Clutch options

[Sand Shark]

I figured I would start a thread with a list of the available aftermarket clutches:

So far we have:

Tapp
LaRue
and KWI will be releasing clutches

Here is a sneak peak at the LaRue primary

 

[AXE]

Excellent timing, cause I was about to post what I know of these options too.

I ordered a Tapps primary from Evo on February 3 a few days after the stop sale was issued. They told me they needed additional parts to complete the ordered and expected it to be 1 to 2. They indicated they had a lot of orders over that weekend. Yesterday they updated me and said the expected parts this week and next to fulfill the backorders. I'm hoping mine will be here next week, but they could not confirm until the parts arrived.

Also, I contacted STM to get a status on their clutches. I have run them before and had good luck. They indicated that they are still testing and would have one avaliable soon (it would be similar to the Polaris Rage 3 design). He said the process has slowed considerably as their test H2 blew a differential and they had to wait out the repair process. However, one thing he said that sounds like it may further delay the release is that they wanted to hear from Kawasaki on the rationale for current failures. He said they did not want to release their clutch if it was more of an issue with motor or crank (e.g. shaft imbalance or harmonics or heat). So I woukd expect them to be available in the future, but could still be weeks or months out. You woukd have to contact them for more details. Their techs are good guys and helpful to talk with when you need info.

 

[Sand Shark]

Excellent timing, cause I was about to post what I know of these options too.

I ordered a Tapps primary from Evo on February 3 a few days after the stop sale was issued. They told me they needed additional parts to complete the ordered and expected it to be 1 to 2. They indicated they had a lot of orders over that weekend. Yesterday they updated me and said the expected parts this week and next to fulfill the backorders. I'm hoping mine will be here next week, but they could not confirm until the parts arrived.

Also, I contacted STM to get a status on their clutches. I have run them before and had good luck. They indicated that they are still testing and would have one avaliable soon (it would be similar to the Polaris Rage 3 design). He said the process has slowed considerably as their test H2 blew a differential and they had to wait out the repair process. However, one thing he said that sounds like it may further delay the release is that they wanted to hear from Kawasaki on the rationale for current failures. He said they did not want to release their clutch if it was more of an issue with motor or crank (e.g. shaft imbalance or harmonics or heat). So I woukd expect them to be available in the future, but could still be weeks or months out. You woukd have to contact them for more details. Their techs are good guys and helpful to talk with when you need info.

Did you order the Tapp secondary? I would add that to your order as I feel the OEM secondary allows belt slippage and generates a ton of heat.

Kawi will be replacing a lot of motors if there is issue with the crank.

 

[AXE]

Did you order the Tapp secondary? I would add that to your order as I feel the OEM secondary allows belt slippage and generates a ton of heat.

Kawi will be replacing a lot of motors if there is issue with the crank.

I will likely add the secondary later, but wanted to keep costs down for now. I kind of wanted to get through the spring season and see what Kawasaki does. I got documentation from my dealer, so gonna seek reimbursement.

To be honest, I want an STM clutch, cause they've been good for me and their rebuild service is nice to have. Once they release theirs, I may sell the Tapps. I guess it depends upon how the Tapps performs for me.

 

[Sand Shark]

I will likely add the secondary later, but wanted to keep costs down for now. I kind of wanted to get through the spring season and see what Kawasaki does. I got documentation from my dealer, so gonna seek reimbursement.

To be honest, I want an STM clutch, cause they've been good for me and their rebuild service is nice to have. Once they release theirs, I may sell the Tapps. I guess it depends upon how the Tapps performs for me.

I just remember STM clutches needing more maintenance and I suspect the Tapp clutches will too. Hopefully this will all be moot and Kawi comes through with improved clutches.

 

[AXE]

I just remember STM clutches needing more maintenance and I suspect the Tapp clutches will too. Hopefully this will all be moot and Kawi comes through with improved clutches.

Mine have been pretty durable on my Can Ams. There are a lot of moving parts on them. I just sent mine in and had them go through it for $250 and replace bits. Could easily run 1500-2000 miles on them without much issue.

