Clutch question for the pros..

poo poo · November 29th, 2012, 06:49 PM

I've had a 2003, and a 2008 ninjette. I *had* to try the new 300! So, I picked my new one up yesterday. Here's the deal..... the new clutch is brilliant. You only need to *barely* squeeze it to change gears.

Cool.

But, should I only squeeze it the .25 inches to switch gears? Or.. can I pull the clutch lever all the way in?

I'm more comfortable pulling it in completely, but perhaps I should only just squeeze it a bit before changing gears.

If I pull the clutch lever in all the way to the handle, will that stress/weaken the clutch cable?

Probably a stupid question, but I'm really concerned...

Any advice is very much appreciated....

DeltaFoxtrotZulu · November 29th, 2012, 06:56 PM

Pulling it all the way in is the intended operation. No concerns there. Just because the friction zone is in the last part of the movement doesn't meant you shouldn't pull it further. Not sure how much an issue only pulling it a little bit to shift would be, but I imagine minimal.

You might want to look into adjustable clutch/brave levers. I've got them and I love them. They make the lever travel so much shorter and bring the levers closer to your grips. Makes shifting much easier.

Motofool · November 29th, 2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poo poo

.......But, should I only squeeze it the .25 inches to switch gears? Or.. can I pull the clutch lever all the way in?

I'm more comfortable pulling it in completely, but perhaps I should only just squeeze it a bit before changing gears.

If I pull the clutch lever in all the way to the handle, will that stress/weaken the clutch cable?

I believe that the degree of pulling is a matter of personal preference: some people like clutch-less change of gears.

The principle remains the same: to disengage the engine from the transmission, partially (for any point within the friction zone) or fully (for any point beyond that).

The main difference of the 300's clutch is being a one-way after certain deceleration load (in order to avoid rear tire's lock-ups and engine's over-rev).

If changing gears feels better, is due to the transmission rather than to the clutch.

You cannot stress/weaken the clutch cable by pulling it even with both hands.

What damages the clutch cable is lack of regular lubrication of the pivots formed by the cable's terminals- levers, which introduces bending loads on the cable.

rojoracing53 · November 29th, 2012, 08:32 PM

pull it in to your hearts content

tapdiggy · November 29th, 2012, 08:55 PM

Eh, if nothing "clunks" too loudly when you change gears, you are disengaging the clutch enough.

old3 · November 30th, 2012, 09:06 AM

You can change gears smoothly and without damage and NOT use the clutch. Shoot for smoothness, I give mine a light flick if I use it at all. No reason to go to the bar at all, it doesn't get more disengaged than 100% and it is there right at the end of the travel.

Alex · November 30th, 2012, 12:07 PM

Sounds like you need to update your bike profile here!

poo poo · November 30th, 2012, 01:08 PM

thank you! i really appreciate the feedback from those that know more than me.

oh, and yeah, i better update my profile.

thanks again!

Dmj_88 · December 2nd, 2012, 12:17 PM

pull it in all the way, or don't at all it doesn't matter. I do like how the new 300s have a lock up though, I was reading about that in MCN or some mag. pretty neat stuff!

November 29th, 2012, 06:49 PM	#1
poo poo kinda sorta noob Name: poo poo Location: DC Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): '03 and '08 Posts: 62	Clutch question for the pros.. I've had a 2003, and a 2008 ninjette. I had to try the new 300! So, I picked my new one up yesterday. Here's the deal..... the new clutch is brilliant. You only need to barely squeeze it to change gears. Cool. But, should I only squeeze it the .25 inches to switch gears? Or.. can I pull the clutch lever all the way in? I'm more comfortable pulling it in completely, but perhaps I should only just squeeze it a bit before changing gears. If I pull the clutch lever in all the way to the handle, will that stress/weaken the clutch cable? Probably a stupid question, but I'm really concerned... Any advice is very much appreciated.... __________________________________________________ “Riding a motorcycle is ten percent hands and feet and ninety percent mind and eyes.”

November 29th, 2012, 08:55 PM	#5
tapdiggy Humble Observer Name: Truong Location: Augusta, Maine Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Yamaha XT250 Posts: 612	Eh, if nothing "clunks" too loudly when you change gears, you are disengaging the clutch enough. __________________________________________________ Everything I post is "IN MY HONEST OPINION". Why is "Parking Lot Enduro" not a thing?

November 30th, 2012, 12:07 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Sounds like you need to update your bike profile here! __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 30th, 2012, 01:08 PM	#8
poo poo kinda sorta noob Name: poo poo Location: DC Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): '03 and '08 Posts: 62	you guys rock! thank you! i really appreciate the feedback from those that know more than me. oh, and yeah, i better update my profile. thanks again! __________________________________________________ “Riding a motorcycle is ten percent hands and feet and ninety percent mind and eyes.”

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November 29th, 2012, 06:56 PM	#2
DeltaFoxtrotZulu ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: North Hollywood, CA, USA Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Posts: 53	Pulling it all the way in is the intended operation. No concerns there. Just because the friction zone is in the last part of the movement doesn't meant you shouldn't pull it further. Not sure how much an issue only pulling it a little bit to shift would be, but I imagine minimal. You might want to look into adjustable clutch/brave levers. I've got them and I love them. They make the lever travel so much shorter and bring the levers closer to your grips. Makes shifting much easier.

November 29th, 2012, 08:32 PM	#4
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	pull it in to your hearts content

November 30th, 2012, 09:06 AM	#6
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	You can change gears smoothly and without damage and NOT use the clutch. Shoot for smoothness, I give mine a light flick if I use it at all. No reason to go to the bar at all, it doesn't get more disengaged than 100% and it is there right at the end of the travel.

December 2nd, 2012, 12:17 PM	#9
Dmj_88 ninjette.org member Name: Drew Location: Midwest Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Many Posts: 68	pull it in all the way, or don't at all it doesn't matter. I do like how the new 300s have a lock up though, I was reading about that in MCN or some mag. pretty neat stuff!