Want is a slipper clutch, Does a NC30 have one?

Basically, a slipper clutch mean that when you go banging down the gear-box the rear wheel won't lock up on you. Does the NC30/35 have one as standard, well the answer is no, it doesn't have a slipper clutch. What it does have is a spragg clutch which is similar to the slipper clutch. As an example, I've been able to drop my track bike from flat out in 6th down into 1st/2nd gear (depends on how much I over-cooked the hairpin) and never once had the bike step out on me.

Always wondered if i could bang from 6th to 1st dont think id be brave enough!!!!

As explained by Viper. A slipper clutch engages like a normal clutch when going up the gears, but when you are coming down the gears, especially at higher RPM's it allows the clutch to intentionally slip to prevent the Engine breaking from locking the Rear wheel up. Obviously this has its plus sides in that you are a lot less likely to lose the back end on the corners, or even in a straight line depending on how you knock down the gearbox. It does have its downsides though, By using a slipper clutch, you are guaranteed to need greater control of the bike by using the brakes, causing a lot more wear and tear on your breaking system. And also, in certain places it can be better to use the Engine breaking rather than the breaks, and you cannot do this to any real benefit with a slipper clutch.


As far as i have managed to find so far, you cannot buy a slipper clutch for an NC30. but in my opinion, you just dont need it. The engine breaking is not severe and is easily manageable if you ask me. Making the fitting of a slipper clutch absolutely pointless.
My friend has an Aprillia RSV4 and he is in desperate need of getting a slipper clutch as those bike have really really severe Engine breaking! On a recent ride out with him, he nearly lost the back end twice by changing down one gear and locking the rear wheel on a corner!!

Obviously, if something does become available for the NC30's. (Unlikely I know) you would need ot put a lot of thought and consideration into your riding style once it is fitted. You may find you lose confidence in the bike tbh and it would ruin your riding pleasure of the machine.

thanks for your replies.

This has been covered a lot.

The Sprag clutch is just a different type of "back torque limiter".

It is great....

viper_biker wrote:As an example, I've been able to drop my track bike from flat out in 6th down into 1st/2nd gear (depends on how much I over-cooked the hairpin) and never once had the bike step out on me.

You're obviously not trying hard enough :p

I've had it happen twice, to be fair it was my error both times though. First was at Snetterton into Russells, whilst learning the track I initially thought it was a 1st gear corner, realistically it's 2nd I think, or at least 2nd works a lot more consistantly :p

Second time was the second chicane at Oulton, was trying to outbrake a 250, who was at the same time trying to outbrake me, cue both of us leaving our braking to the very last minute, and then me shifting down to 1st by accident, d'oh :p

Neither time had me off though, just a lock of the rear wheel and it stepping out, and that is far better than my old FZR road bike which would regularly step out under downshifts when not pushing anywhere near as hard as I push the race bike :)

The sprag clutch on the nc30 is wicked. I think it's one of those things that you don't really notice working until you jump on a similar bike without it.

Of course you can lock the rear if you treat the gearbox like a fool, but if you have 'some' mechanical sympathy it's a beaut bit of gear. Other honda roadbikes that were made before the nc30 also had it (e.g. VF750).