Enduro confessions from a Rekluse auto clutch user︱Cross Training Enduro
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- www.crosstraini... tractionerag.com Is anything more divisive in the dirt riding community than the Rekluse auto clutch? Possibly the two stroke v four stroke, but it's up there! Dallas Shannon from Traction explains why he uses a Rekluse auto clutch and isn't afraid to say so. My opinion? Well... when the guys saw a Rekluse EXP auto clutch was fitted to the Beta RR250 for my Canadian trip, they asked good or bad? Years ago I did have a Rekluse fitted to a Yamaha WR450F then a Husaberg FE570. What didn't I like? Whenever I tried to balance at a standstill, or very slow pace, the Rekluse auto clutch is snatchy and throws the bike off balance, even if you slip the manual clutch to try and compensate. The cheese grater sound it makes isn't very pleasant either. There is always the old problem of stopping on a steep hill and the bike starts rolling backwards. However, if you don't have the time or inclination to develop your clutch technique, then sure a Rekluse will help you a lot in harder terrain. There are plenty of rave reviews about the Rekluse EXP auto clutch, and I feel these are well deserved. However, if you focus on experienced riders with good clutch skills you will see them feel increasingly ambivalent about the perceived advantages of an autoclutch. On low speed descents, the engine braking disappears at low revs so you need to keep blipping the throttle to re-engage the Rekluse. And you can't just stall the engine to help lock up the rear wheel for nasty descents. My huge issue was trying to jump larger logs with the Rekluse EXP auto clutch. Clutch control is very important for techniques like the double blip and zap, and I gave up trying to use the clutch at all. I could probably learn how to adapt the Rekluse settings to get good manual control back, but it was a headache with this loaner bike. Also the stiffer clutch springs needed for the Rekluse made manual clutch control very hard work, and my fingers were killing me at the end of each day. I fitted a Midwest clutch lever which helped a lot, but those heavy clutch springs are hard work for manual clutch control. Pros and cons for adventure riding? Both bikes so ran high gearing, then found the Rekluse helped to make the bikes manageable for dirt riding too. The Rekluse EXP auto clutch would automatically slip the clutch in tight terrain, despite the high gearing... perfect. However, a bit over two years ago we started this cross training - applying trials techniques to dirt riding - and I knew I had to ditch the Rekluse and start learning how to use a clutch properly. So here are some impressions on suddenly using a Rekluse again. So pros and cons of the Rekluse auto clutch - good or bad for dirt riders and for the tighter technical terrain I like? If you seriously want to develop your riding skills, I think it would be better to skip the Rekluse and learn how to use a clutch. It's taken two years of hard work, but I rarely stall my bike now, and enjoy being able to modulate the clutch just how I want it, not in some preset fashion. I still have a long way to go, but I enjoy the challenge.
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A mate said that adding a Rekluse was a significant weight saving on his bike. We couldn't work out why but then found that he keeps his wallet in his tank bag.
Classic! 🤣👏😂😉
HAHAHAHA
Legend!
😂😂😂
Overheating come from running the engine without airflow over the radiator.. so the recluse probably helped you keep moving, instead of getting for 10 minutes revving stationary
I know the guy that helped engineer the Rekluse clutch. The shop where the first parts for the first Rekluse were made is just down the street from me. The guy that made the idea work is an absolute genius. He showed me geared and threaded designs that would make you head spin. I was his IT guy.
I ride. I don't have a Rekluse and have no desire for one. But the device itself is an engineering marvel. The world advanced because of it's creation.
What does it do? Genuinely interested. Can I please get a quick rundown?
@@cowboyanimal6700 basically it's an automatic clutch that engages/disengages at certain rpm but still let's you use the clutch lever as far as I know. So it pretty much eliminates stalling, takes strain off your left hand and that way makes navigating rough and slow terrain a good bit easier. Especially if you have a unsuited bike for your terrain like the one in the video.
I have looked at the Rekluse for a little while now.
For me, with a physical condition that is making dirt riding difficult, i think it could be a winner.
But bottom line.....if a farkle keeps a bloke riding and enjoying his favourite passtime, then I'm all for it
@@Crashpotato125 Aaah okay, that makes sense. Thanks m8.
@@cowboyanimal6700 its a tad more than automatically slips the clutch as the OP said, although he isn't wrong either.. it is more accurate to say that it always perfectly slips the clutch exactly how much you expect it should without you ever needing to think about it. It truly is an engineering marvel. I loved mine for both motocross AND woods riding
As long as you're riding, who cares. Is about being out there, and if a special clutch or an anodised fuel cap helps with that, great☺️
Unleash the secret power of the anodised gas cap! 😁
@@crosstrainingenduro and Stickers
I love my Rekluse! Allows me to do things I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I'm 35 and started riding Aug 2020, I'm never going to be a pro and I just want to go have fun with my gang and the Rekluse does that for me.
As Dallas (the narrator) would say, it's about having fun, not marginal improvements in lap times.
Yes sir, that's what it's all about!
I'm on your team!
Can I get an amen, brothers and sisters?
@@crosstrainingenduro amen!
I wish Recluse offered a senior discount. That's my only complaint.
At that price it would help, David 😂
I have 10 screws and two plates in my left wrist after shattering it in my hand gaurd after clocking a tree. It took one year of recovery and I’m back on the bike appreciating every moment Im able to ride and it’s all because a rekluse reduces some of the clutching I need to do.
Great to hear you are back on the bike, Jesse! There might be some other useful tips in this video. It's about arm pump but could still be relevant. th-cam.com/video/uA9RKod5Ltc/w-d-xo.html
@@crosstrainingenduro on a side issue, have you ever discussed the pros and cons of bark busters/hand guards?
@@aussierick3103
Pros: they protecc
Cons: you have to install them
Haven't done a specific vid but somewhere we discussed whether they are likely to break your wrists when going over the bars. Not sure if it's an urban myth or not.
@@crosstrainingenduro I've legitimately gone "over the bars" in three crashes. All had Barkbusters brand (before I learned about the bar clamp mounted types) and never injured my self due to the handguards. The ground, however...
Have had a Rekluse on my CR250 for years and absolutely love it. It really shines in gnarly uphills, lets you just worry about throttle control and picking your lines. 6 hours into an enduro, sometimes you are just struggling to hold onto the bike through some obstacles, and not having to worry about stalling it is an amazing thing.
I've test rode bikes with them, and after several years finally have one in my '15 yz450f. I absolutely love having one, even took it to the track for a practice and was noticeably faster through the corners. Only taken it on one short woods ride to feel it out at first, but quickly noticed how much nicer it was. It's not cheating as some say, it's having the best tools for the task at hand.
There are quite a few comments here about how an auto clutch made a big motocross four stroke so much easier to ride in the woods.
I can't wait, it'll be getting some woods in this week/weekend. It does make it easier for me to practice different techniques for riding/obstacles too.
