Rekluse Auto-Clutch on A Dirt Bike - Thoughts and Opinions

[@richardcabitto5108]

As an older novice rider I've gone from older 2 stroke 250s to an smaller enduro four stroke than a YZ426 that I geared for woods riding. Last fall , sold the others and bought a like new 2012 KTM SX150 with a recluse already installed and I love it!! especially when the terrain gets more technical its allowed me to have the confidence to know I wont stall (for the most part) when the going gets rough. I can still slip/actuate the clutch when needed as others have stated and still leave my finger on that handle at all times! The only drawbacks are the inability to bump start AND if you do stall on a steep hill it goes into neutral so depending on which way you're leaning its hard to keep yourself from sliding down that slope with only the front brake available. Only my opinions here and hopefully this helps. I'd like to know how to adjust it quickly on the fly for bump starting but I'm not sure that's possible. CHEERS! P.S. wish I'd had that recluse on the 426!

[@jakepowell80]

I love my Rekluse. I don’t race though, so I get your point on that. But, it makes riding so much more enjoyable for me in the tight single track

[@dont3761]

I know this is an old video. I love my Rekluse and LHRB brake set up, and with all that advantage I still can't do some of the more technical stuff my friend's can do. With out skill none of that innovative stuff really matters. IMO

[@RacerRed]

I think it increases skill at least about 5% in hard enduro unless you are already a top level pro. In that case it wouldn't matter. I watched people fall over and not have to do anything besides roll on the throttle at the hard enduros. it was definitely cheating compared to what i had to do with a regular clutch. That said, I like auto clutches. I think you should use what you want. In competition it might be a weird line though.

[@natebreitling8858]

Should cone valve suspension and fuel injection be allowed in competition? Flex bars? Hydronic clutches? Point being that any modification or engineering development may contribute to a performance advantage. Seems a little arbitrary to focus on auto clutches.

[@RacerRed]

I somewhat addressed this in the video. I said that there are a lot of advantages to other mods, but non of those advantages change the ride experience on such a fundamental level. If a rider no longer needs to use the clutch, he is no longer riding a dirt bike that should be considered to be the same type of machine as manual bikes. People will always have super awesome mods, but this one is a bit different in its functionality. Its takes over for the rider. It would be like having a suspension mod that makes your bike hover off the ground.

[@tysleight]

Aren't the get ECU ( not the ECU itself) traction control knobs also outlawed for races? So it is not unusual to have specific items called out.

[@RacerRed]

@@tysleight That's a really good point. I didn't know those weren't allowed in races.

[@BRH_SALES]

Brilliant video, camera is on point. Iv got a rekluse in my sxf 250 it’s the best thing I put on the bike so far.

[@EmileModesitt]

I don't really get the argument for not allowing them in competition use. It's not like auto-clutches are so exorbitantly expensive that it becomes an unfair advantage for wealthy riders. If you think auto-clutches should be banned for competitions, do you also think modified suspension should be banned? Or how about electric starts? That reduces rider input a ton and makes things much easier when you're tired. Do you think that's unfair? I understand you think auto-clutches change the bike a lot but so does every other modification and innovation that happens to dirt bikes so to say that only auto-clutches should be banned seems totally illogical and unrealistic to me.

[@chrisvanderpol7197]

As someone who never had used a Rekluse I had the same basic opinion as you do. Then I went and bought a 500EXC this last August that had a Rekluse on it. I can still ride it and feather the clutch like I used to except it won't stall now (which was never really an issue before). I've ridden the bike a bunch of times now and I'm still not 100% sold on it. The biggest disadvantage for me is engine braking becomes a little weird. Steep downhills have always been my nemesis and I rely a lot on engine braking. With the Rekluse once your engine goes below a certain RPM in any given gear it disengages and puts you more or less into neutral. Which can be very sketchy on steep technical downhills. At this point, I probably wouldn't buy one to put on a bike but since this one is here I'm going to give it a good chance.

[@advsquared]

I feel the same way about auto racing. So many advances in technology have helped the driver to drive faster, if you can't afford it you can't win. It is cool meeting viewers out on the trail, I've never had a bad encounter.

[@RacerRed]

Yeah, i think its tough to compete without certain things as technology advances.

[@Tankerman]

I agree if you are having fun thats all that matters. As a fella who started riding at a older age I have found the Recluse to help me to enjoy a full day of riding. I really think its up to the individual sorta like the old debate between Ford and Chevy. On the different class idea how about a stock class and a mod class. Stay safe

[@tysleight]

I believe you can " lock" the new ones and bump stop with a little turning of a adjustment screw.

