MXA TEAM TESTED: HINSON YAMAHA YZ250F BTL SLIPPER CLUTCH

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WHAT IS IT? To put it in layman’s terms, Hinson’s BTL slipper clutch is a clutch that pulls itself in when it recognizes deceleration. A slipper clutch is designed to lessen engine braking, reduce wheel hop and improve suspension performance.

WHAT’S IT COST? $1149.99 (inner hub/pressure plate kit), $1674.99 (basket, inner hub/pressure plate kit, fibers, steel plates and clutch cover).

CONTACT? www.hinsonracing.comor (909) 946-2942.

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WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Hinson YZ250F BTL slipper clutch.

(1) BTL. The BTL acronym stands for Back Torque Limiter. Whenever the engine decelerates, the BTL acts as though the rider has pulled the clutch lever in. A slipper clutch is essentially two clutches in one. The first clutch is activated traditionally by the clutch lever. The second clutch is activated by centrifugal force within the spinning clutch basket. Crafted out of billet T-6 aluminum and akadized, the BTL slipper clutch is very easy to install.
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(2) Springs. The BTL is completely adjustable via an interchangeable main spring, as well as a separate BTL spring. The main spring takes the place of the conventional clutch’s coil springs. It is in charge of the clamping pressure. The BTL spring is similar to the main spring, but it is a much lighter rate for less clamping pressure. The BTL spring determines how much the clutch is able to slip. A stiffer BTL spring reduces slipping effect, while a lighter spring provides more freewheel effect.

(3) Freewheeling. The BTL allows four-strokes to freewheel more than usual. Decompression braking is greatly reduced.

(4) Benefits. The Hinson BTL slipper can help prevent stalling, but it isn’t a pure automatic clutch. Once the back torque pressure is eased at low rpm, the clutch will reengage. At this point you have to pull the clutch in manually.

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(5) Performance. We loved it. Engine deceleration was reduced to the point of making the bike freewheel like a two-stroke. We were able to ride more aggressively, because we were able to carry more speed into corners. It is technically a clutch, but it is more of a suspension device than an engine mod. Throttle pull felt lighter. Hook-up was better at roll-on. The Kayaba SSS suspension delivered improved bump absorption, and the handling was more two-stroke-like. Plus, wheel hop was virtually eliminated. The BTL is an excellent suspension aid. On a side note, in the past we complained about clutch lever surge with the BTL, but that’s no longer the case.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Price, and price alone.

5-STARS
The Hinson BTL slipper clutch is worth its weight in gold. It eliminated a myriad of four-stroke bugaboos and changed the character of our Yamaha YZ250F for the better.
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