Ducati Monster Forum

I really like the looks of an open clutch cover and would love to do this on my S2R.  I am not though a huge fan of the Dry Clutch noise which is greatly subsided by keeping the stock cover on.  I get really sick of riding with people who don't what the noise is and just assume that the bike broken.  I then have to explain to them why it makes that noise but they just think that Ducati makes a bad product.  This got me thinking - A lot has been written about these clutches on this site and a lot of you fellow riders have commented on how much you really like the noise.

Is there anyone out there like me who doesn't really care for the Dry Clutch noise?

Hope all is well with everyone...ride safe!

Cheers    [wine]

The noise is good, it is part of the distinctive sound that makes a ducati sound like a ducati.  As the saying goes, "Loud clutches save lives."  It is true that when I am sitting next to people at stop lights they do tend to wear that "I think your bike is falling apart" look on their face, but the fact that they choose to travel in cars rather than motorcycles is a confirmation of the fact that they are fundamentally different than me.

If you really want to avoid the clutch noise, Ducati makes several wet clutch models like the 696 and the 620ie, I think.  Or if you want to go to an open clutch cover you could always make your exhaust louder to drown out the clutch noise... boomtubes perhaps  [evil]

I think that it's really a matter of preference. I didn't like it at first, but the more I was around Ducati's the more my taste changed. I LOVE knowing that when I hear that sound from a good ways off that I know it's a Ducati heading my way. I wish that my 620 had a dry clutch.

People who know even a little about Ducati know that its a distinguishing element but yes, may others think something is broken. But the best part is explaining it and having them go "Oh!" and see that they learned something about your bike that they never knew before.

[thumbsup]

1) I think the other 13 people who started the exact same thread would agree with you.
2) Find a different group of riding buddies. 

Can we burn him?

She's a witch! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrzMhU_4m-g#normal)

I'm not a big fan of the dry clutch noise...at least not all of it. I like the "scraping" noise with the clutch pulled in...but I don't like the clack-a-clack-a-clack noise with the bike in neutral.

Here's how to quiet it down:
http://wolfcentral.net/multistrada/quietyerclutch.htm (http://wolfcentral.net/multistrada/quietyerclutch.htm)

I did this to my Multi about 6K miles ago...still working great. Keeps the "scraping" noise...loses the clack-a-clack noise. [thumbsup] As an added bonus your clutch should last longer because the plate tabs no longer beat on the slots in the basket.

You don't know what a good thing you have with the dry clutch.  People without one wish they had one in their non-dry clutch Ducati's.  

embrace all the sight and sound of your S2R1K!

 [laugh]


"How do you know she's a witch?"

"Because she looks like one!"
 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

I love the noise, though I can't decide if I prefer it clutch in or clutch out  ;)

i thought it would be fun to put little bells on the clutch basket for the holiday, alas, i am buried in 2 feet of snow... clacka-jinga-clacka-jinga..

OK, so I'm not the only one [clap]

Triple J agrees with me!

I know there are models with a wet clutch in them....I have driven (and worked on) both kinds....A LOT.  I'm just not personally a huge fan of the noise.

I'll be honest, I dont personally notice the performance upgrade from one or the other.  I'm sure others will say they notice a big difference...I just don't.

Spidey:  What I said is HERESY!  I wasn't trying to offend...just trying to see if there was anyone out there who didn't just go along with everyone on this forum and say they 'Like' the noise.  Kudos to me for being different! :P

Life of Brian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQqq3e03EBQ#normal)

ducatiz...

Bahahahahahahaha!   [laugh]

That was funny!  [thumbsup]

(http://www.woundedduc.net/sitebuilder/images/LoudClutchesEdit-526x439.jpg)

 [laugh] [laugh]

Well, I don't mind the noise. But, I recently replaced my aged basket and hub with billet ones from Vee2 in Australia. With an Al basket and friction plates there isn't as much noise as with the stock steel basket. When I had the stocker out I hit it with a screw driver handle and it rung like a bell, for a good minute or two, and it was loud. Same thing with the billet gave me a light *ting* that was done in an instant. So one way to quiet stuff up, though not cheap, is a billet basket and tight fitting plates.

I am wearing that shirt right now! [beer]

BURN HIM!

BURN HIM ALIVE!!!

TWICE!

burning = no

forcefully removing fingernails though vented clutch cover = yes

J, I used your post for a How-To-- http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33196.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33196.0) --- and linked it to the Dry v. Wet Clutch FAQ -- http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20634.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20634.0)   Hope ya don't mind.

and to think i'm considering getting the dry clutch conversion kit to switch a perfectly functioning and normal good wet clutch to a noisy grabbly dry clutch.

truly does prove, "one man's noise is another man's music"   [laugh] [clap]

I love my dry clutch because its the easiest clutch to ever work on. You try working on a Honda diaphram clutch, especially a sprag type, and trying to set it up for the right amount of slip.

