Rekluse: EXP vs. z-start pro

I just put a deposit down for my new FE570; hope to have it before the end of May. I am putting together my shopping list of parts so I can set it up promptly and enjoy it asap. One of the first things on the list is a Rekluse clutch: So I am wondering z-start pro (relatively proven) or the new EXP style clutch, which uses the EXP mechanism in the stock clutch basket with three fiber plates removed. I am familiar with the z-start pro and like the idea of the new EXP mechanism.

This is a powerful engine and I dont want to compromise its life by putting in a weak clutch. I am also not a pro rider and the Core EXP looks like it might be overkill as well as expensive. The EXP looks like the way to go.

Note: I have seen the post describing the blown engine due to clutch fiber on the oil screen with the z-start pro clutch. Either way, I will be checking those screens frequently.

Anyone have any experience?

I've always been curious to ride one with an auto clutch. I love the idea of having a left handed rear brake. I worry about the stopping on a hill thing though...some guys say there's a trick to that so your bike won't always be free wheel...just last week I was stuck on a hill and it was nice to stick it in gear while I climbed around it and got it pointed down hill (this is a big bike (570)).

Will be curious to hear what you go with and how you like it.

Ride on...

Hi richmojo
The clutch fiber from the new clutch fiction discs is only a problem for the first 200 miles (clutch break-in). I've put another 400 miles on my 570 after the clutch break-in and the oil pump intake screen has been absolutely spotless (clean no debris or fiber material) I just ran the bike to many miles with a new clutch and did not check the screen. My mistake!
I run the Rekluse Z Start Pro. I ride a lot of nasty rocky stuff. The soft engagement of the pro works good in the rocky uphills. Very easy to control wheel spin, does not tear up the mountain trails( this is mainly a rider control thing) I also run a left hand rear brake so I don’t run a clutch lever. The pro works great in the desert and mountain trails. Some times I would like to have a Core EXP with a foot brake to blast out of sand wash corners or when hopping over big rocks and logs but overall I like the Pro. I dual sport this bike sometimes so I run 14/48 gearing for street, trails and desert, this gearing works great with the Rekluse.
The pressure plate and center hub needed replaced after 7000 miles, they are good quality 6061 aluminum but not hardened. The anodized hardening they talk about is only a few thousands in depth, so the balls will wear through the anodized surface. The Core EXP is better quality with 7075 hardened aluminum this should have better life. From what Rekluse has told me the EXP has a quicker auto engagement but you can feather the engagement as you would with the standard clutch engagement. For an aggressive rider racing I think the EXP would work good setup but expensive.
I’m not complaining about the Pro’s durability , just letting you know what to expect.
A few things you might try depending on the type of trails you ride
I installed a G2 throttle tamer awhile back and it works great for the nasty rocky slow uphill’s where you need perfect throttle control or any low speed technical area, this G2 works!
I run the Bullet Proof radiator guards, they are great quality, I did damage the left side one in a“ the bike went off the trail into the rocks type dismount” they replaced it for FREE!
Have many more things I’ve done but That’s all for now
Have a great ride
Haskell in Idaho

I just installed the Rekluse EXP 2.0 this past Saturday and raced with it on Sunday. Love it. I really didn't know it was there until I needed it. No funny reactions, no weird slipping or late lock-ups. Really love it. I'm racing Sen A on an FX450. The thing locks up hard if you grab some throttle. Still has engine braking unless you stab the brake and lock the back tire. A little throttle input will lock the clutch back up easily though.
Love the clutch...

I too just put a EXP 2.0 in my new 450FX saturday and raced the first Harescramble of the season on Sunday. All I can say is WOW! The new EXP is really nice. We has some issues with the old one, but Rekluse has resolved those and I would highly recommend the new one.

I have not seen anything official - but the word is the Z-start pro will be phased out. The EXP 2.0 is that good. It is not for just aggresive riders, you can tune it for soft, medium, or hard engagement.

The price is not that bad when you figure what you get with the kit and the simplicity over the z-start pro is worth something IMHO.

