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2018 RT SE 6 Clutch Engagement

S

Stocksux

New member
Hi this is my first Spyder but have ridden motorcycle my whole live and after riding a couple thousand miles and my big complaint is the clutch seems to slip until 17 mph but in reverse it grabs very quickly . The dealer said this is normal and I always warm it up before riding. So I thought normal until my wife bought a 2013 ST with a SE 5 that clutch works great very fast and firm engaging. Any help or ideas is appreciated.
 
Stocksux said:
Hi this is my first Spyder but have ridden motorcycle my whole live and after riding a couple thousand miles and my big complaint is the clutch seems to slip until 17 mph but in reverse it grabs very quickly . The dealer said this is normal and I always warm it up before riding. So I thought normal until my wife bought a 2013 ST with a SE 5 that clutch works great very fast and firm engaging. Any help or ideas is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Well first off they are different systems for the clutching …… The ST is a V-twin and functions differently than the 1330 …… SEEMS TO SLIP UNTIL 17mph ….. I need more info to answer this ……. Mike :ohyea:
 
I know I'm out of forum as I ride a RTL, but it is a 1330 SE6 and should be the same. I'm having my bike in the shop for some coolant leaks, and I've asked them to look at my clutch. When cold, it's very uneven, I call it surging. Much worse in reverse. Clutch seems to slip until about 1500-1600 RPM's, but only when cold. Clears up completely when warm. I've read this is normal, and it doesn't bother me too much, but I'd like the reverse and forward cold slippage to match as I back my Spyder in the garage, and if cold it sometimes provides additional and unnecessary excitement.
 
My 1330 ACE engine has never demonstrated anything but smooth engagement in all forward gears and reverse. As soon as I crack the throttle the bike moves very smoothly.
 
Thank you it is very smooth but also very delayed in first gear also when cold yes it surges but living in North Dakota I always make sure the engine is at operating temperature before any hard acceleration. I understand these two are different but pulling into traffic is sketchy sometimes I just don’t want early clutch failure.
 
Thanks Mike please let me know what other info you want. I can crack the throttle from a dead stop and it will engage smooth but feels like if you were to ride the clutch up to a point, maybe this is by design so not to spin the tire if this is normal than so be it. The 2013 will spin if you want otherwise the 1330 ACE does pull much harder once it engages.
 
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Stocksux said:
Thanks Mike please let me know what other info you want. I can crack the throttle from a dead stop and it will engage smooth but feels like if you were to ride the clutch up to a point, maybe this is by design so not to spin the tire if this is normal than so be it. The 2013 will spin if you want otherwise the 1330 ACE does pull much harder once it engages.
Click to expand...

What you are feeling ( that's different from your wife's ST ) is subjective. ….. It may or may Not be actually slipping, if I rode it I could be more helpful …… I don't trust Dealer's Tech's, but they may be correct on this ….. This is hard to nail down , from just a verbal description …..sorry :dontknow:......……..Mike :ohyea:
 
The newer machine uses a hydraulic clamping design to engage the clutch. The early machine uses a mechanical flyweight design.

The other factor could simply be the oil used in each machine. Not even suggesting one oil over another, but the oil used or amount of miles on the oil can influence how the clutch feels as you add rpm.
 
Thanks Mike I will rephrase the statement I went to the dealer again and I agree they have very little training. Ok I have a 2018 RT limited and it will absolutely not spin the rear tire in first gear. In reverse it grabs nice and firm I went out today in the country and did several tests including power brake tests and it’s very slow to accelerate from a dead stop. I have a stage 2 ECM reflash a k&n air filter and a cat delete pipe. It has been doing this from new even stock but every so often it will take off and surprise me with a nice firm launch. Thanks for the comments I will try and shoot some videos to help elaborate.
 
A stock RT won't always spin the rear tire …. An ECU stage 2 flash may not spin the rear tire either, because it doesn't produce Torque or HP at low RPM's...… " very slow to accelerate from a dead stop " is not Normal - flashed or stock ………. I agree something is not normal, but a 2018 should not have worn the clutches to the point of slippage ….. please keep us posted ….. Mike :ohyea:
 
Ok so I have been to the dealership and asked for a test drive on a 2019 RTL and to my surprise that machine performs exactly as mine. My 2018 actually grabs sooner than the new one also the new machine acts the same in reverse evidently BRP must have this by design. I have a better peace of mind now and am not worried about the clutch anymore. Thanks for all the input.
 
Stocksux said:
I have a stage 2 ECM reflash a k&n air filter and a cat delete pipe.
Click to expand...

THAT is going to cause you a problem getting the shop do do ANYTHING meaningful with your engine.
The ECM changes in particular makes it hard for them to do any meaningful diagnosis.

So.....regardless of what the problem IS.......you probably are stuck with it.
Modifications like that can and DO void your engine warranty in many cases.
Good luck.
 
I too have wondered about how long it takes the clutch on my 16 RTL to fully engage. I was wondering if there are any aftermarket clutch kits that can be installed to make them engage faster. The bike will get beat off the line but catch up quickly once it gets going. I believe this is a subjective issue with what our expectations of the bike are when we pick it up. Most of us have come from a standard clutch set up on a 2 wheeler and the clutches require more user input and can be controlled by the operator better. The lack of control on the clutch is one thing I miss but I don't miss the clutch itself. Chris
 
I don't feel ANY lag or hesitation in any gear. I twist the throttle and the clutch immediately grabs and away it goes. NO slipping whatsoever which leads me to believe you have something wrong. As stated above with the mods you have a problem on your hands. I asked my dealer ( who is great-Vista C. Ride now) and they indicated the mods will be a problem for warrenty work...I dont have any mods but have thought about it.
 
I would be helpful if you guys put the year and model somewhere in your posts. Easiest way to do that is put it in your signature. Hey mike!

signature.jpg
 
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