Smoothest clutch cable brand? Or should I go Magura Hymec??

queen of spodes
Edited Date/Time 10/18/2021 10:54am
One of my bikes still has a cable clutch - who makes the absolute smoothest, minimal friction clutch cable? This is for a 2007 KX250 smoker.
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davidgrip
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davidgrip 9/13/2021 7:22am
9/13/2021 7:22am
2004 KX125. I run Motion Pro cables on all my bikes. Very smooth and consistent pull. Longevity and durability is another positive factor. Motion Pro is the best recommendation.

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murph783
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murph783 9/13/2021 8:02am
9/13/2021 8:02am
Anything new-I like stock ones best 99% of the time assuming you can find one for your bike and it’s not stupid expensive
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queen of spodes 9/13/2021 11:06am
9/13/2021 11:06am
Went all in on a Magura juice clutch kit. Should arrive next week. Will report back.
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kb228
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kb228 9/14/2021 6:06am
9/14/2021 6:06am
Lack of smoothness is usually because of grooves in the basket. Youd never know the difference in the cable itself
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queen of spodes 9/14/2021 6:58am
9/14/2021 6:58am
kb228 wrote:
Lack of smoothness is usually because of grooves in the basket. Youd never know the difference in the cable itself
Not with a new Wiseco billet clutch basket and new OEM hub with fewer than 25 hours on each.
Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/14/2021 8:03am
9/14/2021 8:03am Edited Date/Time 9/14/2021 9:19am
FWIW ...

For 10+ years now I've been running the Motion Pro Terminator T2 (not in production anymore?) and T3 Slidelight clutch cables. They've been pretty solid. I will say they don't seem quite as smooth as they were a while back (I think they were 100% Teflon lined before if I am not mistaken)
https://www.motionpro.com/c/t3-cables?v=12384

I've had Motion Pro make me special cables, too, so keep that option in mind.

They are lubed from the factory, but when they need a refresh, I use Tri-Flow lubricant. This has been the best cable lube I've found to date:
https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Flow-TF20006-Superior-Lubricant-12-Ounce/dp/…

I also use this Motion Pro cable luber that has been good as well:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/motion-pro-cable-luber-v3-p

Lastly, premium clutch perch assemblies like the Works Connection Elite and the ARC RC-8 are going to optimize the feel of the clutch system and make the pull even smoother (and it will stay that way).

Lastly, lastly, I happen to run the Wiseco forged baskets, too, and they do help with clutch cable smoothness, so my guess is that you're about as well set up there as you can be.
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/14/2021 8:15am
9/14/2021 8:15am Edited Date/Time 9/14/2021 8:18am
queen of spodes wrote:
Went all in on a Magura juice clutch kit. Should arrive next week. Will report back.
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt.

A couple of tips with your new Magura:

(1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull. Check it out here:
https://www.midwestme.com/clutch-levers/mme-products/clutch-levers

(2) If the clutch starts acting up at all, stop immediately and check the hydraulic cylinder's shaft for binding/full return. I had one of the earlier "JACK" systems on my CRF450R and it locked up and wouldn't return. Magura's tech was great to talk with, but I'd already ruined a clutch pack, and if I remember right, a WORCS race. I went back to cables after that and never went back. My guess is they've come a long way and you'll have no problems, but just watch it closely initially.
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davidgrip
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davidgrip 9/14/2021 9:13am
9/14/2021 9:13am
Rider 5280 wrote:
FWIW ... For 10+ years now I've been running the Motion Pro Terminator T2 (not in production anymore?) and T3 Slidelight clutch cables. They've been pretty...
FWIW ...

For 10+ years now I've been running the Motion Pro Terminator T2 (not in production anymore?) and T3 Slidelight clutch cables. They've been pretty solid. I will say they don't seem quite as smooth as they were a while back (I think they were 100% Teflon lined before if I am not mistaken)
https://www.motionpro.com/c/t3-cables?v=12384

I've had Motion Pro make me special cables, too, so keep that option in mind.

They are lubed from the factory, but when they need a refresh, I use Tri-Flow lubricant. This has been the best cable lube I've found to date:
https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Flow-TF20006-Superior-Lubricant-12-Ounce/dp/…

I also use this Motion Pro cable luber that has been good as well:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/motion-pro-cable-luber-v3-p

Lastly, premium clutch perch assemblies like the Works Connection Elite and the ARC RC-8 are going to optimize the feel of the clutch system and make the pull even smoother (and it will stay that way).

Lastly, lastly, I happen to run the Wiseco forged baskets, too, and they do help with clutch cable smoothness, so my guess is that you're about as well set up there as you can be.
Exactly. I am running the OEM 16 KX450F Clutch Perch.


