cheapnewb24 wrote on 12/01/15 at 12:09:42:

Why don't they like it?

Has anyone any personal experiences on Kevlar vs cork clutches?

Here is one or two examples where someone had trouble with a Kevlar clutch.

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/236-05-06-gsx-r1000/299471-barnett-kevlar-clutch...

Has anyone found them a little too grabby? Given that Kevlar has a waaay higher coefficient of friction than rubber-impregnated cork, this may be a valid concern. What about synthetic oil issues. I also read somewhere that they were accused of making the oil really dirty or some sort of "contamination." Is there anything about the feel, behavior, or performance of either of these two materials that makes you wish you still had cork over Kevlar?

I am going to have the case off my engine at some point soon to check the cam chain and replace a faulty neutral switch. That will give me the opportunity to do something to the clutch if I so choose. The clutch works okay so far. The bike is certainly drivable with the stock clutch, so I don't really have to do anything at this time.

I have been wondering about shimming, putting in extra plates, or going to Kevlar. If the latter, then should I bother with buying new springs, or do the Kevlar plates perform nicely with the old stock springs, or would the springs be fatigued and worn out?

Does anyone here prefer the previous two options? If so, why?

I talked with the owner of a local bike shop. He didn't like the idea of shimming or adding plates, said that it just prolonged the problem. (just about his exact words) Preferred the idea of simply replacing the clutch, though I think he liked Kevlar clutches.

The funny thing is that he compared 16k on my big single to (I think) 100k on a car, so he was implying that my clutch should be worn out or something .

Dude, if the clutch is worn out that early, someone doesn't know how to pull away from a stop. I had twenty thousand on mine, dogged it plenty, and had never been forced to go to a shorter rod. Or, maybe the wrong oil, slippage, I don't know, but the clutch shouldn't be shot so quickly.

I don't think my clutch is worn out. Might have lost its edge from when it was new (but then I never rode it when it was new), but it still works acceptably. Maybe that shop guy is exaggerating?