Clutch early wear

24943 Views 63 Replies 30 Participants Last post by BamBallam, Oct 16, 2020

sriku

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2016

Hi, I'm from India and got my scrambler Icon in September 2015. Put on 4800 kms since then and then noticed heavy clutch slipping when i shifted into second and then pulled away. Lot of engine noise not translating into forward thrust, and I could feel the slipping clutch every gear above 2nd. Took the bike to the Ducati service workshop where they opened up the clutch and took pictures for warranty approval from Ducati. There was significant wear in the clutch plates, and they have finally replaced the clutch plates, pressure plate, clutch hub in which these plates sit. Will pickup the bike in a few days after 2 weeks of downtime.

In my city/country, this seems to be a common grouse among all scrambler owners, some reported it around the 6-7000 kms mark, while some even reported it at 2000 kms. The workshop guys tried to attribute the early wear to there being lack of play at the cable at the lever end. Which, in my case wasnt the issue, as I had ensured the lever play was set and checked by them during my first service.

With me, 3 other bikes faced the same problem and all are getting warranty replacement of clutch plates as a result. Could any of you report back if this issue is globally occurring?

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greer

· #2 · Apr 13, 2016

Thanks for sharing the details with us, sriku. Here's a bit more:

Clutch plates burning in a week

Sarah

Slaine

· #3 · Apr 13, 2016

I dont think that European built bikes have this issue, seems restricted to the far East.

TC3

· #4 · Apr 13, 2016

Slaine said:
I dont think that European built bikes have this issue, seems restricted to the far East.

Guy who got a bike from my dealer in UK had early clutch failure

Slaine

· #5 · Apr 14, 2016

I still dont believe that there is a Clutch problem, Ducati have sold 16,000 Scramblers Worldwide in 2015, so assuming we count the couple of people here on the Forum that have said they had a problem and the one or two guys who have a mate who had the "problem", add in a few who havent said anything, we come to a total of maybe 20 bikes.

If my Mathematics is correct, 0,125%.

Reactions: 1

!3erkin

· #6 · Apr 14, 2016

I got a clutch problem @ 2000km and had to have it replaced. Unfortunately the warranty did not cover it and it cost me around 400$ to get it fixed. so consider yourselves lucky.

Xtyling

· #7 · Apr 14, 2016

2000km not and under warranty? Your Ducati dealer sucks.

YankeeDoodle

· #8 · Apr 15, 2016 (Edited)

Slaine said:
I still dont believe that there is a Clutch problem, Ducati have sold 16,000 Scramblers Worldwide in 2015, so assuming we count the couple of people here on the Forum that have said they had a problem and the one or two guys who have a mate who had the "problem", add in a few who havent said anything, we come to a total of maybe 20 bikes.

If my Mathematics is correct, 0,125%.

fallacy... my plates were gone at 2,500 miles, Ducati/dealership/my pocket paid 1/3 each and they refused full warranty in Ducati USA; data set being presented is shite while primary knowledge is slated. It's far beyond 20 motor-bikes, check other sources; i did my homework prior to dealing with over the phone hand-jobs.

lever gap is 2-3mm, monitor it heavily... dealership - "thinnest clutch plate pack they've ever put out."

sriku

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 15, 2016

I just picked up the bike from the workshop. They have replaced the clutch plates few of which showed excessive wear, also replaced the clutch basket(inner) in which these plates sit. And an oil change as well. They only charged me for the bike washing and chain cleaning and lubing, which was nominal. Rode the bike in stop and go traffic as well as pinned the throttle on an wide open highway this morning, satisfied with the response and can no longer complain of clutch issues. Apparently Ducati Global is aware of the issue but are putting it down to improper PDI at the factory and dealer prior to delivery, however I am not convinced about that, as my cable play was adjusted to the right amount during my first service. Glad to report that the Bombay dealership and Ducati are processing the clutch warranty replacements for all affected scramblers without any cribbing. Just some delay in receiving the approval from Ducati after they see a problem report and supporting images of the worn plates etc.

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Slaine

· #10 · Apr 15, 2016

I find it very strange that dealers are not replacing burnt out clutches free of charge! or of course the reason for the burnout lies with the riders themselves.

sriku

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 15, 2016

Sorry to disagree, I've put 30000kms on a Ninja 650 and upwards of 20k kms on an MT01 and several other motorcycles. None of which needed a clutch replacement. So I, as a rider take it personally if my riding style is put at fault for damaging the clutch plates this early on in my scrambler ownership. We aren't rookies in the motorcycle world and are educated riders that know what should and shouldnt be done. So please dont put it down to rider error.

sriku

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 15, 2016

Which is why this issue is getting my goat big time. IF so many riders are experiencing early clutch wear, then it is an assembling defect, not rider fault. I fail to understand how so many scramblers can face an issue that gets conveniently blamed on rider error. Can't be. the numbers do not support that conclusion. And I will not agree with any counter point that is not supported by any facts.

!3erkin

· #13 · Apr 15, 2016

The deal with my bike is I know when I burned the clutch. At around 500 km on the bike I was at a rider academy where we had to brake, and use the gas at the same time so you have to do half clutch in order not to stall. I asked the instructor if it was safe to do it and he said of course. And everyone else was doing it so I figured why not.
After I left the rider academy that day at a steep hill I couldn't launch the bike, the clutch would not engage. After a while I found out that my coupling point had moved all the way up. So I had to re-adjust it from the clutch lever. Everything was fine up until 1200 KM or so when I started relalizing the clutch was slipping. I gave up by 2000km and took it to the dealer. And they kind of convinced me it was user error.
But now that same rider academy is using scramblers for training and there is nothing wrong with their clutch. So I guess I got stuffed...
Now I'm still paranoid about slipping the clutch at slow speeds in traffic.

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sriku

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 18, 2016

After riding about 500 kms since my clutch replacement, I'm happy to report that it feels better than before, and the bike positively surges ahead just like it is meant to, with no slipping observed. Now for some long rides to get more throttle therapy!

ash73

· #15 · Sep 9, 2016

Just had my clutch replaced under warranty, started slipping at only 1500 miles. The service manager showed me the friction plates, they were worn down to bare metal and scored. He said it was the first one they'd had in. Big job too, took them 3 hours.

I want to double check my clutch cable is adjusted properly. How they've set it at the moment there's about 2mm free play at the lever but I can't move the pivot at the engine it's under tension. If I wind on the adjuster slightly to create 3-4mm at the lever I can can also move the pivot at the engine with my finger; which is how I thought it should be set.

My question is, should there be enough free play to be able to manipulate the pivot at the engine?

egicar

· #16 · Sep 9, 2016

You can read how to set the free play at pag 107 of the manual

ash73

· #17 · Sep 9, 2016

I've set it as per the manual, at 3-4mm. I want to know what should happen to the pivot at the engine, which isn't in the manual. Mine can be moved slightly with my finger, and I think that makes sense, I just wanted confirmation.

TransNone13

· #18 · Sep 10, 2016

The stock clutch sucks, not only is this an issue it definitely slips under load at speed. My bike is at the dealer now with a Barnett clutch plate and spring kit, will report back. Ideally this will make me happy.

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DaveInWoodland

· #19 · Sep 11, 2016

Guess I'm lucky then, 4500 miles no clutch issues.

Reactions: 2

egicar

· #20 · Sep 11, 2016

DaveInWoodland said:
Guess I'm lucky then, 4500 miles no clutch issues.

Me too: 12.200 km and no clutch problems.

Reactions: 1

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