Rekluse...does it make you less of a rider?

J

johnnyo

New member
I've ridden with them and without them. I was just wondering what your perspective is about using one. Not so much about the advantages and disadvantages of them cause I see both.

I don't mean for this to sound like I'm putting down the use of them because I definitely see the ++'s for them, but do you believe that part of being a good rider is being able to use the clutch properly?

I like them but I can't help feeling that somewhere in the back of my mind that I would be a better "package" if I was in total control of everything on the bike.

Is it just me? Or, is it possibly I'm being cheap and trying to justify not buying one?
 
yes, I believe they detract from the skill sets/training required to ride a motorcycle off road. I believe this to the point that none of my children ever road a pw50/z50 type motorbike, they started on a restored mr50 progressed to a 107 sdg pit bike, then to the 150 chinese hensin. Once that heavy pig is mastered, they can pick the bike they wish, my daughter is coming up next I am hoping to get her to choose a cr85, I think teaching them to run the little two stroke powerband truly leads to exceptional throttle control and bike control, I find watching them learn, they are smoother once graduated up 21/18 size bike then others of their age in any given riding condition we have done.

I don't mean rekluse sucks, it is a great part, works great, certainly has its applications and at some point I will likely put one on, although the one that has the complete over ride design allowing the bike to function as normal if desired.
 
Do you choose the best tires, best suspension setup, any motor tweaks, pegs, bars, levers... Some things it makes easier, some harder (like backing down a hill you didn't make). What about the first guy with 18" of fork travel, surely that made him less of a rider too, what a woosie with all that cushy suspension - i remember hearing that one too, just saying :)
 
I love my CORE EXP. It makes racing more enjoyable for me. It's all about having fun and friendly competition anyways. I know some guys who can ride the heck out of a bike and they are even faster with the Rekluse.

I also run flexx bars and a damper.
 
Last edited:
johnnyo said:
I've ridden with them and without them. I was just wondering what your perspective is about using one. Not so much about the advantages and disadvantages of them cause I see both.

I don't mean for this to sound like I'm putting down the use of them because I definitely see the ++'s for them, but do you believe that part of being a good rider is being able to use the clutch properly?

I like them but I can't help feeling that somewhere in the back of my mind that I would be a better "package" if I was in total control of everything on the bike.

Is it just me? Or, is it possibly I'm being cheap and trying to justify not buying one?
Click to expand...

It's just you :D:D:D

I used to scoff at the auto-riders until I hit Arizona rocks, and then I became Rekluse's biggest fan. It depends on your terrain I suppose, but if I were in this just for fun (well what do you know - I am) I'd set the bike up the way that makes my ride the most enjoyable.

In Michigan that means I rock Flexx bars but get by without an auto-clutch.
 
twowheels has it nailed.

the Core EXP gives you 99% of the control of a stock clutch except you won't stall it. If you have never ridden before, I would say learn on a stocker first. if you are a good rider, then go with the Core EXP and never stall it again. you can't back down a hill, but then that is just another skill in your "bag of being a better rider tricks." Don't think that having an auto clutch will make you a wimp, are F1 drivers wimps because they don't have a manual shift anymore (well yes, but you get the idea - LOL). I use the heck out of the clutch lever with my EXP: still feather it up a hill, still work it to get the rev's when I am off a gear, to pop the front tire to turn around or over a log. Does using a hammer make you a better framer than using a nail gun? I think that is probably the best analogy, most of mine are pretty lame.

So, in short:No, manual clutch will not make you a better rider, but I don't think an Auto Clutch will make you less of a rider either :) A friend that I ride with, and is a stickler for quantitative comparisons was much faster on his test loop with the AC than without the AC.

Besides, you get that cool side case with the Core Exp!!!

