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09 Clutch problem

102K views 427 replies 108 participants last post by  RSA ghost rider 
#1 · (Edited)
I've just had the first service done on my 09 R1. The clutch is now slipping with pull away in 1st gear. It's especially bad when the bike is cold and gradually gets better when the bike warms up but it doesn't completely go away. Yamalube 20W40 oil was used. The dealer will be checking it out on tuesday. Anyone else experience this problem?
 
#35 ·
Its the same issue say you would have on something like my 08 busa. The stock torque limter makes it near impossible for launching at a drag strip, or even with playing hard on the streets. Now with this new r1 it is by far the worst i have felt and after about three passes at the track it was already a huge issue. I noticed it felt weird from the first time i got it from the dealer. I am working with a very reputable company on this issue to solve the problem, and will be passing it on to all my fellow 09 r1 riders very very soon. The prototype is finished and i will be testing the new set up this week. Pics and in depth descriptions soon to follow !
 
#36 ·
2009 Ongoing issue with Clutch

I live in Las Vegas and purchased the 09 R1 in April. The past 2 months I have had the same issue with the clutch slipping in first gear only while the bike is cold - brought it back to the place it was purchased from only for them to tell me that everything was ok. It got to the point that I had to bring it back last week only for them to now tell me that there is a fault in the 09 clutch where no fluid getting to the clutch at all - bone dry (and there was another 09 R1 there with the same issue in 5th). What I am not understanding is it appears that this has been happening since the 09's came out - why hasnt there been a recall to have this fixed yet? Whats even funnier is Yamaha is shipping out the new clutch to Ride Now Powersports, but they are not paying them for the labor.
Obviously Yamaha is waiting for someone to kill theirselve regarding this before anything gets done. Can you say class action lawsuit?
 
#38 ·
Just bought my 09 R1 three weeks ago. Add me to the list of "what the hell was that?" clutches.

On cold starts, a huge growl and grab. When warm, less intense, but I still feel completely insecure about power starts because it is unpredictable when my slipper clutch will turn into a "grabber" clutch.

With all of the incredible torque from that motor... any grab is too much;-)

My dealer told me to just ride the hell out of it. If it burns up, they will cover the repair under warranty. Okay, but what about racing starts?

My first track day with my new bike is next week. I will know after that if I can learn to trust it.

All bad said about the clutch, this is the most incredible machine on the face of the earth. I love my '09 R1!!!!
 
#41 ·
Thread has died, and so did my clutch.

Just got it back from the dealer today.

Repair was covered, parts only. It cost me $83 US under warranty.

Service guys told me Yamaha says to soak friction plates in oil for a day before installing them.

I hope they did that, but it seems excessive.
 
#42 ·
Well it seems im very close to making it a dependable set up. I have the clutch mod done and tested from Brocks Performance and if you have an 09 i would put this in no questions asked. I couldnt make it 5 passes before it would fry my clutch and now its 1000 times better and it was very jerky before in daily driving and now its alot smoother. I went 4 races with alot of passes on it was still good. I also tested out the oil line for Mcoy motorsports on the 09 and it seems to making a big difference for the oiling issues and the clutch being terrible on overnight start ups. Aside from that since i drag race i tried cycle concepts drag pack and man does that thing grip, its hard to get used to. The old girl was one round away from taking me to a final this weekend in a huge field and i broke out so its all working !! Any questions feel free to ask !
 
#43 ·
what were the mods that were made to the clutch ? mines been holding up with no problems so far. and it has a little over 2100 miles on it. i dont really go to tracks so it only sees the occasional hard launches here and there to play around but this clutch issue worries me... definitely not made of money lol its taking me forever to save up for an exhaust and other goodies...
 
#44 ·
I know the feeling, im still trying to figure out how to grow a money tree lol ! Basically the clutch mod eliminates the factory torque limiter-slipper set up. Im my case not only has it made the clutches last, it has made the street driving alot smoother and just alot better to drive. Its super easy to do and takes maybe 45 minutes tops to install.
 
