KTM clutch in a Japanese bike - is it possible?

Donkey Kong
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6/26/2020 4:32pm
Has anyone ever put a full KTM clutch into a Japanese bike before? I currently own my first KTM and the clutch design is way better than the Japanese bikes. I was thinking about getting a Japanese 450 in the future and was wondering if this was a reasonable or even possible option. (idc about hydro only internals)
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crowe176
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6/26/2020 4:52pm
You're not Chad Reed. There's nothing wrong with Japanese clutches.
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mwssquad827
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6/26/2020 4:53pm
crowe176 wrote:
You're not Chad Reed. There's nothing wrong with Japanese clutches.
😂😂😂😂👍🏻
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The Shop

wildbill
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6/26/2020 8:16pm
Ha. Crowe wins.
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Donkey Kong
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6/26/2020 8:41pm
crowe176 wrote:
You're not Chad Reed. There's nothing wrong with Japanese clutches.
The clutch in the 18 Suzuki I just sold was noticeably faded at 5 hours or less. The 18 KTM 250sx I have now is on the original clutch at 27 hrs and still working well. The KTM clutch is made better and performs better in every way, it's undeniable. Honestly I'm willing to say a stock KTM clutch performes better than a Hinson Japanese clutch. Not because of poor quality or something faulty. The Japanese clutch is an ill design.
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Donkey Kong
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6/26/2020 8:48pm
Buy a 2019 or 2020 KX450
All Japanese clutches have the same 6 coil spring design. KTM has a beveled washer diaphragm clutch.
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Timo_2824
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6/26/2020 9:02pm
I've never been a clutch abuser, so even on the old style 5 spring Yamaha 250F clutch I went over 100 hours on without issue. I think some people need to adjust their speed with the throttle a little more and the clutch a little less.
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Lastander
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6/27/2020 2:36am
My clutches hold up much better now (from ~8 hours to ~20).
The difference i made on my crf450 was to remap it for more overrev, the low end torque was killing the clutch over and over.

BUt the KTM is still superior, no doubt
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Momus
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6/27/2020 4:04am
Buy a 2019 or 2020 KX450
All Japanese clutches have the same 6 coil spring design. KTM has a beveled washer diaphragm clutch.
Belleville
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sandman768
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6/27/2020 4:33am
They all have their issues.... Maybe KTM can share their clutch knowledge with the Japanese and then maybe the Japanese can show KtM how to build wheels that can last more than 1 season😂
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cwtoyota
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6/27/2020 7:44am
Buy a 2019 or 2020 KX450
All Japanese clutches have the same 6 coil spring design. KTM has a beveled washer diaphragm clutch.
In my opinion, the clutch in a KTM is superior, but the type of spring is not the reason why.

The single Belleville spring is a light weight feature, it is not the reason for improved clutch durability.

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captmoto
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6/27/2020 9:07am
cwtoyota wrote:
In my opinion, the clutch in a KTM is superior, but the type of spring is not the reason why. The single Belleville spring is a...
In my opinion, the clutch in a KTM is superior, but the type of spring is not the reason why.

The single Belleville spring is a light weight feature, it is not the reason for improved clutch durability.

Correct. I think it's the one piece steel clutch basket/primary gear that gives it durability. You can add a hydraulic clutch to any Japanese bike, I had one on a 99 YZ400. It was a pretty good unit.

https://www.magura.com/en/components/powersports/hydraulicclutchsystems…
DynoDan22
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6/27/2020 9:11am
Actually the Belleville spring does add to durability slightly. It applies even pressure around the entire circumference of the clutch pack and applies the clamping load evenly at the pressure plate. In a five or six coil spring setup, the pressure plate must be very stiff to apply the load evenly. The one piece steel basket adds to the durability massively as well.
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rjg
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6/27/2020 10:48am
Ktm clutches are superior in design, durability, and quality. I can understand your sentiment
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VetMX.com
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6/27/2020 1:05pm
I don't even understand this conversation. Are you slipping the clutch on a 4 stroke instead of downshifting? I still have the original clutch in my 05 RMZ450. Yes it chatters and is jumpy after 200+ hours but doesn't slip. I use it to go in and out of the pits. I heard the CR interview and was like WTH?

Even my RM125 and 250 have clutches years old and they are 2 strokes that you do slip the clutch on. Is this a new trend I missed out on?
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Donkey Kong
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6/27/2020 1:24pm
VetMX.com wrote:
I don't even understand this conversation. Are you slipping the clutch on a 4 stroke instead of downshifting? I still have the original clutch in my...
I don't even understand this conversation. Are you slipping the clutch on a 4 stroke instead of downshifting? I still have the original clutch in my 05 RMZ450. Yes it chatters and is jumpy after 200+ hours but doesn't slip. I use it to go in and out of the pits. I heard the CR interview and was like WTH?