I hope that helps some?
Oh, one more thing that I learned from teaching high speed driving. if you are working too hard, you are not learning. When folks were having a hard time braking and downshifting, and then getting around the turn, I would take away the downshift until they got comfy with the brake and turn. then reintroduce the downshift much further before the turn so they don't overload. In that respect, not worrying about stalling may help you learn the other stuff: hills, logs, water, berms,.... know what I mean.

rob
 
Having had a Rekluse z-start on my previous bike I think it actually improved my riding in a different area. In technical rocks I was always too busy concentrating on the clutch control, once I fitted the Rekluse it was so much easier to keep the momentum that now I am back on a manual clutch I have carried that skill with me

So while it may not improve your clutch skill you do pick up other skills

And for technical races the energy and time saving of not stalling almost makes it a no-brainer
 
After riding the MC125 for 5 years before I bought the EC250, I think I have the clutch thing long figured out and don't really need to practice that anymore. Just installed the Core EXP and love it. Still use the clutch lever also.

On the hammer verses nail gun thing. I've been using both of those for a living for the last 25 years and can tell you, I'm some glad to have an auto clutch now. I get to ride longer now. Next will be the flex bars. If only they made a auto front brake, my arms hands and wrists would be all set to ride until I die. ;)
 
I had the rekluse core exp for about a month. It's funny because I had the opposite experience. I don't think it's cheating because it made my riding worse. I could not get used to some of the attributes no matter what I tried. I went back to the stock clutch and would never turn back. Just a testament to, know matter how good someone says something is it doesn't mean it's for everybody.
 
The Rekluse makes me a much better rider when riding my bike with the Rekluse and LHRB.

The Rekluse makes me a much worse rider when riding someone elses bike without a Rekluse and LHRB.

I can still ride with a clutch and foot brake but it takes me long time to adjust.

I can see the value in learning clutch skills before just going the Rekluse route. I figured out that I am not likely to go pro anytime soon so I just set my bike up the way I like.

Rgranger watch out or I may run into you!
 
I Have never ran one, thought about it. Then I remind myself of the price for the Gas Gas :eek::eek: TOOO STEEEEP! That 'll buy me alot of fuel and tires. I race and ride good enuf without it.
 
i ran one on a 200, i didn't care for it. i have one that i've not installed on the 300, just never got around to it. it didn't make me faster on the 200, but that's a different beast....
 
Points well taken (even the lame analogies :D). I believe that in the fundamentals of learning to ride, one should know how to use the clutch properly. At 46 I think I have the basics down by now.

I know I could benefit in a nasty ride ride by having one and know many AA riders who smoke with or without them. I guess after reading the replies that you are right.

It is really about having fun and in the end does anyone really care if I finished bottom half of the pack without one or top half of the pack with one in the 45+C class?

Was just curious what the popular opinion was. You can't stop progress. Guess you can't be hate'n on the guys for using the holeshot device in MX or the new "launch control" button on some bikes.
 
stainlesscycle said:
i ran one on a 200, i didn't care for it. i have one that i've not installed on the 300, just never got around to it. it didn't make me faster on the 200, but that's a different beast....
Click to expand...
I personally think that unless u are chasing championship seconds then the Rekluse is not needed on the 300. It would be much more useful on the 200
 
OK so i just did a training day with Chris Birch and William Gillett and i feel that i need to add to my statement.

I think that riding with my rekluse has made my clutch skills lazy, and the habit i picked up from that is that i tend to tackle obstacles that should require a clutch blip to lft the wheel i just yank the throttle at them, and while this technique tends to work it ends up with a bigger gain in speed and can also tend to be more messy and require more effort

I am referring more to technical riding with rocky, stepped climbs

My experience with the rekluse is with the z-start clutch, not sure how the exp is
 
nambo-trev said:
I had the rekluse core exp for about a month. It's funny because I had the opposite experience. I don't think it's cheating because it made my riding worse. I could not get used to some of the attributes no matter what I tried. I went back to the stock clutch and would never turn back. Just a testament to, know matter how good someone says something is it doesn't mean it's for everybody.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what he said.
 
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