#45 ·
o cool it sounds simple enough its good to know of a good fix for after the warrenty runs out lol. does taking that out have any adverse effect on the slipper clutch itself or will it still work like its supposed to.... and yea ive been trying to figure out how to grow a money tree myself lol
 
#46 ·
Update for those who are interested in the on going clutch saga. I have now had my R 1 back to the dealers 3 times. Twicw they have stripped the clucth cleaned the steels and plates and handed it back. The clutch is ok for about 10 km then it goes back to snatching and graunting off the line . No slippage at all. Bike is now with them for a 3 rd time with 1060 km on the clock after its first service and they are replacing the clutch this time . I have had it with the R1 and it gets traded on a new Fireblade immediately on return from the dealers. Overall assessment of the R1 its overweight pushes wide into corners and makes less power than my K6 GSXR 1000. In summary a pig and a waist of money. If you are thinking of buying one dont.
 
#47 ·
Update for those who are interested in the on going clutch saga. I have now had my R 1 back to the dealers 3 times. Twicw they have stripped the clucth cleaned the steels and plates and handed it back. The clutch is ok for about 10 km then it goes back to snatching and graunting off the line . No slippage at all. Bike is now with them for a 3 rd time with 1060 km on the clock after its first service and they are replacing the clutch this time . I have had it with the R1 and it gets traded on a new Fireblade immediately on return from the dealers. Overall assessment of the R1 its overweight pushes wide into corners and makes less power than my K6 GSXR 1000. In summary a pig and a waist of money. If you are thinking of buying one dont.
:hellobye:hellobye:hellobye:hellobye
 
#49 ·
An easy way to make the 09 clutch smoother on engagement and disengagement is to remove 1 stock fiber plate and replace it with the judder spring, shim and friction plate from the 07 -08 R1 at the back of the clutch pack. This gives the bike a smoother launch and less drag at a stopped position while the bike is in gear.
That’s what we use on our 09 R1’s
 
#55 ·
An easy way to make the 09 clutch smoother on engagement and disengagement is to remove 1 stock fiber plate and replace it with the judder spring, shim and friction plate from the 07 -08 R1 at the back of the clutch pack. This gives the bike a smoother launch and less drag at a stopped position while the bike is in gear.
That?s what we use on our 09 R1?s
Would you guys sell a package for these parts?:)
 
#52 · (Edited)
changed my oil today (4000 miles) per factory instructions and when i started the bike and pulled in the clutch i got a chattering noise i hadn't noticed before, and only when the clutch was pulled in. also, i put my hand against the clutch cover and could feel the chattering when the clutch is pulled in. this seems like a problem to me, not "normal" as the dealer would probably say. anybody have any idea what would cause this?
 
#53 ·
It sounds like we all are having the same "noise". So , with that said i feel like it is a noisy clutch pack...i noticed mine after i fixed the noisy timing chain... if you notice the clutch doesn't slip and it holds... even clutching up wheelies its good... well guys i did start hearing it also when i switch to full synthetic Motul 10-40 double ester oil.... Hmmm, any thoughts on that?
 
#54 ·
I pay no attention to the "noise"...all of my previous bikes have made noise from the clutch area, and it only gets worse with time and distance. So long as it doesn't slip then it's all normal. A bit of grabbing is also fairly common I hear. My 09 R1 has done about 10,000 miles and makes a fair few rattly sounds from the clutch and cam chain area. If any obvious loud slapping orclanging noises develop, then I'll worry. Till then, **** it.
 
#56 ·
09 sluggish problem

my bike has 4500 miles on it and for some reason it is not running right. it has no power and i cant even get the front tire off the ground. i took it to the dealer and they have no idea whats wrong with it theres new gas plugs and air filter and still nothing. the computer on the bike is not saying theres is any problems ether. has any one had any similar problem?
 
#134 · (Edited)
5VY-16384-00-00 PLATE, SEAT


5VY-16331-00-00 PLATE, FRICTION 2


4B1-16383-00-00 SPRING, CLUTCH BOSS

From a 07 R1.
All for about $75.00 -s/h






if I really can't buy the parts as cheap as you are selling for, I see no good reason why you can't tell us which parts it's using. Unless of course, you are not telling the truth. :dundun:
He did tell us the parts..

