wet vs dry clutch whats the difference?

[BobTheBiker]

I know the wet clutch is basically soaked in oil all its life, where the dry clutch isnt, but other than that, whats the difference/advantage of one over the other?

[PiZdETS]

A dry clutch allows you to be arrogant about your italian exotica to people who innocently ask why your bike sounds like the engine is shattering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebgJJRWLzMI

[marko138]

Loud clutches save lives.

[Rider]

Loud clutches are expensive....

[the chi]

Originally Posted by PiZdETS

A dry clutch allows you to be arrogant about your italian exotica to people who innocently ask why your bike sounds like the engine is shattering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebgJJRWLzMI

the rattle and whir are completely enthralling...

[Gunther1000]

I would have to think that the loss of friction and HP of spinning an oil bathed clutch has something to do with it. But with there TQ numbers this can't be the main reason for the switch. Maybe oil contaminatin also?

[PhiSig1071]

"Wet" Clutches are more consistent in operation and have a longer service life due to a more consistent operating temperature, however they have more tendency to slip due to the fluid they are in, thus they require more friction plates. This causes a greater parasitic loss through the clutch due to the resistence of the fluid and the increased mass of more plates. Dry clutches are pretty much the opposite, they are not as consistent and they don't last as long, but they cause less parasitic loss because of fewer plates and less rotating resistence.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

"Wet" Clutches are more consistent in operation and have a longer service life due to a more consistent operating temperature, however they have more tendency to slip due to the fluid they are in, thus they require more friction plates. This causes a greater parasitic loss through the clutch due to the resistence of the fluid and the increased mass of more plates. Dry clutches are pretty much the opposite, they are not as consistent and they don't last as long, but they cause less parasitic loss because of fewer plates and less rotating resistence.

There you have it... the man has spoken.

[PhiSig1071]

Oh, I also forgot, dry clutches shed heat more effectively (into air rather than into hot oil) which causes less plate expansion. As wet clutch plates expand they shed material due to friction which will get into the oil and can cause premature wear to bearings and other parts in the engine. Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

Oh, I also forgot, dry clutches shed heat more effectively (into air rather than into hot oil) which causes less plate expansion. As wet clutch plates expand they shed material due to friction which will get into the oil and can cause premature wear to bearings and other parts in the engine. Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

I assume that with the extra plates and oil, wet clutches add more weight as well right?