Slight thud when releasing clutch in 1st

[Equanimous]

There's a few posts on the Gen 1 and 2 forums, but I want to find out if this is something Gen 3 owners have noticed. As I'm releasing the clutch in 1st, I can feel and hear a distinct thud or clunk just before take off. I'm pretty sure my gen 3's been doing it since new, and right now it has 900km on the clock. I've read that this is normal and something to do with the back torque limiter. It's not the drive chain or cush drives because they don't move when this occurs, and I can easily replicate it by rolling forwards in first, coming to a stop, pulling in the clutch, and then as I slowly release the clutch again, I can feel the clunk just before the clutch bites. It happens all the time when I come to a complete stop, or even when I'm in neutral and engage first again. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the clutch area. Any other gen 3 owners notice something similar? Thanks!

 

[Kiwi Rider]

Try this. . .
I’m assuming you purchased the bike new?
I’m also assuming it’s still under warranty (so few kms on it) ?
Take it into the local dealer it was purchased from, ask to speak to the service manager and explain to him exactly what the perceived fault with the clutch is.
Ask him if any other Gen 3 owner has inquired about this same problem.
Demonstrate to him the problem.

My point is . . Isn’t this a warranty issue?
I understand the reason you’re asking the group here if anyone else here with a Gen 3 has this same thing going on, you’re curious, I get it.
I’m also curious . . As to what the service manager is going to say.

 

[smithabusa]

Mine does it, at least used to, trying to remember if it does it now with the backdated gen2 transmission and boost comprensated lockup clutch. I assumed originally it was the cush drives, but they seem nice and tight. When spring hits ill see if it still makes noise LOL

 

[Equanimous]

My point is . . Isn’t this a warranty issue?

C'mon Kiwi, I'm not stupid and I know how warranty works - of course I'll be hitting the dealer. I'm 53 and I've owned lots and lots of nice shiny new bikes. You're telling a brother how to suck eggs. But forewarned is forearmed and I'd like to know from others if this is characteristic or uncommon, then I can hit the dealer. Can I not do that? Am I breaking the rules? Is this not THE reason for a forum?

Try this... Why don't you contribute and tell me if yours makes the clunk when you release the clutch. Go on mate, the weather's looking ok in the land of the long white cloud

My point is... what you wrote is condescending and unhelpful, but that kiwi's for ya!

I'm also curious... Do you own a gen 3??

 

[phalse]

my gen3 does not do this and is generally pretty smooth. then again, im a ninja so im kinda buttery with it.

im using liquimoly 10 40 full syn oil, that stuff from germany which you really only see at bigger dealerships, or on amazon, or at bmw dealerships =D

 

[Tony Nitrous]

Yes, but no worse than my other Busa’s of B-King.
Mine is noticeable but not annoying enough to fix it yet.
I’ve never been a fan of the BTL and much prefer them welded up or replaces with a billet one.
Sadly not so simple now the Gen-3 has an unnecessary and over complicated assisted clutch.
I live with mine, if it was my only bike or I was chasing times or horsepower I’d put a Gen-2 clutch and another Brocks solid BTL in it.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

C'mon Kiwi, I'm not stupid and I know how warranty works - of course I'll be hitting the dealer. I'm 53 and I've owned lots and lots of nice shiny new bikes. You're telling a brother how to suck eggs. But forewarned is forearmed and I'd like to know from others if this is characteristic or uncommon, then I can hit the dealer. Can I not do that? Am I breaking the rules? Is this not THE reason for a forum?

Try this... Why don't you contribute and tell me if yours makes the clunk when you release the clutch. Go on mate, the weather's looking ok in the land of the long white cloud

My point is... what you wrote is condescending and unhelpful, but that kiwi's for ya!

I'm also curious... Do you own a gen 3??

Gen 1 1999.
I’ll be more careful with advice or ideas in the future. . . Aussies, pfft

 

[Bumblebee]

C'mon Kiwi, I'm not stupid and I know how warranty works - of course I'll be hitting the dealer. I'm 53 and I've owned lots and lots of nice shiny new bikes. You're telling a brother how to suck eggs. But forewarned is forearmed and I'd like to know from others if this is characteristic or uncommon, then I can hit the dealer. Can I not do that? Am I breaking the rules? Is this not THE reason for a forum?

Try this... Why don't you contribute and tell me if yours makes the clunk when you release the clutch. Go on mate, the weather's looking ok in the land of the long white cloud

My point is... what you wrote is condescending and unhelpful, but that kiwi's for ya!

I'm also curious... Do you own a gen 3??

Just so you realize that @Kiwi Rider is a retired motorcycle technician......and is a valued asset on this forum as we rarely have the opportunity to have an actual Suzuki trained tech in our midst.....

......and as a tech, I'll bet he's seen and heard everything even from experienced riders..........

 

[Equanimous]

Just so you realize that @Kiwi Rider is a retired motorcycle technician......and is a valued asset on this forum as we rarely have the opportunity to have an actual Suzuki trained tech in our midst.....

