| Author | Message | ||
     Afhans |
I did search the site using the Google search option, but I did not find what I was looking for. Though I am sure it is already in here. So I have been riding for years and when I down shift for pass (overtake) someone I blip the gas to get those RPM high matching the engine speed to that of the road. This still works the same (I love the torque on my 1125R). When down shifting to slow down I rev the engine too then let off the gas letting the engine brake the bike. I think I need to adjust my riding, concerning this second part, now that I have a bike w/a slipper clutch. Any advice? | ||
| Kevin_stevens |
IMHO you ride it the same as a non-slipper bike; there's just more room for error. KeS | ||
| Mountainstorm |
What will screw you up is if you have more than an 1125r to ride. That back torque limiting clutch will make you forget to slip the clutch on other bikes. I had a few interesting moments on the X-1 after a long night ride when I was starting to get tired. It took me a while to trust the 1125r not to twitch as I drop down gears for a turn, but now I don't even think about it. | ||
| Jdugger |
I would personally get out of your head that a stock 1125r has a slipper, because for all practical purposes it does not. Unless you are pretty heavy, I assure you, you get plenty of engine braking and you WILL skip the tire. There's a reason the racers install a proper Suter slipper clutch. | ||
| Ogobracing |
Ditto to what Jdugger said. In addition, I think even with a slipper you would benefit from blipping and trying to get a close match. I have a properly adjusted slipper on the race bike and it certainly can save your bacon, but I've found I still make the best downshifts and entries when I'm working with the engine and not expecting the slipper to correct for me. | ||
| Jdugger |
A smooth rider is always rewarded, no matter what the underlying hardware. I've been taking lessons from a local racer. One of the things he did was compile all the close up controls shots from literally seasons of MotoGP and WSBK competitions. One of the things you learn: these guys have the finest slippers money can buy... and they still manually feather the clutch. | ||
| Ccryder |
Like others have said, if you get sloppy it will help but not eliminate the back wheel from chirping under hard down shifting. It's better than not having one. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
One our bikes is it not true that if you open the throttle, it effectively eliminates the slipper action due to the vacuum being disturbed? | ||
| Xnoahx |
That is true | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I'm with Kevin a Jdugger on this one ... Ride it correctly, just like you've described. I know mine will chirp the tire if I get sloppy. Not as much as one that lacks any slipper functionality, but more than a true slipper would. It's little secret that I'm no great rider - Still trying to shake two decades of H-D cruisers! Mike | ||
| Redscuell |
"I would personally get out of your head that a stock 1125r has a slipper, because for all practical purposes it does not. Unless you are pretty heavy, I assure you, you get plenty of engine braking and you WILL skip the tire." "Ditto to what Jdugger said. In addition, I think even with a slipper you would benefit from blipping and trying to get a close match." Thanks for this thread, very helpful. I do the blipping in all downshifts (even without the clutch). Yet I've always wondered why I couldn't get away without it when hurriedly shifting down into 1st, in which case my rear would go slithering about. FYI, with my Version 4 muffler, I've noticed that the engine braking is reduced (not that I was seeking or expecting such a thing). So perhaps the Buell engineers' genius in the oem muffler design encompassed that as well (designing it to maximise engine braking). | ||
| Nm5150 |
I have never had a bike with a slipper clutch and am not a racer but I have played with the clutch on the 1125R since I got it.I have came into curves kind of hot on purpose while making sure the throttle was totally closed and still chirped the tire.I don't know what I was expecting from the clutch but have found I have to ride this bike just like any other as far as the clutch goes.I also have started using the front brake more while holding the clutch because I was getting a lot of wear in the middle of my back tire trying to rely on the slipper clutch.I still get a pretty good amount of engine braking and skipping if I try to rely on the clutch.YMMV | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I was getting a lot of wear in the middle of my back tire trying to rely on the slipper clutch U sure the wear isn't coming from city/hwy riding? also, I have found that the slipper mechanism (or something else in the motor) loosens up over time. My brand new bike was locking up the rear in places where my R with 18,000 miles generally does not. I don't know the mechanics to say why and I might be nuts, but I believe it to be the case. (Message edited by fresnobuell on February 02, 2010) | ||
| Jdugger |
Fresno, The slipper action clutch in a Stock 1125r works by using vacuum to slightly disengage the clutch. It's possible you have just worn your clutch plates to the point they are slightly more susceptible to slipping... | ||
| Nm5150 |
Hey Fres,I am pretty sure I was wasting the center of the rear by trying to rely on the slipper.I am still learning about this bike and made one 600 mile trip on highways but I live in NW Arkansas(let the redneck jokes begin)and I usually wear a tire out from side to side.The sides were pretty worn but the middle was shot at 2200 miles(steel showing)I have come to the conclusion I should come into a corner pretty much like my other bikes with no slipper clutch.Like I said though,I am not a racer.Just a redneck that tries to keep from saying,"Hey ya'll watch this!" before I take off down the Pig Trail  | ||
| Fresnobuell |
The slipper action clutch in a Stock 1125r works by using vacuum to slightly disengage the clutch. It's possible you have just worn your clutch plates to the point they are slightly more susceptible to slipping... I guess I do know the mechanics of the clutch, just not if something else could make the slipper action different over time. Worn clutch possibility makes sense--didn't think of that. | ||
| Jdugger |
Now, mind you I'm betting that's NOT it, but it's a reasonable possibility. When we installed my Suter slipper clutch, we pulled the OEM clutch pack and measured it. In 40k, I'd only burned a couple of thousandths of material off the pack as a whole. The OEM slipper clutch never worked worth a damn for me, anyway. And, as has been observed, if you make any effort to be smooth at all with your down shift, you actually decrease the chances of the design helping you! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I am pretty kind on my clutch generally, so concur that it's probably all in my head as far the difference btw the old and new bikes. Nice to know that we have sturdy OEM clutches! | ||
| Afhans |
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I guess I notice the clutch the most went come down a mountain and using the engine as a break. First the bike's engine does not slow me down as much as my old Bandit. Maybe because w/o gas is the clutch not engaged and just flopping around inside? Second went I need the gas it feels like their is a catch of some type then I get slightly jolted. Maybe the clutch engaging? Anyway I read what was typed and when the roads here are a bit warmer and dry I experiment. (Message edited by afhans on February 03, 2010) | ||
| Dirty_john |
I will always blip the throttle on a downshift, gearboxes will last longer this way with or without a slipper clutch. There is no substitute for a correct technique |
