Ducati Monster Forum

what are the + & - of having an open/closed clutch. what i mean is having the stock clutch closed cover.. or upgrading it with an open one *(aftermarket)
just wondering.

Coolness factor.

Open clutch =  8)

Leave it stock but always give your passengers a tambourine! [laugh]

Personally I just like the way other drivers at intersections and pedestrians stare at it and wonder if it's about to blow up.

the reasons for it are supposed to be functional.
cooler as in not hot
cleaner as in no dust buildup

BUT it is cool as in I want it. course my wet clutch would be a mess.

It's definitely something to look at when its open. It spins differently when its in gear vs idle.

 ???

what do u mean???  ???

For the bling.  ;)


Ducati 848 dry clutch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe4Ja0GXSCs#normal)

^^^There you go Raux, dry clutch conversion, kopfjager did it to his

more noise
better cooling
potentially more debris entering
moisture/rain entering

There's the joy of dropping it on the clutch side while it's running and it lands on your leg. This is not to be underrated.


Of course, it ain't broke......

I mean watch one spinning with the clutch engaged vs in Idle. I don't know how else to explain it.




That is by default the coolest 848 around. The dry clutch is the only major thing missing from that bike. Are you sure that's not a 1098 with 848 stickers on it?

Positive. That kit has been out for over a year.

Ducati 848 dry clutch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7z3SJ3aCGI#normal)

don't worry i know about the conversion. i have the thread saved on my favorites on how to do it, what parts, etc.

That is a better looking conversion than Duc Stews 750 conversion. I was impressed with his but this looks factory.

Actually Paoli, it is a DP conversion for the 848.

Local DMFer did the DP conversion to his 848. Really nice. Too bad it doesn't come with it stock. But I guess that was one of the money saving features on the 848 for Ducati. Either way, still great scooters! [thumbsup]

My favorite thing about open clutches is the cooling. Before with it enclosed there was no cooling whatsoever, a wet clutch is cooled with oil. 

I still noticed slipping with new plates and springs untill I opened my cover. Then I vented my case cause it looks cool.

i doubt it was money saving.  parts are probably the same price, but Ducati gets to sell you the upgrade.

That's even better.  [thumbsup]

So you guys notice a difference in performance by opening the clutch due to better cooling?  That's interesting...

Mine's good for an extra 10-15mph on top end easy! ;D Actually that was one of the first mods I did on any of my Ducs so I honestly couldn't tell you if they are better open or closed. I'm lovin' the rattle! [moto]

Oh, and don't forget the "envy" factor from other bikers. As I was riding around one day a fella on a Triumph makes it a point to catch me and we soon meet up at a light. While were there my bike's in neutral clancking and doing it's dry clutch dance  he then flips his lid and says "Damn, I love that sound"!

My S2R1K had all kinds of clutch drag issues that were finally fixed by opening up the clutch. Of course, cleaning out the clutch every couple of weeks did the trick too, but I barely have enough time to ride as it is.

And you have to love the rattle!

Hmmm.  I just closed my clutch yesterday.  I really like the look of the open clutch, but am enjoying hearing the engine and Termis instead of the rattle.

Here's what it used to look like (DP pressure plate and Speedymoto cover):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/NikosF/Ducati/Monster_7.jpg)

How do you guys like to clean out the clutch best?  Compressed air blasts or some kind of solvent or just soapy water?  Excuse my ignorance, I'm new to the dry clutch life.

In order to get into the tight spots I use a long paint brush with mild soap and water and it does a fine job.

After 3,000 miles I opened the clutch.  There was basiclly no dust inside.

ride fast enough and all that dust will blow out.  [moto]  no need to clean  ;D

I didn't drop the bike on my leg but did get my pant leg caught in the clutch (stock cover cut sort of like PAC-man)

It stalled the bike, trapped my leg up against it and tore up my calf.

I had to unwind my pantleg out of the clutch.

no im not saying you will gain anything. I just believe it will take longer to start slipping due to overheating.

Found pics

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/900rider/clutchcoverandp.jpg)

didn't break the skin, but it still scabed over.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/900rider/leg4.jpg)

I'd do it all over again 8)

 I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. While I will agree the wet clutch is definitely not cool, the brakes on the 848 suck once the pace heats up a little. And the bike seriously needs a damper.

Cost cutting.

