Early Clutch Replacement

[RanHag]

I recently had to replace my clutch on my 2011 RTS SE5. It was at 8,000 miles! I've owned bikes for over 45 years and have never had to replace a clutch. The last two bikes were Goldwings with over 20,000 each. I think that there was a problem that had not been detected. I also found out that the new clutch has been redesigned. Has anyone had success with BRP paying for the replacement? At $900, that's a deal breaker if it occurs every 8,000!!! :banghead:

 

[my3gs]

OUCH:yikes: Mite b a stupid question but you are keeping the Rs over 4200 or higher????I keep mine between 5-6000 now. I had to forget a lot about the 2 wheels when I got the :spyder2: an make sure I kept the Rs up.

 

[samewok]

If you are in too high a gear at low RPM that will happen.

 

[docdoru]

On my 7th clutch. :doorag:

 

[Chupaca]

Bummer..!!

being an old shade tree mechanic and having lost control of many aspects of motoring I do still hang on to controlling the engagement and disengagement of my vehicle.. Although variable clutches work well on scooters the system used on these units is more complex. Really have to watch the gear and rpm relation. You may feel like you need to shift and some yokles along the way will yell at you to shift but the spyder likes the rpm's....good luck..!!:dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

The "ESSIE's" clutches don't get fully locked-up until about 4,000 rpm... :shocked: If you spend a lot of time below that rpm level in the upper gears, you will cook them for sure! :yikes:

 

[Can-Am Poogs]

See this a lot on this website

The "ESSIE's" clutches don't get fully locked-up until about 4,000 rpm... :shocked: If you spend a lot of time below that rpm level in the upper gears, you will cook them for sure! :yikes:

Is this just an issue with the SE5? Are the SM5 the same, or are they more forgiving?

 

[NancysToy]

Is this just an issue with the SE5? Are the SM5 the same, or are they more forgiving?

The SM locks up as soon as you let out the clutch all the way. Clutch damage on them would likely be the fault of the operator (abuse or bad technique), a faulty clutch assist solenoid, or possibly a bad slave cylinder.

 

[RAYYOU]

Randy,
Sorry to here that. We have about 19000 miles and ours is still hanging in there. Is it going to be ready in time to make SpyderFest?

 

[Sarge707]

The SM lock up as soom as yoiu let out the clutch all the way. Clutch damage on them would likely be the fault of the operator (abuse or bad technique), a faulty clutch assist solenoid, or possibly a bad slave cylinder.

So if your on a 1/2 mile State Park entrance and your doing 15MPH with the Manual (Clutch Out) and only 2,400 RPM,s it is Not going to hurt anything???:dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

So if your on a 1/2 mile State Park entrance and your doing 15MPH with the Manual (Clutch Out) and only 2,400 RPM,s it is Not going to hurt anything???:dontknow:

Correct....unless you foul a plug, or ride the clutch.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: This is an "ESSIE" thing only... The ESSEMs only wear out clutches early if you try to make it happen... :shocked: (Barring mechanical issues; of course!)

 

[RanHag]

When I bought my spyder, I asked at the dealership about the sweet spot for shifting. They told me 4500-5500 and I have held to that ever since. It was difficult since my Goldwings used much slower RPM's to perform. I have never dogged any of my bikes and when I am pulling my trailer, I use the trailer mode. I just don't understand unless the redesign was as the result of faulty design. The clutch pads are considerably larger than the original. It's already completed and the replacementd stop the slipping. It was only slipping in high gear in the upper end. Oh well, at least I'll be at Spyderfest... Oh, the dealership said they were going to try to warranty it. Still waiting.

 

[RAYYOU]

Randy,
Just thinking when they replaced the engine did they replace it or just rebuild the old one? I'm wondering if they just rebuilt it the two may be related.

 

[RanHag]

Great minds think the same...they rebuilt the engine. I'm told that only the original case is the same. I brought that up to them, too.:banghead:

 

[rcturner]

I recently had to replace my clutch on my 2011 RTS SE5. It was at 8,000 miles! I've owned bikes for over 45 years and have never had to replace a clutch. The last two bikes were Goldwings with over 20,000 each. I think that there was a problem that had not been detected. I also found out that the new clutch has been redesigned. Has anyone had success with BRP paying for the replacement? At $900, that's a deal breaker if it occurs every 8,000!!! :banghead:

To the greater extent, the clutch engagement, shifting, etc are controlled by the computer. If the clutch can not stand the RPMs you are shifting and/or running at, the computer should intervene and not allow it. This has been an issue that BRP has not addressed and that they have been punishing their customers with as long as the SE5 has been around. You probably won't win but, apply pressure. This clutch issue is nuts and I believe, should be preventable by BRP through programming.

 

[RanHag]

Thanks! Will Do!

 

[Wazoo]

SE5 clutch

what are the symptoms of a bad clutch on the SE5?

 

[Jeriatric]

It's nice to see folks finally supporting what the tech's at Durango stated last year. Per them, unless you're above 3750 there is no guarantee the clutches are locked in. To me, that meant keep the R's at or above 4K. Unless you're in 1st gear doing the stop sign to stop sign -25MPH town crawl.

The added clutch plate wasn't the only change BRP made. They also changed the clutch oiler tube length. Not sure if there were any additional upgrades or not.

Keep the R's up :thumbup:

 

[RanHag]

The pads on the clutch rings are about twice the size of the origional. The original pads are approximately 3/16" wide where the new ones looked about 3/8".