KTM Clutch drag

[Paul BolandMember]

Calling all 2010 KTM owners…..

With the engine turned off, put your bike in 1st gear, hold the clutch in, and push the bike forwards. How much clutch drag do you experience?

On my 400 I can ONLY JUST move the bike. A lot more resistance than I was expecting. I have owned several road and trail bikes over the years and I have never experienced clutch drag like this before. The only difference being this bike has a hydraulic clutch.

I was told to expect some drag on a new bike, but mine has now clocked up 1500 km, and it still does it. Surely this isn’t right. Also, the bike rarely starts when in gear (will crank over but not fire). Am suspecting there is too much clutch drag.

Just thought I’d quiz some 2010 KTM owners before contacting my local dealer.

Keen for some owner feedback.

Cheers,TW

[Anonymous]

I have a 2007 250 excf, it also has quite a bit of drag. I had someone take a look at it, and was told it was fairly standard.

Do you also find it stalls, when engaging 1st gear especially when cold?

[Paul BolandMember]

MTK wrote:

Quote:

I have a 2007 250 excf, it also has quite a bit of drag. I had someone take a look at it, and was told it was fairly standard.

Do you also find it stalls, when engaging 1st gear especially when cold?

No issues with stalling MTK, just starting.

A mate in town rang tonight to let me know that he just bought a new KTM400, so I may be paying him a visit very soon.

[GregMember]

My 86 (I think it was :huh: ) KTM 250 did it maybe its a KTM thing :laugh:

TB

[JoeMember]

My 2009 530 has quite a bit of clutch drag when switched of as well.Wouldn’t worry to much about it.Just a thought, have you changed the gearbox oil to synthetic yet(motorex)as this also helps.

[Mick PilgrimMember]

My 08 450EXC has a fair amount of clutch drag – which was a big change to my 04 450. Have tried different gearbox oils as against the engine oil (even tried ATF for a short time with limited improvement). :silly:
I have had a small reduction in drag by using lighter weight oil in the gearbox 5-30/40W. I have got used to selecting neutral before starting the bike when the battery is a bit tired as the small capacity battery is lacking for these later model higher compression motors.

Mick

[Steve WyethMember]

It’s normal. My 08 450, Matt’s 06 450, my cousins 08 530 and my 2010 300 all do it. As Mick said start it in neutral, it will become second nature after a while.

My bikes do start in gear, although every now and again they get ‘temperamental’ due to the lack of capacity from the battery, again as Mick suggested.

[PeterMember]

My 2010 450exc is exactly the same as your 400 by the sounds.

Hard to start in gear ( but can ), hard to push when not in neutral.
I also find it hard to find neutral ( no neutral indicator ) and can flick between 1st and 2nd a few times before finding it.

[rick matthewsMember]

011 530 has clutch drag as well and hard to find neutral easier to get neutral from 2 gear than first gearthough

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