintain proper adjustment, the $400 EXP unit by itself is not going to cut it.

That being said, It's decision time for me. Here are my options as I see them...

a) Fork over an addition $500 and upgrade to the Core EXP. This would add a couple more clutch plates and would (I assume) help with the fade and adjustment issues. This would definitely provide a more durable clutch than what I have now (even more so than stock some might say) with the added benefit of having the Rekluse. But would it be enough?

? Scratch the Rekluse and upgrade to an '06 clutch. If I did this I would also throw on a Magura Hydraulic clutch to help with fade and provide a more consistent feel, which in turn would (possibly) help a little with longevity.

Any thoughts?

If I went with , would I need a '11 or '06 model Magura clutch? Are the parts listed below be all that I would need for the '11 to '06 clutch upgrade?

Any help or advice for my issue is greatly appreciated.

Also, if you have made it this long without replying to let me know how many hundreds of hours you have on your stock clutch, congratulations. Lets see how many hours you can stand not letting me know?

[grayracer513]

Both options are valid. Your best clutch life will come by going with (? and laying off the clutch lever as much as possible, but if you "love the Rekluse", then that means it's doing something you like. You should also know that Cable tension is what maintains the Core EXP as well, but it definitely is a more robust clutch than the OEM with an EXP installed. It's the same technology, but probably a reduced need for fiddling for the reasons you mentioned.

Sounds like a choice based more on how much you want to spend and whether you're committed to the auto clutch

There's the Z-Start Pro to consider, too.

[swaldrop]

Option (a) is what I would prefer to go with. The primary benefit of the Rekluse for me is that it provides more confidence through the corner. I no longer feel like I have to have a finger on the clutch lever through every turn and I can roll on the gas a little sooner.

My concern is that it is going to cost me another $500 and I am a bit skeptical after my initial experience with the EXP alone. If the full Core EXP will alleviate the fading and adjustment issues I am now having, then it's a win. If I still have those issues then it's a $900 failed experiment.

That being said, option (? is a no-brainer as far as it being more durable. Just no added benefit of the Rekluse itself.

The Z-Start pro is not an option I don't believe, not for the type of riding I do. The guy I spoke to at Rekluse didn't think it would be a good idea and I tend to agree.

What about those parts Gray? I believe I got those numbers from you in one of these threads. Just want to verify they are the correct ones.

On a side note, the guy at Rekluse that I spoke to (I don't recall his name) was very knowledgeable and was a pleasure to talk to. If you have questions about whether the part is right for you or not, I suggest giving them a call. They will shoot you straight.

[grayracer513]

Rekluse is a good company with excellent customer support.? Their stuff may not be for everyone, but it's very well made, and does exactly what it's supposed to.

The parts list looks correct to me.

[Gunner354]

Another option is the type of oil you use. I have found that using Redline oil which is a group V polyol ester base oil actually makes the friction discs swell ever so slightly thus increasing your clutch life. The typical swell from what I have measured is .0010. I actually had to adjust my gap after my bike sat for 5 months due to the Rekluse Pro not disengaging. My son in law has the Pro also in his 09 yz450 and after 400 hrs he is still on the original clutch. I also installed the original z-start in a friends crf450 with the not so good override. He got nearly 4 years of hill climbing and massive clutch abuse. He used a semisynthetic that also used a polyol ester oil.

[swaldrop]

Another option is the type of oil you use.

I have used Rotella T for years and the guys at Rekluse recommend it as well. Good to hear about the success with their clutches either way. I think I will go for the extra parts to complete the Core EXP and see how it goes. I really like the benefits of the auto clutch too much to go back now. Once I get it installed I will be sure to report back with how well it does.

[Gunner354]

I have used Rotella T for years and the guys at Rekluse recommend it as well. Good to hear about the success with their clutches either way. I think I will go for the extra parts to complete the Core EXP and see how it goes. I really like the benefits of the auto clutch too much to go back now. Once I get it installed I will be sure to report back with how well it does.

I cringe when I hear people that run a petroleum based oil in these high revving 1 quart motors. Maybe that's why I have over 400 hrs on an 09.