Your CRF300L Slipper Clutch isn’t Slipping… but it is

[@Dusty204]

I love jake the garden rake

[@closedcasketcustoms]

Great explanation for the novices out there. Just want to add when replacing the clutch, make sure to inspect the steels thoroughly. Hot spots indicated by discoloration are warpage from slipping and will prevent new friction plates from doing their job leading to repeated failures. I always recommend upgrading to kevlar with new steels and something like Barnett or "equal" springs for any substantially increased power levels or aggressive riders.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Great video, thanks for making it. I also get tired of explaining how a slipper clutch works. I have abused my stock clutch from day one with hard riding, desert crossings and rally racing... NIL ISSUES!

[@mikeguitarification]

Excellent tutorial on how a clutch works, and intelligent and respectful disagreement with those that think it isn't working properly. Thanks.

[@markcdeyoung3118]

I put a super duper slipper Dipper Ripper clutch on my XR 650r and upgraded those mini pads to maxi pads up in them brake calipers

[@TheGardenSnake]

haha nice

[@RickGreen_McNutt]

I had this discussion with somebody on a forum. He'd replaced the clutch on his 300l with a non-slipper one. He was certain that the clutch was slipping under acceleration. Maybe it was, but it wasn't due to the Slipper/Assist clutch system - if it was slipping, it would have been from worn/abused clutch plates or a mis-adjusted clutch lever. He just didn't understand how it worked and refused to believe anything else. I posted Ari Henning's video on the slipper clutch and never heard a word from him again. Another 'myth' is that the 300L only had 3 clutch plates - because in the online parts diagram, they chose to only show the first 3 clutch plates.

[@Redrider2k2]

Slipper clutches were developed for racing but those clutches are not the same as the budget and beginner friendly assist/slipper setups. Unfortunately, some of these do slip. Not so much because they're weak and being overpowered by the engine but because they wear out WAY faster than a standard clutch. The ninja and Z400s are a prime example. They rely on the assist function of the clutch to get that nice light lever feel that new riders like but that means slipper function engages way too often. Even with pretty light engine braking. This causes the plates to wear out much faster. Then one day you notice a minor rpm flare during a high gear clutchless power shift.. and in no time at all you're getting full blown slipping when you roll into full throttle anywhere in the top half of the gear box. Maybe this isn't the case with the CRF.. Maybe Honda has their setup tuned a bit better.. But for some other bikes it's a real problem. Some of those 400 Kawis are lucky to see 3-4000 miles without a totally worn out clutch (There was also an issue with pre-2020 models not getting full travel out of the clutch basket. Another problem that wasn't helping things). What's worse is that the clutch is working 100% as designed and clutch plates are a wear item. Unless your dealer is generous, you're not going to get it covered under warranty. I've made a couple of videos addressing the problems with my wife's 400 Ninja

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Thanks Jake! This was very helpful. I really did not understand how this clutch worked. My CRF300L Rally is working great and I love riding it. The only major changes I have made is the suspension a new shock and spring up front.

[@ChipMitchell-fs6ni]

Agree completely with your assessment of whether it is "slipping" or not. I think where trail riders complain about this clutch is the range of modulation. Those accustomed to the feel of a typical MX/XC bike don't like the on/off characteristics of this clutch. I'm going to adapt to it first, but when it comes time to change it, will likely install the CBR version.

[@biglefty08]

I replaced the clutch on my 02 Gsxr 1000, same exact setup as what you described. Took little to no knowledge to replace it and worked like a charm 👍🏼

[@kevinarmstrong478]

Remember also most EFI bikes will turn off the fuel completely on the overrun that’s why there is no crackle and pop from the exhaust. This helps with emissions but can make engine braking extremely harsh so the slipper clutch is quite important. Lots of guys are in the habit of pulling away in second gear I don’t think that’s the best idea . Small dual sports ridden off road by inexperienced riders will always be heavy on their clutches.

[@Jeredsmith]

Yea i never knew what a "slipping clutch" was or felt like till i burnt the old stock clutch in my drift car... you can definitely tell by being in a high gear and pinning the throttle. If rpms jump up and you don't go much faster then definitely clutch lol no good way to describe it besides doing it yourself or i'm assuming a youtube video of it.

