Monster 620 clutch slips at high rmps. Could it be an oil change issue?

[drewbabich]

Monster 620, clutch starts to slip in high RPM's like 6,000 or so at full throttle when I really crank the throttle open.  The motor rapidly increases RPM's but he bike does not correspond with the appropriate amount of acceleration.  Don't seem to notice it till third gear or higher.  I never notice it at take off or in lower gears. 

The bike is due for its 12,000 mile oil change and the oil is probably a few years old at least.  Could oil be the problem. 

Has anyone run shell rotella diesel truck oil in there ducati.  I always do that in my jap bikes and its worked out great.  I know people will say its insane, I just wondered if anyone has done it and been happy with it.

[ducatiz]

sounds more like your clutch pack is worn out.

Rotella T 15w40 and T6 5w40 are both JASO-MA and 100% compatible with your bike.

T6 is a full synthetic, but I might only use that in very cold climate due to the 5w. 

T is a conventional and many people use 15w for summer temps.  I might not use it because it's not a full synthetic, but it won't hurt your bike.

[Langanobob]

I've been using Rotella T 5W-40 in my bikes for years.  It's a very common motorcycle oil and nothing insane at all about using it. One of my bikes is also an M620 so I naturally notice all the M620 posts and there's been an inordinate number of M620 slipping clutch posts and they seem to be very sensitive to oil type.  See if an oil changes helps the problem, sounds like you're long long overdue for an oil change anyway.

Bob

[seevtsaab]

Don't know how severe your slip is. But. My 620 will slip a little if I'm honking on it and get on throttle
hard before the clutch is fully released, usually up in gears and at or slightly above the speed limit.
the clutch will catch up but it seems there's a condition where I can mis-time the release, if you will.
Not a problem if the clutch is engaged before the revs get too high.

[rule62]

Don't know how severe your slip is. But. My 620 will slip a little if I'm honking on it and get on throttle
hard before the clutch is fully released, usually up in gears and at or slightly above the speed limit.
the clutch will catch up but it seems there's a condition where I can mis-time the release, if you will.
Not a problem if the clutch is engaged before the revs get too high.

I had the same exact condition with my '04 620 and is exactly why I ditched the APTC for a standard wet clutch from an 800. Quite a few people have done this. It completely eliminated the 'problem'. I say 'problem' but I think it is just an inherent qualiy of the APTC mechanism. If you open it up and take a look, it seems like those little "helper springs" simply want to slip the clutch. Sometimes at the opportune moment, so as not to hop the back wheel when ham-fisting a downshift, other times at the inopportune moment, as when accelerating and switching between the upper gears.

[drewbabich]

Thanks for the info guys.  So if I'm gonna change the oil and cross my figures that it helps with the clutch slipping issue does anyone have any thoughts on the ideal oil to do that with to best increase my odds of improving my problem?  5w 40, 15w 40 etc?

So did the 02 monster 620 come with a slip clutch?  Thats what the aptc stands for?  I didn't know that. Thats interesting.  So far I'm not very impressed if its gonna slip when under high throttle. 

[rule62]

APTC is the name for the "slipper style" clutch on the smaller bikes. "Adler Power Torque Converter" or something like that. I'm pretty sure that they began using them later than '02. Your bike might just need new oil and/or a new clutch pack. It is possible that your plates/frictions got glazed. You might just want to pull the cover <before you put in the new oil> and inspect. If they've still got some meat on em, just rough em up with some sand paper and throw em back in. As for oil... I use thick (20w50) Mobil 1 full synthetic motorcycle oil... but it gets super hot out here in AZ. You might ot need the heavy weight.

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks for the info guys.  So if I'm gonna change the oil and cross my figures that it helps with the clutch slipping issue does anyone have any thoughts on the ideal oil to do that with to best increase my odds of improving my problem?  5w 40, 15w 40 etc?

In the U.S.? For some reason hardly anyone puts their general location on their profile! 

Easiest to find at auto parts stores is Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W40. No automotive friction modifiers to spoil your day.

[Slide Panda]

Yep - AutoZone stocks mobil bike oil. There's usually a couple bucks a quart off at the register too.

[DucNaked]

In the U.S.? For some reason hardly anyone puts their general location on their profile! 

Easiest to find at auto parts stores is Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W40. No automotive friction modifiers to spoil your day.

^
This . Good quality oil.