Member Contributer Fritzer Posted February 16, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 16, 2023 Just curious what kind of clutch friction plate life people are getting on their 5th gen VFRs. Clutch on my machine was replaced 30,000 ago. I am getting ready for a 3,500 mile trip this summer from Oregon thru N Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. Should I replace my clutch before I leave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Wald Posted February 16, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 16, 2023 I think, it all depends how you treat your clutch. My vfr has 36k miles and it still feels like no wear. I had several bikes with close to 40k miles and never had clutch wear issues (mostly backroads with a lot of shifting) I hope, I did not jinx my clutch with this statement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFR78 Posted February 17, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 17, 2023 50 minutes ago, Fritzer said: Just curious what kind of clutch friction plate life people are getting on their 5th gen VFRs. Clutch on my machine was replaced 30,000 ago. I am getting ready for a 3,500 mile trip this summer from Oregon thru N Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. Should I replace my clutch before I leave? My 8G has 88,000km on it and the clutch is still feeling fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Fritzer Posted February 17, 2023 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 17, 2023 Wow!! 55,000 miles has to be a worldwide vfr clutch record. There has to be a technique for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer interceptor69 Posted February 17, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 17, 2023 My '98 has the OG clutch and has appx 40,000 mi and appears fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Grum Posted February 18, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 18, 2023 Isn't this a kind of "how long is a piece of string" topic? Just so many variables. - acceleration rate from stationary. - up shift, down shift technique. - slow riding technique, use of clutch friction zone. - type of friction modifiers in the oil you use - etc! For info, previous vfr 94,000kms and current 8gen vfr 92,000kms. No clutch issues at all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer joneill Posted February 18, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 18, 2023 1998 VFR. Replaced clutch plates and friction discs and springs at 90K miles because clutch was starting to get a little grabby starting off in first gear . All springs and friction plates and springs measures in spec and identical to OEM replacements. I only replaced them because I have already purchased new parts. In hindsight I probably could have deglazed the friction discs and put the old ones back in and reused them. If the clutch is preforming well now, not slipping under load or excessively grabby I would not worry about it before your trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Wald Posted February 18, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Grum said: Isn't this a kind of "how long is a piece of string" topic? Just so many variables. - acceleration rate from stationay. - up shift, down shift technique. - slow riding technique, use of clutch friction zone. - type of friction modifiers in the oil you use - etc! For info, previous vfr 94,000kms and current 8gen vfr 92,000kms. No clutch issues at all. Exactly as stated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer DannoXYZ Posted February 18, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 18, 2023 My '86 RC24 has 96K-miles on original clutch. I installed stiffer Barnett springs about 10-yrs in. I only use clutch for taking off in 1st, and downshifting. Haven't measured, but I suspect it's about 50% worn, going from mileage on clutches on my other bikes. I also have most of original OEM rear brake-pads too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Fritzer Posted February 18, 2023 Author Member Contributer Share Posted February 18, 2023 Thanks for all the input. When I purchased my machine in 2015, the seller gave me all the service records he had. They showed that he had the clutch replaced at 34K miles just before putting it up for sale, hence my concerns for long trip. I do not excessively use my clutch so with all your feedback I feel good not worrying about it. Thanks again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Lorne Posted February 19, 2023 Member Contributer Share Posted February 19, 2023 Fwiw (and ymmv), I put ~90K km on four of my VFRs, two 3rd gens, a 5th gen, and a 6th gen - which is my current ride. None of them indicated any clutch issues. Went thru a lot of tires, tho 😉 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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