How to tell if the Clutch is going

[stirtloe]

2011 1200GS 32K Miles

Conscious that I am entering the zone where a clutch replacement may be necessary, what are the warning signs that the clutch is on its way out? Mark, from Mark's Motorcycles, told me that clutch slippage when in a high gear is an indicator and, hopefully, it would be a graceful/gradual degradation allowing time to get home and not require a tow truck from the side of the Mway/Autoroute.

In this thread the bike in question had done 40K

https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/1200gs-clutch-change-how-too.178563/

 

[Smiffypr]

Give it full throttle and pull in the clutch lever just enough that the clutch slips, then release the clutch lever, at that point the slipping should stop and the revs drop sharply. Then shut the throttle back to steady speed and the revs should stay constant, if the revs drop back at this point you must have had some slip but didn't realise.
If it only slips when you test it like this, you will have lots of miles before it is unrideable.

 

[KMD]

The clutch went on my 1150Gs on a trip in Germany some years ago. Came in gradually, almost unnoticeable at first. Pulled away strongly in the lower gears but in the higher gears I started to sense there wasn’t the acceleration I was used to. Then I noticed the rev counter settling higher before dropping back down. Had to abandon the trip and head home. Bike kept going mind, wouldn’t pull the top two gears but steady away in 4th trying not to overheat the engine it got me all the way back home.

 

[Greg Masters]

Marks Motorcycles are correct.
Whop the throttle wide open in a high gear and let the engine pull though its torque band. If the revs rise faster than the speedo, the clutch is slipping. Sadly, a slipping clutch exacerbates its own wear.

 

[stirtloe]

Thank you all

 

[Mistacat]

Or remove the starter motor and you can see the edge of the friction plate.
New plate 6.5 mm thick service limit 4.5 mm.
My 2012 GS has done 88K miles so I will change the clutch this winter as it is getting near the service limit, still not slipping.

 

[TLSgazza]

2011 1200GS 32K Miles

Conscious that I am entering the zone where a clutch replacement may be necessary, what are the warning signs that the clutch is on its way out? Mark, from Mark's Motorcycles, told me that clutch slippage when in a high gear is an indicator and, hopefully, it would be a graceful/gradual degradation allowing time to get home and not require a tow truck from the side of the Mway/Autoroute.

In this thread the bike in question had done 40K

https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/1200gs-clutch-change-how-too.178563/

Don't panic too soon though. Could last for years yet.
Mine is 17 years old now and on 134.000 miles. Still original clutch.
No signs of giving up yet.