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Crash217
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Crash217 9/14/2021 1:08pm
9/14/2021 1:08pm
The EZ Pull perch/lever has been my go to part for lightening clutch pull (after ensuring the cable is properly routed and in good condition). Cheap, simple and effective. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/fly-racing-easy-pull-pro-kit-clutch…

I've had hit and miss experiences with the Magura units giving much lighter clutch pull over the years when people would request them in my shops. The Midwest ME lever that Rider5820 suggested is DIALED. I ran them on my last two KTM bikes.
1
queen of spodes 9/14/2021 2:34pm
9/14/2021 2:34pm
queen of spodes wrote:
Went all in on a Magura juice clutch kit. Should arrive next week. Will report back.
Rider 5280 wrote:
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt. A couple of tips with your new Magura: (1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull...
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt.

A couple of tips with your new Magura:

(1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull. Check it out here:
https://www.midwestme.com/clutch-levers/mme-products/clutch-levers

(2) If the clutch starts acting up at all, stop immediately and check the hydraulic cylinder's shaft for binding/full return. I had one of the earlier "JACK" systems on my CRF450R and it locked up and wouldn't return. Magura's tech was great to talk with, but I'd already ruined a clutch pack, and if I remember right, a WORCS race. I went back to cables after that and never went back. My guess is they've come a long way and you'll have no problems, but just watch it closely initially.
I talked with Magura today, they were adamant of zero issues with their HYMECH clutches. They said that if there were any issues, it's "user error" in installation or user has aftermarket clutch components. Not what I hoped to hear as far as a company saying hey - we got your back if something goes wrong.
queen of spodes 9/14/2021 2:41pm
9/14/2021 2:41pm
Rider 5280 wrote:
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt. A couple of tips with your new Magura: (1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull...
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt.

A couple of tips with your new Magura:

(1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull. Check it out here:
https://www.midwestme.com/clutch-levers/mme-products/clutch-levers

(2) If the clutch starts acting up at all, stop immediately and check the hydraulic cylinder's shaft for binding/full return. I had one of the earlier "JACK" systems on my CRF450R and it locked up and wouldn't return. Magura's tech was great to talk with, but I'd already ruined a clutch pack, and if I remember right, a WORCS race. I went back to cables after that and never went back. My guess is they've come a long way and you'll have no problems, but just watch it closely initially.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_wxlOLAm3g
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/14/2021 3:43pm
9/14/2021 3:43pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2021 4:42pm
queen of spodes wrote:
Went all in on a Magura juice clutch kit. Should arrive next week. Will report back.
Rider 5280 wrote:
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt. A couple of tips with your new Magura: (1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull...
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt.

A couple of tips with your new Magura:

(1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull. Check it out here:
https://www.midwestme.com/clutch-levers/mme-products/clutch-levers

(2) If the clutch starts acting up at all, stop immediately and check the hydraulic cylinder's shaft for binding/full return. I had one of the earlier "JACK" systems on my CRF450R and it locked up and wouldn't return. Magura's tech was great to talk with, but I'd already ruined a clutch pack, and if I remember right, a WORCS race. I went back to cables after that and never went back. My guess is they've come a long way and you'll have no problems, but just watch it closely initially.
queen of spodes wrote:
I talked with Magura today, they were adamant of zero issues with their HYMECH clutches. They said that if there were any issues, it's "user error"...
I talked with Magura today, they were adamant of zero issues with their HYMECH clutches. They said that if there were any issues, it's "user error" in installation or user has aftermarket clutch components. Not what I hoped to hear as far as a company saying hey - we got your back if something goes wrong.
The vast majority of problems I really do think have been ironed out. This was like 10 years ago I am talking about when I had issues. If I recall correctly, their tech was quick to explain whatever the issue was with their cylinder was being handled. Had it not been resolved, I think we'd read about it in reviews, etc.

For sure they were "blame-y," but ignore it, they need to cover their butts legally and that's how they are taught to respond to calls/inquiries (they are no Rekluse, that's for sure --- Rekluse is AWESOME "got your back service"), but the product really does seem ironed out now. I stopped using mine because I no longer trusted it, but if I got a good deal on one again, I'd try it.

FWIW, the tech I worked with was "Peter" I believe. He was technically competent, for sure. But again, for liability reasons, they feel they need to take a certain stance (that's Exec Mgmt's call - but not all companies choose Magura's stance). It doesn't mean their product is bad necessarily.


Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/14/2021 3:52pm
9/14/2021 3:52pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2021 11:51pm
queen of spodes wrote:
Went all in on a Magura juice clutch kit. Should arrive next week. Will report back.
Rider 5280 wrote:
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt. A couple of tips with your new Magura: (1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull...
Sweet! You'll like this add-on, no doubt.

