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Updated: 4/16/06: Still working great

So it's been over a year now, and I've had the same rekluse in two bikes (a 2003 and a 2005 CRF450). It's still working great. Last weekend I did some practice starts against a friend on a 2004 CRF450 with a regular clutch, and in most cases it was a dead tie. It requires a different starting method... hold on the front brake, just start to turn the throttle till you feel it start to grab, when the gate drops just let go the front brake and twist the throttle. Shift at will. It's great.

Plates look good, the rekluse looks like brand new, no wear. I'm impressed. I'll never use a manual clutch again.

Updated: 9/14/05: the proper oil

On a recommendation I started using Honda HP 90W tranny oil. It comes in a red plastic bottle with a pointy top. It works. No more burnt oil. Problem solved. The clutch still works great.

Updated: 8/25/05: 5 months of the rekluse clutch

I've now been using the Rekluse for 5 months. I've ridden about 5 times a month, all at Club Moto. I typically put in 15- to 20-lap motos, 2 or 3 a day. So I've put some use on the clutch.

So far, so good! The clutch still works perfectly. The only real downside I notice is that you absolutely MUST change the oil after every day of riding. I think I tend to forget what gear I'm in, so sometimes I'm slipping the clutch too much, and it heats up and burns the oil. I recently inspected my clutch plates and they are all black from heat. The oil smells burned when I change it. Maybe I need better oil? I'm using standard Castrol 10W-40, with the exact same labeling as recommended in the Honda manual. Hmmm.

I don't notice any performance issues at all with the clutch, even after 25+ laps of hard riding. I do get that burned-oil smell, but the bike still works perfectly.

My bike never, ever stalls. When I dump it in a corner I just pick it back up (no need to grab the clutch lever and pull it in), hop on, and twist the thottle.

Overall, I still highly recommend the Rekluse automatic clutch. I can't imagine riding without it now.

Review: Rekluse z-Start automatic clutch

by John Connelly 3/28/05

A few weeks ago I rode a friend's YZF450 with a Rekluse z-Start automatic clutch installed. I didn't think it would work very good but I figured what the heck, I'll try it.

After one lap I wanted one in my CRF450. So that night I ordered one. $400 out the door (and out of my wallet).

Last weekend I got the clutch in the mail and installed it in my 2003 CRF450. Installation was fairly easy and I didn't have any problems. The instructions are detailed and I followed them to the letter. The entire installation took about an hour. Note that I did not get the optional external perch adjuster, so the install time was a bit quicker.

Adjustment was straightforward and only took a few minutes. I opted to use the heavier "stiffer" spring supplied with the kit. After a few quick tries I had it adjusted about right and went through the break-in procedure (much to my neighbors' dismay). It's simple, basically just start/stop a bunch of times.

The next day was the real test, riding at Club Moto. The first few laps I rode slowly around, just making sure nothing was going to explode. After that I came in and checked the adjustments (all was fine). Then I went out for a good moto.

What the clutch won't do

The z-start will not make you Ricky Carmichael. If you suck, you're still gonna suck. You just won't have to use the clutch.
It will not shift gears for you.
It will not make your suspension work better.
It will not keep your elbows up or remind you to breathe.

What the clutch will do

The z-start makes riding a bit easier, especially in tight and/or bumpy corners. Your mind no longer has to divert any attention to the clutch and can instead focus on all the other stuff.
The z-start will help you go faster through corners. I noticed this right away, as it almost forces you to be smoother.
The z-start will help reduce left arm/hand fatigue. I rode 20 laps and my left hand felt better than my right, which is opposite from what I was used to.
It will keep your bike from stalling in corners, even after dumping it.

Other tidbits

After a few laps you almost forget you've got a different clutch in the bike. It responds like a manual clutch most of the time. You still get engine braking. The bike still handles basically the same. You just don't have to work a lever.

I tried to forcibly stall my bike several times. It never stalled.

Technically you could ride a gear higher everywhere and let the clutch do the work. I opted not to do this since I think it will wear the clutch plates more (just like slipping a manual clutch a lot).

I tried some practice starts. I didn't have a regular CRF450 to compare to, but it felt like I was getting just as good (if not better) starts with the auto clutch. The bike does the work for you. It's cool.

If you lean your bike next to the truck in gear, it will fall over. Use a stand.

It's nearly impossible to bump-start the bike with this clutch.

I did not buy or install the optional perch adjuster, which lets you adjust the clutch on the fly and allows for manual override. It costs $99 and I just didn't see the need. I never needed it in a full day of riding, and adjustments were pretty easy at the truck anyway. Plus it's kind of neat to see a completely empty left side of the handlebars (I long ago disconnected my hot start).

Overall I'm really impressed. It's well worth the $400. I don't know how long it lasts, how dependable it is, or if it will require any extra maintenance, but given its design and craftsmanship (excellent), I don't think I'll have any problems.

John

By the way, I bought my z-start from cyclebuy.com (see below link). I don't get anything from them, but I have to say their customer service is excellent (they called me on the phone (gasp!) to verify my order), and my clutch arrived quickly even with standard shipping. I highly recommend them.

Click here for Cyclebuy's Rekluse clutches page

More info from Rekluse's web site is here

Here's a very detailed review of the z-Start in a CRF250X

Comments? Feedback? Contact John Connelly.