I did however change out one of the Barnett alloy friction plates for a Ducati OEM steel plate and it stopped the plates pounding the crap out of my lovely Vee Two basket and hub. Just one better fitting plate pulled the pack together.

The Barnett plates had way too much tang to slot gap from new (no burring after 10,000kms/6000miles), just made that way.Not a mark on the basket or hub/drum just too much noise beyond the normal noise we should all dearly love. One OEM plate on the outer end did it as it was a closer tolerance tang to slot, and the sound of a big end about to self grenade is gone and replaced with a factory racer sound. Clanga-clanga gone, chinka-chinka back.

What about people who weigh more than a dry clutch pack, basket and drum?..

With a highend clutch, It's not so noisey.  ;)

+ 11ty billion

Your not wrong. Vee Two basket good, stock basket (old style) bad. Old basket has sloppy tang slots from stock. Barnett plates were suprisingly sloppy on the tangs (light though).

What alloy plates would you guys use? ST4s plates? Dont like heavy steel if I can avoid it.

STM

maybe a stupid question but does a slipper clutch still make the same noise/sound?

I have also bought such a VeeTwo clutch basket (very cheap on ebay ;D)
My clutch is 55000km young and it is still good
In the Netherlands we have a dealer who has made something to last clutches a lot longer and quiet
It works about the same as the link i have seen in this topic
And it works
I have bought the V2 clutch basket because i am going to install a magnesium engine cover and the stock basket is rusty

Yes it does.

Until the tabs are out of tolerance after a few thousand miles.  ;) I agree though...new clutches are MUCH quieter than my 18K mile model.  ;D


Sounds good. It's all about options.  [thumbsup]

BURN HIM ANYWAY!

not sure if this is the right thread but i just freakin love this saying...
a Ducati without a dry clutch is like a girlfriend without a vagina

Spent time in prison, grandpa?

Also I'd prefer a gf with a wet "clutch" anyhow

Ba dum bum!

take it from someone who has recently worked on their wet clutch. If you ever had to replace anything clutch related .. dry clutch is where its at. no spilliing oil, no oil spots. and no need for gloves.. unless you dont like getting a little dirt under your nails.  [beer]

I'm embarrassed to say this. My first bike was a Bone-stock 2001, 996 and I took her up to the Rock Store for the first time. I think this was my very first time in the Canyons too. I was standing there with an old friend and up pulls in a Cool looking Red, 916 making this loud clacking sound. I looked over and told my friend "Damn what the hell is wrong with his bike, mine does not make that sound...maybe because mine is newer? He should get that crap fixed." Yea, I said that.  

Even after it was explained to me I did not care for the sound...I was still new to Ducati. Now I run both S4R and S2R with open clutch covers. Yea I get that look   ??? at the stop light, but I don't care. Dry clutches rule!  [bow_down]

There's always the low budget option seen here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYnAeKiTq4&feature=player_embedded# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYnAeKiTq4&feature=player_embedded#)
 
[laugh] [laugh] [cheeky] [cheeky] [laugh] [laugh]

i want a big honkin' clacketty clutch. 

That was awesome!  I have not laughed like this in awhile

Funny you should mention that...I've always thought the older Ducatis make much much more dry clutch noise.

to which older models do you refer?

916 comes to mind and the SuperSports...

Probably just due to old plates and baskets...and/or the materials (i.e. steel basket).

My 2002 748 has the quietest Duc clutch I've ever heard...it's a relatively new slipper (can't remember the brand).

The new aluminum baskets really help.

rofl, it's funny to me that something made in the 90s is considered "old' but I guess it is...

i thought you were thinking of the aftermarket kits for the bevel bikes...   [laugh]

Has anybody ever tried the MW billet clutch basket?  They claim to be "incredibly quiet".  Is there any truth to this?  Is there something different about their design?
http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myproducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=1652%7CMonster%20Clutch&productID=2630&showDetail=1&categoryID=1676 (http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myproducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=1652%7CMonster%20Clutch&productID=2630&showDetail=1&categoryID=1676)|Monster%20Clutch%20Baskets&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=168%7CEuropean%20Motorcycle%20Parts

Incredibly "quite" what? 

I have a factory clutch in a box that's pretty quiet....

Closer tolerances that reduce plate movement within the basket...possibly combined with Aluminum (which is quieter anyway). That's all I can see.

...and it will still increase in loudness as the plates and basket wear and the gaps increase.

I recently put in new Surflex plates from desmotimes.  They come with an  "integral quiet clutch separator plate" - similar to the free quite clutch mod:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33196.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33196.0)

And it is VERY quiet -you can hear the motor way more now.

I'm happy with it - it made a huge difference on my bike.  [thumbsup]

Thanks Arai_speed.  I will make this mod in the summer when it's warmer outside...No garrage.

clutch is considerably quieter when the bike is off too.

Somethings are just best left alone... This is one of those times.  ;)

I don't care so much about all the dry clutch stuff except for when I have to replace the disc.

Takes 30 min. tops and makes keeping the clutch in tip top shape painless.

LA