Bikerdocs' 650TR (CF650-2) review

[bikerdoc]

Just thought. Maybe they have changed the quality of the steel the cable is made from... could be previous quality stretched as lever was pulled thereby not fully engaging the clutch mechanism? Which may have caused metal fatigue and the cable to eventually fail?

They may have changed the cable composition in later models.

True, here's hoping!

[Wald0]

True, here's hoping!

I have not suffer of cable complete failure (as I have for throttle and throttle return cables! )
But lately my clutch did come little stiff and weird and pulling clutch could head few "clicks" from lever but that might just need more grease, it was ok one moment and other really stiff,
As yesterday i dismantle whole top section of the bike, I decided why not change it now as everything is off anyway.
After that clutch felt so much better, no more clicks from the lever still might pull it off and grease it just to be sure. my bike has about 8000km

[euphonius]

Given the sad record on these clutch cables, you TR owners may want to try something that's de rigeur among us KLRistas: threading a backup clutch cable through the bike right alongside the one that's in service. When the one snaps, it's a 20-minute job to swap in the backup, assuming you've got the spanners required. I'm thinking about doing this for Merkin Muffley; though I've had no issues with my cable, other Jialing owners have.

cheers
euphonius

[Wald0]

Given the sad record on these clutch cables, you TR owners may want to try something that's de rigeur among us KLRistas: threading a backup clutch cable through the bike right alongside the one that's in service. When the one snaps, it's a 20-minute job to swap in the backup, assuming you've got the spanners required. I'm thinking about doing this for Merkin Muffley; though I've had no issues with my cable, other Jialing owners have.

cheers
euphonius

Or instead having extra cable next to other people should maybe carry extra inner cable and one of these locks.. 451854.jpg
Not sure can these last in the clutch use but in throttle use they do work.

[bikerdoc]

650tr clutch cable 01.jpg

The top clutch cable is off my 650TR with the small dust cover removed so as to expose the bare cable, while the lower one is off Prince666's TR. Seems that the cable snapped at the small cylindrical tip on the lower cable.

650tr clutch cable 02.jpg

650tr clutch cable 03.jpg

Fairly clean break. No real fraying of the cable, aside from when I was moving the broken cable end inside the rubber dust cover (removed), catching the broken cable end in the side of the cover once or twice.

650tr clutch cable 04.jpg

The length of the lower cable seems to indicate that the snapping occured at the cylinder. Cable may have even pulled out of the cylinder.

Both cables have been sent back to CFMoto at the companies request. Awaiting a response in due course.

[bikerdoc]

Or instead having extra cable next to other people should maybe carry extra inner cable and one of these locks..

451854.jpg

Not sure can these last in the clutch use but in throttle use they do work.

Great idea... have to see if these or similar could be located on Taobao

[bikerdoc]

A number of upgrades and improvements for the 2014 CF650TR/TK.

- upgraded dash display incorporating tripometer & clock (to fit to older model requires new wiring loom aside from replacement dash)
- longer side stand (still no centre stand)
- continental tyres fitted OEM (gone are the CST tyres)
- panniers incorporate additional mechanical locking closures on each end
- engine finished in black (engine may run hotter?)
- taller screen (additional 40mm taller over OEM, though no 'upward flick' at the top)
- steel braided brake lines (still no ABS)
- better fit of the two cubby (storage bin) lids up front (RHS lid closure fits better)
- addition of powered accessory plug on LHS fairing (interesting placement as any device will need a long cable)

- ABS added since final quarter 2014 (2015 model)

Bike-Cluster.jpg

[prince666]

Still no gear indicators which is a shame
IMO

[DavidC]

A gear position indicator would be nice. So does an ambient temperature gauge.