Cable Clutch vs. Hydraulic Clutch | MC Garage
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Most motorcycles come with cable-actuated clutches, but some bikes have hydraulic setups. What’s the difference, and is one setup better than the other? We’ll explain in this video from the MC Garage.
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When we talk about hydraulic or cable clutches, we’re just referring to how the clutch is actuated. With a cable clutch, lever force is transferred via a Bowden cable, which has steel wire running within a flexible sheath. With a hydraulic clutch, fluid is used to convey force just like in hydraulic brakes, except instead of a caliper at the other end of the hose, there’s a slave cylinder that acts on the clutch’s pressure plate in the same manner that a cable does.If a cable clutch and hydraulic clutch do the same thing, why would a manufacturer or a rider choose one over the other? Each system has its pros and cons, and we’ll start with the cable clutch since it’s the most common setup.Cables are common for one simple reason: They’re cheap to make and easy to fit. That’s a big plus, whether you’re manufacturing motorcycles or just maintaining your own bike. On the topic of maintenance, cables need a fair amount of it. For starters, you have to adjust the slack frequently to account for clutch wear-let the cable get too loose and you won’t get complete disengagement when you pull the lever. Too little slack and you’re going to get clutch slip and cook your clutch plates. Also, cables need to be lubricated periodically and they’re susceptible to corrosion and breakage, and binding if they’re bent too sharply.
On the other hand you don’t have to worry about messy lube or fraying cables with a hydraulic clutch, and you don’t have to deal with adjusting anything either. That’s because as long as there’s fluid in the reservoir, a hydraulic system will self-adjust as the clutch plates wear, so the engagement point remains the same throughout the life of the clutch. Speaking of engagement, hydraulic clutches are generally easier to modulate and have a lighter, more consistent lever pull since there’s a master cylinder and a slave cylinder amplifying your grip strength.
That’s a lot of pluses for hydraulic actuation, but this is a more expensive setup, both to build initially and to repair later on if a seal fails. And while you don’t have to fuss with cable tension all the time, for those hydraulic systems use brake fluid, you’ll need to replace it every few years.
And what if your bike didn’t come with a hydraulic setup, but you’re convinced it’s what you want? There are evidently enough people looking to cut the cable that Magura has created the Hymec conversion kit. It sounds like a maneuver you’d do to someone who’s choking, but “Hymec” stands for Hydraulic from Mechanical, which is what the kit does-it allows you to convert your cable clutch to hydraulic. It offers all the benefits of a hydraulic setup and it comes fully assembled, pre-bled, and ready to install. And because it uses mineral oil instead of hydroscopic brake fluid, you never have to replace the fluid, so it’s maintenance-free.
So there you have it, a snapshot of the pros and cons of the two kinds of clutch actuation. Combine that with our How a Clutch Works video, our Wet vs. Dry Clutch video, our Slipper Clutches Explained video, and our How to Replace Your Clutch video, and you’re going to be pretty well versed in motorcycle clutches.
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Cable set-up is lighter. But hey if I was concerned with shaving weight I would reduce my doughnut intake
BritishBiker Philippines
Mmmmm doNots ;)
Yeah I've heard it's about a 10th off 1/4 mile time per 5mm reduction in diameter of the donut intake. It's a velocity thing.
@@Pooooooops no it's a calorie thing
Many people assemble the hydraulic clutch with the wrong slave cylinder so their clutch would be much heavier than their stock mechanical clutch
Seriously, I don't know why he said hydraulic is easier. I never had a hydraulic clutch but now on my vfr800 it is and it's significantly harder to pull thab my two other cable clutches on my ninja 500 and drz400
When you mentioned the Hymec conversion, I imagined a very messy and involved job, but that system looks brilliant!
I bought the cable lube tool and bought the bike with hydraulic clutch :)
Use it wit your throttle cables(or your ExUP or any powervalve, hahaha)
@Ruby Rose. Yes, exactly my thoughts. The only cable there is on the bike :-D
Lmao
@@ruikazane5123 and then its throttle by wire
I definetely recommend the magura kit to anyone doing enduro/off road technical stuff. Not only is it easier to pull, but when your clutch overheats when using it, for example to climb a very technical section, it continuesly auto-adjusts and you get always all the travel you have.
I recently converted my bikes clutch to hydraulic using the Magura kit. It reduced effort, improved feel, and control,, plus it self adjusts. It only took a few minutes to install.
