Hydraulic clutch - advantages?

Does a hydraulic clutch offer any advantages over a conventional cable clutch? Just wondering. Did a search but all I found was some greek rubbish on a thread about converting to hydraulic and it didn't really answer the quezzie.

[embee]

The main thing is friction losses in the cable, "stiction" and the like, so hydraulic is often used where the loads are a bit high (bikes anyway). Good modern lined cables get round a lot of this.

The downside from the manufacturer's point of view is extra cost, weight, assembly time etc., though it does mean that cable runs are not an issue, the need to avoid sharp bends. Also a plus point is the self-adjusting aspect, like brakes. Like most things, it's a cost-benefit analysis decision. Most cars have cables because of the cost of manufacture/assembly.

[STRAMASHER]

Never had a hydraulic one snap!

[Luckypants]

I understood that hydraulic clutches are used where a larger mechanical advantage is needed to operate the clutch. Typically this is because the clutch springs on more powerful bikes are stronger and need more force to move the springs (to separate clutch plates).

Originally Posted by Ed

Does a hydraulic clutch offer any advantages over a conventional cable clutch?

None really on a road bike.

The hydraulic clutched bikes I have ridden (it must be only 2 or 3) have ALL been a bit 'snatchy' on the clutch. I might have just had an unlucky sample set, but given what I have just said, it'll hardly come as a massive surprise that I personally don't like the 'feel' (or lack thereof) on a hydraulic.

Thinking about the mechanics of it probably the reason they seem to have less 'feel' and be more snatchy is that unlike a cable operated one that has an arm and worm gear, the movement is linear on a hydraulic clutch mechanism. The arm on a cable mechanism will mean the amount of movement is 'ramped' ... does that make sense?

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Thinking about the mechanics of it probably the reason they seem to have less 'feel' and be more snatchy is that unlike a cable operated one that has an arm and worm gear, the movement is linear on a hydraulic clutch mechanism. The arm on a cable mechanism will mean the amount of movement is 'ramped' ... does that make sense?

It does to me.

[yorkie_chris]

Yup makes sense, and depending on the angle of the lever it can go either way.

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Never had a hydraulic one snap!

No but I've had seals die and weep, far cheaper and less hassle to replace a cable.

Pull in clutch, snick into gear fine, hold it there and you start to take off.
No sitting in 1st at the lights!

Druid

I had it on my VFR800. Felt just as good as a cable.