FJR Wet Clutch

[giarcg]

One of the less than desirable features of the BMW cycles (opinion) prior to the new K12S/R is BMW's is the dry clutch. I thought the dry clutch went the way of the grist mill years ago. Although clutch problems don't seem to be a problem.

What I find interesting is the electronic clutch management on the AE. I haven't read too much but should presume (should we) that the 'system' operates as to maximize the life of the clutch by proper usage; e.g. proper engine RPM matching speed, just the correct amount of clutch slippage at slow speeds, etc. etc. Anyone have any thoughts or info on this? And, seems that the AE (I have one on order) better be bought with an extended warranty plan. Are they available?

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For me one of the most desirable features of BMW cycles IS the dry clutch. Having four in the garage and many trouble free miles on all of them I can attest to their durability, reliability, smoothness and quiet operation The biggest plus, as mentioned earlier, is that they are not contaminating the engine/trany's oil supply. Longitudinally mounted BMW engines lend themselves to single plate (quiet) large diameter dry clutches very nicely, as well a separate gearbox with its own oil supply. Where as the smaller diameter multi-plate wet clutch suits the transverse layout designs.

As to the AE's ability to maximize clutch life I can tell you that it does not manage clutch release while moving from a stop nearly as well as I could manually. It does slip quite a bit...especially when cold. As mentioned earlier the more aggressive the the throttle input the better it does. The trade off is very efficient clutching while moving. Overall I accept the less desirable starts and enjoy all other operational aspects of the system; its an interesting change of pace from the norm. I equate YCCS to manual clutch operation as I do fuel injection to carburation.

I'm not a fan of extended warrantees. I do my own wrenching so my exposure is lessened.

 

[palerider]

I just got a 08 AE and have 15 more days to decide on the YES warranty or not. I wish those of you with technical expertise and longer experience with the AE would chime in on this thread. Thanks!

Yes on YES.

 

[ionbeam]

Since this thread was started in Dec '05, jpalamaro should have received his AE and now should be able to give us the long term answer to his first post about clutch life and if YES played a role in his AE ownership. Last activity by jpalamaro was Feb '07

 

[ScottyUSN]

No issue's on my 2008AE slipping, as long as I allow the bike to properly warm up. If I fire it up and hit the gas, she will slip slightly off the line. I'm sure that would result in some unnecessary wear that would become noticable over time.

I'm not a big believer in extended warranties, especially when you go to buy a car or any product where a warranty is offered and when you decline, you soon find out there is a "special rate", say 1/2 the price you were originally offered for the same product.

But, $390 for 3 years, it's Yamaha (not 3rd party), and covers the bike just like year one..

I'm in regardless of model. It's reasonably cheap piece of mind.

 

[bikerkash]

I have a total of 75k with 3 different AE's and have not had an issue with the clutch or any other part of the bike however I did purchase the Y.E.S. warranty because the clutch system that would probably be a very expensive item to replace.