Slipper Clutch

10480 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Hory_Mory, Apr 21, 2016

Ho11ywood195

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2015

R3 Slipper Clutch

Is a slipper clutch really needed for the R3? I just wanted to see what some of you members thought about this idea as a necessary upgrade. Early reviewers of the R3 point out that the lack of a slipper clutch is the major down side to the R3 but I see it as a advantage. Anyone have thoughts about this matter?

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John

· #2 · Apr 6, 2015

You currently have some very nice bikes in your stable! Any of them have a slipper clutch? I never owned a bike with one.
I wondered while watching the "first ride" track testers, which ones were used to having slipper clutches on their "regular" bikes and which ones were used to riding without.
I wondered this because some of these pro testers you could hear chirping the tires while downshifting and others downshifting smooth like silk.

Ho11ywood195

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 6, 2015

John said:
You currently have some very nice bikes in your stable! Any of them have a slipper clutch? I never owned a bike with one.
I wondered while watching the "first ride" track testers, which ones were used to having slipper clutches on their "regular" bikes and which ones were used to riding without.
I wondered this because some of these pro testers you could hear chirping the tires while downshifting and others downshifting smooth like silk.

Thank you! Yes my Ducati 848 has a slipper clutch but its not smooth as silk by any means. The tires still break loose for a split second then the traction control and ABS kick in to limit wheel spin. On a Ducati it makes lots of sense to have a slipper clutch because by no means is a Duc the easy to ride fast as a matter of fact its the most difficult bike to ride fast so electronics such as ABS TC and a slipper clutch will save your life and the bike if you blow a down shift. My Hondas dont have a slipper clutch but when I down shift I rev match and use my brakes togather so thats my slipper clutch. My Hondas are very forgiving motorcycles my Duc nope no real room for error. On a R3 I dont see it being a must have because if you blow a shift just grab the clutch lever problem and solved. Plus slipper clutchs have been known to slip out of gear or just not go into gear correctly sometimes so I see it as being one less thing to go wrong on the R3 whats are your thoughts?

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mgfchapin

· #4 · May 16, 2015

Slippers are almost necessary on a Duc because the big pistons cause a lot of compression & engine braking, making it easy to lock up the rear when you're quickly banging down the gearbox.

Your CBR600 and R3, which both have roughly the same size pistons, have just the right amount of engine braking for me so I don't see myself needing a slipper. Even on the track I've never felt a slipper is totally necessary on I4's or 2-cylinder 300's.

Xyzzy

· #5 · May 16, 2015

Some fuel processors will inject a little fuel on deceleration to act as a "poor man's" slipper clutch. (Note that there is no fuel on deceleration but there is at idle.)

The emmissions standards these bikes have to meet means they cut all fuel when you chop the throttle.

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Ho11ywood195

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 16, 2015

mgfchapin said:
Slippers are almost necessary on a Duc because the big pistons cause a lot of compression & engine braking, making it easy to lock up the rear when you're quickly banging down the gearbox.

Your CBR600 and R3, which both have roughly the same size pistons, have just the right amount of engine braking for me so I don't see myself needing a slipper. Even on the track I've never felt a slipper is totally necessary on I4's or 2-cylinder 300's.

I totally agree 100%. I have other friends that own Ducs and each of them are on there thrid gear box as of right now. Boy what a hassel if one of those clutch blows out

EcoRider

· #7 · May 16, 2015

When you take into account the high revs, slipper clutches might be helpful.
At 10K rpm it has a lot more engine braking power as at 5k rpm, or 2500rpm.

asaulo1

· #8 · May 16, 2015

I, for one, am a big proponent for the slipper clutch. I had it in my ninja 300 and had it kick in numerous times on some spirited canyon runs up Angeles Crest Hway. When I got my fz-07, I've had some occasion to lock up the rear tire when I've downshifted quite aggressively on a turn and it was quite scary. I've since learned to rev match on downshifts more consciously just because of that incident.

Stirz

· #9 · Jun 4, 2015

..... would be nice - - just sayin'

John

· #10 · Jun 5, 2015

Never owned a bike with slipper clutch, sounds like one of those things I don't really need. So, I'm on the fence. I would love to ride a ninja 300 just to see what real difference a slipper clutch makes, might be nice!

Contrails

· #11 · Jun 5, 2015

Slipper clutches are awesome. One less thing to think about. Especially in a hard braking zone.

That said, I've been doing fine with this bike and not having one. And for the street I really see no need. But that's me...

Norton-Motorsports.com

· #12 · Jun 20, 2015

I was curious what everyone else thought about this also. I'm used to racing with a slipper clutch in my R6, so I figured I would miss it in the R3. I still need to get some more time on the bike and upgrade the suspension to get up to pace and see how necessary it is, but I imagine it will only help. I was considering building one for the R3 and was curious how much interest there would be. It would likely cost $800.

Norton-Motorsports.com

· #13 · Jun 20, 2015

I think I'm going to build one, was trying to decide if there was enough need, but I think I will

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abvc

· #14 · Jun 20, 2015

i had kawasaki, and now yamaha. don't see a difference, maybe later in higher rpm.

Contrails

· #15 · Jun 21, 2015

How does one even do that? I'm starting to think I need one after all...

Norton-Motorsports.com

· #16 · Jun 28, 2015

Have to make a new spring loaded clutch basket with bearings to allow slip. I'll open up the clutch side later this summer and check it out.

BluebirdR3

· #17 · Apr 20, 2016

Well I had my first incident of rear wheel hop on a turn the other day. Let me tell you - I almost needed a change of drawers. That and the tire slide both combined to give me a bit of a scare. Now that I know, I will be more careful but I'm definitely going to ask my dealer about a tire upgrade next.

VULGR

· #18 · Apr 20, 2016

I would love a slipper clutch on my R3 (race bike), my ninja 300's have them, while I don't feel that it is necessary, it definitely is helpful.
There are a few racers here that have had significant engine problems that I feel may have been avoided with a slipper

BluebirdR3

· #19 · Apr 21, 2016

jbluetooth said:
Have to make a new spring loaded clutch basket with bearings to allow slip. I'll open up the clutch side later this summer and check it out.

Did you ever get anywhere with developing a slipper for the R3? I'm not sure its 100% necessary but I have to say I think it would a nice to have. Not sure that its worth $800 though.

Hory_Mory

· #20 · Apr 21, 2016

Slipper clutch are not necessary especially for a 300cc. I loved the slipper clutch on my 07, 09 and 2011 GSXR600 though. My Hypermotard 1100 didn't have a slipper clutch, but it was fun to rev match that beastmode bike. The occasional wheel skip was fun. Backing in the rear is fun.

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