Riding the clutch
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
From: H-Town
Riding the clutch
I've been watching this guy on YouTube
He teaches slow maneuvering techniques for riding motorcycles. They all rely on riding the clutch. He says it's not going to wear out the clutch. I dont understand how that could be. So I was thinking maybe there's a difference in New clutch technology. I've never ruined a motorcycle clutch but I've burned the one in my 1980 Datsun. I rode the clutch a lot in that car as I was learning to drive. I never even had to change another clutch in any of my other cars, but I assumed that was because I knew how to drive without riding the clutch & I didn't keep them very long. Heck the last one I owned used transmission fluid, not gear oil.
So what's the deal for like a 2002 Heritage or Dyna. Would riding the clutch burn it out?
He teaches slow maneuvering techniques for riding motorcycles. They all rely on riding the clutch. He says it's not going to wear out the clutch. I dont understand how that could be. So I was thinking maybe there's a difference in New clutch technology. I've never ruined a motorcycle clutch but I've burned the one in my 1980 Datsun. I rode the clutch a lot in that car as I was learning to drive. I never even had to change another clutch in any of my other cars, but I assumed that was because I knew how to drive without riding the clutch & I didn't keep them very long. Heck the last one I owned used transmission fluid, not gear oil.
So what's the deal for like a 2002 Heritage or Dyna. Would riding the clutch burn it out?
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 518
Likes: 593
From: Central Iowa
No, your bike has a multi disc wet clutch and it's specifically engineered to be slipped a LOT in comparison to the single disc dry clutch in essentially every car and light truck. Slipping the clutch in the friction zone is the only way to master slow speed maneuvering and you could practice it for hours without doing any damage to your clutch, it was made for that so go for it. Now, does it increase wear on the clutch doing that? Well obviously it does and eventually it will need replaced, but probably nowhere near the extent that you assume it does and not slipping the clutch out of fear of wearing it out is like not using the brakes for fear of wearing them out, or just not riding period for fear you'll wear the tires out.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 996
From: Winnipeg
100% agree! A must learn skill for any rider. And yes, especially those riding the big boys!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,543
Likes: 6,419
From: Honah Lee
A wet motorcycle clutch at slow speed so slow that low will lug the motor won't hurt clutch slipping to give you more gear ratio. I did it for years coming up out of a steep full 180 curve out of a parking lot at work.
At around 30K, I had primary apart to replace a alternator rotor spline.
I went thru the primary closely inspecting.
I measured the steels and fibers. They had absolutely no measurable wear. I compared them to the non wear areas.
The clutch has a huge amount of area. And pleanty of cooling oil for that.
At around 30K, I had primary apart to replace a alternator rotor spline.
I went thru the primary closely inspecting.
I measured the steels and fibers. They had absolutely no measurable wear. I compared them to the non wear areas.
The clutch has a huge amount of area. And pleanty of cooling oil for that.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Dec 5, 2024 at 03:59 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,220
From: San Diego, CA
I've been watching this guy on YouTube
He teaches slow maneuvering techniques for riding motorcycles. They all rely on riding the clutch. He says it's not going to wear out the clutch. I dont understand how that could be. So I was thinking maybe there's a difference in New clutch technology.
On a Harley, as been mentioned numerous times above, it's not an issue for the street driver. The wet clutch is the reason. As I understand it, a dry clutch is a totally different animal.
FWIW...
I know numerous Motor Officers. While most of them like their BMW police bikes over a Harley
, those that compete in Police Rodeos, or teach a motor academy, have horror stories about BMW dry clutches burning up and wearing out... Our police garage guys complained about the BMW clutches even in normal police duty.A motor friend says he went through BMW clutches 3 or 4 to 1, versus when he rode a Harley police bike. Yet he still prefers his BMW Police bike
. He said, "No big deal. I just drop off my BMW for repair any time the clutch started acting up, and checked out a spare until mine was fixed."...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,497
Likes: 30,783
From: Pennsylvania
It is my understanding "gear ratio" is in the transmission gears not the clutch or primary.
I would just like to better understand the clutch slipping gear ratio concept.
Thanks in advance.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
From: H-Town
I'm not "worried" about wearing the brakes. It's normal maintenance & expected.
Thank all of you. Wet clutch, that's what I didn't know. & that would be the same in the older bikes as well?
Thank all of you. Wet clutch, that's what I didn't know. & that would be the same in the older bikes as well?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,497
Likes: 30,783
From: Pennsylvania