Dry slippler clutch now available for Ducati 848

[mcmurray]

Check it out;

Ducati.com

[Xuaxace]

Hmm dry clutch... Never got around to understand the benefits of them. Only thing that comes to my mind is that the oil (on a wet clutch) somehow takes efficiency of the motor as the clutch would ''drag'' on the oil when spinning?

[Nero Diablo]

Hmm dry clutch... Never got around to understand the benefits of them. Only thing that comes to my mind is that the oil (on a wet clutch) somehow takes efficiency of the motor as the clutch would ''drag'' on the oil when spinning?

Can also change clutch without disturbing any oil seals (handy on a race bike) and probally more importantly doesn't dump friction material into you oil and through the rest of your engine and gearbox.

[rod]

Can change wet clutches withought draining the oil - just lean it over to the left a bit more

The oil in a wet sump/wet clutch bike barely touches the clutch basket yeah? Drag would be fairly minimal. I remember in the olden days Rob Muzzy used to run really low oil level in the ZXR750 superbikes to keep the crank a bit out of the oil and reduce drag.

[ducmon]

To my knowledge the dry is better for racing as it is quicker to change the plates/basket and so forth. The MotoGp teams use dry clutches, but for the road I'm not sure of the advantages.

[mike7]

I thought moto gp use slipper clutches which stops engine breaking after a downshift? This allows them to knock it down to first for the first tight hairpin after the long straight and being in 6th and stop the engine from slowing the rear wheel down.
Does a dry clutch exist without acting like a slipper clutch?
mike.

[Desmo]

I thought moto gp use slipper clutches which stops engine breaking after a downshift?

It doesn't stop engine braking, but it does slightly negate it.
Imagine smashing it into first coming into a corner and feathering the clutch to prevent lockup. A properly set up slipper will maximise engine braking whilst preventing compression lockup.

Does a dry clutch exist without acting like a slipper clutch?

Yep, most of the older dry clutched base model Duc's are non slipper dry clutches. It was only on the R models that came with slipper clutches, and even then they where rudimentary 3 ramp slipper clutches, nothing special.
The only difference between a wet and dry clutch is that a dry clutch doesn't run in an oil bath, and has been stated previously, their only real application is in racing, specifically endurance racing, where quick clutch swaps are needed.
Having said that, with Ducati's they are a bit of a nostalgic thing. Much like Termignonis and desmodromic valve actuation.
Some people hate them, others love them. For me, it's an essential part of what makes a Ducati a Ducati.

[mcmurray]

I noticed a while ago Desmo, that one of your biggest complaints of the bike is that there was no dry clutch. Does the fact that you can get one now change your opinion of the bike?

[Desmo]

My opinion of the bike still remains the same, it's an "affordable" Ducati.
I was just amazed that Ducati had gone to a wet clutch for it, but I think they where aiming for a different demographic for the 848, i.e. Jap bike riders who can now afford an Italian bike, the same sort of people who wouldn't like the sound of a dry clutch I should imagine.

[ducmon]

all important with the dry clutch is running the open cover so you can annoy everyone with the rattle

[mu53wa]

...but I think they where aiming for a different demographic for the 848, i.e. Jap bike riders who can now afford an Italian bike, the same sort of people who wouldn't like the sound of a dry clutch I should imagine.

So a 1098 is for the real Ducati fans and not the "ex-Jap bike riders" who obviously can't afford the extra $5K (over an 848)? $5K won't be breaking anyones bank I would think.

[Xuaxace]

Dry clutches . Heard the first one on a LNR, the sound got me intrigued, i didn't know what it was but i liked the sound.

[rod]

Dry clutch on a Ducati? It's all part of the pomp and ceremony!

Rumble rumble rumble, shinkle chinkle chinkle.........

Having bits of the engine visibly whirring around adds to the show.

[jules_1972]

Dry is good...

But if my bike came with wet i wouldnt change it to dry...

Clack Clack Clack!!
Awesome

[rod]

The feel and noise of a hot 'n grabby dry clutch isn't really motoring pleasure so I wouldn't be changing a wet clutch for a dry clutch either.

[Desmo]

Clutch judder on the Duc is not fun.

[rossguzzi]

Should hear my external rockers if you like engine clatter !

[D.J]

848 made better, reposta but funny anyway...

[ame=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYnAeKiTq4]YouTube - ducati 848[/ame]

[icebliss]

848 made better, reposta but funny anyway...

youtube - ducati 848

lol... my bladder threatens to burst

[Warp Racer]

They also make a wet slipper for the 848