[@RacerRed]

Woah, I need one if that’s true!

[@petemarshall9212]

Have you ever used one on muddy roots, rocks, hill climbs and hard enduro riding? You must use one to have a true opinion. I found having the rear brake option in place of clutch as well as foot brake it was a great asset for downhills and failed hill climbs since you can hold rear wheel from standing on either side of bike. My electric off road bikes are left hand rear brake no shifter and no rear brake pedal to break. They will never ban auto clutches in competition. Once you get the auto clutch and steering stabilizer and learn how to use it all you will find advantages that outweigh disadvantage. You shouldn't make the judgements without trying one first You will agree once you install it and run it. After 16 years and many auto clutches I can say if it works for you, do it. Great job, keep up the great rides and an open mind to try new things and honestly test them like you will on your great chanel..

[@RacerRed]

I have never used one so I can only say what I have seen from observing other riders use them. It honestly surprises me that I am not seeing more comments from auto-clutch users saying the advantage in hard enduros is astronomical, as thats the general impression I have gotten. If I can get my hands on a Rekluse I would love to run one to see what it’s like. This is by no means supposed to be a review, rather a general opinion.

[@petemarshall9212]

Try it you will like it. It is worth ever dime.

[@my-max-media7621]

@@RacerRed I agree. You'd think at 1st thought that an auto clutch would be perfect for hard enduro but apparently the direct control to finesse or get burst clutch dumps works better with standard clutch.

[@RacerRed]

I have now used several auto-clutches and can say everything I said in this video is 100% correct. Huge advantage!

[@premixpeter1972]

I can certainly see both sides of the argument. Personally I don't have a problem with racing against auto clutches. I neither have/nor plan to get an auto anytime soon for a plethora of reasons, but would absolutely love custom suspension setup, a stabilizer, hydraulic clutch, etc (but won't be getting any for the foreseeable future due to cost). That said, I think that the pre-existing classes that are primarily determined by displacement, age, and ability all make sense. I think the problem with creating classes for different levels of technology is that it gets too complicated too quickly. That's not to say it wouldn't work/couldn't be done, as classes by technology level exist in land speed racing out at Bonneville. But I think in dirt bike racing there's just such a wide variety of factors such as riding style, rider wealth, etc. Just my $.02.

[@bikersoncall]

What I like about the vet classes is that anything pretty much goes, simple. Race what you brung' ... sounds good to me...In the pro ranks against everyone's wishes, if I ran it, it would be all-stock all the time.

[@stoplogicmotorsports]

Have one on my CRF450RL when riding harescrambles regular old clutch on the yz250. Mainly the biggest difference on the 450RL isn't that the dual sport bike is instantly more competitive it just reduces the clutch drag, stalling, and smooths out low RPM jerkiness. I still use my clutch to shift out of habit though it is nice to toss the stall happy 450RL into a turn and not have a stall. On the YZ250 I would rather plunk down $1k+ on an electric starter....

[@kennybelcher8240]

Amazing scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[@RacerRed]

Thanks for watching!

[@5AXISDLOCKHART]

Worth every penny to us old banged up guys. I just wish they would give a senior discount.

[@RacerRed]

They definitely need a senior discount! :)

[@bikersoncall]

2:48 ''should be legal?" I could care less, but unless I have an injury of some kind that prevents clutching, I wouldn't get anywhere near an auto clutch.

[@1MarkBevans]

I have a Rekluse in my Beta XTrainer (girlfriends bike) and my ‘14 450rs as deep woods on the 450 it helps the big lump on a nasty singletrack course. My TE250i I will not ever buy one, I love the clutch on that bike. Auto-clutches have a plus and negatives. You really need to spend the day on a properly set up Rekluse as you imply they offer a super advantage, they don’t, just saying. In racing no one I know will use one, period. They’re a different kind of add on. But for exploration of unknown trails they make the task easier 👍🏻

[@RacerRed]

Thanks for the input! I would like to try them out, for sure. I don't have any issue with them at all. I witnessed people crash in hard enduro, pick their bikes up, and take off - all without ever using the clutch. That appears to be a HUGE advantage in gnarly terrain.

[@SWFlowseeker]

I agree about competition use. But I had one on my 350xc-f cuz of flame out problems. And they are pretty sweet for sure. Haven’t bought another one though.

[@RacerRed]

What do you ride now? You must not feel like you benefited enough from the auto-clutch to get another one?

