My slightly fettled Terra now has about 10,000 miles and is proving to be a great adventure bike for what I do. the last ride I/we did... https://www.facebook.com/stefan.inn...0204114174789229.1073741846.1071140150&type=3 But... I do have a concern with what appears to be clutch slip when on the power over loose and rocky ground. Even at part throttle it can and does seem to slip. At first I thought it was maybe the chain knocking on the frame but I'm convinced now that it's the clutch. The clutch lever feels really easy to pull which makes me think that the clutch springs ain't strong enough. Anyone else noticed this?
Have you tried adjusting the clutch? So it won't slip on pavement? Why would it slip only on loose terrain? That is when you would expect it not to slip. Are you experiencing actual slippage - as in you get on the throttle, the revs rise but you don't actually accelerate much or at all? Or are we just talking about a noise you hear when you get on the throttle? I have never "heard" a clutch slip (though not claiming others haven't) other than hearing revs rise while experiencing little to no acceleration. I've heard clutch plates chatter before and clutch bearings squeal, but not accompanied with any noticeable slip. I have also heard detonation pings on a different bike I own that sounds almost just like clutch chatter.
The clutch on the Terra isn't heavy, but I wouldn't call it very light either, so it could be clutch slip. But if you only experience it on rough terrain, especially when going fast, I would not rule out it being the suspension not able to keep up. I regularly experience the rear rebound to be too slow. It feels similar too clutch slip at those times. Too rule out clutch slip, find a nice smooth road and give it full throttle in a low gear. If it still happens, the clutch is likely the culprit, if not I would suspect the suspension.
I also suspect suspension. All of my experience off road with my strada tells me the back can't keep up. Loosen up that rear rebound setting.
OK, thanks. After having another look I think it's actually the chain just banging about. I'm more concerned about the terrible fork. These I will be sending up north to a true suspension guru; I'm confident he'll sort out the knocking noise and improve the feel quality no end.
The OEM chain on the TR650 is garbage. Mine I managed to stretch to just over 9k miles. After 7k miles, it's going to streeeeetch, and it'll do if very fast. The chain has a tendency to rub a bolt/chassis component if you don't keep it at correct adjustment. The fork knock seems to be hit-or-miss, I think. I don't have it in my bike. It did it slightly for a while when the bike was new. Took it off a few jumps, dropped it climbing a hill and 12k later, it's stopped doing it at some point or another.
