OK on another thread people have been talking about low speed manuevering and the use of "the friction zone". This is basically partially engaging the clutch if I get this right. Is this detrimental to the clutch discs? I know they are immersed in oil so maybe it's not a bad thing, but I certainly wouldn't do it in my car! Anyone know for sure? Or is this something I really don't need to be concerned with? Thanks for the input.

 

It's not a big deal they are pretty tough. you may need to readjust the cable from time to time!

 

The stock clutch is one thing HD does very well, it'll take a lot of abuse!

 

No matter how robust the clutch may be, the more time in the so-called friction zone, the faster it is going to wear out.

My clutch is either in or out to the maximum extent possible. Riding a clutch is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

And if I don't have as good a control of my bike at 1, 2, 3 mph, who cares? Going down the road in control and aware is of more concern to me than creeping around some cone in a parking lot with my feet on the boards.

Don't get me wrong, those who do these parking lot manuevers are very impressive to me. Just not my thing at this point in time. Maybe when I'm 70.

 

I beat the heck out of my stock clutch for 10,000 miles, riding with 106lbs of torque, lots of full throttle take-offs, occasional burnouts, and lots of two-up riding in San Francisco with lots of clutch slip.

When I pulled the clutch to switch to the SE clutch, I was shocked to see that the clutch friction discs and steel plates looked almost new. I think the stock clutch is a good piece, as long as you don't have the combination of added power and Redline primary fluid.

 

Any idiot can scream down the road at 90+ (your sig pic). It takes skill and practice to low-speed maneuver a motorcycle. I hate watching 'cool' people try to move around a parking lot, dragging their feet or just looking out of control in general, because they don't have enough seat time.

'Not your thing' - you must not be into improving your skills then. I don't usually jump on people like this, but your 'too cool' attitude is the wrong one to have

 

A car's clutch is a pressure plate and a friction plate, and they're dry.

A Harley has a total of 13 plates (12 mating surfaces), bathed in oil. It is designed to be used in the friction zone. I've seen motors used for nothing but police training - motors that never go on the street, but just get hour after hour of friction zone riding, by people learning thee concept - end up with clutches that are still absolutely fine.

A motorcycle cannot be properly controlled at low speed without using the clutch's friction zone. If you're not using the clutch to control it you are either over-using your brakes to counteract engine over-revving; or you are duck-walking your motor.

You have a choice.

Use the clutch, which has been designed to take the stress, but is a wear item.

Use the brakes, which also will wear, but over-rev the engine, which puts wear on more expensive parts.

Duck-walk, or push the motor; which means you have made a choice not to learn how to operate the vehicle (and you wear your boots out).

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

 

Sad that it's going to take you getting to 70 before you actually attempt to learn how to ride a motorcycle correctly.

Somebody gift this guy a "ride like a pro" dvd before he rearends someone or falls over in a parking lot. Poor fella.

lp

 

I've been riding for 35 years. On only my second Harley and decided I need to learn "friction zone" techniques. I am amazed at how little I knew about controlling my bikes. So far I have dropped once during u turn practice. So I got a chance to practice the proper way to pick up a motorcycle also!

 

I hope you enjoy picking your bike up!!