Clutch buddy?

ace50

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
640
Location
VA
http://www.clutchbuddy.com

Interesting product but I think it operates wrong and could be simpler.
What they don't talk about is, if you keep pressure off the plates while at rest, that helps it shift into first
without the 'clunk". This would allow that capability.
 

Juan

Well-Known Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
1,302
Location
Malta
No thanks. I prefer engaging neutral when at the lights. In any case you would need first gear when the lights go green, so it's useless engaging the Clutch Buddy while you're in high gear. I stand to be corrected but I believe that unnecessary pulling of the clutch lever may put unnecessary pressure on the clutch springs making them weak sooner.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,509
Location
Ventura, CA
I'd be more interested in a similar device that could would work on the brake side as a sort of parking brake. Nothing like getting stuck in stop and go (with mostly stopped) construction on a steep upslope. I had a little device like that on my ST1100 and found it surprisingly handy. I've never felt the need for something to hold the clutch lever in, just stick it in neutral, or if a really long delay, shut the engine off. I wish them well, but it seems an answer to an unasked question.
 

ace50

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
640
Location
VA
I'm getting rid of all this shifting eventually anyway. One thing about 6 gears instead of a 5 gear bike, it feels like your just shifting ALL the time.
Next year or so, I'm gong with one of Honda's DCT bikes and be done with it. They are proving to be rather reliable.
 

OldRider

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,105
Location
Western Kentucky
This has got to be the worse product I've ever seen (autogyros included).. If anyone is going to use one of these I hope their health insurance is paid up and it might make it easier on surviving family members if you planned and prepaid your funeral expenses. What in the hell are they thinking?
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,509
Location
Ventura, CA
Looked at the video, I don't like that you have the extra step of pressing it again to release it. A better (and probably safer) design would be an automatic release by pulling on the clutch lever a bit more. That's how the little parking brake gadget I had on my ST11 worked.
 

Dogdaze

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
3,040
Location
Solothurn, Switzerland
I'd be more interested in a similar device that could would work on the brake side as a sort of parking brake. Nothing like getting stuck in stop and go (with mostly stopped) construction on a steep upslope. I had a little device like that on my ST1100 and found it surprisingly handy. I've never felt the need for something to hold the clutch lever in, just stick it in neutral, or if a really long delay, shut the engine off. I wish them well, but it seems an answer to an unasked question.

Yep, they found a solution to a problem that is yet to exist.............. Most riders either hold the clutch on a short stop or neutral it and those with hand issues, well that little tab would be the first stumbling block would it not?
 

ace50

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
640
Location
VA
Looked at the video, I don't like that you have the extra step of pressing it again to release it. A better (and probably safer) design would be an automatic release by pulling on the clutch lever a bit more. That's how the little parking brake gadget I had on my ST11 worked.
Exactly!
 

Steve H

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2016
Messages
110
Location
West Yorkshire. England
I'm sure if we motorcyclist had wanted something like that it would have been invented years ago. Personally I think its a useless piece of engineering and I don't see the need for it. My bike has neutral so I will be fine.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
No thanks. I prefer engaging neutral when at the lights. In any case you would need first gear when the lights go green, so it's useless engaging the Clutch Buddy while you're in high gear. I stand to be corrected but I believe that unnecessary pulling of the clutch lever may put unnecessary pressure on the clutch springs making them weak sooner.
You are asking for trouble by shifting into neutral unless the bike is parked on the center stand. This sport is dangerous as it is without testing fate. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more riders popping the bike into neutral at stops, hand on hip riding one handed, and lots of other idiotic squid behavior.

This has got to be the worse product I've ever seen (autogyros included).. If anyone is going to use one of these I hope their health insurance is paid up and it might make it easier on surviving family members if you planned and prepaid your funeral expenses. What in the hell are they thinking?
I hear you there. I agree 100%. What a very poor piece of engineering.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,509
Location
Ventura, CA
You are asking for trouble by shifting into neutral unless the bike is parked on the center stand. This sport is dangerous as it is without testing fate. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more riders popping the bike into neutral at stops, hand on hip riding one handed, and lots of other idiotic squid behavior.
Yeah, my buddy's Honda just spontaneously exploded, with him on it, when he put the bike in neutral one time! ;)
 

OldRider

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,105
Location
Western Kentucky
At a stop, If I can, I'm going into whichever lane offers me the best escape route and all the while I'm watching the traffic behind me to make sure they all got the notice that it was time to stop. I stop as far as reasonable behind the car in front of me and pointed in the direction I need to go if the pile up starts behind me. The only thing I want holding that clutch lever is my left hand while my right hand stays on the throttle.
 
Top