A couple of tips with your new Magura:

(1) The "C-lever" is AMAZING on hydraulic clutches. TRUE 1-finger pull. Check it out here:
https://www.midwestme.com/clutch-levers/mme-products/clutch-levers

(2) If the clutch starts acting up at all, stop immediately and check the hydraulic cylinder's shaft for binding/full return. I had one of the earlier "JACK" systems on my CRF450R and it locked up and wouldn't return. Magura's tech was great to talk with, but I'd already ruined a clutch pack, and if I remember right, a WORCS race. I went back to cables after that and never went back. My guess is they've come a long way and you'll have no problems, but just watch it closely initially.
queen of spodes wrote:
I talked with Magura today, they were adamant of zero issues with their HYMECH clutches. They said that if there were any issues, it's "user error"...
I talked with Magura today, they were adamant of zero issues with their HYMECH clutches. They said that if there were any issues, it's "user error" in installation or user has aftermarket clutch components. Not what I hoped to hear as far as a company saying hey - we got your back if something goes wrong.
When I briefly shared my technical background when the "user error" thing came up, their tune changed. Again, I don't consider them bad guys selling a bad product. I'd just say their public-facing demeanor is "defensive."

There are 2 choices, right? Assume the best in people or assume the worst. It seems they are the latter. And possibly that came from getting burned too many times by dishonest people OR they really did have a quality problem OR ... on and on.
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 9/14/2021 5:01pm
9/14/2021 5:01pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2024 8:24am
Rider 5280 wrote:
4.4 stars average in 147 ratings ... I'd say you're good. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/magura-hydraulic-hymec-clutch-p#ReviewsPanel Amazon's ratings are not as encouraging, so buy it from RMATV. They'll have your...
4.4 stars average in 147 ratings ... I'd say you're good.
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/magura-hydraulic-hymec-clutch-…

Amazon's ratings are not as encouraging, so buy it from RMATV. They'll have your back.
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews//B00M9MWTGK/ref=acr_dpx_hist_1?i…

One more recollection/data point:
I had the Magura HYMEC on a 2006 YZ250 2T with the MME lever and a Rekluse Core EXP clutch installed. I recall that being a "no no" setup for the Magura clutch per some website ... but guess what? IT WORKED AWESOME.

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queen of spodes 9/14/2021 5:59pm
9/14/2021 5:59pm
Rider 5280 wrote:
4.4 stars average in 147 ratings ... I'd say you're good. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/magura-hydraulic-hymec-clutch-p#ReviewsPanel Amazon's ratings are not as encouraging, so buy it from RMATV. They'll have your...
4.4 stars average in 147 ratings ... I'd say you're good.
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/magura-hydraulic-hymec-clutch-…

Amazon's ratings are not as encouraging, so buy it from RMATV. They'll have your back.
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews//B00M9MWTGK/ref=acr_dpx_hist_1?i…
ah, this review seems relevant to my interests:

"clare m.Verified Purchaser
Location Wamsutter , WY, US
Huge improvement over an old hard to modulate cable system,
Like having a new bike
Spacers included did not provide correct free play for 06 KX 250,I had to stack both and stabilize with a clamp"

1
queen of spodes 10/14/2021 6:43am
10/14/2021 6:43am Edited Date/Time 10/15/2021 12:06pm
All in on the Magura Hymec. Pull isn't that much lighter than my cable was, but it's an improvement. Note that they had to kind of custom build a kit for me. The kit on Amazon listed for 2007 KX250 (p/n 2100019) does NOT fit and is the wrong design (per personal inspection and confirmation from Magura)

Ordered direct from Magura. They had to lightly modify kit number 2100363, and I needed additional mounting kit 2701697.

Magura said if they get another 05-07 KX250 order like mine, they'll officially make a new part number and offer it as a ready-purchase kit.




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dmm698
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dmm698 10/18/2021 6:22am
10/18/2021 6:22am
I've got the complete wiseco Basket/hub/Plate in my YZ250, with a works connection perch setup. I will not use anything other than OEM cable. Yes more expensive but its smooth as heck. It pulls just as light if not lighter than my 19 kx450 with OEM hydro setup. If the pull is heavy when using aftermarket springs try using half oem half aftermarket springs.
Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 10/18/2021 7:12am
10/18/2021 7:12am Edited Date/Time 10/18/2021 7:15am
queen of spodes wrote:
Loved the feel of the Magura until less than 1 hour of usage this happened. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/17/514734/s1200_20211017_123823.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/17/514733/s1200_20211017_123801.jpg[/img]
Loved the feel of the Magura until less than 1 hour of usage this happened.




Dang, so sorry to hear it!

It will be interesting to hear what Magura says about this. This is definitely a new JACK failure mode to me.
queen of spodes 10/18/2021 8:08am
10/18/2021 8:08am Edited Date/Time 10/18/2021 5:54pm
Rider 5280 wrote:
Dang, so sorry to hear it! It will be interesting to hear what Magura says about this. This is definitely a new JACK failure mode to...
Dang, so sorry to hear it!

It will be interesting to hear what Magura says about this. This is definitely a new JACK failure mode to me.
Just got off phone with Magura.

They think it may have been an assembly issue, where the rod wasn't fully threaded into the piston. They are sending me a new slave cylinder and bleed kit.

Super satisfied with their customer service.
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