I have an EXP 2.0 on the way, sounds like they are a bit backed up, have been waiting nearly 3 weeks so far, could be 30 days. Waiting impatiently!!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am still waiting for the EXP 2.0 to arrive - I have been told one more week.

This might be a bit off topic, but what do we do if the battery or starter dies on these bikes with the auto clutches? I just realised this the other day, and am pondering options.

I have the Z-start pro. I like it, but it's not a game changer for me the way some others have raved about it. What it is to me is an anti-stall device. I can get in too hot to a corner, lock up the back, and not have to worry about it stalling. That's worth having. I think I would have sprung for the EXP if I had to do it over; the mushy clutch lever feel of the Z-start being the only downside. Of course, you don't reach for the lever much anyway unless you want to modulate the power.

I thought originally that I'd add the left hand rear brake, but I'm still clutching between gears. The Rekluse doesn't do anything to eliminate clutching between gears, as some people seem to think. (As I did, for some reason). If you clutch now for shifts, you'll want to clutch with the Rekluse.

Overall I like it. Installation wasn't hard, and tuning is pretty easy as well. Worth having. The EXP seems even better for its simplicity and superior low-rpm engagement.

BlueDevil said:

I've always been curious to ride one with an auto clutch. I love the idea of having a left handed rear brake. I worry about the stopping on a hill thing though...some guys say there's a trick to that so your bike won't always be free wheel...just last week I was stuck on a hill and it was nice to stick it in gear while I climbed around it and got it pointed down hill (this is a big bike (570)).

Click to expand...

Getting stopped or stuck on a steep hill is one of the places where the LHRB is especially essential. When you are forced to bulldog your bike down the hill, your auto clutch equipped bike of course will always be in neutral. The LHRB saves the day in this situation.

The thing that bothers me about the new style EXP clutch, especially with big bore high torque engines, is the elimination of clutch friction material. I have seen and heard about many instances of auto clutch burnout with big bore engines here and on other websites and via personal observation. These clutch burnouts were due to improper auto clutch use (rider error), improper auto clutch, or improper auto clutch setup.

I just installed the EXP 2.0 and test rode it tonight on the road. I got the set up perfect the first time - after reading a few other threads explaining how to do it. I basically turned the set screw with the long end of the 2 mm allen key in the screw until it was difficult to turn and then re-positioned the allen key with the short end in the screw and gave it 1 1/4 turns in from there.

I did several 1st gear starts as well as 2nd gear starts and OMG, this thing seems like it may be better than the z-start pro! I can wheelie right off the line just by modulating the throttle. If I want to keep the front end down on take-off, I will have to use the clutch just like before. But this clutch will be great in the tight stuff.

I may get the G2 throttle cam too, but I havent even ridden the bike off road yet, still just breaking it in and getting it set up on local road rides.

All I can say is WOW - I love this bike! :bounce3: And the clutch is just going to make it even more fun to ride.

Thanks guys for the input!

hey guy do you have the core exp or just the exp. Want to know more is the exp will do the job or i have to buy the core exp

rekluse makes hill climbing easy

[youtube:1plwmsku]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxKFy4AZRxk[/youtube:1plwmsku]

and great for technical rides
[youtube:1plwmsku]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eME3IUunjdo[/youtube:1plwmsku]


i use a rekluse pro hard engagement/ low rpm

Nice videos mate, what part of the planet? :?: :?:
Steve

tazer said:

Nice videos mate, what part of the planet? :?: :?:
Steve

Click to expand...

Melbourne (AUS)

clutch slippage with the EXP 2.0 in higher gears at low revs

had the basic rekluse exp 2.0 in a wr450f and loved it. i'd geared the wr high for adventure rides but put the rekluse in so she'd still be manageable in the gnarly stuff in first gear. worked a treat, but i did find that a handful of throttle in 4th and 5th gear would cause the clutch to slip until it got to around 5000rpm. it got annoying as i tended to not rev the bike much, solved it by having to buy the heavier wedges and put those in.

just wondering if anyone is finding the same issue with the FE570? i figure with all that grunt it could be more of an issue than the WR. or am i the only berg rider who likes to use that low down grunt in higher gears?