Rekluse clutch is the best thing I’ve ever had on a bike. Love it
I'm 53 years old. I started riding dirt bikes four seasons ago. I started on a kdx200 and then I was at a dealership 2 years ago and seen a 2013 RMZ 250 it was a race bike 5 gears (only 17 hours on it) and I thought I was going to use it for the Woods. Well I figured out quick that I was kick-starting that bike more than I was riding it. I did a little research and found out about the rekluse auto clutch, it's been on the bike for about a little over a year and I love the thing. I hardly ever stall the bike now. I also changed the Spring/shock for my weight, put all the proper guards on and messed with the suspension for what I ride which is basically a lot of woods, enduro, lots of Rocky terrain up and down. It's a totally different bike now. It's heavier than my two strokes but it's a great bike.
Kick starting gets old very fast, Mike. 😂 The auto clutch would be worth it's weight gold in that case.
ONLY PUSSIES USE A REKLUSE? Read this comment from The Way Of MGTOW: "I use one, I have to...... September 23 2004 around 3pm I got my arm blown off. Well as close as makes no difference. What was left of my forearm and hand were hanging by meat and sinew. ... until folks know I have a disability I hear ALL KINDS of dumb shit and insults, because I use a recluse. DONT judge people by the equipment they decide to use!! Some people may not have a choice. And IF you’re going to get upset with the equipment someone else decided to use...... Don’t run your mouth. You never know when you're going to be standing next to someone that’s willing and eager to rearrange your mouth..."
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Before anyone gets up in arms about our preview pic, it is simply alluding to the fact that some riders see using a Rekluse as a non-serious or even effeminate approach to riding - something you will see we disagree with if you actually watch the vid.
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What else? The narrator, Dallas, has no connection with Rekluse. Neither do I. I actually ditched my Rekluse nine years ago, here is why. th-cam.com/video/5u2ep2H-iZo/w-d-xo.html
You accent has changed. Remarkable ;-)
Sounds like I missed all the fun! : (
Fuq sensitive people! Don’t change what you’re doing!
You did miss all the fun, it abusing excessively tall Canadians who use Rekluse auto clutches 😂
@@crosstrainingenduro That dude looked like me on my Daughters Kawi KX 65! Big man, if the Rekluse solved the problem then Party on!
I bought a used 08 KTM 505xcf and it came with a Rekluse. I never used one before and didnt know what to expect. Hands down best dirt bod mod I've ever used! Makes me almost unstoppable on hills and rock gardens. Could care less what others think ;) It's amplified how much I enjoy riding.....along with e-start. I've renamed the bike the Tank TM.
I would use anything that would help me continue to enjoy the sport I love . It’s about enjoying your ride . Keep up the good work .
Right on!
I purchaed a 2017 Husky 250 te with a 300 kit and a rekluse clutch - I have a 30 inch inseam, 5'7". The seat height is 39 inches. The bike is a beast for me, first time back on a dirt bike in nearly 30 years. Im 64 in August and the rekluse clutch is a game changer - all I can say is - its great... Oh and good on you...
Good stuff! I loved using one years ago when I first got into the gnarly technical riding on an FE570. I'll gladly go back to one when arthritis makes it too hard to work a clutch anymore.
I bought my first "dirt bike" this year, a wr250r, I love it but I quickly realised it was limited for tight bush work. So it was that a 2015 Beta 300 became mine for my 40th birthday. I'd never heard of a rekluse but the previous owner had! Its great, set it up to your desired engagement point and you don't even realise it's there until you're stuck trying to take off after missing your line on a hill. The beta has lovely low gearing, select second and progressive twist of the throttle and off you go, no tyre spin, just perfect engagment. I do feel a left handed clake brake is probably needed to help on the steep terrain, but that's something I'd probably want, with or without a rekluse. As for feeling like I'm missing out on leveling up my clutch skills I take my much heavier, four stroke, cable actuated WR and practice my low speed figure eights for that. Making things easier is not cheating, it's smart and for me makes the bike and tricky situations much more approachable and therefore consistent and safer.
This sums it up. th-cam.com/video/XqZ04Id_IkI/w-d-xo.html
Rode without one for 30 yrs. I now have one and love it. Won't go without it. It has helped my wife a lot, and yes she rode for sometime without it, but she enjoys riding more with it. Just want to ride and have fun.
Right on!
I have a rekluse on my wr250f this is the 4th season. I am 61 and ride with my boys in nothern Michigan and it is perfect on the single track. I have had zero problems with it at all.
So I started riding about 7 years ago. I took over my brothers WR 450 that had about 450 hours on it from new. He had installed the Rekluse from new. This was a huge reason I had loved the bike when I first rode it 2 years before he sold it to me. I was a street rider and had no skills in the dirt and it allowed me to ride above my skill level. It also had the LHRB which was freakin amazing to me because as a street rider of a crotch rocket I never even really used my back brake and had no habits (muscle and feel wise) for the pedal. The LHRB gave unparalleled feel while braking and when holding on a hill especially when your right foot was on the high side. In the low traction conditions, the Rekluse was unstoppable compared to a standard clutch. In the 450 hours I rode that WR, and the 900 hours it had when I sold it, the clutch friction plates got replaced once. That Z Start Pro was a pretty bullet proof unit. (Not to mention the WR itself. It was still running strong and had NOT been rebuilt). SO now I have a Husaberg TE 300 with a standard clutch. I knew that if my trail riding skills were to progress I needed to learn proper skills and loose some bad techniques. It took me a full season to get back to my same level of riding with my standard clutch and having to use my foot brake, HOWEVER, since then my skill level has really improved ( with the same amount of effort per year of riding) and will continue to grow because there are so many things you can do with a standard clutch that you just can’t with a Rekluse ( the Z Start anyways).
So in conclusion, there are many advantages to a Rekluse and they are a life saver for people who have physical disadvantages of a sort. They do have their disadvantages as well but the decision to use one will be best made entirely on your own riding experience and goals as a rider. Nobody else can do more than give you advice. If they are giving you a hard time, it’s either from a lack of experience or maturity- ignore that and concentrate on what will boost your fun level when riding. I ride a standard clutch now at 51 and have no plans to go back until my physical condition demands it or I start riding a dual sport or some other situation calls for it. As has been stated in many of the posts, the Fun Factor is King here in this sport, - use whichever clutch goes in that direction for you.
I've been thinking of trying an LHRB, Peter. This just makes me want one even more! As for the haters, I couldn't agree with your comment more.... "If they are giving you a hard time, it’s either from a lack of experience or maturity- ignore that and concentrate on what will boost your fun level when riding."
We are brothers from another mother.
I shattered my Ulna on my right arm racing motocross in AZ. It took me 18 months to heal and be able to ride again. I switched to Offroad/single track, and the Rekluse clutch allowed me to tackle tough, steep, rocky hills on my KTM 500 XC-W and ride longer in the saddle. I still clutch it most of the time, but when things get really tough in the rocks or technical climbs, I know I won’t stall the bike while maneuvering through. They are a great tool that allows you to ride longer or assist you if you have injuries to ride close to at the level you are accustomed to. If you want to use one, use one.
