Slipper clutch?

[Kittyhawk]

I know nothing about these. But have heard of them.

What are they? their purpose, and do I have one on my bike? what other models of bikes have them??

Are they easy to replace if they break? are they easily broken if used lots?

Argh all these questions

My bike is an 04 GSXR 600.

[beyond]

It's Moto GP technology being brought down to the pocket rocket class, mainly litre bikes and high performance machines.

Without a slipper clutch, if you change down too early in the corners or on the straights, the resultant engine torque will lock the back wheel which can cause some nasty moments, especially in corners

So, a slipper clutch allows the engine revs to match the wheel output so that the rear does not lock up and and allows smooth down changes even when the rider is too early on the downshift. Works very well and no matter how ham fisted you are on the down changes it eradicates this problem of rear wheel lockup when changing down through the gears.

As far as maintenance goes, well, it's another bit of wizadry so will be more expensive to fix than say a standard clutch but longevity shouldn't be a problem.

[MD]

What he said. Makes it's far less scary barrowing full tit into a corner and slamming down a gear under hard brakes to find the engine causes the rear wheel to lock up into a wiggle. Although at times that was half the fun. Other times it was shit yourself material.
The 05 model ZX6R was the first of the road 600s to come with a slipper I think. Then the 06 GSXR600 and then Yammy and Honda caught on. Most of the Jap 1000s have them now.
It worked a treat on my last bike (636). Not the sort of part you can buy off the shelf and fit to any bike.

[HDTboy]

This page explains quite well the purpose and theory of a slipper clutch, I hope it's what you're looking for.
With a bit of training and strength, one can emulate a slipper clutch by releasing the lever slowly on downshifts.

PS. The '07 CBR600RR still doesn't have a slipper clutch.

[unhingedlizard]

Cant bump start a road bike with a slipper clutch too

[Kittyhawk]

Cheers for that...thanks guys!!!

[98tls]

Cant bump start a road bike with a slipper clutch too

Yes you can...........my old TL has a slipper clutch of sorts.......although a bad design.........personally i dont mind the slide on hard out down-shifts.....drifting in is good..............

[Morcs]

If you quickly change down 2-3 gears and dump the clutch your wheel shouldnt lock up or anything drastic if you have a slipper clutch.

When my bike is going you can have a go playing with the slipper clutch if u like. Its pretty handy.

[Gremlin]

When my bike is going you can have a go playing with the slipper clutch if u like. Its pretty handy.

I believe the zx10 has a back torque limiter, and while some sites/references do use slipper clutch and back torque limiter as if one, its not correct, iirc. Slipper clutch works both ways, I think, while the back torque limiter is for deceleration.

zx10, and other thous also have large first gears, making it reasonably hard to lock the rear up anyway...

[HDTboy]

Slipper clutch works both ways, I think, while the back torque limiter is for deceleration.

What would be the point of having a clutch which slips when you're trying to put driving power through it?

[scracha]

It's called a "slipper" clutch because it's used by old men on bikes far too fast for them to handle. That way their bikes have pipes and slippers.

The lever on the left handlebar is called a clutch and proper combined with a few downshifts makes it a very effective back brake.

[Gremlin]

What would be the point of having a clutch which slips when you're trying to put driving power through it?

so you can fall off?

correct me if I'm wrong, but the k6 thou has something. Riding a mates, I tried to dump the clutch a bit, to slip through traffic, to turn into a side street. All it did was make a grinding noise, and cause me to almost fall off, when my lean angle didn't match the speed I was doing.

Also stops excessive revs away from lights I guess, racing starts etc...

[imdying]

Both only work on decel, the BTL is just a poor cousin (less effective) of a full slipper clutch.

[Morcs]

I believe the zx10 has a back torque limiter, and while some sites/references do use slipper clutch and back torque limiter as if one, its not correct, iirc. Slipper clutch works both ways, I think, while the back torque limiter is for deceleration.

zx10, and other thous also have large first gears, making it reasonably hard to lock the rear up anyway...

I was talking about my Honda, but yeah, correct on the 10.