Hyd vs cable clutch
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 453
Likes: 100
From: Highland Perthshire, Scotland
I preferRED the hydraulic clutch on my earlier bikes, but of course since it was a perfectly good, working system, the MoCo, in their ever-increasing quest to get cheaper Chinese components had to monkey around with what worked, and ruined it. Look at all the recalls on hydraulic clutches they've had in later versions! Clutch in my '14 FLHTKSE is utterly awful. It's binary, and the lever had to be soooo far out. I did the '19 shim job, (yes, only took 5 years of owners' complaining, as usual) which improved it, but it's nowhere near as good as the hydraulic clutches on my earlier FLHes - they worked, MoCo broke it. And now back to cable clutches - that's ONLY to save them yet more money on making the bikes, but I didn't notice any reduction on the prices of '21 models.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
I hated the cable "heat stretch" that changed engagement feel depending upon temperature, especially in hot stop/go traffic. With the hydraulic clutch that never happens.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
SO I'm curious to see how this cable clutch is. Although I read someplace that even Harley going back to cable clutch pull is still very stiff and not light.
Last edited by pyuchem; Mar 4, 2021 at 04:27 PM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 1,821
From: Kalifornia
Well I want to test a new model to see for my self. I know the sportsters cable clutch was grabby but that might have been mine. Although on the Ride Like a Pro DVD he comments that the sportsters factory clutch is not ideal for low speed work because of that
One of bis youtube videos was how I came to learn HD had switched back. He was thrilled. It will be a couple weeks before I can get down to the dealer to test one though. Got an RV trip coming up.
One of bis youtube videos was how I came to learn HD had switched back. He was thrilled. It will be a couple weeks before I can get down to the dealer to test one though. Got an RV trip coming up.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 133
From: Connecticut
I guess everybody has their own opinions, but I’ve gotta be honest I REALLY like the feel of the cable clutch on my new ‘21. I really didn’t mind the hydraulic feel on my ‘17, but It’s really nice to have an old time feeling friction zone again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 1,821
From: Kalifornia
My 14 is the same way, its more like a light switch, its either engaged or not. VERY hard to regulate. I have small hands (size med in most gloves) so the shorter fingers might have something to do with this, but this friction zone is almost non existent.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1,422
From: Lost
Yeah I know what you mean by friction zone non existent on hydraulic clutch bike. I have 2016 SGS and I struggle with this.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 447
Likes: 427
From: Midwest
I tried several 21s with the cable including 2 CVOs. Without question the cable is a much heavier pull than my 2020 and if you have to pull the lever all the way to the bar, that will suck.
The correct way to use a hydro is with 2 or 3 fingers on the grip and then use 1 or 2 to activate. You will immediately notice a much better feel, smoother engagement, a more useful friction zone etc. If you are pulling it to the bar you are using it wrong. The MSF needs to update their training. Even FINE-C is outdated, no petcocks to turn on and no choke on any modern street bike. They need to teach proper technique and shame on Harley for not telling riders that one of the advantages of hydro is you don't have to pull all the way to the bar, but use your most sensitive finger or fingers for actuation.
We have been using them for racing for the last 10 years. There is no way I will ever go back to a scratchy, inconsistent, canyon wide, useless for precision friction zone that requires constant adjustment during a 2 hour race, and worse makes you take all your fingers off the grip to use, let one an all day ride. There is a reason no modern bikes of consequence use them anymore.
If you are going to make people deal with outdated tech like that at least give them and adjuster wheel by the lever so they can take up the fade during a ride. Lol.
An adjustable lever or a new slave are cheaper than a good helmet if you have smaller hands or less strength.
Good thing I have a 2020 because I will NEVER buy a new street bike with a cable clutch, carb, kick start, points, tubed tires, non abs or traction control, cruise control, drum brakes or chain ever again.
The correct way to use a hydro is with 2 or 3 fingers on the grip and then use 1 or 2 to activate. You will immediately notice a much better feel, smoother engagement, a more useful friction zone etc. If you are pulling it to the bar you are using it wrong. The MSF needs to update their training. Even FINE-C is outdated, no petcocks to turn on and no choke on any modern street bike. They need to teach proper technique and shame on Harley for not telling riders that one of the advantages of hydro is you don't have to pull all the way to the bar, but use your most sensitive finger or fingers for actuation.
We have been using them for racing for the last 10 years. There is no way I will ever go back to a scratchy, inconsistent, canyon wide, useless for precision friction zone that requires constant adjustment during a 2 hour race, and worse makes you take all your fingers off the grip to use, let one an all day ride. There is a reason no modern bikes of consequence use them anymore.
If you are going to make people deal with outdated tech like that at least give them and adjuster wheel by the lever so they can take up the fade during a ride. Lol.
An adjustable lever or a new slave are cheaper than a good helmet if you have smaller hands or less strength.
Good thing I have a 2020 because I will NEVER buy a new street bike with a cable clutch, carb, kick start, points, tubed tires, non abs or traction control, cruise control, drum brakes or chain ever again.