An easy way to make the 09 clutch smoother on engagement and disengagement is to remove 1 stock fiber plate and replace it with the judder spring, shim and friction plate from the 07 -08 R1 at the back of the clutch pack. This gives the bike a smoother launch and less drag at a stopped position while the bike is in gear.
That’s what we use on our 09 R1’s
 
#63 ·
I had my clutch grabbing like the rest and after I soaked it overnight it worked like normal. Now when I start it up and release the clutch slowly while idling, the bike feels like it is surging. This is not when the clutch is fully engaged, only when it is just starting to pull away. Do any of you guys feel this or is my clutch plates warped. When I soaked it there was some discoloring on the steel plates. Its very annoying, the only way I don't feel it is higher rpm when releasing the clutch.
 
#64 ·
Got the Fix

So we have a kit we've put together to fix this troublesome problem. What it comes with is 1 jutter spring, 1 spacing spring, 1 friction plate, and a set of YEC race clutch springs. I shot a short video to show you how to install them. These kits will be ready to ship mid next week. They will run you $150. Please call me next week to order them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIbztyMp22Q



Sincerely,

Weston Gleave
YEC/ WORKS Parts Specialist
818.902.1942 ex105
801.558.8521
 
#70 ·
So we have a kit we've put together to fix this troublesome problem. What it comes with is 1 jutter spring, 1 spacing spring, 1 friction plate, and a set of YEC race clutch springs. I shot a short video to show you how to install them. These kits will be ready to ship mid next week. They will run you $150. Please call me next week to order them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIbztyMp22Q



Sincerely,

Weston Gleave
YEC/ WORKS Parts Specialist
818.902.1942 ex105
801.558.8521
Thank you for this fix. The video is very basic.
Are we replacing plates for the new ones?
I am assuming full detailed instructions come with this kit?
Does the clutch case need a gasket or just a silicone type sealant?
I've never disassembled a clutch before but i am mechanically inclined so this doesn't seem to be anything hard, I just like to know exactly what the mission is before I begin turning the wrench
 
#65 · (Edited)
I also noticed a really nasty grinding noise when I slip the clutch on a launch, not even like race start type launch but sometimes just having it in 2nd gear by accident when stopped, and slipping a bit more than normal to get moving. Does your kit fix the grind but still keep the factory slipper clutch? Does it hold up to any better to hard launches?

I really want to ride this thing like it's meant to be, but I'm scared I will just destroy the clutch. A buddy of mine who races a 06 R1 just pulled his clutch out and the plates were in several pieces. Dunno what it is with yamaha and clutches!
 
#69 ·
I bought my R1 in March 09 (European model) - Only after my 10 000km service did my clutch also start slipping, but it seems to be worst on a cold start and shudders when I pull away. I will be taking it to the dealers this weekend. My bike has 15 000km's on now and next year march will be out of warranty so I want to get this sorted before then. Also - when the bike is idle and I pull the clutch (when in neutral) I get a clattering sound from the engine - not sure if this is normal but from what i read some of you seem to think so - I was hoping by now Yamaha would have this logged as a known problem and would be able to sort it out quickly - lets see.
 
#73 ·
Okay just to clarify what this kit does. It improves the response and feel of the clutch. What i mean by this is it stops the bucking and lurching when you launch the bike.

And like the video says you are replacing the very back fiber clutch plate with a new on from the kit. Then installing the judder spring a spacing ring, and then putting your OEM clutch back in minus the friction plate you replaced from the kit. I do not recommend you do this yourself unless you are a mechanic or certified Yamaha Technician. The clutch cover has a gasket that will need to be replaced and is not provided in the kit.

Oh and on a side note guys this is not something that is covered under warranty. Make sure your clutch is always adjusted properly before you ride. Yamaha does not cover clutch wear. Because it is a wearable item on the bike like brakes and tire. I use to be a service writer for a Yamaha Dealer in Utah and I've had this talk with Yamaha's Warranty people. Just a heads up
 
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