Hydraulic VS Cable Clutch

**Jared** · 02-23-2012, 08:07 PM

What are the pros and cons of Hydraulic and cable clutches?

Sin City Stan · 02-23-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

What are the pros and cons of Hydraulic and cable clutches?

Pro: Cable should give you a better feel for the friction zone. You will develop huge muscles in your left hand.

Con: You have to go throught the process of developing huge muscles in your left hand.

Really the only drawback I can think of is stop and go city traffic. That is until the muscles develop.

**cnc** · 02-23-2012, 08:26 PM

I would also say that a hydraulic activated clutch is constant in that providing there are no leaks in the system it will always engage, release at the exact same spot. A cable activated clutch can change over time with stretch and wear, hence the ability to adjustment a cable.

**ringadingh** · 02-23-2012, 09:36 PM

What those two said, If I had a choice Id always prefer the hydraulic, but if I liked the bike a cable wouldn't be a deal breaker either.

**Timay** · 02-23-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

but if I liked the bike a cable wouldn't be a deal breaker either.

Me, too! However, how many stories do you hear of bikers at a stops sign and the clutch cable breaks vs how many have a hydraulic clutch break?

I have never had a clutch cable break nor a hydraulic clutch become unusable. It's either one for me...

Tim

cactusjack · 02-23-2012, 10:26 PM

In the world of Harley touring bikes, only the CVO bikes come with hydraulic clutches. My bike has a cable actuated clutch, I was surprised to find that out, but obviously it wasn't a deal breaker.

blowndodge · 02-23-2012, 10:49 PM

wow it must be a slow day for that question to have any importance

jandreu · 02-23-2012, 10:49 PM

The Nomad is my first Hydraulic clutch and I'm not impressed. Have always like the better control of a cable clutch. Maybe when I get around to changing the spring it will be better.

ponch · 02-23-2012, 11:58 PM

You haven't lived until you've had a clutch cable break while out riding.

Monkeyman · 02-24-2012, 05:41 AM

I've found that a properly lubed HD clutch is surprisingly easy to use. They make some sort of cam that makes the HD clutch even easier. With the cam (EZ Clutch?), it feels like a hydraulic clutch. I like symmetry so having a clutch fluid reservoir looks asthetically pleasing but I'd take either one.

nascar2 · 02-24-2012, 06:14 AM

I would take a cable clutch over a hydraulic any day, I like the feel much more. But like said in a earlier post let's see after the spring is changed.

**cnc** · 02-24-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

wow it must be a slow day for that question to have any importance

Well you know Brad it's been a while since your last dump report so maybe the boys are kinda bored.

caper · 02-24-2012, 09:30 AM

With the hydraulic clutch there is no way of slipping it when doing slow maneuvers.

Its engaged or not!!! With the cable you can have it half engaged. IMO

Netnorske · 02-24-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

You haven't lived until you've had a clutch cable break while out riding.

+1...been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. It sucks bad. The Hydraulic clutch is awesome after you install a Barnett Spring. It will grab and send you down the road lickety split. It too will help you build muscles in your left hand and forearm...

!

Netnorske · 02-24-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

wow it must be a slow day for that question to have any importance

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

Well you know Brad it's been a while since your last dump report so maybe the boys are kinda bored.

Yeah Brad...if it was a slow day for that question, what kind of a day was it when we got your detailed squat thrust report....

?

02-23-2012, 08:07 PM	#1
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Hydraulic VS Cable Clutch What are the pros and cons of Hydraulic and cable clutches? __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-23-2012, 08:26 PM	#3
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	I would also say that a hydraulic activated clutch is constant in that providing there are no leaks in the system it will always engage, release at the exact same spot. A cable activated clutch can change over time with stretch and wear, hence the ability to adjustment a cable. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-23-2012, 09:36 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	What those two said, If I had a choice Id always prefer the hydraulic, but if I liked the bike a cable wouldn't be a deal breaker either. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-23-2012, 10:26 PM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	In the world of Harley touring bikes, only the CVO bikes come with hydraulic clutches. My bike has a cable actuated clutch, I was surprised to find that out, but obviously it wasn't a deal breaker. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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02-23-2012, 10:49 PM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	wow it must be a slow day for that question to have any importance __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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02-23-2012, 10:49 PM	#8
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	The Nomad is my first Hydraulic clutch and I'm not impressed. Have always like the better control of a cable clutch. Maybe when I get around to changing the spring it will be better. __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
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02-23-2012, 11:58 PM	#9
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	You haven't lived until you've had a clutch cable break while out riding. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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02-24-2012, 05:41 AM	#10
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	I've found that a properly lubed HD clutch is surprisingly easy to use. They make some sort of cam that makes the HD clutch even easier. With the cam (EZ Clutch?), it feels like a hydraulic clutch. I like symmetry so having a clutch fluid reservoir looks asthetically pleasing but I'd take either one. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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02-24-2012, 06:14 AM	#11
nascar2 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 85	I would take a cable clutch over a hydraulic any day, I like the feel much more. But like said in a earlier post let's see after the spring is changed.
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02-24-2012, 09:30 AM	#13
caper Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 1,137	With the hydraulic clutch there is no way of slipping it when doing slow maneuvers. Its engaged or not!!! With the cable you can have it half engaged. IMO __________________ Live in the NOW !
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