[Bobster]

Hi,

I've just bought this bike with only 9000km on it. I love it but on initial take off the clutch seems to have a delayed reaction to the lever. That is, the clutch continues to let itself out even though the lever is not moving (but not fully released) This has resulted in a couple of embarrassing stalls!

Does anyone else have this problem with the Supersport, or is it just characteristic of a slipper clutch?

Any advice welcome.

 

[BOTT]

That's either change fluid and bleed both ends. It's every two years swapping out liquids at the radiator and brake systems.

No joy at the master working normal following lever release, rebuild the master. Not normal with any liquid clutch.

 

[Bobster]

Hi Bott, thanks for replying however this 2017 series Supersport has a cable operated clutch. Sounds like my issue is NOT normal with a slipper clutch then?

 

[cs363]

It's certainly not normal, slipper clutch doesn't make any difference to the actuation.
Is your cable properly adjusted, cables all moving freely and not binding on forks etc? The little swivel on the clutch actuator rod (on the clutch cover) isn't jammed up or anything like that?

 

[Bobster]

Thanks cs363.

Prompted by Bott's reply I went out and lubed the cable anyway. While I was there I observed the actuator rod and it moves exactly with the lever whether released fast or slow so unfortunately my problem is not there. Looks like it's internal :-(

Sounds like it's not a known issue. Apart from getting it looked at for weak / missing / damaged springs, do you think an oil change would help? Pretty sure it's a wet clutch.

 

[BOTT]

I have a clutch basket that is liquid assist, and found I could throttle and shift, thus induce the clutch basket to do what I think is the same action you are feeling. The shift is to get out of that sequence of release habit you have. It will take more of a technique of release. Soon it will be without thinking.

I think it sort of too much throttle up, the release is too fast, upsets the back wheel load against the engine load and ramps up the release at the basket. Something like that. Only happens from 1st to 2nd, then I don't use the clutch after that. The throw is too long for a mis-shift.

Oil change would help if not shift smoother, then sign off about time to change the oil interval anyway. I dump oil at 3,000 miles on average. I immediately feel a better shifting transmission, not clutch. I mostly shift up and down without lever.

Where is the chain slack? I run looser than book finding I mis-shift less.

 

[Bobster]

Thanks for your thoughts Bott. I’ve been trying different techniques to get around it but I’m convinced the clutch is still disengaging even though the lever is still. With enough revs I can always get away from a standstill but you can really feel it if you’re trying to move the bike slowly, like around a garage etc. You let it out just enough to crawl forwards and suddenly it lets a lot more out resulting in a jump forward and often a stall. Like the clutch is on delay. I’ve been riding for many years so I’ve got an idea how it should work. Chain free play is within the standard spec.

 

[Bobster]

Thanks to everyone who replied to this post.

Just to wrap it up, and for the benefit of other 2017+ Supersport owners, I found a forum dedicated just to this model "Supersport939" and put my issue to them.

Multiple owners assured me that it is very characteristic of this model before the oil warms up. I tried a gentler take off towards the end of my last ride and guess what? They were right. I had a progressive linear clutch! Prior to that, even though the bike was warm I wasn't taking the chance of stalling in traffic, so I was doing higher rpm starts with a fairly quick clutch release therefore masking the improvement as it warmed up.

Relieved to find this out and now totally happy with a great bike!

 

[cs363]

Thanks to everyone who replied to this post.

Just to wrap it up, and for the benefit of other 2017+ Supersport owners, I found a forum dedicated just to this model "Supersport939" and put my issue to them.

Multiple owners assured me that it is very characteristic of this model before the oil warms up. I tried a gentler take off towards the end of my last ride and guess what? They were right. I had a progressive linear clutch! Prior to that, even though the bike was warm I wasn't taking the chance of stalling in traffic, so I was doing higher rpm starts with a fairly quick clutch release therefore masking the improvement as it warmed up.

Relieved to find this out and now totally happy with a great bike!

Well that's interesting! What sort of oil are you using?
I rebuilt a damaged 2018 Supersport S a couple of years ago and it didn't have this issue, though I did change all the fluids etc., before riding it. I used Penrite MC-4ST 10/40 for what it's worth.
Anyhoo, glad you're sorted

 

[Bobster]

Thanks cs363,

I don't know what sort of oil is in it as I've only just acquired it and I'm waiting for the service records to arrive (long story).

If you want to plough through a separate post just on the subject it's here: Grabby Clutch? It also introduces another factor - clutch oil pressure, but I'll let you work through that if you're interested.

Couple of other comments:

• Another user on the dedicated Supersport939 forum also reported good results with Penrite
• A much more mechanical mind than me suggested that the cold oil, being more viscous, was slower to be squeezed out between the clutch plates hence the delayed effect. As Mythbusters would say, sounds plausible!

 

[cs363]

Actually, that rung a bell in my subconscious regarding a clutch issue on a Monster 821 a while back so I dug through all my reams of Ducati service bulletins and manuals and found the attached which might be of interest to you.
Although personally I'd probably give the Penrite a go before delving into this procedure seeing as it's easier, cheaper and the stuff is grown on your backdoor step! 😁

 

[BOTT]

According to the bulletin, does the clutch work like normal when hot? Yes.
Can you find N when fully stopped, again, when warm? Yes.
No pressure adjusted needed. If any, it's working when cold.. meaning a resistance when cold.

I wouldn't fuck with it if I can find N... then again...

Signed,
NOLTT (no one listens to turtle)

 

[Bobster]

Thanks for advice cs363 and Turtle, and additional thanks for the Bulletin cs363. Interesting reading.

I agree with both of you, definitely going to try the easiest fix first. I've already come around to living with it but if Penrite makes it better it's another step forward!

 

[whitetip84]

I have a 2013 Multistrada 950. It has the same issue of a balky clutch when the engine has not yet warmed up. No problems at all after that. Until the engine is warm, I can eliminate most of the symptom by actuacting the clutch lever 4 or 5 times in neutral before I shift into 1st.

 

[Bobster]

Thanks whitetip84. I’ll try that also!