How long should a Ducati Clutch last?

**phil620** · 05 Sep 07, 03:50 PM

I have noticed in the last week or so my clutch starting to slip when I am accerating hard, i.e. using close to or full throttle in a high gear (4th, 5th or 6th). I ride a Monster 620, it is one year old and I have done about 16000 miles on it. It has a wet clutch, does anyone know how long these should last until they start to wear out or is this the first signs for me needing to replace it?

**Mr.R** · 05 Sep 07, 04:54 PM

Hi,
I haven't had any experience with your model, how long a clutch last depends on how you use it.
How long is a piece of string comes to mind.
However I have owned quite a few bikes with wet clutchs, which i've used quite hard and 16,000 miles doesn't sound to bad to me.
Slipping is the 1st sign that the clutch has worn out, it will show up under load as you've found out.
I think it's probably time for some new plates or heavier springs.

Steve

**harriebird** · 05 Sep 07, 06:04 PM

i think it's low miles for a set of clutch plates to be wearing personally.

my 748's dry clutch did 16000 miles before needing new plates.

i think japanese wet clutches get a lot more mileage out of plates than 16000 miles, my CBR400 is on about 20k and no clutch problems at all

**jjbaker1** · 05 Sep 07, 06:45 PM

does it slip from cold? or do you have to ride it for a few miles first?
my wet clutch ducati 800ss started to slip at 4500miles, after speaking to a few people it was worked out that because the clutch started slipping after it got warm it was due to the adjustment in the master cylinder, to test this remove the slave cylinder, pump the clutch lever a couple of times, then use an allen key or similar to push the slave cylinder piston back in, if it is solid or very stiff to push back in then try it with the clutch lever removed from the bike, if that is a lot better adjust the piston on the levr pushing into the master cylinder, that should sort it out.

**legs748** · 05 Sep 07, 06:58 PM

I think they maybe a little fragile on the 620, one of the ones i have ridden slipped like a beast at only a few thousand miles, but she had had a hard life as a demo/workshop runaround bike.

**NedLudd** · 05 Sep 07, 07:00 PM

My 750ss had new clutch plates and piston at 8k miles and 7 years (before I bought it). If that helps.

**Mr.R** · 05 Sep 07, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harriebird

i think it's low miles for a set of clutch plates to be wearing personally.

my 748's dry clutch did 16000 miles before needing new plates.

i think japanese wet clutches get a lot more mileage out of plates than 16000 miles, my CBR400 is on about 20k and no clutch problems at all

Harrie,
It comes down to how heavy you are and how hard you use the bike.
As I said before how long is a piece of string, if the guys clutch is slipping, then there's a good chance it's worn out.

Steve

**Eviltwin** · 06 Sep 07, 10:16 AM

just had mine on my 999s changed under warranty at 0nly 6000mls now runs and pulls like a dream

**Pax** · 06 Sep 07, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harriebird

i think it's low miles for a set of clutch plates to be wearing personally.

my 748's dry clutch did 16000 miles before needing new plates.

i think japanese wet clutches get a lot more mileage out of plates than 16000 miles, my CBR400 is on about 20k and no clutch problems at all

The Ducati will probably use its clutch up quicker than the japanese equivalent due to the higher torque of the engine. 16000 hardish miles does not seem too bad. Plates are only about £130 I believe.
I have 12000 miles on my 900ssie original plates and only using 4 springs, still fine so far

**phil620** · 06 Sep 07, 07:02 PM

Cheers everyone for the replies. Sounds like it is the beginning of my clutch wearing out. It is not too bad yet so I will just keep riding but I expect I will be looking replacing the clutch before long, hopefully it will last ok until my next oil change.

**harriebird** · 06 Sep 07, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Harrie,
It comes down to how heavy you are and how hard you use the bike.
As I said before how long is a piece of string, if the guys clutch is slipping, then there's a good chance it's worn out.

Steve

i was only saying

"the guy" is my hubby by the way

**Mr.R** · 06 Sep 07, 09:53 PM

Sorry Harrie,
I didn't mean to upset anybody But........
Mrs R says shag him more and feed the fat fu*ker less!

Then his clutch might last longer!

Steve + Ness

**harriebird** · 07 Sep 07, 01:04 PM

hehehe those of you who have met phil620 will know that he eats non stop but has hollow legs, he is very slender but rather prone to ragging his bike and does a rather fine job of giving 749s a hard time 8) probably hence the clutch issues!

**Hereford_duke** · 07 Sep 07, 01:31 PM

If this is true then with "Giving up boys and sticking to Bikes" as a motto then surely a copy of Razzle would work wonders for Phil instead and he could then have a knackered throttle to go with his burned out clutch?

Mick

**Douglas** · 07 Sep 07, 01:41 PM

I am sorry to butt in on a "domestic", but getting back to the clutch......

There is one issue which hasnt been discussed, and that is the oil. I understand that if the oil is contaminated it can cause the clutch to slip, and that certain types of fully synthetic oil can cause the problem too. I used Mobil 1 in my 600ss, but was advised that it wasnt a good idea as it can cause clutch slip. As I wasnt even into racing mopeds at the time, I didnt have a problem, but moved onto Silkolene next time.

I know that Phil620 changes his oil more frequently than recommended, so could it be the type of oil?

Zimbo knows more than me about this, so may be able to advise further

Douglas