......and as a tech, I'll bet he's seen and heard everything even from experienced riders..........

I respect all folk the same

 

[Bumblebee]

I respect all folk the same

In the end that's all we as a collective can ask for.

 

[Cruising180]

Silly question but does you chain possibly need to be tightened? I will get something similar to what you describe if my chain is on the loose side. I've found everything feels and sounds much smoother if I adjust my chain on the tighter side of the spec. idk give that a shot. I noticed you very low mileage.. I had to adjust my chain I think at least twice in the first 500 miles.

 

[Oz22]

As I'm releasing the clutch in 1st, I can feel and hear a distinct thud or clunk just before take off.
I've read that this is normal and something to do with the back torque limiter.

The Gen-3 has the back torque limiting clutch as do the others, so if it's a metal on metal *clack* it will be that for sure. It does sound a little 'disconcerting' but you get used to it.
And yes I know, you've owned lots and lots of nice shiny new bikes, so you know all about this too.

 

[Oz22]

How they work (one variant)

 

[groran1000]

Completely normal. That is the slack in the rubber wheel inserts. Some riders get aftermarket that are a little tighter. I believe Suzuki did that to stop the damage of the tremendous torque on a takeoff. I remember the first time I heard it on my gen2 that I had. Brought to Suzuki dealership in Picayune,Miss. Mechanic says, yes we have to split the case and get in there. Then I find out it is normal. Imagine that, all that money I would have spent for SOMETHING NORMAL!!! I forget what they're called some kind of rubber bushing. Oh yeah cush drive and also the limited slip clutch too. It all works in cohoots with each other.

 

[dcnblues]

Silly question but does you chain possibly need to be tightened? I will get something similar to what you describe if my chain is on the loose side. I've found everything feels and sounds much smoother if I adjust my chain on the tighter side of the spec. idk give that a shot. I noticed you very low mileage.. I had to adjust my chain I think at least twice in the first 500 miles.

I've had the opposite experience. Everything is too harsh with an overly tightened chain, and the chain is going to wear a lot faster, and you might get kinks in it sooner and who boy do I hate those. Mine used to noticeably clunk but less so now. I think it still happens from time to time but I have a soft touch as well.

One thing it took me a while to realize is the god damn stock kickstand and to a lesser extent my lightweight aftermarket stand did and still do touch the shift lever. They create resistance to that drop down into first. It's not the kind of thing you notice when you have the bike on a stand, or even when you are adjusting your levers downward if you are tall. But that drop down into first requires a serious amount of space that you may not be aware of. I was going down a rabbit hole of clutch problems and options before I figured this out. Made me feel pretty dumb actually. I really would have liked to Suzuki to have figured this out and fixed it on the third generation of this Frame as I have bent the shift lever outwards but it's still a small problem. Do check and make sure pushing that lever into first isn't getting interfered with by the kickstand...

 

[Equanimous]

Silly question but does you chain possibly need to be tightened?

It was one of the first things I thought off, because that what it feels like when it clunks. But no, within spec. The info provided so far has convinced me it's all normal and part of the design.

 

[Equanimous]

And yes I know, you've owned lots and lots of nice shiny new bikes, so you know all about this too.

Why you sarcastic godam aussie... Yes, it is true, I'm a spoilt man. This is what happens when you don't bring children into this world. And nope, didnt know anything about the cause of the clunk/thud syndrome because none of my other bikes do it including my GSXR1000. I've fully rebuilt clutches before but never came across one that makes this noise. The info you've provided has been helpful

 

[Equanimous]

Completely normal. That is the slack in the rubber wheel inserts.

I was wondering about that, thanks. I'll pay more attention to that area next time it's up on the lifter.

 

[phalse]

you people have the worst luck. zero problems with my gen3 so far with about 2k miles on it, and only here and there is the quickshifter not smooth xD

 

[Cruising180]

I've had the opposite experience. Everything is too harsh with an overly tightened chain, and the chain is going to wear a lot faster, and you might get kinks in it sooner and who boy do I hate those. Mine used to noticeably clunk but less so now. I think it still happens from time to time but I have a soft touch as well.

One thing it took me a while to realize is the god damn stock kickstand and to a lesser extent my lightweight aftermarket stand did and still do touch the shift lever. They create resistance to that drop down into first. It's not the kind of thing you notice when you have the bike on a stand, or even when you are adjusting your levers downward if you are tall. But that drop down into first requires a serious amount of space that you may not be aware of. I was going down a rabbit hole of clutch problems and options before I figured this out. Made me feel pretty dumb actually. I really would have liked to Suzuki to have figured this out and fixed it on the third generation of this Frame as I have bent the shift lever outwards but it's still a small problem. Do check and make sure pushing that lever into first isn't getting interfered with by the kickstand...

I didn't say overly tight. I said on the tighter side of spec. I noticed the shifter hitting the stand after I put on lower pegs and adjusted the shift lever down to accommodate. When you shift into first from neutral the shift lever "over travels" until it's in gear and it doesn't do this when shifting down from second into first. Only when shifting from neutral.