hydraulic vs cable clutches? | GTAMotorcycle.com

hydraulic vs cable clutches?

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toraider

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Looking for opinions on hydraulic versus cable clutches. Most importantly, why one might be better than the other.

This would be for a newer sport bike that is primarily ridden on the street.
 
I've had both, currently have hydraulic. I have to say that I prefer hydraulic, no risk of the cable fraying, no lubing of the cable.
 
mikbusa said:
I've had both, currently have hydraulic. I have to say that I prefer hydraulic, no risk of the cable fraying, no lubing of the cable.
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Is that it? I'm sure hydraulic has its downfalls too, I want to hear about it.
 
I would say cable clutches are easy to fix on the road, many stories of those that run an extra cable along the current one so that a broken cable is a quick change operation. Hydraulics are more complex so more difficult to service if the line is cut or you need a bleed. Parts availability could probably be thrown in but would vary depending on where you are.
 
It's all about probabilities though, cable snaps are considerable more likely than a hydraulic line blowing. A slow leak at the master or slave cylinder is more likely than a total failure.
 
mikbusa said:
It's all about probabilities though, cable snaps are considerable more likely than a hydraulic line blowing. A slow leak at the master or slave cylinder is more likely than a total failure.
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+1
The Hydraulic on my VFR is awesome, and the one on my V45 was pretty good too. Never had an issue with either of them.
 
Definitely, in a well developed urban area I think a hydraulic clutch will be fine as long as the rider keeps an eye on things. In third world areas I think a cable clutch might be a better bet as this type is likely the predominant type for small cc motorcycles like those that are common in most of these regions.
For Toronto and area riding I would pick a hydraulic clutch myself after being on a cable clutch for a bit and suffering a cable failure at speed in traffic and traffic lights. Did a demo ride on a suzuki gsx650F and really had no complaints on the hydraulic clutch.
 
Ive had both. Last bike (06 GSXR1000) was cable, and I always kept a spare under seat.
Cable snaps, easy fix in 30 mins roadside.

Currently, KTM 950 Supermoto is hydraulic. The slave cyl failed on me (like every KTM LC8 owner promised me it would) a week after I got it. $150 for a trick billet one, anodized orange, and better built than OEM at Bluestreakracing, parts were in stock, and it turned out to be a mere half hr affair to install and bleed while eating a sandwich and drinking a beer.
 
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Personally I prefer the "feel" of cable over hydraulic.....but I have had a clutch cable snap before and it made for one interesting ride. Lolol
 
I have both and when it's all said and done I like cable better.Hydraulic is adjustment free but you have to mess with brake fluid and flush it every two years or it gets sloppy from water intrution and fluid degridation.I once had a leaky master cylinder that wrecked the paint from tiny droplets blowing off at 100 kmph before I found it while on a trip.I had to fight my girlfriend for her hair scrunchy to put over it to just to stop the bleeding.
I have never had a cable break in 20yrs even on my 26yr old maxim with weather worn original cables.I just keep them oiled up and replace them if needed.Now watch me snap one one the next ride to work
 
Another thing I like aout cable is that I can easily adjust the fristion point where I want to. I have short fingers (think 12 yr old fat kid hands).....and every hydraulic clutch bike I have ever owned hasn't had an adjustable fristion point, except for the KTM. The OEM clucth lever has a nifty feature with infinitely adjustable reach and friction point.
 
I hate the adjust ability of the friction point, and the over all feel of hydraulic. The only reason I can see bikes needed hydraulic, is for very large displacement bikes that require really strong clutchs. In that situation a hydraulic clutch can make for a much easier clutch pull...Other then that I dont see a need for them on anything between 50-1000cc's

As for maintenance it is much easier to lube cable, compared to bleeding a master cylinder. I can people to simply lube their cable and most would be able to do that on their own, however not many could bleed a hydraulic system on their own if they dont already know how..The problem is majority of people do neither on their bikes..... ever!
 
I'm a weirdo and prefer the feel of a hydraulic clutch to cable. Usually it's a lighter pull, and I also prefer bleeding to lubing a cable. I could also just be upset I can't shift my Ninja 1000 (cable) nearly as smooth as my ZX11 (hydraulic).
 
Coming from a dual-sport I love the cable feel, I like the feel of the tension and it's easy to maintain, and to fix, what else can you ask for? As someone said a while ago the cable will bust once in a blue moon (7-8 years), a hydraulic clutch means more complication and more breakdowns.
 
Pegassus said:
a hydraulic clutch means more complication and more breakdowns.
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I think the cable systems have more breakdowns.

If the Hydraulic systems had issue, then we wouldn't be using them for one of the most important system on the bike......
The brakes.
 
After 10 years with the ST, my 1st hydraulic clutch, I think it's better than cable. Less effort and with Speed Bleeders the fluid change every 2 years, along with the 3 brake calipers, takes about 20 minutes. An adjustable lever would be nice.
 
hydraulic makes it smooth on large CC bikes. No problem when you maintain your bike. Consistent smooth feel.
 
A hydraulic clutch has just as much probably of failing as a hydraulic brake. So unless you'd want to use a cable operated brake (like the one on push bikes) because its more reliable, I'd say hydraulic clutches are fine.

Alot of people say cable clutches give more feel. I personally can't tell the difference but I just ride on the streets. Track riding tends to make small differences in 'feel' more obvious.
 
I've had both types. For big bikes I prefer hydraulic as the pull is easier and the bigger engines make clutch "feel" less important. For smaller bikes I much prefer cable as it's dead-simple to adjust, gives excellent feedback, and is cheap to fix.

I had the slave cylinder go on my ST1100, it was an expensive fix...I've also had a cable snap on me, made for a long ride home.

Biggest thing with either system is to make sure you keep up the maintenance (there is no such thing as over-lubing a cable). best tool in my toolbox is a little aluminum & rubber gizmo that fits around the top end of the cable and allows you to force lube down the sheath. Changing the hydraulic fluid every second season is a must (I didn't do that on my ST...paid the price).

I currently ride a XR650L and have a second clutch cable snaked in beside the installed one. If the installed cable breaks it's about a 10 minute job to swap them. I also zip-tie spare clutch and brake levers to the frame and yes...I know I'm overkill there...
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