How Does the Rekluse APEX Clutch Outperform other Dirt Bike Clutch Systems?
Core Manual TorqDrive has been the pinnacle of clutch performance for years. Used by top racers around the world, this system has long offered a plethora of benefits over anything else on the market. Not resting on their laurels, Rekluse has been in the lab and at the track developing new technology for even greater performance gains. Enter APEX, the ultimate off-road “conventional” clutch system.
Battle-Tested and Race-Proven Clutch System
If APEX sounds familiar, that’s because Rekluse unveiled the new clutch system in the Harley-Davidson market in March of 2024. However, the off-road specific version of APEX has long been in the works. Developed directly with Factory Yamaha and the Star Racing Yamaha team with key input from some of the best in the sport like Eli Tomac, APEX has already been battle-tested by championship winning racers. Used in the toughest conditions by the world’s fastest racers, APEX is taking over the spotlight.
A Supercross track, with heavy loads caused by skimming whoops and the need for instant engagement, is grueling on a clutch. Other disciplines like Motocross, hard enduro, and desert racing aren’t very kind to a clutch, either. The demands of racing can take its toll on a clutch and lead to expensive repairs or sacrifices in performance. Imagine having a clutch that is consistent from one ride to the next, where lever engagement is crisp and smooth, regardless of how many laps into a moto. Imagine a clutch that can stand the test of time. That is APEX.
Fixed-Pin Technology
At the core of APEX, is fixed-pin technology. A patented design, Rekluse engineers developed an aluminum hub with steel pins fastened securely into it. It doesn’t take a chemistry degree to understand that steel is a harder material than aluminum. Over time, steel wins the battle against softer aluminum. In terms of your clutch, it means that the clutch basket and hub suffer from wear. Eventually, notching caused by the steel drive/friction plates is imminent. When this happens, you’ll need to invest in a whole new clutch. Time and money are lost. Not with APEX.
Rekluse R&D Engineer, Andrew Walker, states “Current product and OE’s have a steel drive plate interfacing with an aluminum hub that can notch out and wear. This can eventually lead to a poor feeling clutch and the added expense of replacing the clutch when it gets too bad. Our patented fixed pin design integrates steel pins into the hub to provide a smoother and more durable interface with the clutch pack. The life of the clutch core components extends dramatically.”
APEX is an incredibly efficient design. It allows Rekluse to unlock a lot more torque and a lot longer clutch life. The interface provides smoother contact and better consistency, as well as a more precise and stable surface. Additionally, the hub’s life is exponentially improved.
Clutch Design Comparisons
Those who ride newer Austrian model motorcycles understand their clutch system uses a steel pin design. So, what’s different with Rekluse APEX? “There are fewer moving parts,” states Walker. “With a floating pin design the pin is retained by the pressure plate or the Belleville spring. While in use the pin can hammer against these features as well as spin against the hub. This increases the chance of wear and debris going through the engine. With Apex this no longer exists because the pins are retained.”
All of the Austrian model DDS (Damped Diaphragm Steel) kits will include Rekluse inner hub and dampers. Customers no longer need to reuse any components, which guarantees that nothing is worn from the get-go. The MX450 models already included the inner hub (but do not include rubber dampers). Note that the undamped DS clutches for 2023 and newer models have been updated to a DDS clutch and include the dampers. It also has an additional friction disk over the previous Rekluse conventional clutch system.
TorqDrive Friction Technology
As mentioned above, APEX clutch includes TorqDrive technology and all of its benefits. Those include reduced clutch fade, better oil flow, and increased durability. By designing a clutch pack that features more friction plates, it results in more torque capacity. Additionally, TorqDrive includes steel clutch basket sleeves. The sleeves slide over the OE aluminum basket tangs and interface with the Rekluse clutch pack. Steel sleeves extend clutch basket life and prevent notching. Note that APEX does not require a Rekluse clutch basket (although performance and durability gains can be had by upgrading to the billet aluminum basket).
APEX comes with two sets of clutch springs. One set matches the OEM/stock rate for those riders who want maximum torque transfer. The other set lightens the lever pull to help prevent arm pump. Rekluse provides a breakdown of clutch spring performance and recommendations in the instruction manual.
helping you dial in your lever pull preference.
APEX: Conventional Function Meets Revolutionary Design
Apex is a race-ready clutch solution for the highest level rider, but the no-compromise clutch is a great upgrade for bikes at any level and in every terrain. Regardless of whether you’re a clutch abuser or smooth operator, APEX makes a difference. Why does that matter? The motorcycle’s clutch is the connection between rider input and horsepower output. APEX increases performance, maximizes durability (leading to longer clutch life), and contains the toughest components on the market. Thanks to the TorqDrive steel clutch basket sleeves, notching on the basket tangs is greatly reduced. When that does happen, simply replace the steel sleeves. It’s engineering brilliance.
APEX is easy to install and offers multiple tuning options, while far outlasting your bike’s OE/stock system. If you’re interested in having the ultimate clutch system literally at your fingertips (and who isn’t?), this is it. APEX checks all the boxes, making it the absolute best clutch system on the market that delivers conventional function with revolutionary design.
APEX Makes and Models
Apex will be made available for all current generation bikes. There will be a first phase, which will have the most popular models. The second phase will cover the rest of the current models that Rekluse supports. Rekluse provides all of the necessary installation instructions, so there’s no guesswork involved. If you’re more of the visual type, visit Rekluse.com/support-videos to view step-by-step instructions by a professional mechanic.
