slipper clutch

[daggles]

Been reading a lot (new to motorbikes) and i read on some site bout the slipper clutch.
u can downshift without perfectly matching the revs and it wont lockup on ya. that's how i understood it.
thing i don't get is, does it free wheel? or can u still downshift/engine brake?
anyone got any more info?

[jules_1972]

Here you go -

Slipper Clutch FAQ

[daggles]

cheers mate! answers my questions completely!

[quattro750]

one thing that was hinted at but not stated. forget bump starting unless you have one with 45deg ramps (not many now).
no battery / starter motor = no go! IE always keep battery in top order......

mind you for the track they are great. corner entry is much more controlled and free flowing. I have two 675s but only one has slipper = big difference. my son who does 68/69s at Barbs commented quite strongly about it when he rode mine with slipper. I used to race Ducatis so matching revs is "normal" for me therefore the difference was not as pronounced but very good just the same. certainly one less thing to think about. I bought a yoydyne (= USA Sigma) and fitted it in 30mins! Should have done it ages ago. helps this old campaigner circulate at 63/64s.

q

[daggles]

so for a track bike (and no previous track experience) would u recommend one?

[Desmo]

Without a doubt, brilliant devices.
Also known as a "back torque limiter".

[out_in_front]

they only make riding easier - definitely a good thing for the track!!

FWIW - I used to lock up the rear end of my old 250 at barbs all the time (particulaly turns 1 and 7) pretty much backed it in, had plenty of people telling me I was about to crash every lap too - although I did it all the time for 2-3 trackdays so I probably had it under control... The ZX-6R has a slipper, which was one of the main reasons I got it over anything else inthe price range - It makes a huge difference on the two trackdays I did on it.

That being said different slippers can act in slightly different ways - they can be off / on so that there is very little or no engine braking at all, or they can have heaps of engine breaking but not enough to lock the rear, some are adjustable (particularly aftermarket ones). It will be interesting to see how the one in the R6 i just picked up goes at the track.

[quattro750]

Without a doubt, brilliant devices.
Also known as a "back torque limiter".

^^WHS^^
not essential but very useful. it will have you entering corners faster than you would without it which is not a bad thing. as for no track experience, no dramas, a few of the jappers come standard with them anyway (as do other high end market bikes).

they aren't cheap though and if your bike hasn't got one and you are on a budget it would not be where I spend my money first: personal protective gear, tyres, brakes, bike protective gear, controls, gearing, slipper, suspension, motor/exhaust/power.....

my 2c
q

[AZAZL]

and they are fantastico with a quickshifter. Takes the mind off all the clutchy gearchange things that go through your mind when you are hurtling toward a corner