When I got my bike at the end of August 2011, something has constantly been on my mind. The clutch cable. The thought of it breaking while I'm out riding is something that I'd rather not experience. Some of you know I went a very long time between bikes. The last bikes I had were in the late 70's and early 80's. And I was always breaking clutch cables when out riding. Always. And most of those bikes were small bikes (250cc and below). Seems like every one of them broke a clutch cable at least once during it's time with me. And NONE of them had anywhere close to 10k miles on them.

My RK now has almost 35,000 miles on it, and still on the original cable. Granted, I've ridden the RK mostly on the highways around here with not a "lot" of stop and go situations. Yet, it does get a workout what with parking lot speeds, maneuvers and such.

So, what have you folks been getting out of your clutch cables, mileage wise? Do you change it regularly? Or have you waited until it broke to do something with it?

 

47K on the cable ......lubed occasionally

 

70-80 K trade with the factory one still on never broke one in 43 years

 

Had 62k miles on my 09 Road King with no problems and have 22k miles on my Limited with no issues. I've had a spare for five years and never had to use it, like you I was worried about it and carried it for nine months on a road trip; now it just sits in the garage.

 

Recall on the routing of it got me a new cable right after I got the RG in '07 at 24,000 miles. I lube it every 5,000 miles or so and the bikes past 140,000 miles now.

 

I just replaced the OEM cable at 80k with a Sterling Chromite II because I wanted a different look. I think yours at 35k will last a while longer as long as you lube occasionally.

 

Just changed mine at about 78000 mile because i did Apes other than that it would've stayed on there.

 

29 years for the one on my Shovelhead FLH. When it finally broke, I was able to still ride it (in traffic) back to the house about 10 miles.

 

I've never thought about it until this post but I have a 1961 BMW with unknown mileage (over 100K?) with the original clutch cable. There is a spare in the tool box but it's been there since the bike was new. I've heard of clutch cables breaking but I don't think I've ever had one break on any of my motorcycles.

 

lube mine every spring, 47 k on our 07 and still the org factory cable.