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[owenja]

Ok, a bit of a misperception so far.  You don't give up any sense of clutch feel.  The feel is different and will be (quickly) learned by your hand and seat of your pants.  But there is a "feel" to it.  You could say that you give up "adjustablility" and you certainly do give up a choice of release points.  What you gain, however, is simply never having to adjust the clutch again.  And the "feel" of the release isn't at all bad.  So I don't personally see that loss as a loss.

I agree, prior to my 07 SERK I had never used a hydraulic clutch.  Although it is different you will quickly learn the feel of it.  Like others, I don't know that I would go to the expense to change from cable to hydraulic but I absolutely would not change from hydraulic back to the cable.  Just my .02 cents

Jim

[Twolanerider]

That's the first time I've heard that Don, thanks. It's been implied that this clutch feel is "on-off" only at the release point. I also would of course wait until I get some time with it first before doing anything. So there's no immediate plans to replace it. But adjusting a clutch cable's no big deal either. I guess it's just another QC thing eating at me while I read everything in these threads going on with the '07 bikes. Hoist!  8-)

Howie, it's the overheated engine you'll be blowing up in 2400 miles.  Don't sweat the little stuff like clutch cables man  [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] [smiley=drink.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] !

[Hoist!]

Howie, it's the overheated engine you'll be blowing up in 2400 miles.  Don't sweat the little stuff like clutch cables man  [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] [smiley=drink.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] !

I feel so much better now! [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=drink.gif] Hoist!  8-)

[RedDevil]

All of these responses don't seem to indicate any advantages over a cable unless you like the look or can't get used to a cable clutch actuation with a performance clutch assembly. I'm still a little Old School and it sounds like I might be the first one converting to a cable. I might actually have to let the dealer do this so I don't screw up my 2 Year Warranty! Someone tell me why I'm crazy for wanting to do this. Hoist!  8-)

Hoist,
Just throwing my $ 0.02 in, but instead of rushing out and having them change to a cable actuated clutch, why don't you ride the beast for awhile and see how you like the hydraulic clutch.   While there isn't any release point adjustablity, as stated earlier, you do get a good clutch "feel" and friction point, just like with a cable clutch.  The nice thing about a hydraulic clutch is that the feel is always the same, no play in the clutch lever as the cable stretches, no change in engagement point to tell yout it's time to adjust the cable again, and no cable to break.  Hydraulic clutches are virtually maintenance free.   Like I stated earlier, I've had both, and my personal preference is the hydraulic over the cable activated, any day.   Give it a chance, once you get use to it, which takes less than a couple of clutch pulls, you may really like it. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Red

[Midnight Rider]

Hoist, like everyone is saying, after you've worn the high spots (if any) off the clutch plates, and your hand/right brain have had a dozen or so releases of the lever, the "feel" will be there.  Barring loose fittings, or air in the line, a maintenance free item, for me, is better than one that requires maintenance.  And sitting in stop and go traffic, you will appreciate the reduced effort of the pull.

[Screamin]

Hoist, like everyone is saying, after you've worn the high spots (if any) off the clutch plates, and your hand/right brain have had a dozen or so releases of the lever, the "feel" will be there.  Barring loose fittings, or air in the line, a maintenance free item, for me, is better than one that requires maintenance.  And sitting in stop and go traffic, you will appreciate the reduced effort of the pull.

Problem??  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]We ain't got no problem. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] I thought I did but I didn't.  [smiley=oops.gif]

[ultrafxr]

Hoist, buddy, there are all right.  The hydraulic clutch is great.  No big deal to adjust the cable actuated clutch which I always did at each fluid change.  But if you don't have to why bother.  I can't tell any difference in the "feel" of the clutch.  Like some said, you can't modify the engagement point (which I like to be really quick as soon as I start to release the clutch) but it is really not big deal.  Never had a clutch cable break but I gotta tell you it did give me concern on long trips.  Hydraulic clutch is more worry free.  Ride and enjoy.  

[Hoist!]

Thanks a lot gang. You guys have never steered me wrong. Sounds like I gotta make sure it's set up right and isn't leaking. Then I shouldn't have to worry after that. Hoist!  8-)

[Ghost Rider]

Hoist,

I will add my two cents.