[@RideOutside]

Thanks for making this video. Soooo many people needed to hear this it’s ridiculous

[@biglefty08]

One time I was coming up on a chp fast as a newer rider and I downshifted hard from 3rd to 2nd while going 80, locked my back wheel up and almost wrecked 😂 wish I had that slipper clutch

[@TheGardenSnake]

Had a few sketchy moments like that too when I was a newer rider. Slipper would have been nice.

[@cole2917]

I like that jake just kind of ends of in all kinds of situations like at 15:00

[@airmotivewelding8012]

Great vid, you are such a pro! Cool tech and great explanation of the system. The basic modern wet clutch is inspired, adding the "cam" driven force from the engine/trans to manage force is an epic improvement! Cool.

[@iainmitchelhill9490]

My thinking is when people think they have a slipping clutch it is more often than they have not lived their chain and the chain is jumping when loaded. I suggest they lube the chain or replace it if it is that bad and magically I think their clutch will no longer slip.

[@AkRider-yc8zg]

Here for the stripper clutch

[@Need4SteveMoto]

Instructor Jake coming in clutch with knowledge

[@gargantus5]

Super simple way I always used to test clutches find a big Hill Get it in top gear at low rpm and gag it up it if rpms go up you dont go faster Boom You need a clutch But visa versa RPMS SPeed up and you DO TO YOURE GOLDEN ! SIDE Note I have always wanted to ride something with a Rekluse Clutch in it!

[@RaittyRat]

Like the new format Jake, hopping from bike to garage. It's like FortNine for people with ADD

[@johnharris7756]

I personally thought the same thing and after watching this video, I am convinced that I am just missing the gear. Perhaps when I upshift I’m not getting a full click.

[@HippoDrones]

Cracking explanations Jake, you are very good at making things make sense! 🙂

[@user-cv9my1jq2r]

Nice job describing that.

[@RideOutside]

Another reason for slip you didn’t mention would be using automotive oil with friction modifiers

[@TheGardenSnake]

That is also a good point and something people regularly mess up

[@dancarlos1216]

I have seen this quite a few times as a tech. People will abuse and slip their clutches excessively while riding and never stay on top of the clutch lever free play slack and as a result the ride around with a bike that is basically pulling its own clutch in slightly until the burn it up.

[@jaimemetcher388]

Guilty on both counts. Lesson learned.

[@6Twisted]

I love a gripper clutch and light clutch.

[@TheUberdude14]

The factory slipper on mt mt09 saved me a few times now with some overzealous downshifting

[@TheGardenSnake]

Aren’t they great for that!

[@austincrabtree2850]

Just picked up my first nice bike! Crf300l, guy sold it to me with 4 miles.

[@TheGardenSnake]

Dang 4 miles. Think he bought it without asking the wife?

[@austincrabtree2850]

Hah! Maybe that's the real reason, but he told me he flew out to get it and trailered it back because it wasn't available around Denver. Then after he rode it around a little decided that bikes are a little too risky for him.

[@MrJet1982]

​@TheGardenSnake That's how I ended up getting my hands on one in my area. Dude put a deposit on one and wife said no. I was next inline 😂

[@MrJet1982]

How much you think your big bore cost you without all the disassemble and all the other things you did at that time ? I think I might want to do that to mine. I have 550 stage 1 ecu flash , yoshi full exhaust and air lid mod. I have the 300cbr intake tube and was contemplating cbr cams but this really has my eye now 😊

[@austincrabtree2850]

@@MrJet1982 how do you like the 550 performance changes? I was wondering if the stock improved would be a nice addition.

[@tommym6248]

Makes perfect sense. I’d still like to know what the function of the half steel/half friction ring setup is in the bottom of the clutch pack?

[@TheGardenSnake]

I’d have to see it. I don’t see that on the parts pdf but might be missing something.

[@tommym6248]

@@TheGardenSnake might be a CRF250 thing, maybe not on the 300?

[@DakotaHDrums]

Why the hell does jakes videos not appear in my feed ?!