Even my RM125 and 250 have clutches years old and they are 2 strokes that you do slip the clutch on. Is this a new trend I missed out on?
A stock KTM clutch is much less expensive than a Hinson Japanese clutch. If someone has a Japanese bike and wants to upgrade the clutch this mod would make a lot of sense.
DynoDan22
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6/27/2020 1:36pm
The chances of a compete KTM clutch assembly dropping into a Japanese bike is very slim. Without buying a complete KTM assembly and test fitting it (gear pitch, tooth count, stack height etc) to see if it works. I highly doubt it will. Maybe someday the Japanese will update their design to the KTM style unless KTM has a patent on the once-piece steel design/Belleville washer intellectual property.
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kkawboy14
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6/27/2020 1:39pm Edited Date/Time 6/27/2020 2:03pm
Are clutches a big problem for you guys? I thrash my clutch and in 30 years only destroyed a couple sets of clutches. Change them every 30 or 40 hours, no big deal
Donkey Kong
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6/27/2020 1:54pm
kkawboy14 wrote:
Are clutches a big problem for you guys? I thrash my clutch and in 30 years only destroyed a couple sets of clutches. Change them every...
Are clutches a big problem for you guys? I thrash my clutch and in 30 years only destroyed a couple sets of clutches. Change them every 30 or 40 hours, no big deal
I thought the same thing until I rode a KTM and then bought one and took apart the clutch.
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mxmaniac
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6/27/2020 5:07pm
sandman768 wrote:
They all have their issues.... Maybe KTM can share their clutch knowledge with the Japanese and then maybe the Japanese can show KtM how to build...
They all have their issues.... Maybe KTM can share their clutch knowledge with the Japanese and then maybe the Japanese can show KtM how to build wheels that can last more than 1 season😂
What happens with their wheels? I have had KTM and new gen huskies and never had a prob, switched to Honda 450 and had nothing but problems with wheels. I must have been lucky with one and unlucky with the other haha
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sandman768
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6/28/2020 4:33am
mxmaniac wrote:
What happens with their wheels? I have had KTM and new gen huskies and never had a prob, switched to Honda 450 and had nothing but...
What happens with their wheels? I have had KTM and new gen huskies and never had a prob, switched to Honda 450 and had nothing but problems with wheels. I must have been lucky with one and unlucky with the other haha
I have had 5-6 new ktm”s, with every new year, the spokes get worse & worse. They will not stay tensioned. If I have a hard landing or come up short on a jump, the front spokes will come Dangerously loose. It’s too bad, the hubs are works of art... I have 25 year old Honda wheels in better condition than my 19 450 FE...
rjg
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6/28/2020 8:45am Edited Date/Time 6/28/2020 8:46am
Ya, its seems that ktm goes extreme on some things and we have to put up with it or it is expensive to resolve. Such is their extreme suspension designs over the years as well. Ktm is definitely progressive but miss the mark on some things and go too far.
Andy7
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Fantasy
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6/28/2020 9:34am
Rekluse to the rescue.
Donkey Kong
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6/28/2020 4:38pm
rjg wrote:
Ya, its seems that ktm goes extreme on some things and we have to put up with it or it is expensive to resolve. Such is...
Ya, its seems that ktm goes extreme on some things and we have to put up with it or it is expensive to resolve. Such is their extreme suspension designs over the years as well. Ktm is definitely progressive but miss the mark on some things and go too far.
KTM does have the worst suspension IMO including Suzuki. The forks on the 18 Suzuki I had were significantly better than the AER on my current KTM. SFF forks will never work right, air or spring.
Donkey Kong
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6/28/2020 4:41pm
sandman768 wrote:
They all have their issues.... Maybe KTM can share their clutch knowledge with the Japanese and then maybe the Japanese can show KtM how to build...
They all have their issues.... Maybe KTM can share their clutch knowledge with the Japanese and then maybe the Japanese can show KtM how to build wheels that can last more than 1 season😂
I haven't had an issue with KTM wheels but it does seem like they have a smaller spoke gauge than normal. I think they do it for the weight.
6/28/2020 4:52pm
Buy a 2019 or 2020 KX450
All Japanese clutches have the same 6 coil spring design. KTM has a beveled washer diaphragm clutch.
Some KTMs, like the 350SXF also use 6 coil springs. The reason KTM clutches last longer is stronger clamping force.
Put stiffer coils in a Japanese bike and you will have nearly the side thing aside a stout inner hub, but your clutch pull will suck. KTM gets away with it because of the Magura and Brembo clutches

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