[chillindrdude]

i'm considering giving riding moto a stab. since i'm crossing over in reverse from DH to Moto, i was thinking about modifying a motocross bike with a Rekluse clutch and rear brake lever so the controls will be like a dh bike.

anyone tried this?

meaning, the Rekluse is an auto clutch, so the manual clutch lever can be eliminated. I would reverse the front brake brake to the left side, and then add a rear brake lever to the right side. throttle would still be on the right.

theoretically this would essentially mirror a dh bike except now with throttle.

worthwhile? or am i crazy?

 

[motomike]

A friend of mine has done just this, and he says its amazing. I haven't ridden it but I'm sure its fun. What kind of bike are you trying to do it on?

 

[chillindrdude]

i'm thinking about getting 2006-current 250 4stroke used. i'm partial to the hondas

 

[jimmydean]

GFF was talking about that. I rode a WR that had on and it was OK. I know a lot of the high end thumper guys run them (Husaberg, Husky, VOR).

That's why I want the BRD RedShift, rear brake on the bar!

 

[gonefirefightin]

depends o the model of the rekluse....the trail clutch is by far the best version and yes you can move your brake to the bars.

I have had a rekluse on all of my bikes and it is amazing what you can get away with.

 

[DirtyMike]

Personally..... I dont like the Rekluse. But thats just me. Never tried one in the dirt before though

 

[chillindrdude]

i've read that if you're a long time motorcyclist, going to the rekluse can be wierd because you're so use to operating the clutch.

but i don't have that problem, so i hope that the crossover will be smooth and natural.

 

[profro]

Whats wrong with a clutch? You can bump start your bike, feather the clutch to go really fast out of turns, plus a ton of other advanced techniques.

I personally hate Rekluses. They have a dead feeling right off idle and in low throttle situations. Every time I swap bikes with a friend who has one I can't wait to get back on mine.

I went from DH to moto and had no problems with the moto style braking. I think its a rite of passage to ride a two-stroke with a clutch when you learn. with a four-strokes and rekluse you just don't get a chance to learn some of the basics.

 

[kazlx]

There's nothing wrong with trying the clutch if it's something you really want, but just to mimic a dh bike just sounds silly. You manage to drive a car and ride a bicycle. A dirt bike is no different, it's just a different skill set. It's really not that complicated. Ride for a few days and you will get used to it. Not being a smart ass...but have you ever ridden a dirt bike or motorcycle at all? From your post it doesn't sound like it. One of the guys I work with has the Rekluse on his WR450 and loves it, but still has the stock brake configuration.

 

[MMike]

Why is there no such thing as motocross unicycle?

 

[Potroast88]

Why is there no such thing as motocross unicycle?

For the same reason there is no such thing as a football bat.

 

[MMike]

For the same reason there is no such thing as a football bat.

Unicycle motocross WITH football bats! I would totally watch that.......like Rollerball!

 

[MikeD]

I just got a motorcycle and was worried about the configuration and my reactions in an emergency.

I'm a believer in training and muscle memory, but at the same time, it's not a big deal and you'll straighten it out in your head after a short time. No idea if the Rekluse is a good thing or not, but if you're only worried about mimicking your DH bike, seems way over the top in terms of effort and money, especially if you're not even sure if you'll truly end up being into motorbikes yet. Many, many more people ride both bicycles and motorcycles in standard configurations than some other setup.

 

[DirtyMike]

Well let me say this..... there is but one reason to change a setup to have either dhbike mimic your moto or vice versa.............. so you can point it out to others that you ride both.

Its takes a single ride on tht moto to get used to the configuration, I go back and fort all the time and I can tell you even after a month of moto, jump on the DH bike and its instantly back to DH.... a month on DH, jump on the MOTO and its instantly back to moto.


No worrys at all.

 

[spoke80]

I have run the Rekluse Z-Start Pro on previous bikes but I haven't installed one on my new-to-me ride. I am beginning to appreciate the skill involved and versatility of a standard clutch. Spend the $300-$900 you would spend on an auto-clutch on tires and post ride beers.

 

[jekyll991]

My dad swears by them and he's got years of experience without one (rode A-class quads won state champion a few times in Tn, rode A class moto in his prime, and 30+ B in GNCC 4 or 5 years ago).