I had read all the same posts you had about the "on/off" feel of the hydraulic clutch on the '07's.  I was more than a little nervous when I went to pick up my SERK, so much so that I basically rolled it our of the service department to a nice open area (where no one could see me) to test it our myself.  However, on mine at least, the action was very smooth.  In fact, it really doesn't "feel" any different than the cable clutch on my Ultra.

Later,
Ghost

[Hoist!]

Hoist,

I will add my two cents.

I had read all the same posts you had about the "on/off" feel of the hydraulic clutch on the '07's.  I was more than a little nervous when I went to pick up my SERK, so much so that I basically rolled it our of the service department to a nice open area (where no one could see me) to test it our myself.  However, on mine at least, the action was very smooth.  In fact, it really doesn't "feel" any different than the cable clutch on my Ultra.

Later,
Ghost

Thanks GR. as long as it's not a problematic thing, which it does not appear to be, I'm sure it'll be fine. Just started seeing issues popping up. They don't seem to be big deals though.

Secondly, Congrats on your making Full Member. Lots of good posts from you GR. Keep going your with your helpful posts. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Hoist!  8-)

[Chief]

All I can say is I love my hydraulic clutch. No more lubing the cable when it gets stiff, or adjusting the rod at fluid changes, or blah blah blah. It's great.

Now, there is a difference from the cable clutch, and I kind of embarassed myself at the dealer when picking the bike up. We went to load it on the trailer, and I quickly learned how little let-up on the lever results in engagement, especially on a bike with only 11 miles. So I lurched and almost stalled it, but caught it in time. It was real sensitive.

Now that I have over 300 miles on it, and the plates have smothed down a tad, it's perfect. Real easy to manage the friction zone, and always in the same spot, forever. Nice and tight, no bubbles in this one, and no drips at the cover. And smooth..... very smooth. I expect it to stay that way.

Went hydraulic, and never looking back.

Chief

[Boatman]

It would be hard for me to go back to a cable operated clutch.  Mine has a lot more feel than a cable.

[Ghost Rider]

Thanks GR. as long as it's not a problematic thing, which it does not appear to be, I'm sure it'll be fine. Just started seeing issues popping up. They don't seem to be big deals though.

Secondly, Congrats on your making Full Member. Lots of good posts from you GR. Keep going your with your helpful posts. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Hoist!  8-)

Hoist,

Thanks for the kind words.

Being part of this site has certainly been a great expierence so far.  This site definatly has its "catch 22" though.  I get so much great information, but I also find at least one or two things a day that make me rush home to the garage, and check for leaks, spots, things falling off, loud noises, wobbles, so on and so on.  Of course it is better to find these in the garage, than somewhere in western Kansas.  

Later,
Ghost

[Hoist!]

Hoist,

Thanks for the kind words.

Being part of this site has certainly been a great expierence so far.  This site definatly has its "catch 22" though.  I get so much great information, but I also find at least one or two things a day that make me rush home to the garage, and check for leaks, spots, things falling off, loud noises, wobbles, so on and so on.  Of course it is better to find these in the garage, than somewhere in western Kansas.  

Later,
Ghost

I know what you mean GR. It's got me checking for stuff too. And I don't even have the bike yet! [smiley=nervous.gif] Hoist!  8-)

[Twolanerider]

Thanks a lot gang. You guys have never steered me wrong. Sounds like I gotta make sure it's set up right and isn't leaking. Then I shouldn't have to worry after that. Hoist!  8-)

Actually it's a conspiracy man.  There's actually going to be an Oliver Stone movie and everything.  It'll be called "Who Shot the Clutch Cable on the 4th of July."  

The hydraulic system really does suck man and everyone here, to a man, is yanking your chain.  When the new bike gets here you need to get that hydro-chit off that machine in a hurry to save life and limb and motorcycle.  

By the way, just to prove what kind of a friend I can be I don't even want you to have to keep that dangerous stuff around the garage in the spare parts pile.  You send that stuff to me and I'll hang on to it buddy!