Very good point, and something the haters always forget. Many riders actually have injuries, disabilities or health issues so an auto clutch lets them continue riding. And even if you don't have any physicial problems, why not, if it turns your crank?
I have a rekluse on every 4 stroke I own. I ride enduro and hard enduro. Its stronger than stock and lasts longer. I still use the clutch lever for blips and clutch ups, traction and all the things you should clutch for. But when i make a mistake or a simple tip over i don't kill it. I can stop and let go with my left hand and scratch my face, adjust goggles or whatever and not have to hunt for neutral. Its just nice. most riders wouldn't even know it was there
If it upsets and annoys other people to the point the need to give you s#!t - that in itself is a good reason to buy one.
Hear hear! And so often these keyboard warriors often aren't very good riders themselves (and have automatic transmissions in their cars). 😂
takes a real man to willingly give up your bump start ability!! I have one due to my bad knee and a 2003 yz450f. Absolutely love it
You can still bump start these if you take a long allen key along. Just make an adjustment to the engagement.
And apparently later versions of the Rekluse had a simple switch so you could revert to manual for clutch starting?
@@dallas_shannon Interesting. I thought that was only an option on the versions after the z start pro. I'll have to look into it. thanks
I just bought this exact same bike, same year, in excellent condition. This is indeed a big bike and I am a small guy. I shaved 1 inches of foam off the seat to make it more manageable. I drop one tooth on the front, which helps a lot too for slow riding. I removed at least 50 pounds by replacing the lead/acid battery with a lithium one and replacing a steel rear sprocket with aluminium. ;) I will install a thermostatic fan on it for the typical big 4t overheating problem. The clutch have a very easy pull and I don't plan to put a Rekluse clutch on it. I really don't think it is necessary if you don't slip the clutch more than necessary and have a fan. The bike does not stall so easily for a big 4t. I was surprised by this aspect. I understand this guy for liking this Husaberg and sticking with it. The mass centralisation gives it incredible traction, excellent handling, and make it feel much lighter than it really is. And, most importantly, the big engine, strong but smooth and easy, makes you smile each time you open the throttle. This is a very versatile and pleasant bike but certainly not the ultimate weapon for slow technical riding.
Love the 70 degree Bergs, I still regret selling my FE570 around eight years ago.
Nailed it. Love this bike. That said, it's on the blocks this year as I've abused it far too long. It has got to go. A new 450 is in the works.
I'd been skeptical of Rekluse and on the fence for quite some time, then I fitted the Rekluse CX Radius to my 2020 500EXC-F. That skepticism died a quick death. Game chamger as far as I'm concerned.
The five hundy has a heavy clutch pull and it tight tech arm pump can set in pretty quickly. No more.
Love it.
Great comment!
I've always been under the impression that recluse clutches are for those that don't know how to ride...
My friend has one on his bike and i was a bit jealous when we were in Moab fighting our way up a particularly steep section of rocks. I would stall and have to somehow restart my bike and he avoided that all together, The recluse was great for that.
I guess i need to work on my clutch skills.
If we regularly get into gnarly terrain then that need to work on our clutch skills gets more and more important... or just opt for an auto clutch. Pros and cons to both.
I race a lot of desert, Baja and enduro and have 3 reg bikes and 1 factory all with the rekulse, I was so happy after junking them after changing sponsors I’d only get 6 months outta them all professional installed and they took the fun out of riding the bike
Great video! I started riding trails again about 4 years ago after a 15 year hiatus. I borrowed a friend’s KDX for 3 years before I bought a KTM 250 (sorry Gumby) from a friend, pre-equipped with a Rekluse. I do not care how much crap I receive from my riding buds because it gives me confidence to keep up with the seasoned riders, and helps especially on steep hill starts. While everyone else is stalling, I am rolling. I say, if it makes you more confident...ride it! I am still getting used to the stiletto heels on my MX boots, but at least I don’t have to worry about the clutch! Cheers!
Great to hear, Lex! All those taunts are probably mostly from jealousy as you cruise past their stalled bikes lol.
If you keep putting hours on those stilettos eventually it will seem natural.
I use one and have for over 9 years. My first Enduro bike was a 2006 KTM 450 EXC. After having done a ton of roadracing and street riding, and after doing a lot of motocross riding as a teenager, i chose this bike for all the wrong reasons. My thought was that one can never have too much power. If less power is needed for the job - just don't turn the throttle as far, but rest assured that a wheelie is just a quarter turn away at any time... :)
After approximately 80 hours of riding this angry beast, i put a Rekluse Z-Start Pro on it. It completely transformed the bike from a heavy thumper that wanted to stall every time i was tired and got a little sloppy with the clutch, to being actually quite rideable in tight terrain. In 2016 after having ridden it 5 years and putting 480 hours on the meter, i sold it and bought a 450 EXC from 2013 which already had a Rekluse Core EXP3.0 on it.
In 2016 it had 40 hours on the meter. Now it has 402 hours and by far - this is the bike that makes me smile the most when riding it. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
I don't care even the least bit when people roast me for using a Rekluse. I'm not telling them what to do - but i will argue very strongly that one should have a very good understanding of all the different riding techniques before deciding if one wants to use a Rekluse or not. It absolutely does change the way you approach technical and tight terrain, or logs and ledges.
I was never destined to be the best Enduro rider in the world, as i can not be bothered with the fitness aspect of it, or having the most competitive bike. A 2 stroke is never gonna be my thing, as i think they sound shit at part throttle (including TPI's so spare me the argument).
I just want to have fun riding - and i am having the most fun if i own a 450 with a Rekluse inside of it. :D
Dallas (the narrator) still has his Rekluse, I used to have one on an FE570 when we first got into this cross training. It transformed the big thumper into a pussycat in gnarly terrain, so I know where you are coming from. All the Rekluse haters? It's similar to arguments between protestants and catholics or democrats versus republicans... just meaningless hot air.
@@crosstrainingenduro - Yeah. It's a bit sad to see sometimes. :D
The Rekluse turned my 03 Yz450f into a trail beast. I am putting one on my new KTM 500 XCF-W THIS weekend. Tell them electric start is a crutch, a real man would kickstart his bike. All new bikes are a crutch, or are they improvements that make riding fun and not destructive to the body.
It's surprising how many of the loudest critics of an auto clutch are driving a car or truck with automatic transmission. 😂
I own a 2015 KTM 250 four stroke with a Rekluse. I am a camera man that films MTB races and rely on the Rekluse in a BIG way to get super smooth footage. I can basically shift up and down without the need to use the clutch and keep holding the camera. It also allows me to under gear the bike a bit and pull away without having to use the clutch manually in order to get smoother tracking shot when the terrain is really rough. It’s the main reason I purchased the bike
I’ve never used one so I won’t tell you how glad I am that they exist for people who need/prefer them. I’ll just keep it to myself.
Special needs? 😊
The klx110 is quite fun with it’s auto clutch. Perhaps I’m needier than I thought.
