2013 Te449 Clutch Slippage 200mi Enduro

This past weekend I participated in the Big Bear Trail Rider's dual-sport ride, which is a 205mi ride through some gnarly terrain. About 100mi in, I was going up a trail known as Malcolm Smith trail (a.k.a. Redondo Ridge), which has some pretty rocky technical parts to it. At 1/3rd of the way in, I believe I experienced clutch slippage for the first time on this bike. In 1st gear, when I disengaged the clutch very little drive was coming out the rear. Assumed it was heat related, but still the same after 10min rest. Ended up barely limping up with maybe 1/2 power in 1st gear. Had to bail out back home and the next day the bike was fine again with normal clutch engagement/disengagement and power in all gears. Scratching my head...

Would appreciate any wisdom from the CH community.


Working Theories

• Clutch friction plates are worn - need to measure
• Friction modifiers in Mobil 1 0w40 caused this - switch to motorcycle oil (Motul 5w40)
• Not enough oil to properly cool/lubricate in these conditions

Background Info

• '13 Te449 6k mi w/ stock breather/oil capacity (700ml) & map 3
• Fresh Mobil 1 0w40 and filter
• Fresh air filter
• Fresh bleed and fill Motul 5.1 brake fluid in clutch line
• Fresh flush/fill XF2 waterless coolant
• Temp in Big Bear, CA during ride: 78F

Imo 700 ml too low on oil 1000-1100 ml on ours n never had any spit out air box. Sounds like it got hot with too little oil hopefully it didn't fry anything

You have aftermarket oil recirc kit? Anything over the lip of filling hole (700-800ml) just spits out the breather.

No re circ Kit I ran both the 449 n 511 at 1000ml and in super moto trim. There were times I over filled and had it spit out but that was more around 1200. If I remember correctly 700 is about half of recommended amount but I'm going off memory. I never worried bout sight glass I'd just drain with leaning bike on side n pour in 1000 in my measuring cup.

There shouldn't be any friction modifiers in the Mobil one that's all I used too. 6k on bike is not much and if it was torque limiter it wouldn't fix itself. Maybe try more oil a little at a time see what your max is til it pukes.