Real world benefits of the slipper assist clutch

[Ulvetanna_imp]

My 2012 BMW R1200R has an automotive type dry clutch. Running at low, like parking lot, speeds the throttle response was like an on/off switch. I installed a box to fatten up the fuel mixture and that helped. I finally resorted to keeping the bike in 2ng gear. That made it much better, but lugged the engine.

I did not experience that problem on my '14 CB1100. It had really excellent low speed manners. I don't think I would have gone to the expense of installing a slipper clutch, unless to original clutch was dead.

My 2016 R1200R does have a slipper clutch and it is great. It makes riding the bike, especially in town, super easy. As yet, I have not experienced any problem with lack of engine breaking.

Keep in mind, since these things are just now showing up on all kinds of bikes instead of high-performance machines, that many bikes with slipper clutches don't have the "assist" feature.

On the other hand, some with the torque-assist feature don't slip.

I mentioned my '15 ZX-10R, which has a slipper clutch but not a light clutch pull. There is no assist to it. Same with my '12 GSX-R 750, slip but no grip/assist.

Slip/grip is more accurate, as there's really no "assist" mechanism for the rider. As the video 'splains, the ramps in the clutch assembly tighten the plates under acceleration. That lets the designer used fewer or lighter springs. It's a passive assist to the rider.

The Triumph Bonneville family, for example (Street Twin/Cup, Bonneville, etc.) all use a "torque-assist" clutch which allows the lighter springs and gives a pretty light feel to the clutch. But there's no slip feature, so the rear wheel will indeed skid if one messes up a shift.

I think the ASC (Assist Slipper Clutch) is a fantastic feature to have on any bike with a high-torque engine, like the CB1100. It reduces hand fatigue, great for urban riding or long sporting rides with many downshifts, and could definitely help with a screwball or sloppy downshift by maintaining traction.

A very worthwhile upgrade if possible. There could be some other parts or fit conflicts but if not, wow, what an excellent upgrade! I wonder how the clutch feel would be affected, though, with the lighter springs?

My Ducati 620 has an APTC clutch, which is a nightmare to modulate. I don't think the bike makes enough power to warrant a slipper clutch. It's very difficult to ride the bike smoothly at low speeds -- the clutch has a very narrow friction zone and is either fully engaged or fully disengaged. And this is with Ducati's recommended fully-synthetic, very expensive oil. I'm going to replace it with Rotella T6 and see if that helps.

Both my former GSX-R 750 and now my Z900 need to be fully warmed to get the clutch to engage nicely. The slipper feature causes the plates to behave in a funny way until the oil is completely warmed up. The bikes produce an unusual vibration at the lever when letting the clutch out from a stop. After two or three easy launches, it clears up.