🤣
I have been using a Rekluse for 3 years now. I ride tight single track alot. If set up good for the way you ride you will never go back, love it.
The only people I've heard talk bad about rekluse are the people who really want one but are too poor to buy one.
aka. me
It wouldn't surprise me, calathan! Most of the time they have never actually tried it either.
They are very expensive. the auto clutch I bought was the XC the best one on the market at that time which was about a year ago or a little more and it was $1,000 but I was looking online and it was Black Friday and from what I understand they never give discounts on the recluse but it was $100 off so I jumped on it and bought it for 900 bucks
Worth every penny
Met a guy riding some gnarly terrain... double below the amputee. Rekluse clutch with left hand rear brake. Dude was a savage!
They prevent overheating because they're a predictable mechanical device, not a smooth-brained dirt rider that drags the clutch beyond the strictly necessary point. I've considered that maybe they'd be the perfect solution for dual-sport applications, where you'd like a "tall" countershaft drive for road use, but not have to give up a low 1st/2nd gear. Your success makes me think that's likely to work very well.
I used a Rekluse on my FE570 so it was geared very high for adventure riding but I could also do gnarly slow dirt rides too... worked a treat!
You nailed it on the head. I was dragging the clutch and unnecessarily overheating the engine. It took me a lot of debates and head scratching as to why it kept the temps down and it was simply - my human error.
I used rekluse gearbox in my 2018 beta250rr for about 3 years. I have never seen anything else in my life that deserves its money so much. Since I had to take a break from enduro for a while when my child was born, I sold my engine both so that my engine would not rot on the sidelines and to try different engines.
Now I am using KTM 250 EXC-F. rekluse has released a new gearbox, I used to have the exp 3.0 one, they improved it a lot, I bought this new version. exp3.0 was already like magic, I can't even imagine it. waiting for the product to arrive in the cargo.greetings from Turkey
"It makes almost all things easier" so true. I have had a Radius CX on my Beta Xtrainer for 3 years, never going back. The only thing I actually miss from a stock setup, is being able to kill the bike in gear to (STEEP) hill hold when my left foot is on the ground. I had to learn to feather the gas to keep the bike at a standstill. Works perfectly.
I have a theory on the overheating. Without a Rekluse, it seems people need to rev the engine more to properly slip the clutch. While the Rekluse will automatically engage at a lower RPM. Fewer power strokes per minute = less heat. When you rev a bike with a manual clutch, your clutch engagement RPM is much higher. More power strokes per minute = more heat. I had a WR450 and was trying to do hard enduro stuff on it. Much boiling and steam ensued. I never even thought about trying a Rekluse in it. It never occured to me that the increased RPM I was holding while trying to slip the clutch was putting too much heat into the head. I've since gone to a two stroke, but if I get another 4 stroke I might just give a Rekluse a try. Great vid.. great food for thought!
Good point, David. This could be the case especially if you have your engagement point set quite low...
I liked the conversation with Megs that you had about these types of things but I feel like a lot of these mods that people call crutches and don’t like because they “get in the way of skill”, people aren’t accounting for physical difficulties some people have. Personally I find I need steg pegz because of a back injury. You need a rekluse. I don’t think anyone who needs a little help to be just ABLE to ride should ever be ridiculed for it.
Can't agree with you more! When you get those loud opinionated Rekluse critics online you often see a guy chime in with something like 'I have severe arthritis and I'd have to stop riding if I wasn't allowed to use a Rekluse'. It tends to shut them up... sometimes. It is funny how the loudest critics usually have never tried a Rekluse. It's also interesting that the most experienced riders often aren't critical because they usually realise that anything that makes your riding more enjoyable can't be a bad thing. The most vocal critics tend to be opinionated guys who have grasped just enough skills to think they can criticise others... but haven't got good enough to pick up some humility and wisdom too.
On my two 2-stroke's KDX, KTM. I don't use an auto clutch. They are made for what I ride Woods Etc. On my 2013 RMZ 250 which was a race/ track bike that I converted to a Woods bike, I use the recluse Auto clutch. I took something that's meant for one world and put it into another. The recluse Auto clutch just put it on and even playing field.
@@crosstrainingenduro a study in human nature me thinks.
Indeed.
Actually I’ve had back surgery and use both the Steg’s & Rekluse with a left hand brake. I would like to thank both companies for there efforts.
I had one in my 4 stroke for a while. I took it out because I had purchased 2 stroke and some of the riding habits one develops with Rekluse don't transfer over to a manual. For me it was "cheaper" to convert it to a Rekluse core manual with torque drive then to convert the second bike to auto clutch. When I first installed the Rekluse it took me about a month to embrace what it did for me. Once I bought in to what the auto clutch had to offer - it was great.
What did I like: it allowed me to focus on "line choice" vs "not stalling and line choice". Pick a gear, any gear and ride that - but let's not get to crazy. I would roll up on my buddies and they would be talking about gear selection on a difficult line and clutch hand fatigue - I would be like 3rd or 4th I am good - hahaha. I like to think it got me doing things out of my comfort zone sooner because I had one less thing to think about.
What I didn't like: Engine braking - its still there but you need to "engage" it if the bike is free wheeling. I like to use the engine braking on steep decents so I don't lock up the rear as bad as I do with the rear brake.
Now that I am riding a 2 stroke more - I wonder if I would care about the Engine Braking. Could be time to put the auto clutch back in the 4 stroke.
Similar story here, Charlie. I used to use engine brake like crazy but once I converted to two strokes I rapidly adapted and don't use it really when I do occasionally ride a thumper now... it just feels weird.
I love the Rekluse clutch, hence the name!
I used a rekluse on my KTM 350 for over 400 hours. It allowed me to focus on other parts of my riding without worrying about stalling the bike and falling back down the hill. I have since switched to a KTM 300 two-stroke without a rekluse clutch. Learning that there are things that I could not do with the rekluse on the 350, I removed it and rode it without before I sold it. Putting the rekluse on the bike when I was a new rider was the right decision. If it helps you enjoy the sport, more power to you!
Not too many seem to have fitted it to a two stroke, Gary. It can certainly transform a big motocross four stroke in the woods though....
I had one on my 2014 wr450f and have one on my 2020 tx300i. I love them and if its cheating I don't care. I'm 52 and want to just enjoy my rides and the rekluse adds to my enjoyment.
Amen, 47 and pulled the trigger, not installed yet but have the LHRB setup ready to go on at the same time. Can't wait.