[@SWFlowseeker]

@@RacerRed I have a 2021 300xc and a 450exc The auto clutch made my 350 much better to ride in any technical stuff, but it did kinda Neuter the bikes throttle response 😩. Easer to ride but not as fun to ride

[@DasChristoff]

From experience, stabilizers are only helpful at high speed only. At low speed it works against you, even when it’s at its lowest setting. If you do ST I would not recommend. If your doing GP and XC racing its helpful for preventing high speed head shake. Similar to a rekluse a stabilizer reduces rider input.

[@jameswampler3135]

Get you one!

[@RacerRed]

I think they are an awesome addition, for sure!

[@justoneperson]

I’ve heard of that clutch but I’m not familiar with them.

[@RacerRed]

Not too many people are, but they are worth a look. I would love to try one, personally.

[@f18a]

Why do you devote a whole video to auto-clutches (Rekluse) when you seem to know so little about them? You don't know how they work. You don't know what they cost. You don't know the pro's and cons of using them. You clearly have never used one. What are your opinions worth given the above? Example: They are not "automatic transmissions" and Rekluse riders (myself included) use the clutch lever frequently.

[@RacerRed]

I have officially used one now, and can honestly say that it’s EXACTLY as described in the video. You don’t ever have to use the clutch, just roll on the throttle. It works just like a small bike with an automatic transmission, on take off. Obviously it doesn’t shift for you, but it works the same way pretty much.

[@f18a]

@@RacerRed Thanks for the polite reply, but the language in the video is much more expansive in its claims (e.g., 3:44) than what you just said. However, I don't want to quibble about details. I do want to applaud your excellent videography and your good riding on beautiful trails. That part I found impressive. Cheers.

[@RacerRed]

@@f18a I went back and reviewed the video and still found it to be 100% accurate. I was expansive, but also accurate. Now that I’ve used an auto-clutch I know it to be even more true. They are so easy to ride especially when you get fatigued.

[@f18a]

@@RacerRed OK, cool.

[@wfodavid]

My Rekluse you can turn an Allen screw and disable it. I got tired of the effect and just turned it off. It still has a flywheel effect that I actually like. Especially on the new 2021 TPI bike. I always thought it was cheating bet everyone does it....I'm back to standard clutch on the new 300.

[@bikersoncall]

Which model was it that you could disable it by turning a screw?

[@wfodavid]

@@bikersoncall The Allen screw is on most models since 2017 and its on the REKLUSE master cylinder by the countershaft sprocket.

[@bikersoncall]

@@wfodavid Thanks Dave, I'll ask the seller which one he's got, older bike, hard to know when it was installed. My main concern is being able to restore to a standard clutch, and having all the parts, some sellers don't save 'all' the parts, and it would be tough for me (non mechanic) to even know what's there and what's missing.. thanks man...

[@bikersoncall]

@@wfodavid I actually don't see it as cheating, to me it's a massive boat anchor for anyone that has spent hundreds of hours doing clutch drills. An auto clutch is fantastic (I think) for anyone that doesn't have great clutch skills, or has injuries/maladies.

[@chadwagenman3963]

WHERE is this trail? People are remarking that it's beautiful, but the location is not in your notes. More info than "Idaho" please. Thanks. (and you're right, rekluse rocks for single track. Unfair to compete.)

[@RacerRed]

In Idaho.

[@RacerRed]

ha ha, this trail is located in the Danskin Mountains. That whole area looks like this.

[@1996yz250]

@@RacerRed I appreciate that you don't give specific locations in the video. The trails.idaho.gov website is a great resource. Get out and explore!

[@richardcabitto5108]

@@RacerRed LMFAOOOO!

[@JoeRiding-t4g]

Great Mountain View.

[@RacerRed]

Idaho is perdy!

[@carlosbarragan6729]

now that electric dirt bikes are becoming a thing. riding is not just about using ( or abusing) a clutch but rather traveling through space in two wheels.

[@RacerRed]

electric bikes are horrible still

[@carlosbarragan6729]

@@RacerRed the alta and the ktm look more than capable. and that is just the beginning of new era

[@RacerRed]

@@carlosbarragan6729 both of those bikes suck. They don't even come close with weight, and distance before recharge. Maybe for a put around bike they would work. Battery tech isn't even close yet.

[@RacerRed]

@@carlosbarragan6729 I disagree but we'll see. It would be cool if they could make them light and last at least 10x longer. From what i have heard a couple people say, battery technology is peaked in its current form unless they come up with something new.

[@carlosbarragan6729]

r u saying that electric motorcycles wont improve with time? or battery technology wont improve with time?