Slipper Clutch

[svenski]

I’ve recently purchased a Slipper clutch for my 2010 GSA amazing piece of kit comes in two different specs “SOFT” ( less engine braking and almost instant slip) and a “HARD” ( More aggressive racer spec and give a bit more engine brake feed back I ideal for fully loaded and two) spec.

Below is some images and promo from the company:-





FAT CAT Performance Parts in conjunction with Suter have come up with an anti hopping slipper clutch solution for BMW'S single plate dry clutch system used in all 4V R series.
Developed primarily for the HP2 Sport, using vastly superior sintered friction material Fat Cat now produce a replacement clutch plate “The CAT Clutch” for all 4 valve Boxers that will outlast and outperform the original clutch plate in any conditions, in addition to this they have also managed to fit an anti-hopping, back torque limiting mechanism that brings all the benefits that slipper clutches are renowned for in a racing environment, to the BMW boxer owner.

The FAT CAT anti-hopping clutch provides additional safety and real world benefits to all BMW owners.

• Fat Cat allows the rear ABS system to work correctly in a panic brake situation as the engine can not “stall” or compression lock the rear wheel. This means the bike is much more stable and will pull up straighter and with considerably less “sphincter pucker”
• Fat Cat reduces stresses on the sometimes frustrating BMW gearbox and final drive, giving longer life and smoother gear changing.
• The plate floats on its own spline, reducing load and wear on the stock input shaft.
• You can effectively change down as many gears as required before a corner let the clutch out and the CAT clutch will do the rest. You will be in the correct gear to exit the corner before you enter it.
• Off road and Adventure riders will realise all these benefits are only enhanced when you veer off the black top. The long life and increased ride ability are just the start, pulling up a fully loaded GSA with the rear wheel locked; heading into a down hill off camber hairpin on a fire trail is a thing of the past.

Also available from a FAT CAT are SUTER slipper clutches for K1200, K1300, F800, and G450 series.

The cost for this engineering marvel is around 999 € (approximately £850) plus 15 € (Approximately £13) postage.

 

[Paul S]

Slipper clutches are great for track days etc and I have a Suter one installed in my Superduke for that reason

Not convinced that there is any great benefit fitting one to a 1200GS though

 

[svenski]

Thanks for the post Paul, as you have experience with a slipper clutch you would have noticed the amount of control and confidence it give you as you approach corners, and how forgiving they can be if you should make a mistake in selecting the wrong gear on a decent approaching the corner or junction to fast.

You lose the suddering of the back end and are able to keep the right line as you approach the corner and no longer have to worry about fanning the clutch to eliminate the rear wheel chatter. Or the dreaded jolt as you accidently release the clutch too sharply.

But basically gives the less confident riders more control and confidence and the more experienced riders even more of a grin factor.

And most of all it reduces wear and tear of the transmission and final drive..

Win Win

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

And most of all it reduces wear and tear of the transmission and final drive..

Given that the acceleration forces exceed the engine braking forces, you'd help it more by never opening the throttle more than 1/2 way

 

[snerkler]

Does a slipper clutch really help on a GS?
It was a great thing to have on my K6 Gixxer thou, but would have never dreamed of putting one on my GSA

 

[Tuono1961]

For not a lot more than the price of this once you include fitting you could buy a half decent track bike.

Just don't see the point on a GS unless you've already bought the entire contents of the Touratech catalog and are desperate to treat your toy to something new.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I can see the point but not at that price.

 

[snerkler]

I can see the point .

Really?? I guess I'm not riding hard enough as I've never felt the need for one on the GS

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Really?? I guess I'm not riding hard enough as I've never felt the need for one on the GS

Obviously not and particularly in lower grip situations

 

[Sleepy]

As my Dad used to say..'more money than sense' complete waste of time on a road going GS, one of the benefits of the boxer is its engine braking... never had the back wheel lock up in ten years of ownership.

 

[cookie]

if you're locking the back up engine braking on a road going GS, you're doing it wrong.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I would not be so quick to dismiss this idea. I have certainly been aware of the back wheel being near the limit of grip with severe engine braking while pushing it on twisties.

I'm sure I could avoid this by better gear selection, greater skill and smoother clutch control, but not having these qualities this slipper clutch may help me. Some may say I should use another bike to ride fast on twisties but I only have one big bike and the GS is great at it.

However, at that price I suspect I'll continue as I am and rely on the occasional bouncing rear wheel to suggest I take it just a tad easier.

 

[svenski]

Given that the acceleration forces exceed the engine braking forces, you'd help it more by never opening the throttle more than 1/2 way

I don’t understand how acceleration causes more wear and tear you have less resistance accelerating due to low rolling resistance yes the initial starting resistance can cause wear but once momentum is achieved the stress is greatly reduced.

But as you approach a corner or junction you are braking and using engine braking to try and slow a great mass at speed with resistance of the transmission whilst its trying to match the rolling momentum with the selected gear .

Simply stating you wear brake pads out faster than your engine. The slipper clutch helps reduce the wear on the transmission as its removes the excessive resistance built up in slowing, but depending on setting of the clutch depends on how much is expelled.

 

[Sleepy]

if you're locking the back up engine braking on a road going GS, you're doing it wrong.

Wot he says..........

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks for the post Paul, as you have experience with a slipper clutch you would have noticed the amount of control and confidence it give you as you approach corners, and how forgiving they can be if you should make a mistake in selecting the wrong gear on a decent approaching the corner or junction to fast.

You lose the suddering of the back end and are able to keep the right line as you approach the corner and no longer have to worry about fanning the clutch to eliminate the rear wheel chatter. Or the dreaded jolt as you accidently release the clutch too sharply.

You should have saved the money and put it towards some riding lessons

 

[svenski]

You should have saved the money and put it towards some riding lessons

Bright idea maybe i should have done..

 

[patzx12]

Track day engine breaking on a GS1200 is not good if you do it wrong you can take the engine above the rev limiter.

 

[svenski]

Track day engine breaking on a GS1200 is not good if you do it wrong you can take the engine above the rev limiter.

The slipper clutch is design to prevent that, it sometime sound as if the bike goes into tick over as the clutch slips, only till you feed the revs back does it reengage full drive or when the rear wheel speed and engine speed are equal will the clutch kick back in fully.

That’s its damage prevention trait..

 

[snerkler]

The slipper clutch is design to prevent that, it sometime sound as if the bike goes into tick over as the clutch slips, only till you feed the revs back does it reengage full drive or when the rear wheel speed and engine speed are equal will the clutch kick back in fully.

That’s its damage prevention trait..

Yep, I know how they work, just don't see the point on a GS, but then I don't see the GS as a track bike either

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Ok so of all the people that say this is a bad idea and if you need it you cant ride a bike. How many of you have spent a fortune on all the electronic crap that BMW offer? ABS ESA Traction control, You don't need any of that either but loads of you will happily shell out 2-3K extra to have it