@@firemenonbikes i had the lhrb from rekluse on my wr and have one from ox brake on my TX now. I don't like the Ox brake as much have a rekluse lhrb on order. Had to buy a brembo master since rekluse doesn't make one for a magura
I am on my third Rekluse - GasGas EC200r, YZ250FX and now my Beta Xtrainer. I originally bought one for the GasGas as it had no electric start and after high siding it downhill a few times after stalling, I considered selling the bike but the Rekluse was a cheaper option. I am using the RadiusX model clutch with the light springs so it hooks up quickly and you can still use the clutch leverage like normal (which I do). The biggest benefit for me is not stalling and allowing me to focus on choosing the correct line and tackling some steep gnarly trails that I would otherwise bypass. Yes it is a ‘rider aid’ but so is an electric start and a hydraulic clutch and TPI and tubeless tyres… I think it is called 'progress'
Same here, David. If guys want to criticise the use of a Rekluse I'll automatically wonder what aids they are using on their bikes. And whether their car has manual or auto tranmission...
Someone in the comments mentioned ski brakes vs. the old tethers. The traditionalists stuck to tethers as they were purists. HA.
Fishing fundamentalists... are they as bad as enduro and religous fundamentalists?
Best thing I ever put on my WF250F and BMW 800GSA, moved out of the basement 50 yrs. ago.
I have RadiusCx in wrf250 f ... Well after 5 months of using i poot stock cluch back. I am enduro Ryder maybe in Motocross it will halp bat not for hard enduro
Ya but does your mother still do your laundry?
I ride a 2017 yz250fx, I have put around 150 hours on my rekluse and just put in new base plates and teflon pads. THE REKLUSE CAME WITH THE BIKE so not saying it wore out in 150 but anyways, I absolutely love it. It lets me go places I would not have without it and I can go faster around turns and through obstacles easier in GNCC/ harescrambles. It gives you as a rider so much confidence to try new stuff without fearing stalling out in somewhere you shouldnt have.
I stopped using mine about eight years ago but I definitely remember that 'Aha!' moment when I realised I could try harder stuff than before, not having to worry about the clutch.
@@crosstrainingenduro I’m half tempted to put it on my xcw tpi bike but I do really love the raw feeling of just slipping the clutch and popping the front end in tighter stuff
Never tried one. But I'm all about making life easier. Everyone I know who has one loves them.
Can't believe they admit to it!
You have inspired them to come out of the closet, Dallas.
I've fitted a Rekluse on my 2015 Husqvarna FC250, the suspension's been changed to more enduro style, and an 18 inch back wheel. It might not suit everyone, but it's the most fun enduro bike I've ever ridden.
I had a crf 450 r which was the least appropriate bike for woods. After putting the recluse z- start pro on my bike transformed into a kitten. That bike needed it. For the gasgas that I have now, completely unnecessary.
Great channel, cheers Bazza!
Understatement of the comment section: "450R, which was the least appropriate bike for the woods"
I have ridden many years and a few years ago I bought a recluse for my KTM 300 XC, it was pretty cool, especially at an event when I want to ride my bike to get a latte then ride back to camp, you can start and stop without a clutch so zero coffee spilled. BUT I have ridden so many years with a clutch I would forget I had it and use my clutch the same as not having a Recluse. That brings on it's own issues like forgetting your in gear and twisting the throttle thus doing a wheelie into a tree or bush while off balance, good times. If you're trying to ride your motocross bike in the tight woods it's fantastic, zero flameouts and spilled coffee. I put mine on my son's bike, and he loves it. it really doesn't make a difference for me so I just don't need it. I just get back to camp wearing half my cup of coffee.
Being about to ride AND drink coffee is very underrated by most riders. 🤔😁
I have a rekluse on all of my dirt bikes and all my riding buddies’ dirt bikes and I love love them! And I know Woody!
He offered wise advice.
I have arthritis and my hands are very sore after a day of riding.. the rekluse clutch made it so much easier on my hands and actually made me a better rider!! I do recommend. It's the future of dirt bike riding!!
My KTM 300XC with a Rekluse is an amazing machine. I am 50 years old and hadn’t rode for 30 some odd years. It has allowed me to ride trails and hills and obstacles that I struggled with before. I know it’s good to learn proper clutch control, but it’s also good for a newbie to get to the top of a nasty hill in one piece and benefit from the confidence.
Right on!
F clutch control, at least in the beginning. Go where you couldn't have gone before and if you really feel the need to learn clutch control, do it after you have a grasp on allllllll the other things you need to learn.
Have had one for years and I love it! Haters hate because they don’t have one.
Haters have to look real hard for things to criticise others about to make themselves feel better... they'd be way better off putting that energy into learning to ride better themselves. 😊
70 & have a Recluse on a 500 xcw. Keeps a Ol boy riding longer.
Sheesh 70yrs young on a 500? Your a glutton for punishment.
Great to hear! Anything that keeps you riding longer has to be a good thing. 👍😁
Rekluse makes running a 4 stroke in technical terrain much more enjoyable. I dont currently run one, but I did in the past. Fun is what its all about
Amen
I remember when ski brakes first came out. I continued to use safety straps because I was a purist at skiing.
Then I used brakes and was convinced to embrace technology.
This happens with everything - brilliant analogy though!
@@TractioneRag back in my day...
Got my first enduro bike which was stupidly an EXC 450f from D Knight who had used it for his 2015 campaign. Gearbox changed to 5 gears, race pipe, ECU etc etc. The thing was a beast. After a few months messing about trying to learn how to ride a bike I did my first hare and hounds. I was battered after the sighting lap and only managed 2 laps before I simply couldn't pull the clutch in anymore and saw me inadvertently send it off cliffs, rip down steep hills and stall it on climbs all with painful outcomes. I was (and still am) inexperienced, old (40) and unfit. Rekluse fitted and I entered the same race on the same track about 3 weeks after. All hills were climbed and I completed the 6 laps with a reasonable finish. My experience and skill level hadn't changed in that time but what a difference. Was I cheating? Who cares. I actually enjoyed the ride rather than blowing my arse out stuck in a section. I ended up on a 2t for a bit without a Rekluse and honestly didn't miss it as the 2t's will tractor through stuff way more easily. It made me learn how to ride a bike properly and enjoyed it more, but having recently got a 250 XCF, the flame out issue is back on the climbs/slow technical section as is the uselessly weak left claw hand. Happily the Rekluse is on order. I'm not young enough or good enough to be a purist, I just care about enjoying the ride and taking on obstacles where shit clutch control doesn't see me stall and fall. The only real downside to one that bothers me is the lack of a "rear brake" when you need your right foot down on steep slippy descents. Other than that, I love them. As a side note my "purist" 2t riding young mate who was a trials rider and has infinitely better bike control than me, ended up getting one for his 300 Beta RR. He's still got it and loves it too.
Very very interesting... even your purist mate got one for his two stroke, that's very rare! Trawling through the comments there are so many guys who have made a pussycat out of a 450 beast for riding in the woods by using an auto clutch. As you say, it's all about enjoying the ride!
@@crosstrainingenduro I'm about to try this with the 450RX from Honda. Suicide Sally may get tamed? Or I'll get hurt. One or the other.
I have a Recluse on my Yamaha YZ 450 FX. And I love it, I couldn't stand the flame out you get on the 4strokes. That alone is worth installing a Recluse. I'm 62 years old trying to keep up with the young ones, and it sure helps. It does have drawbacks like going downhill you need to be in a lower gear and blip the throttle. But that's no real problem. Hope this helps in making some decisions.