848 brakes suck...really? I agree about the damper, but the brakes are more than adequate.

I would love to swap out my wet clutch, but for the money, I might as well sell my bike and buy an S2R 1000.

Or swap in a 1000DS motor.

That too.

I never had an issue with the dry clutch on my duc and the cover was never opened, or cleaned out, in a solid 30K miles.

A clutch should not require the maintenance some people have mentioned in this thread.

I agree with the dave.

The "better cooling" argument is a lame excuse.

Clutches get opened up because being able to see spinning things is cool and the sound is cool.

It's 100% cool factor 0% reliability improvement.

The cooling issue is relevant but not for normal street use.

Open clutches do let the clutch dust out. If I ran my MTS closed, the clutch would start making a moaning sound right at take-off after about 3K miles. I'd have to remove the cover and blow it out with air to make it quit. Didn't seem to affect performance, but it was annoying.

When I switched to open I never had to do that again.

I went from DP open carbon cover to stock closed. Sounded like a chaff cutter. Have to say I only open up the cover to clean/service the clutch when changing the plates or springs.

Speaking of chaff cutters, the kids are wondering why I'm laughing so much. It's the new avatar! [clap]

Yeah I reckon that's true having tried both.

 Maybe for casual street riding the brake are adequate. That being said, the word "adequate" doesn't exactly translate into steller. The 1098 brakes are an entirely different story. Do you realize the 848 comes with the same calipers that are on the 696?

 Have you ever ridden an 848 at the track? I have and believe me the brakes completely suck ass once the pace heats up. After two laps the brakes began to fade and I couldn't hit my markers consistantly without fear of going into the turn too hot. It doesn't exactly exude confidence.

Yep, I rode my 848 at Pacific Raceways, Oregon Raceway Park, and Miller...all in the intermediate group. I thought the brakes were fine, even slowing down into turn 1 at Miller from about 160 mph (indicated). Two fingers was all I needed.

The 1098 brakes are definitely stronger, but damn, what other bikes even have monoblock brakes like that? I really doubt the 848 brakes are worse than any of the Japanese bikes. Who cares if they are also on the 696...they're definitely overkill fo that bike.

The brakes on my 748 are fine as well, and I ride it much harder than the 848.

Maybe your pads were glazed or something? Short of racing, I don't see how the 848 brakes aren't just fine. If there was a problem, then new pads would for sure fix it.

I'm not the only one to have this opinion. There are a few folks that work at a local dealer who feel the same way. And no, they weren't riding the same bike as me.

Easy upgrade.  ;)

The 848 Evo is supposed to have monobloc ~

JM

Ducati Superbikes have always been famous for their incredible, track-derived braking performance and the 848EVO  is no exception. Now featuring radially mounted Brembo's powerful Monobloc calliper racing tachnology. The twin Monobloc callipers each have four 34 mm pistons that grip 320 mm discs to help generate planet-stopping braking while transmitting a precise “feel” at the brake lever. On the rear is a Brembo two-piston calliper and 245 mm disc.

Producing a front subframe in magnesium underlines the attention to weight-saving detail in the Ducati Superbike range. Its construction provides secure support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, and the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall "feel" and control of the machine.

From clutch & now brakes ...... next it will be about the rear-sets, OK ;D

here's the open clutch on my streetfighter.  it's much louder, but the cooll factor is worth it and you won't notice the sound when you're screaming down the road.  warning, the stock springs will get rusty. 

Ducati Streetfighter Dry Clutch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFqTDq5ACq4#normal)

I am looking at getting a 2002 S4, the dry open clutch is awsome looking.

When the bike is in gear, the clutch is connected to the rear wheel mechanically, so part of it moves with the rear wheel, including the pressure plate.  That means if you're stopped, then it's stopped, and if you walk the bike forward, it spins backward along with it.  However, if you're in neutral with the clutch engaged, it is mechanically mated to the engine and spins in proportion to engine speed.

I've run my dry clutch open since almost day 1 and I have the "moaning on takeoff" sound, which started around 8,000 miles, so I doubt it's actually tied to any dust issues specifically.

I often get the response "Is it supossed to be open like that?". I'm never quite sure how to answer the question.

Closed, open, slotted cover, half cover, stock cover with the brass grommets used as spacers....

I've run the clutch every which way, and every configuration has its charms.

Go with whatever works for ya.