How to tell when clutch needs to be replaced?

[jeffreywenzel]

I have a 2010 GS500F with about 30,000 KM. I recently took the bike to a highly regarded mechanic for another issue, and he mentioned that the clutch may need to be replaced soon.

The clutch is properly adjusted according to the manual and I have never felt the clutch slip under load.

If the clutch is not slipping, why would I be told the clutch may need to be replaced soon? Are there any other indicators of a worn clutch?

Thanks

[Suzuki Stevo]

Sounds like your mechanic, although highly regarded, wants to change your functional clutch for an exchange of money for unneeded services rendered 

Maybe it "clunked" when dropped into first and now he is worried about your well being?

[gsJack]

30,000 km is less than 20k miles, maybe your clutch isn't broken in yet.    I put 80k miles on a 97 GS and son took it for a commuter and ran it up to about 96k miles and then replaced the engine due to high oil consumption.  I saw the clutch plates that came out of it and they looked good to me maybe about half worn.  Clutch still feels good on my current 02 GS with over 100k miles on it.  Keep it adjusted with 3 point adjustment as described in shop manual, clutch doesn't feel right with too much push rod freeplay and too little causes slippage.

My only complaint on GS clutches is the chatter getting it going again after downshift from low speed on a steep uphill unless you use a lot of slippage getting it engaged.  Did most of my mountain trips on the 97 and a 15T front sprocket helped on that.

[sledge]

, why would I be told the clutch may need to be replaced soon?

Go back and ask him.........otherwise we can only speculate 

[jeffreywenzel]

Thanks for the quick replies. When I asked why it needed to be replaced, he said because of the high kilometers. I think everyone is right in saying he just wanted some work even though it was not needed. I will now be able to rest easy knowing my clutch is fine.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Thanks for the quick replies. When I asked why it needed to be replaced, he said because of the high kilometers. I think everyone is right in saying he just wanted some work even though it was not needed. I will now be able to rest easy knowing my clutch is fine.

You can be a stellar automotive mechanic and apply all of the same principles over to a MC and repair it just fine, maybe he just doesn't understand how robust a multi plate wet clutch is?

[sledge]

Call his bluff 

Go back and ask him if he will replace it free if the old one is found to be still within service  limits