The dreaded flame out, Ray! I've been over the bars twice lining up to hop logs on big four strokes, sigh.
Riding with young men and keeping up feels SOOOOO good.
I recently bought a bike with a rekluse clutch. I didn't know anything about it and was amazed at being in control starting on even sketchy hills. The big thing I haven't figured on is not having engine breaking going down a sketchy hill. I'm still trying to figure that out. - oh well - learning if fun.
I enjoy the “rekluse” on my 76 trail 90. Makes the most out of the 7hp and 8 speed box. More importantly it’s easy for my wife to manage : ) anything that helps her ride is a bonus!
The Rekluse probably mellows out the power and reduces the huge roost if that 7hp kicked in suddenly, Rob. I have ridden a CT90 and I know how lethal they can be. 😊
What an interesting and unexpected comment. NICE!
During my first season of competitive enduro riding I used to ride a Beta 300 2 stroke dirt scooter with a Rekluse clutch and I loved it. I found it very useful for hanging on and not having to cover the clutch when I got arm pump and for learning to ride tricky slow up hill sections , also prevented stalling down the steep downhills and prevented stalling when I fell off , which was often. After that my next bike didn't have one and I learnt clutch control and to manage arm pump by using various techniques. I feel I have more control without it but life is easier with one. Just my thoughts. Great channel chaps, keep it up.
"I feel I have more control without it but life is easier with one." If you work on your manual clutch skills I think you eventually arrive at this conclusion, Peter. I know I have! I want to keep learning so I'll persist without one, but if I ever ride a bike with a Rekluse you can bet I'll be enjoying it.
I bought a 250 XCW from someone and it came with a rekluse. Its great since i have 5 screws in my left elbow and having to feather a clutch all day hurts it. I ride like i dont have a rekluse and try to forget its there, but when my elbow/arm hurts, its nice not having to feather. I am not sure i would buy one if i were to get a new bike though.
There might be some other useful tips in this video. It's about arm pump but could still be relevant. th-cam.com/video/uA9RKod5Ltc/w-d-xo.html
A few friends used to ride with a Rekluse and they went back to a normal clutch after a few years. As their skills improved, not only the less they felt a need for it, but they came to prefer the added control of a standard clutch. But too each his own. I prefer a standard clutch too.
Yep, so much depends on how far you want to go with your technical skills... I have zero issues with guys not wanting to do this, but personally I love the challenge of improving my clutch technique.
@@crosstrainingenduro that’s why I’m saving for a Clake!
42, left home at 17, ran a Rekluse clutch for 4 seasons. A Rekluse is a tool to make a bike that is not ideal for woods riding manageable. It is also useful if hand fatigue is preventing you from having a good time (ie injury or other). Ultimately a Rekluse reduces connection to the rear wheel and can be a tool that makes you a lazy rider and possibly developing poor habits with the clutch. Unfortunately, I see alot of novice riders running a Rekluse that are hindering their progress by using a Rekluse. I guess you don't know what you don't know.
That's a pretty good summary from my perspective, Luis. I would add that plenty of guys don't want to develop their skills of course, which is fine. I know some guys say it's purely for fun and they don't want to improve. Others are in a cold climate and only get to ride half the year and say they couldn't be bothered trying to develop great clutch skills when they spend so much time just trying to regain lost abilities for the six months they weren't riding.
@@crosstrainingenduro , 100% agree. Most riding is about fun. I just think the Rekluse clutch is totally oversold. It is not mandatory on a new bike - For baby Jesus sake certainly not on a modern 2-stroke. Love the videos --- keep it coming! Any time I come across an intermediate rider on a 2-stroke - I just keep on riding.
Yep, modern two strokes are so unlikely to stall that a Rekluse would probably be overkill... that's a consistent theme coming out through the comments too!
In the early early 2000's while racing cross country I gave the Rekluse a try on my KTM 520. It was a game changer!! Great starts turned into hole shots almost every race. Never stalling during those nasty track and trail conditions. The only thing I didn't care for was the crap I got from all my friends that called it cheating or the lazy mans clutch. Vindication 20 years later ..... EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE FRIENDS NOW HAVE REKLUSE IN THEIR BIKES!!! Rekluse keeps getting better and better. Just purchased my 4th Rekluse, RadiusCX 4.0. Can't wait to drop it into the 300! I recommend it to people all the time.
I like Rekluse clutches. Feel the newer ones work so well it’s almost hard to tell they are there once you get use to them.
Rekluse makes the bike easier to ride, and not being young, it allows me enjoy longer rides and more difficult terrain with out getting as tired. Hare scramble results are also significantly better with a Rekluse. Doesn’t make sense how my race results are that much better with the Rekluse. Suspect I’m faster sliding through the trees like melted butter riding a gear higher with the clutch feathering to perfection is faster, compounded by the additional saved energy allows me rip all race long.
In my case I do not see many negatives of the Rekluse. The auto clutch on a 300 2t does feel like cheating, however it makes the ride more enjoyable. That is what matters in my book.
true i ride with a rekluse it makes it way easier and i save more energy
Anything that keeps us riding (and more comfortably) as we get older can only be a good thing, Tim!
"and not being young" - say no more.
I love my recluse. I rode 2 strokes for 25 and 2 years ago i bought an xcf 350.
It would flame out multiple times each ride at the most inopportune times. I tried tunes and a heavier flywheel with no luck. I installed the recluse and it hasn't flamed out since. One word of caution, don't get lazy an shut off the bike in gear. I almost launched myself off the end of a landing twice.
I'm also toying with the Idea of getting one for my 890 adventure R. That bike doesn't stall easily but 1st gear is a bit tall for single track here in Western Washington.
Best thing I ever put on my WR250F and BMW 800GSA, moved out of the basement 50yrs ago.
Hydraulic clutch changed my riding the most on my wr 250f.
I just bought a 2010 Husaberg FE390 and it came with a Rekluse. I am on the fence about it at the moment I haven't gotten out and really rode it yet but I think i will grow to like it.
Im just under 6ft 6 and 110kg (around 240ish pound I think) I ride a '17 crf 450rx with a rekluse. I love it. One less thing to worry about in the tight trails. You can still flick/slip the clutch like normal if the need arises. I was worried I would loose back compression/engine breaking but its still there. I have no problems with it.
I am about to get a 2020 450 RX!
How's your life insurance?
@@crosstrainingenduro 😂😂 all payed up brother....my Dad is my advisor...lil bit of extra trauma cover in there, and family discount!
I’m a partial paraplegic. My feet don’t work, but I get by.
I fitted a Rekluse to a YZ450 (my first bike) and it utterly transformed the bike in a good way. Far less stalling and overheating, and made tricky technical terrain as easy as a twist and go. Want to lift the front? Crack the throttle a fraction.