 

[MFortie]

I just picked up my H2 yesterday after having the break-in service done and my TAPPs installed.

The dealer only charged a couple hours labor to install both primary & secondary TAPP clutches along with modifying the cover (Evo mod), so it was a no-brainer.

I won’t have a chance to run it for a few weeks, but loading it on the trailer it’s a little ‘jerky’ at low speed (low range). Little higher RPMs to engage. I’ll need to learn how to feather the throttle a little better.

I did get my factory clutches back and will inspect them for cracks. I might also re-install the OEM clutches once Kawasaki releases updated clutches (and put the new updated clutches on the shelf afterwards).

 

[Sand Shark]

I just picked up my H2 yesterday after having the break-in service done and my TAPPs installed.

The dealer only charged a couple hours labor to install both primary & secondary TAPP clutches along with modifying the cover (Evo mod), so it was a no-brainer.

I won’t have a chance to run it for a few weeks, but loading it on the trailer it’s a little ‘jerky’ at low speed (low range). Little higher RPMs to engage. I’ll need to learn how to feather the throttle a little better.

I did get my factory clutches back and will inspect them for cracks. I might also re-install the OEM clutches once Kawasaki releases updated clutches (and put the new updated clutches on the shelf afterwards).

You should be able to adjust the clutches to lower the engagement rpms.

There is a H2 owner with the LaRue primary and Tapp secondary that will be out in Glamis this weekend. Curious to see how belt life is with the set up.

 

[AXE]

I just picked up my H2 yesterday after having the break-in service done and my TAPPs installed.

The dealer only charged a couple hours labor to install both primary & secondary TAPP clutches along with modifying the cover (Evo mod), so it was a no-brainer.

I won’t have a chance to run it for a few weeks, but loading it on the trailer it’s a little ‘jerky’ at low speed (low range). Little higher RPMs to engage. I’ll need to learn how to feather the throttle a little better.

I did get my factory clutches back and will inspect them for cracks. I might also re-install the OEM clutches once Kawasaki releases updated clutches (and put the new updated clutches on the shelf afterwards).

Did you get the 2200 or 3000 rpm engagement on your Tapps clutch? I orders the 2200, cause sometimes I'm creeping around the desert. The stock.clutch with OEM belt was engaging just under 2000 for me. Maybe a tad higher when I ran the WBB.

 

[MFortie]

Did you get the 2200 or 3000 rpm engagement on your Tapps clutch? I orders the 2200, cause sometimes I'm creeping around the desert. The stock.clutch with OEM belt was engaging just under 2000 for me. Maybe a tad higher when I ran the WBB.

3000. I didn’t specify though. I did read through Evo’s (TAPP’s) install docs and will see how it works as is before any changes. I do think 2200 would probably work better for our type of riding however.

I only ran the stock setup on my X3, so clutch ‘tuning’ is new to me.

 

[AXE]

3000. I didn’t specify though. I did read through Evo’s (TAPP’s) install docs and will see how it works as is before any changes. I do think 2200 would probably work better for our type of riding however.

I only ran the stock setup on my X3, so clutch ‘tuning’ is new to me.

Yeah, I actually called and changed my order the day after I placed it.

I think it will be easy to change down the road. I've not run the Tapps before, but it appears to be much easier to change the setup parameters vs others. You may only need to change the main spring or adjust the weights. That doesn't cost much either.

 

[AXE]

If anybody is waiting for or looking for a Tapp clutch from Evo, they finally got all the parts they needed to produce and deliver the backordered clutches.

I really appreciate the communication and effort Evo has put forth to respond to all these orders. They have been great with communications and even shipped mine next day air at a discount so I could make my trip this weekend!

Looking forward to the install and a fun trip!

 

[MFortie]

Evo’s been good to me as well. Talked with them yesterday about the engagement RPMs and it’s just a main spring change. Going to give it a good run/test in a couple weeks before making any change if needed.