[@TheGardenSnake]

The tube no likey me

[@twowheelslater7112]

I like the clutch on mine you can trail brake like mad off-road. The issue I have heard is folks were smoking their clutch. It has to cause the clutch to wear some. They can always change the clutch pad formula to combat that. Idk. I’m gonna see how long mine lasts and go from there. If I smoke it in 5 k I’ll probably do the conversion. If it lasts I think I like it better than a non slipper.

[@TheGardenSnake]

I think I general, especially newer riders (like this bike attracts) use the clutch way too much off road.

[@L3m0nzs]

This is so cool thx for explaining

[@ik04]

Awesome tutorial, Professor!

[@DrewSprings]

0:48 is that one of the twins ole mustang?

[@TheGardenSnake]

Haha maybe

[@andrewnolte7474]

You are so awesome man !

[@MasterChief0093]

my 250l would slip all the time. When I first got it, it was used and within a year I would have issues coming from a red light where no matter how many times I shifted, my revs would spike without me going anywhere. So I replaced the clutch, and then within another year it started to have the same problem. So when I got the crf250l rally, I installed the cbr clutch. Worked way better for me. But I don't know what was wrong to cause the initial issue.

[@TheGardenSnake]

The 250l doesn’t have a slipper. That’s a new thing for the 300.

[@MasterChief0093]

@@TheGardenSnake I guess I was just burning my clutches out super fast. It seemed like any time the engine was too hot, the clutch would fail to disengage. So trail riding was hard if it got too slow.

[@onezstep]

Jake out here giving us a egimukashion

[@TheGardenSnake]

😂

[@wfthkttn]

Tried to join the discord, became a patron of some lewd game. What I did wrong?!

[@erichalitsky1285]

I can't get any free play at the lever . I've done the minor and major adjustment . Thoughts ?

[@monstercherry99]

love you bub

[@joshuapeterson161]

Are you still doing meets?

[@charliem5332]

Is there a heavy duty clutch available for the 300l and if there is do you lose the slipper function?

[@atkolkman]

With those cams, is it bad to intentionally slip the clutch under acceleration? I ask because I ride a lot of gnarly off-road trails and I’m using clutch slipping to keep the engine from stalling in higher gears when I’m in soft sand and mud

[@TheGardenSnake]

Shouldn’t be any worse than anything else. But other than taking off, I’m not really sure why were slipping the clutch a lot in sand or mud. Let that thing out and rip it man. If you’re moving and it’s about the stall then I suggest you’re in too high of a gear.

[@SethPortland]

I figured you to be more of a Michelangelo or Leonardo type of guy lol.

[@TheGardenSnake]

Mikey is my spirit animal

[@meinross]

great vid jake. your beard tickles on my cheek ;)

[@siim1129]

Jake who draws better you or your kid?

[@TheGardenSnake]

The kids hahaha

[@DashRendar308]

Are you not putting the CRF on a dyno again? I was really interested in the numbers.

[@TheGardenSnake]

I will, gotta square tuning away.

[@DashRendar308]

@@TheGardenSnake Great to hear. I'm still waiting for my CRF. Ordered it a couple months ago, but Honda here in Germany keeps postponing the delivery date again and again.

[@TrickyUtah]

Wow his voice sounds different after almost 7 years😭

[@busboy3232]

What sprocket setup are you using on this bike?

[@TheGardenSnake]

Stock gearing

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Best clutch is no clutch. That's why ebikes are so fun ;)

[@TheGardenSnake]

Yeah for sure. Love how these electric bikes don’t need gears or clutches.

[@inqufox1750]

If you read it on the internet 9/10 your wasting the techs time. Dont bring your vehicle or bike into a shop with "i read on the internet" concern. You're wasting our time, the techs time, your own time your congesting the shop. Stop it. Guaranteed back when you were a tech you spent hours trying to figure out a problem that didnt exist because the customer was insane and "i read/heard everyone was having this problem" and just wouldnt shut up about it and got pissed off at YOU for "not listening" or some other convoluted reason for there to NOT be a problem with their vehicle. its "impossible" there isnt a problem with a vehicle...that works perfectly fine because "internet told me there for you all your schooling and years of experience are wrong."