I switched to a hydraulic clutch when upgrading the brake master cylinder on my KTM Duke 390 12K miles ago. I used Frando components from Taiwan and it really works well. I used to have to adjust my clutch mid-ride because the engagement point would change as the engine heated-up and then again when it was cold but not any more : )
This is exactly how I feel after upgraded to the hydraulic one !!!!
I've had plenty of failures with both kinds. That Magura conversion looks sweet as hell!
can aprillia rsv4 clutch cable be upgrade to use with magura hydraulic kits ?.. im tired of clutch cable breaking and have to lube it regularly during winter.
under normal circumstances, it seems like hydraulic works better. lighter pull and more consistent modulation
I installed a magura hydraulic clutch on my klr650. One of the best upgrades ever.
I love your videos dude. It helps me learn a lot about bikes
Thanks!
That's the idea! Glad you're enjoying and learning from MC Garage.
From a physics standpoint, they are both mechanical systems. They just use different means to transfer force. Dunno why they call cable mechanical and the hydraulic just that. They are both mechanical, one relies on tension and the other on pressure.
I have and had bikes with both. I have had a clutch cable end come off and had a slave cylinder seal spring a leak (at 97,000 miles and 40 years of age). In the end, neither were overly difficult to replace, and both required removing stuff to do so. As far as cheaper to repair... I question that. A Master or Slave cylinder rebuild kit costs around the same as a cable, and can take just a few minutes to do if the bore or piston isn't screwed up. I have a preference for Hydraulic, but I also flush/bleed the system at the start of every riding season.
Prolink Suspension Vs. Monoshock Vs. DualShock
prolink is exclusive technology of honda, what do you mean maybe a "linkage suspension".
Meh. We don't need a video on these. They're just different ways of transmitting force into your shock.
dualshock is playstation controller
@Daniel bhahahahaha, you made my day bruh
Well, I guess dual-shock suspension system offers a more comfortable ride (Custom bikes) and single-shock systems can produce more stability, especially at high speeds (e.g. MotoGP, World SuperBike)....
Props for showing the magura replacement clutch. That's pretty cool.
That hydraulic lever mod is quite interesting.
Sadly, it is not available for my '17 CB500F yet.
You can order a different one on the wast internet or simply on ebay. I had one from ebay on my last bike, no problem, easy pull and worked perfect for over 2 years (sold the bike so i don't know how it lasted after 2 years)
The conversion costed me $28 so definitely worth the money if you can find the same one or something in that class
there is a lot, a lot of universal hydraulic clutch set that can be applied to almost any bike. these type of kit doesn't really need specific to each bike afterall, because they're attached to a handle bar which is have a universal size for all bike, not like footpeg for example, which is specific for each bike.
why would you want that on the cb500? that bike has one of the easiest clutch pulls ive ever experienced. i mean its so easy that the first time i pulled it, i smacked it into the grip and looked down to make sure its connected with the engine
I've owned bikes with both types of clutch lever system and always prefer the 'feel' of a cable. The engagement point is easier to find and it's easier to modulate right at that point in my opinion. But everyone is different I suppose!
OMG exactly the lesson I needed today! now i know that i can stop looking for the clutch cable replacement how to video for my r1150gs. thank you!
Can you make a video about disk and drum brakes
In my experience cable is more reliable however I appreciate having hydraulic in my motorcycle. Makes the driving easier specially ok city where clutch is used often.
I just love how simple your videos are, tackling everyday complex questions ! Great Channel MC Garage :D Keep Rocking
no one ever talks about the downsides of hydraulic, they unbleed when your bike falls over, your fluid needs to be changed and checked and topped off, seals in masters and slaves go bad, hoses go bad, lines leak, fittings break, etc etc, its more complex less reliable and more expensive, when your smash your handlebars down in the dirt on your adventure ride would you rather have a fragile master cylinder and a fragile banjo fitting or a simple robust cable? Yes ive tried magura setups and they suck too, bleeding thick mineral oil is a literal nightmare.
Thanks again!
Never stop making these videos
When I heard you say "Speaking of engagement...", I thought that was going to be a segue to a personal comment. =)
I don't even own a bike and...after watching all your videos I think I can build one 😂
Another cool video to learn about bike mechanic... I love MC Garage! :)
Thanks a lot for your work!
Great video bro. Plain, simple explanations. Thank u!
