The Motorcycle Slipper Clutch: How They Work and Why They're Awesome | MC GARAGE

Like inverted forks and radial brakes, slipper clutches are a feature most riders think of as pretty premium. But what does a slipper clutch do, how does it work, and how can it benefit your riding? In this video from the MC Garage, Motorcyclist magazine’s Senior Road Test Editor Ari Henning explains it all.

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Twenty years ago, slipper clutches, which are also called back torque limiting clutches by engineer types, were reserved for racebikes. These days, slippers come standard on all kinds of streetbikes from performance machines like the Ducati Panigale to beginner bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 300, and even sport-tourers and cruisers.

The whole idea behind a slipper clutch is that it prevents engine over rev and rear-wheel chatter, and helps keep the rear suspension working properly during hard engine braking caused by aggressive downshifts. At the racetrack a slipper clutch is helpful because downshifts are usually performed while hard on the front brake, so not only is there a lot of engine braking taxing the rear tire and suspension, but there’s very little static load pressing the rear tire against the pavement. Rear-wheel hop, a full-on skid, and even crashes can result. It’s not a good scene

On the street a slipper clutch might come into play when you downshift accidentally, make a sloppy shift in the wet or on a slippery surface, or if you downshift one more gear than you intended. Most folks don’t make those kind of mistakes, but if they do, a slipper could save their butt.

So keeping the bike’s back end calm is why slipper clutches are beneficial, but how do they work? It’s pretty simple, actually. The most common type of slipper clutch has ramps built into the inner basket and the pressure plate, and when the rear wheel begins driving the engine under deceleration, the ramps are forced together and they ride up each other. That pushes the pressure plate away from the clutch pack, which reduces the clamping force on the clutch plates and lets them slip past each other so that the rear wheel turns with less engine drag slowing it down and the engine revs aren’t pushed through the roof.

It’s the same action you’d get if you applied a little pressure to the clutch lever, but with a slipper clutch it happens automatically so you don’t have to put any thought into it. No rev matching or clutch finesse required.

A recent evolution of the slipper clutch is the “slip and grip” clutch. In addition to ramps that push the pressure plate out during hard engine braking, there are also ramps that force the plate in during acceleration. This puts additional pressure on the clutch plates to help prevent slippage. Since the “grip” ramps squeeze the clutch pack during acceleration, lighter (or fewer) clutch springs can be used, netting a nice easy pull at the lever.

[buddymckay]

I've accidentaly geared down to 1st instead of 2nd before a turn and was lunged forward getting into a whiskay throttle. I realized very quickly and let go of it. Happened when I was learning how to ride.

[Majesenmoto]

So simple to understand. thanks for the perfect explanation! great job! cheers from Spain!

[aivarg]

gotta really love this guy and his work. he explains things so clearly and has helped me countless times to understand the inner workings of my motorcycle. thanks ari! more good content from you, man!

[mrwezbo]

Hey guys, I really enjoy these vids. cause there isn't any fluff at the beginning...straight to the point.

[peter_king]

Vintage MC Garage, 3 minutes of informative gold :D

[jamescraighead]

Excellent, clear and to the point. I struggled through three other videos droning on about nothing and giving no information until I found yours. Perfect thank you.

[Phantom-gk]

Man, your MC Garage episodes are hands down amazing. As a guy who's got his first bike 3 months ago - I've learned so much from this channel. Thank you!

[trantem]

Hey Ari, just wanted to say I've been watching you guys since before I bought a bike when you still on MT. After you disappeared I didn't know you had set up shop here but I sure am glad I found you again and you're still putting out great content. Now that I own a bike a lot of these well produced maintenance videos and part vs part videos have really made me more comfortable with working on my FZ09 and greatly increased my general knowledge. Thank you for what you do and I look forward to more.

[HandlsAreStupid]

Nice video. No long ass intro, no BS, just straight to the point

[glenjamin]

This is the best channel. Very informative and easy to understand videos. It's like Christmas every time you guys upload a new one.

[cfltitan]

Thank you for this video!! I've known how slipper clutches work but I just bought a very lightly used 2018 Triumph Street Triple R and it has a "slipper/assist" clutch and it's a VERY light clutch pull which is amazing! My FZ8 that I had for years was MUCH stiffer and I was always good about lubing the cables, keeping them adjusted properly and running good oil. I wondered how they got such a light clutch pull but a clutch that would still hold almost 120hp without it being hydraulic.

[biffaozzie]

I’ve always thought that slipper clutches are for riders who don’t know how to change gear. Thanks for confirming this - “1:55 - no rev matching or clutch finesse required”

[flashburn]

San Diego stunt and drill team, in the 70’s
ran custom slip clutches manually accessed by a modified heal shifter on
Harley Davidson’s while riders grabbed handlebars of opposing bikes while 3 bikes idles in gear.
Cool to watch

[ayan]

As always, easy to watch, easy to understand, straight to the point, absolutely love it, great job

[alainremi]

Thanks! A day when I learn nothing is a wasted day... Today you taught me something I might get someday since I'm searching a lighter replacement of my Yamaha 2010 MT03/660 cc/192 Kg all fuel up. I found several around 300 cc & 165 Kg all fuel up & some with slipper clutch such as the Honda CB300R 2022 :)

[stewarthaddon]

Brilliantly explained in 3 mins, no 5 minute build up telling us how its going to be explained.

[exploreRality]

Great video! Short, simple, straight to the point.

[ami]

Me an ex mech engineer and I learn something new. Thank you.

[simpslayer]

Yamaha’s joke
R15 v.3-has slipper clutch
R3- no slipper clutch and 2019 and still no slipper clutch

[LockieNZ]

I can definitely feel the difference with a slipper in my R6 over my old FZR250 which just had a standard clutch. Even if you've mastered the art of rev matching on your down shifts, you still mess it up from time to time, and a slipper makes it much more forgiving.