Phase two was to fit a left hand brake. Coming from a mountain biking background, it seemed to make perfect sense... and given my feet were never going to use the foot brake, it was the only option. Again, everything about handling the bike got easier with that. From getting it off the trailer, to negotiating/rolling down scary descents and able to keep feet on the ground to balance ... brilliant.
Phase three, was moving to a KTM 300, and fitting an electric gearshift. I could leave the YZ in 2nd or 3rd all day and ride most terrain at speed... Having F1 style push button shifting on the KTM is a blast, and the lighter weight is great - but it doesn’t have the torque to raise the front.
Interestingly, I only had to order a couple of minor parts to shift the Rekluse over to the KTM.
This is grea to hear, Jimmy. Anything that keeps you riding MUST be a good thing and damn the critics. Which hand brake did you run with... the Clake?
@@crosstrainingenduro easier and much cheaper than that...
I ran a small hydraulic line so the foot brake is the clutch - it never gets used aside from checking tuning of Rekluse.
Then, because KTMs are hydraulic clutch, ran a hydraulic line to rear brake.
Plenty of rear braking power and feel.
Had a 1:1 session with Chris Birch once, he was quite impressed. He suggested looking into the Clarke, but very pricey, and given I drop my bike a lot, felt like it’d be at risk of being broken.
My model of the KTM had the useless starter, so I swapped that for the SX case to tidy it up, but the charging system and battery power the Kilktronic shifter.
Yep, we did a training session with Chris and he said he likes the look of the Clake stuff but just prefers to keep his bikes stock as much as possible.
I’m converting my TE300 for the same reason. EMTB is my primary sport I cross train on my dirt bike. I any me skills to transfer back and forth. Full auto with left hand rear brake.
Love getting backstories like this! Great to hear more about your riding experiences. And, it sure helps me in my understanding riding in general and with my consideration of getting a RC for my Beta 500RRS. Cheers and Thank you!!
RC... is that a remote control? This I have to see! Doh, do you mean Rekluse Clutch? You had my hopes up there for a moment lol.
@@crosstrainingenduro Soon we'll all have joysticks for our remote control... wheelchairs. And don't touch my joystick ya perv.
They don't call it a cockpit for nothing
I ride a CRF450X with a Recluse clutch. The bike has a 2002 cam and a heavy flywheel. The combination of these three mods makes the bike an unstoppable tank. I love the Recluse.
Turbo tractor!
I bought a used cr250F that had a rekluse on it and rabbit a full season in the woods. It worked so good, it was easy to ride and definitely made hill climbs and technical areas a real no brainer. I sold that bike for two reasons. 1) my 12 yr old son would tease me endlessly that he had a real clutch and I didn't. 2) I realized he was right! I was relying on it and creating bad habits that meant soon I would only be able to ride with a rekluse and any other bike I jumped on I would be fighting those bad habits and poor clutch control.
It definitely has its place and if you only ever ride your bike that works. I won't knock on anyone that runs them because they are so good. Just for me, I like to buy, fix, sell, and trade bikes I need my skills to go across a wider range of bikes
CR250F wut?
I was kind of in your position too, Steven. I wanted to develop certain skills an I knew the Rekluse would hold me back eventually, so I stopped using it. But for the everyday rider I can see why so many fall in love with them and I would never criticise their choice!
It makes stuff easier but locks you in that certain skill level that you cant evolve from
@@billybull7419 lol CRF250R
Have only owned 2 bikes #1 KLR 650 for 5 years (not a lot of trail riding done), #2 KTM350 XCF W purchased last year with a rekluse. That bike and clutch allowed me to advance to Montana single track that I don’t think I could have otherwise. I love the no stall factor .
Have a recluse CX for 2yrs now in my 17 450RX... same scenario I would overheat the bike on tighter technical terrain... not any more! I have no complaints about it!
**FYI I ride it like a regular clutch**
I've got a 2020 450RX coming my way....
Just typed out a huge big review of the Rekluse clutches I've had in my dirt bikes over the last 20 years then proceeded to accidently delete it all. Damn it!
Long story short, they are awesome. It has given me the ability to ride bikes again after damage was done to my left arm and hand. My riding skills quickly surpassed anything I was capable of even when I had 2 good working arms/hands.
I ride hard enduro style riding competing only with myself and my riding buddies. This would not be possible for me without Rekluse.
I always have and always will rave about Rekluse clutches because they've made riding fun and enjoyable for me again.
Don't you hate that! Sometimes I've typed out long replies here, hit enter, and TH-cam just hangs and it's all gone. I've started cutting and pasting longer comments now before I hit enter.
I use a rekluse because I suck... I love riding but don’t always have time so my skills haven’t gotten much better in years.. now that I have one though, my fun factor has doubled.. it’s true.. it makes it easier.. you can focus your mind on the trail and your throttle and not on whether you are going to kill the bike or not. I’ll happily take the verbal beatings.. if I’m enjoying myself more that’s all that matters
Me too!
Anything that makes riding more fun can't be a bad thing! (Although maybe magic mushrooms don't count?) 😁
I bought a 300xcw with 12 hrs on it in July of 19 and the previous owner installed one on it. Im not gonna take it off. I love it. Is it easier? Yep. Am I less tired after a ride? Yep. Do my friends give me grief? Yep and I could care less. Bull dogging through borders and not stalling is fantastic.
Not giving a rip what people think is a prerequisite!
Didn’t have them on my bike but i sure do remember the burning forearm crying out for something like rekluse while struggling up a steep slippery technical climb
I ride a 2018 KTM XC-W 300 with a Rekluse. The bike was born with the Rekluse. 2018 was my first year riding single track trails (Salmon River mountain country in Central, Idaho), the auto-clutch DEFINATELY accelerated my ability to safely and enjoyably access the gnarly terrain here. I do not see myself removing it anytime soon. I do think it has hampered the development of my wheelie turn up steep, tight switchbacks. At least I have figured out my Swedish flips going down!
Great summary of the potential pros and cons for any rider, Matthew! Makes so much stuff easier, makes some technical stuff harder to learn. Depending on how you ride an auto clutch can be a huge advantage or it might actually hamper serious skill development... (except for the Swedish flips lol).
I remember as a kid growing up in the early 80's, riding my yzinger 50, asking why the big bike need a manual clutch. Turns out they don't!
It’s because the Rekluse clutch can engage so precisely every time it doesn’t get too hot ! I have one too , I’m a 57 yr old retired Pro level Enduro racer and i have had a Zstart pro for 13 yrs on my old WR250F and now have a Radius CX on my new 2021 WR250F. It’s like cheating really , but I find the biggest difference and advantage is having the rear brake on the LHS bar and no brake pedal . This allows a level of fast flowing riding that does not wear you out as much or boiling the rear brake system. It allows you to not worry about the clutch at all and just concentrate on line selection and precision braking with two fingers , going a bit too faster into a corner and the bike is standing up a bit ? No problems just squeeze a bit of rear brake and it comes down into the line you want ! You simply cannot brake with the same smooth precision with a foot in an Alpinestar tech 10 and balance at the same time the faster you ride on tight single track ! I should not be telling this secret but I’m getting older now and I like to help others go faster. Regards Adam Troy Australia 🇦🇺
We were just saying yesterday that some of us are looking forward the e-dirt bikes as they should come with left hand rear brakes. 😎
So nice to hear a pro comment!