That Hymec system is nice. However, it is only available for very few bikes and it is EXTREMELY expensive for what it is :-(
Another (minor) drawback of cable clutch is that the clutch pull varies as you turn the bars. With full lock in tight low speed maneuvers, it can be harder to be consistent with slipping the clutch as you turn the bars.
You guys are incredible. ALWAYS excellent videos about important stuff. Thanks a lot!
I've had the clutch cable break on me once, and getting home was a nightmare with the stop start traffic as I'd have to push along with my feet to get some momentum before shifting to first.
For us normies in cars, a cable clutch pedal moves as freely as the accelerator, and makes you wonder why any manufacturer thought hydraulic clutches in a manual road car was a good idea.
Feather-weight feel.
Hydraulic is better
So pros and cons only pertaining to maintenance? Are there any other pros and construction not related to maintenance?
From ROMANIA with LOVE. 😎🤘
A cable clutch can as easily be "amplified" as a hydraulic clutch. The reason it is harder to pull is because it has more friction. This is also why a cable clutch is slightly easier to hold than to pull
Keep up the good work, Ari! Greetings from the Philippines
Your videos are always fun to watch
I feel like the hydralic clutch system is safer overall because if it was failing, you would most likely notice a leak somewhere before it would go out. With a cable clutch system, a weak spot would be harder to notice in my opinion, and as soon as that weak point breaks, you can't use clutch lever.
I've had a throttle cable break on me before while I was riding. Though it likely could have been prevented by lubing, I didn't notice anything signs of the cable about to fail moments before it happened. Fortunately it didn't happen while I was going straight and was able to pull over immediately. A clutch cable breaking probably wouldn't be as dangerous because you wouldn't use it while turning, but it could certainly throw you off.
Thanks for the great information I have a hydraulic clutch on a 28 year old bike that's only had to be fixed once they are awesome.
Any conversion kit to go to cable? Found out the hard way that hydraulic can not be adjusted closer to the handlebars on the clutch side even after buying aftermarket levers. 😢
I have heard that you shouldnt lube your clutch cable, the teflon layer will then get damaged and after that you HAVE to lube it periodically, I guess lube will also attract dirt which means you then also have to lube it to keep it going. Only cables I have lubed where getting worse quick and I have never lubed any new cable and they are just as good as day one.
because teflon is a solid lubrication
put any other lube in will wash away these teflon
Most lubes are bad for plastic. Maybe there are PTFE ones which wont damage the sleeve. I have tried different silicone spray lubes, but those have a strong solvent that damages plastic and rubber.
It would be good finding something that works well.
Great informative video as usual. Keep on making them please.
Ari my man, you are my saviour. Can you please be a cooler and better looking dude than Zach by making a how to video on bleeding the hydraulic system? Mine lost pressure somehow and I tried to bleed it like I do with the brakes - which I successfully manage quite often, but it didn't work. I tried for half an hour and no pressure at all, then I rode clutchless all the way to the garage and they fixed it within minutes. Unfortunately they didn't want to show me how. I really appreciate if you can show me how to bleed the hydraulic system in case it loses pressure again
I was just thinking about doing this conversion - how convenient!
My hand starts shaking now when holding in the clutch lever when shifting and I wondered if having the clutch lever adjust so the clutch lever was closer to the hand grip would help or is there something that you know of that I can use to help me depress the clutch lever in and hold it in and then release it while shifting making it easier for me to shift.
Can a video ... Of installation of cable to a hydraulic clutch...
Thanks for the video you made, I was actually thinking this from couple of weeks
What do Diavels use? I just pulled one and it felt better than boob. It definitely wasnt cable but there was no master cylinder either. Are there electronic clutches?
can u make a video on Choosing the chain sprocket setup????
types of chain???
Thanks for this video! Great job MC Garage!
What is the diff. Between liquid ang oil cooled engine boss may you feature this thanks..
Finally! A conversion kit! How does the megura perform? Would you guys do a review video?
finally ... mc garage
How about explain about lowering links used to lower motorcycle,it's cons and pros
this right here lowering links, i would love pros and cons how they work wicked suggestion rider for life
Good suggestion, we'll put it on the list.
Ari Henning great
It's how about explaining lowering links,my bad on the typing,damn it
Rider For Life lowering a motorcycle... only two possible pros, looks if you're into the lowered look and rider fitment for the vertically challenged riders. The rest are all cons.... it cost money to lower a bike, reduces performance, and reduces safety. You'll scrape parts on the pavement much sooner in corners with a lowered bike thus making it easier to wreck.
