Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey guys, I'm new here, but since I am asking a technical question I figured this would be the best place to ask. Sorry if this sounds mentally challenged or something but I need a bit of clarification.

What the hell is, exactly, a "slipper clutch"?

I hear the phrase alot, but I am hazy about its exact meaning. Your help would be awesome.

Thanks guys,

-Sol

Slipper clutches are found on higher performance bikes, new ones at that, and is just a method to allow the engine to be downshifted quickly without locking up the rear wheel. The clutch will slip when reverse torque is applied, keeping the backend from skidding and maintaining traction with Mama Earth. It only slips one way, when normal torque(from the engine to the rear tire) is being applied, it locks up just like a regular clutch.

It is really only useful on a race track. Streetbikes really ought not to be ridden in a fashion that requires such a feature. Especially if ridden in a lawful manner.

BuzZz wrote:Slipper clutches are found on higher performance bikes, new ones at that, and is just a method to allow the engine to be downshifted quickly without locking up the rear wheel. The clutch will slip when reverse torque is applied, keeping the backend from skidding and maintaining traction with Mama Earth. It only slips one way, when normal torque(from the engine to the rear tire) is being applied, it locks up just like a regular clutch.

It is really only useful on a race track. Streetbikes really ought not to be ridden in a fashion that requires such a feature. Especially if ridden in a lawful manner.

so you could be doing say 60mph drop down to 2nd gear pop the clutch and not lock the back tire up?

does it allow you to engine brake like any other bike does?

iwannadie wrote:
so you could be doing say 60mph drop down to 2nd gear pop the clutch and not lock the back tire up?

does it allow you to engine brake like any other bike does?

Yep, that's about right. Depending on how they built it, it can allow a small amount of engine braking, a larger amount or none at all. most are set-up to give just a small amount of engine braking from what I've read.

sounds pretty cool, like one of those things when you think about it should have been invented years ago, just makes sense to have.

sounds like you'd be going through brake pads a lot faster then normal.

Sevulturus wrote:sounds like you'd be going through brake pads a lot faster then normal.

i dont think a set of pads is a real concern for track bike riders considering a set of tires last what, one race. no big deal throwing new pads on each race either(if they dont already).

hmm, now that i think about it, thats whata they used on a honda scooter sold in India. Pretty nifty, the shift was "rotary" so you would have to switch gears only in one direction,

N-1-2-3-4 forward and then from 4th to 1st.... no having to maneuver your foot under the gear lever. Good thing when riding with flip-flops!!!

kar_the_terrible wrote:hmm, now that i think about it, thats whata they used on a honda scooter sold in India. Pretty nifty, the shift was "rotary" so you would have to switch gears only in one direction,

N-1-2-3-4 forward and then from 4th to 1st.... no having to maneuver your foot under the gear lever. Good thing when riding with flip-flops!!!

bad thing is you accidently go up from forth with no way to get back to high gear without going all the way through again

Eh, IMHO, scooters should stick with the shifter on the handlebar...those are cool to ride. but we digress from the topic of this forum now... so anyway