Advantage of hydraulic versis cable clutch
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Advantage of hydraulic versis cable clutch
I was curious as to what the supposed advantage is between the old school cable driven clutch and the newer hydraulic clutch. My 2018 Road King has the latter, and I was just curious, as my earlier bikes all had the cable clutch.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 390
From: NJ
None. I think it’s a ploy for the dealers to have another maintenance item. I hate mine with a passion but there is no other choice unless I go to open primary and just have a dry clutch, which I will not do because I have that on my other bike and I do not want that for touring.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I miss being able to adjust when it catches, I like it to come on right off the grip. The newer bikes I've sat on at the dealership seem to have a lighter pull than my '14. Tues I'm going to change the clutch fluid in mine. I don't miss having to loosen the cable an readjust it to remove the clever for stuff.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
The cable clutch set up has been solid over the years. Ive had a few. Got to be honest my current 2014 bike with hydraulic clutch I like a lot. Been back twice early for recall rebuild but you could almost expect it with something new like that. I dont miss at all the maintenance required from the cable setup. Time will tell on how the hydraulic setup holds up. I expect itll prove to be dependable.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,114
Likes: 11,162
From: San Diego, CA
I agree.....
Just like a cable clutch, it still requires maintenance.... you'll need to flush the hydraulic fluid from time to time, will eventually need to rebuild the master cylinder/slave cylinder, and may even need to replace a clutch fluid line once in awhile...