Bonjour ! From France :)
Cool video, very informative !
Hydraulic is much harder to modulate than cable. That is why it is much more popular for applications, like dirt bikes, where clutch modulation is important.
How about explaining the relationship between compression ratio and octane number?
Normally higher compression ratio requires higher octane.
now i know the difference ;)thanks you mc garage
Helpful video, surely will be difficult to avail the kit in India. In Addition would like a comparison between normal bearings and ceramic bearings in motorcycle.
I'm missing some of the parts that are retained after the conversion. Are here any kits that actually push the cross pin?
Good stuff as always Ari. 🤙🤙
This dude does curls before every video, lol, but great videos!
excellent as usual!
request, make one about additives, fuel and oil
when, if, why, where,why,when,what? etc :)
I have osteoarthritis issues in my wrist/thumb area and was wondering if anyone could advise if converting my bikes to hydraulic clutch system would be easier and lighter in operation?
Cheers... Interesting video.
I love that intro
Can you use the same converter to convert the throttle?
love these video. They are short sweet and very informative.
Hi guys big fan of the channel! Would be nice to have a video about different configurations of parallel twins, regarding the crankshaft angle, 360°, 180°, 270° how does that work? Thanks and keep the videos coming, they're awesome!
Can you change the lever after installing the kit?
I have hydraulic on my TL1000R and cable for my zx6r. I loooove my hydraulic clutch!
Hey could you guys do a quick vid on how to properly tie down a motorcycle on a three rail trailer? Two buddies and I are taking a week long trip at the end of May and want to take our bikes with us but we don't want to damage the suspension while trailering them. The bikes are a 97 KLR 650, an 05 FZ6, and an 06 F4I
Always good and interesting video , Thank you
Wonder if this could be adapted to a little dirtbike. Really interesting product none the less 👍 Great share dude!
Thanks It really helps a lot.btw Im from Philippines.
I rode a HD road glide the other day and I couldn’t get used to the hydraulic clutch because the catch zone was way far out and my fingers barely caught on at the end so I was more likely to drop the clutch and spin a wheelie...jk but if HD stock clutch could of at least offered a way to modulate the distance I would of have been happier with my small hand and fingers
You earned a sub today
i love your videos..wish you could test some older and rarer bikes in this show..
To think again my nearly 10 years old bike never been sent for servicing the brake oil. it shows that hydraulic clutch is also reliable compared to cables.
I always wondered if hydro will be easier on the hands now I know thanks. its going to be next on my mod.
2:25 replace it every couple of years? mine turns black in a couple of months.
Thanks for that Magura link.
I don't see the link for the hymec kit?
can i install it on 125 cc honda stunner FI , i need a product like this one , to fit in my stunner, as its cluth is very hard .
Please do a Super Tenere review. It's one of the Adventure bikes I'm actually considering as a step up from the DL650 for transcontinental rides.
Why the clutch automatically applied little bit while throttling. It can absorb while 4 & 5 gears. It will release the clutch lever while stop throttling.
What about klx 150?.. Did magura make one for it?..
Hi Ari, what is that tool that you use in the video to lubricate the clutch cable?
So far I have been using a syringe with meedle, but your tool looks much more effective and professional.
Do a drum vs disc brakes or about disk brakes size large one with small disc pad or small one with large disc pad
Ari, can we have a video comparing dualshock and monoshock suspensions please? Thank you!
No link for the himech
From india and i love your content broo 😘
Not First! Greetings from Kuala Lumpur!
please make videos on Royal Enfield Motorcycles like classic, interceptor etc.
is there one for the the BAJAJ DOMINAR 400 ?
What's that bike, the Matt black one ??
Ari, can you do a video on trail braking and using your primary/front brake and benefits and drawbacks to using each in certain scenarios?
Just curious: what are the models and years of the bikes in the video?
I had my Harley engine upsized. I then needed a new clutch to contain the torque. This led to needing a hydraulic clutch, to avoid hand fatigue. My issue now is, the hydraulic clutch, doesn’t engage until my clutch lever is further out, than I prefer. In slow speed maneuvering, my grip is compromised due to the clutch lever position. Any suggestion on how to change the position of the clutch lever engagement?
My 1985 Honda VF500F came factory with a hydraulic clutch. I had never seen one in person before. I was pretty confused when I saw 2 brake fluid reservoirs
Can you explain the best way to break in a modern motorcycle engine?
Lové your videos as usual, intéresting !