I give zero shits what others say I freaking love my rekluse, I think it's funny when people say its cheating. I dont care never going to own a bike without one ever again.
I’ve had 3 different Rekluse, on 3 different bikes, over the past 5 years. I absolutely love them! I race hare scrambles, & love riding single track. The Rekluse has improved my riding/racing, & has saved my ass countless times! Some haters call it cheating, I call it “taking advantage of modern technology”. At the end of the day, it suits me perfectly & I don’t give 2 shits what others think of it! Stay up & be safe! 🤘🏼
It's no more cheating than a bloody e-start! (yes I ride a YZ250X)
Yep! Or auto transmission in your car or truck...
Hard to get used to and I do still feather the clutch. 15 KTM 450 xcf. BUT in uphills that are steep then I find it very worthwhile.
I bought an 09 300 XC-W with a Rekluse in it a few years ago. I didn't mind it until I'd get stuck on a steep bit of trail. There the Rekluse would totally interfere with my ability to manually slip the clutch to find traction. After a season of using it I took it out. That's when I really started to enjoy riding my bike in the gnarly stuff. I felt more engaged with the bike, and more in control. I've learnt so much about clutch control since then, and will never go back to a Rekluse. Some ppl love them, and some people need them for many different reasons. No beef from me, but personally I think that if you have the ability to learn clutch control, it will take you further then a Rekluse and you'll end up enjoying the riding even more.
I hit that same point about 10 years ago and realised I wanted to really develop my clutch skills. And like you I fully understand that plenty of riders don't want to do that too. Live and let live. 😎
@@crosstrainingenduro Absolutely 🙌
Rekluse with the new Torque Drive is pretty sweet
Have to look into that!
Lets work at getting you into matching riding gear first... THEN the Torque Drive!
If it works for you (as it obviously does) that bike is not "obsolete". It is "absolute".
I'm 65 and have been riding since age 13. I have had lots of street bikes but mostly ride East Coast enduros, woods tail riding and dual sport events - no MX our Hard Enduro. I got my first Rekluse in 2002 when I tried to turn a CRF-450 into an enduro bike. It helped but wasn't the solution. I went back to a 2004 KTM 300 with a normal clutch. In 2008 I added a Rekluse to my 2008 KTM 300 EXC and have had one on 4 other bikes since then. I've had every version of Rekluse they've offered. When I'm fresh and want to go fast, a manual clutch is superior. When I'm tired, it is great. I'm sure very skilled hard enduro riders are better at trials-like skills with a manual. But for me, a long time B-level enduro rider, the Rekluse is a god send. I can ride snotty trails, slick trails, uphills, gullies, and creek beds, and any other sort of walking-speed trail without ever touching the clutch. Because I'm spinning the rear wheel less, tires last longer. I'm now on a 2020 FE 350 and it never stalls with the Recluse. For my skill level and terrain, i'm sold.
I'm a few years off your age James, and I reckon the mid 60s is when I'll be back to using an autoclutch... if not sooner! The first signs of arthritis and some carpal tunnel have prompted me to lighten the clutch as much as possible but eventually I'll be reklusing again. 😁
Here here. I'm feeling you.
That should be "Hear hear" Mr Magazine Editor! 🤣
A Rekluse is not a product, but an experience...
hahaha. well said.
An experience in substantially lightening your wallet? 😁
@@crosstrainingenduro kids already did that... 😂😂😂
I ran a rekluse clutch on my 2000 cr250 two stroke and I absolutely loved it!! Just bought my first brand new 4 stroke 2022 wr250f and I’m gonna put one on it!
Just like real crutches, a recluse makes walking easier if you have a bum leg, but you can’t run with them. Same thing here - it makes some things easier, but some more advanced techniques much harder because you loose some of that fine clutch control. At least that has been my experience, it was a bit frustrating for me to ride with one, and I liked the manual better. Maybe newer models are better, maybe (probably) I’m just a newb in general and suck at riding regardless of equipment :D
This whole discussion will be obsolete in a few years once we’re all riding single speed electric motorcycles with no clutches anyway.
I've only used the rekluse on my beta 300rr (hydro clutch) so I don't know how it is on cable clutch bikes. But in my experience the only difference in manually using the clutch is it is slightly stiffer than the factory one. Other than that I can still use it manually for large log hops, powering out of turns, holeshots, and pivot turns. I don't really know it's there until I mess up and the bike stays running.
Your final comment was such a juicy nugget.
I finally got one, its like a cheat code for challenging terrain. 👍👍
I don’t think it’s cheating unless you use it in a closed competition race where it isn’t allowed. In the real world, people are going to use what makes them more comfortable. I borrowed a 350 XC-W (with a Rekluse) for a 60 mile desert loop in Arizona. It was great for the tight steep corners and hill climbs! It allowed me to purely focus on the trail ahead of me and not my clutch feathering.
The overall experience was really enjoyable and fun to try out. Not sure if I would immediately rush to buy one but they certainly transform the bikes characteristics. Hopefully this opinion somewhat counts 😊
I would say that's an excellent opinion! Usually the most rabid Rekluse critics have never tried one, or just rode for five minutes, determined not to like it. It sounds as though you tested with open eyes and an objective approach. 👍
I dont knos how anyone would sed it as cheating
I’ve been running a Rekluse for the past 5 years on a KTM 350EXCF. I bloody love it it’s awesome. The haters are just jealous and too poor to afford one 😆😆
Amazing piece of technology when set up correctly. Cant even tell it’s there if you don’t want to use it. Amazing traction if you do want to use it. No flameouts or stalling either way. Only downside (besides $$$) is the free wheeling backwards on failed hill climb attempts....and with the Rekluse you’ll in a much higher and steeper part of the hill when you do fail!
If I had stuck with mine I think I would have eventually put a left hand rear brake on as well to reduce the risks of rolling backwards...
@@crosstrainingenduro This may be the first time I have heard you say this...
Shhhhh! I don't want all those autoclutch haters hating on me!
Love my CX radius on a 350XCF. Keeping a 4 stroke running in tight woods and hard enduro is an insane amount of clutch work and the auto clutch decreases that fatigue just enough to make things fun. I still like to use it like a manual clutch as often as I can for clearing obstacles and so on. For some reason some people think you lose this ability and I'm not sure why. There are alot of myths spread by riders who have never used one. I will say that my least favorite characteristic is rolling backwards after a stall on a hill climb. But that's just taught Me better brake coverage.
All in all I LOVE THEM
Agreed, Justin. A lot of uninformed comments about the Rekluse are based on the earlier models. When I had one, the rolling back downhill wasn't my favourite thing either lol. The left hand rear brake is a great addition in those cases...