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DRZ Clutch question
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Author:  frostyuk [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  DRZ Clutch question
Hi all

i was wondering if you could help me? I did the level 1 bmw off road skills course last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of the low speed lessons worked on the principal of fixing the throttle position and using the clutch to control the speed, no problem all worked well on the course. However when i try this on my drz400s i can use this technique only for very short periods as the clutch goes out of adjustment really quickly, once the bike cools down the clutch adjustment is back to where it was originally. The guys i ride with and my mechanic say what i'm doing is wrong, but i dont think so, normal riding is fine as i'm not labouring the clutch but the other week i did a Long Distance Trial and i couldnt complete a test section without the clutch letting me down. My clutch is less than 1k miles old and i replaced the original with the EBC dirt rider clutch with the stronger springs hoping that would help. My thoughts are a) the clutch springs are badly affected by the heat and may need replacing, b) changing the clutch lever with a crosser type one with the thumb clutch adjustment, my gearing is already low 13/47 which was a suggestion from a colleague and that fine for general riding its just the low speed trials type riding that gets me! Not that the drz isnt a little slow turning and heavy for thsr sections but i'd like to at least have a chance :D

many thanks all
Author:  Brian Eland [ Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
what your doing is totally wrong the BMW school has tought you the very basic and totally machanically inept way of riding the bike.
You probably are having other issues with the bike at the moment like you can't select nuetral with the engine running.
if your still reving the engine and pulling the clutch in your just creating lot's of heat in the clutch unless you want to keep changing clutch's you must alter your riding technique.
Author:  frostyuk [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:49 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Brian, the implication then is that i need even lower gearing on the bike say 13/50 ? or is there a different technique for low speed full lock turns?

cheers
Author:  Brian Eland [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
let's get to the basics have you managed to rev the bike to max rev's in top gear if not you may as well gear the bike down maybe not as far as 13/50 or you could learn how to do full lock turns without touching the clutch
Author:  frostyuk [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
re top gear max revs, not normally, this would put me in 65+ mph which tbh is not normal riding for me, mid 50s max is easy and comfortable for both me and the bike, i'm already at 13/47 which gives me about 4mph at tick over in first. Sounds like i just need to get out and practice without using the clutch, like i said normal riding its not a problem but the sections on the ldt was where it became an issue.

cheers
Author:  Brian Eland [ Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
get and ride a smaller bike in the LDT's
Author:  frostyuk [ Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Hmm unfortunately not an option. Am looking to do some rallies later this year if i can get in any, not having done any of these before are the sections similar to that of the LDTs i.e. tight and nadgery turns or something completely different that the drz will be more suited to?

cheers
Author:  Brian Eland [ Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry been away at the Welsh for the last few days no there is no comparison between LDTrials and Rallies.
Rallies are decided on fast special test with normally can have some tricky going in but easy compared to LDT type going.
Still don't understand why it is not a option to get and ride a smaller bike.
Author:  frostyuk [ Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DRZ Clutch question
Hi Brian, no worries, its more a case of cant afford to buy an additional bike to go with the drz, i also use the drz for some commuting so my bike has to be a bit of a jack of all trades, and normally all i do is regular trail riding. I'll probably put the rear sprocket up to a 50 and see where that leaves me once i get back from the humm.
cheers
Author:  Mike [ Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DRZ Clutch question
I've not done any LDTs frosty and it looks as though Brian may not be on the forum. I think your only realistic option is as you say to gear down on the rear(more teeth). Unfortunately I doubt there are any clutch mods that will do you any favours as your just going to generate too much heat to avoid probs. Sounds like you do some pretty technical riding so you shouldn't be worrying about this problem for rallies as I doubt your cluch will see much action :wink:

As a matter of interest, does the adjustment go back once the engine cools?
Author:  frostyuk [ Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: DRZ Clutch question
Hi Mike

re the cooling down, yes the clutch goes back to normal adjustment once cooled, i posted the same question on thumpertalk and another gent has the same problem with the ebc drc clutch, and it would appear that they are not much regarded, so ultimatley will have to go back to the oem clutch in the future

cheers
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