I can't stand the things myself. Even though they have systems that retain your clutch it still isn't the same as laying the bike over and dropping the clutch. If you want it to feel like a DH bike get a 2-stroke. I think my experience on a four-stroke is the reason I drag my brakes so badly riding DH... I'm used to having pressure on my palms while descending because of my 250f's engine braking. I've been considering picking up a KTM 150 2t to re-teach myself how to ride but I don't think I could give up the holeshots my 250f consistently gives me.


@Doug. If you think your hydro clutch is easy on the fingers now give one of these a try. http://www.midwestme.com/ I snapped my clutch lever off at the master cylinder after sending my bike over a hill and picked up one of these. It's so easy it feels like your clutch springs have broken.

 

[gonefirefightin]

you guys are all getting the wrong point for the rekluse....first of all it isnt a automatic. it is centrifugal, it isnt made so you can place brake on the bars it is a by product.

the reason for the clutch is you dont have to clutch, if you actually used one for this purpose you would under stand.

you can bump start with a rekluse

you can adjust the spring weight

you can wheelie

you camp bump logs

and you can still mash whatever gear you want, the simple part of the clutch means you can come into a corner doing 50 and come out in the same gear and not have to worry about clutching or shifting.

if you want a moto like a DH bike, change your DH brakes around like everyone else does

I was the biggest skeptic of the rekluse untill I actually flogged one in a ktm in the gifford pinchot (toughest riding in the west) and it made me smile, skills improved, gained more speed and twice the confidence.

 

[DirtyMike]

Oh they are plenty tough and work fine... I understand the actual purpose behind the design.......... I just dont like them myself is all... I prefer a regular clutch..... its just me.

 

[jekyll991]

Yeah, I definitely see their point, how they could help, and I would probably want one if I were doing 3 hour GNCC's. I, however, trail ride and race D class MX on my wood's bike. I ride for fun and rekluse is no fun for me.

 

[BikerBoy28]

Going from DH to Moto the clutch is probably going to be the least of your problems. Getting used to going from always standing on a DH, to sitting on a moto will be the biggest issue most likely. I have a buddy that got his first moto and it was hillarious to watch him try to corner standing up and "preload" a jump like he would a DH and pull on the bars.

 

[gonefirefightin]

Going from DH to Moto the clutch is probably going to be the least of your problems. Getting used to going from always standing on a DH, to sitting on a moto will be the biggest issue most likely. I have a buddy that got his first moto and it was hillarious to watch him try to corner standing up and "preload" a jump like he would a DH and pull on the bars.

hmmmmm......not too sure what you tend to ride, but out here your on the pegs 80% of the time.

 

[jimmydean]

hmmmmm......not too sure what you tend to ride, but out here your on the pegs 80% of the time.

Unless you are lazy like me.

 

[ohio]

I just got a motorcycle and was worried about the configuration and my reactions in an emergency.

Street and dirt are very different - on a street bike, your ass or thigh are always on the seat and the bike doesn't change pitch nearly so drastically. The consistent body position makes braking about as sensitive as in a car. Off-road not so much... Trying to shift and brake in stiff moto boots, while standing, especially while sliding your ass back on a descent, with the rear of the bike bouncing all over the place is really really hard.

As a MTB to moto crossover, I think a Rekluse makes an amazing difference. Eliminating the clutch is really nice, and moving the brake is a godsend.

Going from DH to Moto the clutch is probably going to be the least of your problems. Getting used to going from always standing on a DH, to sitting on a moto will be the biggest issue most likely. I have a buddy that got his first moto and it was hillarious to watch him try to corner standing up and "preload" a jump like he would a DH and pull on the bars.

Huh? I corner seated (if it's smooth/bermed), but the rest of the time I'm out of the saddle. I found the riding style adjustment really easy and natural. The rear brake has been unquestionably the toughest part.

 

[46chief]

At first I was thinking, oh another homo who's afraid of a clutch. Might still be the case

I actually like the idea of my rear brake on my bars because I always grab front first and get around to putting my foot on the rear.

Still ain't gonna spend the money on a recluse. Bars, grips, pipe, programmer, skidplate, rad guards, bark busters, tires, tools, moto boots, pants, jackets, license, and insurance all come first

 

[I.van]

Look up the "Clake", it a combined clutch and brake lever, made by some Aussie dude. It's super expensive for what it is, but I've heard it's awesome.