Not sure what this issue is I'm experiencing. Can't tell if it's clutch slip? Definitely doesn't feel like wheelspin, and no Traction Control light comes on? Bit annoyed if it is the clutch, as I've only just got the bike and it only has 15k miles on it. The strange thing is, it'll wheelie in first and second, but yet it slips at high rpm on the motorway... https://youtu.be/b_aI4eeabSU - check here for footage of the issue.
Sounds like the clutch is slipping. But I'm not expert. And clutch slippage is always easier to occur in the higher gears.
Top gear full roll-on is exactly when a clutch starts to show it initial signs of wear. It will slip easier and easier as it wears. The number one reason for R series clutch slip is an oil leak. Usually it shows up and you can see it. The number two reason is incorrect clutch usage. Slipping the clutch above 2000 RPM is a great way to wear it out fast. Drive it like a car. Give a little gas, under 2K RPM, then let out the clutch smoothly taking no longer than a solid second. As soon as you have full engagement, give it all the gas you want!
How could I easily check this? Where should I be looking for oil? That's basically how I ride it, but I only got it about a week ago, so it's only now that I'm noticing the issue. What's the rough cost for getting a clutch replaced?
Look all around the seam where the engine and trans meet. You might see something like this: It sounds like the former owner was hard on the clutch. In US dollars it runs between $300 and $600 for parts, depending on the condition of the flywheel and pressure plate. The labor is about 7 hours, so around another $800. I can do it in about 9 hours or so, and the parts all depend on the ones you have. It is possible to do it yourself if you have decent wrenching skills. You might look up Steptoe in the UK. He has a shop, a great reputation, and I hear good prices. He is an inmate here and on the UK GSr forum.
Just went out and had a look. The clutch lever is definitely not fouling the hand guard. The engine/transmission join looks like this so it seems clean enough to me - I did however find whilst googling that some people said as the clutch wears, you can get excess fluid in the reservoir? Would this possibly cause the issue? I haven't taken the cap off as I'm unfamiliar with hydraulic clutches, but is this too much fluid or is this normal? Turning the bars side to side, I can't see any air in it at all, as if it's fully filled the cylinder -
It definitely could. Pull the cap by squeezing the tabs firmly and twisting it off. Reduce the level to the high mark and give it a go!
If your fingers are not narrow enough to press the tabs that unlock the clutch reservoir cap you can make the needed tool out of a wire coat hanger: I check clutch fluid level every service and often wind up removing a little bit of fluid to bring the level below the MAX mark.
Fishing line in the groove works too, though I have the tool, I usually just use my fingers. The factory tool:
On my '05 fingers worked for the brake but for some reason I couldn't quite get the clutch tabs in enough to unscrew the top. Not an issue with the '13. It needed some fluid removed, too.
Thanks for the quick info, I got the cap off without any issue, just used my fingers. The fluid was full enough that it was absolutely full, there was no air in that cylinder at all, so hopefully this will solve it? Not too hopeful though... It took about 2.5ml I removed with a syringe to get it just under the max marking.
I had the same problem, checked everything and removed some fluid as well. sadly its the clutch so next service it comes out. Good luck with your however. So far it's not getting worst and i just don't accelerate hard at speed. Around town its fine still.
I mean power wheelies, not by using the clutch... Haven't had a chance to get the bike out today, will hopefully get to test it later.
So, sort of good news... But kinda not. It seems to slip less than before. I can go into 6th at 50mph, whack the throttle open and it wont slip, same goes for 5th and 4th. I did manage to get it to slip at about 5k rpm in 3rd though. So it seems to still be slipping, but not as badly. Are there any other points I can look at to see if they are causing an issue without having to un-bolt the bike in half? I called my local Motorrad dealer and they quoted me £750 for the clutch to be replaced. I simply can't afford that.
This is a question more so than a recommendation, but couldn't a failing slave cylinder cause clutch slippage?