Why Harley-Davidson Switched Back to a Cable Clutch on Touring Motorcycles│Pro's vs Con's 

Me and ODB go Old School all the way! - Anyway, I never used a hydraulic clutch, but Ive heard a lot of folks like it.

My money is on H-D cutting production costs. A hydraulic clutch costs more to produce than a straight cable clutch. So, they lower production costs and raise prices.

Matt. Bring me out to your dealership to put on my Ride Like a Pro class. I'd bet you'd change your mind in about 30 minutes about which is better,/easier, hydraulic or cable. At the very least, you would be able to make an informed decision and increase your skills at least 100%. And I'm sure videoing the class for youtube would get a minimum, half million views. How about it folks? Would you like to see that? Just give me a call Matt.

When will HD go back to kick start?😀

I really like my hydraulic clutch on my 18 road king special it’s 100% consistent and very smooth for me and no adjustments

put 80k on my 2017 limited in 4 years ,with the hydraulic no problems loved it, no spending time to adjust.

I totally agree with you 100%. When I bought my first hydraulic clutch motorcycle I was having a hard time adjusting to it, but after 6 years of daily commute and two bikes later I now feel that I like it better and don't want to back to cable. Who would know?

So we've reduced costs...for us, you need to pay more. This company makes it really hard to like them sometimes.

I just can't wait for the retro front drum brake to make a come back for 2022

I like the hydraulic clutch for the exact reason you said. Consistant feel & smoothness.

You were really spot on listing pro’s/con’s. I like them both. There isn’t so much difference to not be happy with whatever the bike comes with

Thank You for all your Harley knowledge. I'm new to Boston Harley Davidson and I think other than my co workers you have gave me so much information.

A cable clutch on a touring motorcycle costing in many cases in excess of $30K is an embarrassment in 2021 ! So glad I bought my 2020 RGS !

A great analysis Matt, you really nailed it. Really good to hear a thorough and totally unbiased even handed assessment. I have ridden both cable and hydraulic clutch and have no problem with either. My preference is the hydraulic clutch for the reasons you covered in great clarity. I believe the main reason Harley made this change is down to cost, the bean counters made this call. A great video Matt, keep em coming 👍

I like the cable clutch, I can put the friction zone where I want it.

Hydraulic clutch is amazing, the feeling and reliability is a big difference. Compared between my first bike (48) against my current VROD

You said it all. Love my 2020 and hydraulic clutch.

The friction zone on my 2014 FLHTCU is exactly why I purchased and installed the Soft Brake, front brake and clutch levers. HUGE improvement. Friction zone is much closer to the grip and much easier to control. Front brake is easy to apply with 2 fingers as I ride, as well. Best money I have spent on my bike. No messing with the hydraulics like when you replace the slave cylinder either.

Matt - good discussion. Appreciate your honest overview. Frankly, Harley needs to add more mechanical, technical and value to these touring bikes. This is a move back, in my view.

Glad they are going back to cable, I prefer the friction zone adjustability, hate having to let the clutch out 80% to get to friction zone. Also like the more mechanical feel.

*MAIN REASON $$$* *3or4 RECALLS* On the hydraulic setup . We don't see those numbers, the factory accountants and suits do .

I have a 2020 RK standard, wife has a 2018 heritage. I can ride both and be fine, however I feel like the cable is a little easier on the release. Probably just me I do have some wrist issues. For you guys who want a shorter and easier pull ( IMO ) on hydraulic, softbrake.com. Night and day difference for me, swapped out my clutch and front brake lever. There is a inch less travel on both, yes the clutch fully disengages. I do feel hydraulic has a smoother actuation on pull and release. I have no problems doing low speed maneuvers with hydraulic, even easier with the softbrake clutch lever. Sorry Matt, I’m not sponsored by softbrake......lol just helped me a-lot. Less hand fatigue from a safety perspective.

I've been riding an service Harley's over 50 years, i prefer the clutch cable feel to engage or disengage as better control of action !

Thank you so much for your content man the honesty and the non-bias is really appreciated. I prefer the hydraulic clutch but I’m like you I wouldn’t make any major financial changes if I had one.

Think HD is going further in cost cutting mindset. From my2020 no more heel shifter and only one key fob, 21 no more hydraulic clutch. Guessing what would they remove next year??Maybe the seat??or the wheels??Scandalous

This was the best video out there on the subject. Thanks Matt!

Love the Hydraulic. I have both and the Hydraulic is way lighter and refined.

I ride a 2020 Low Rider. When I test rode a Road Glide last year I didn't even notice that much of a difference in feel between hydraulic and cable. I will say that my cable clutch seems to walk out of adjustment every 2,000 miles but they made the new clutches so easy to adjust it's never bothered me. I'm looking to trade in on a bagger this spring and I'm completely indifferent about this. If I find a nice leftover '20, awesome, but I really got my eye on a Snake Venom Roadglide. Awesome video as always Matt. Living vicariously through your channel again with 3 feet of snow outside my door.

Well done. I like my Hydraulic clutch, but can ride with either.

I definitely prefer cable clutch for the feel and adjustability.

I bought an Oberon lever because of the friction zone. It's been awesome for low speed and slower maneuvers because it's brought it closer to the bars. Juice clutch for me too!

i have smaller hands. i added adjustable levers to my 17 UL. it helped alot with friction zone

Ruffles some feathers first thing in the morning, nice video Matt!

I see your view points but i do disagree. The fact that touring motorcycles are 30 or more easily. Yet don’t offer hydraulic clutch is ridiculous. It sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself this is a good thing. It’s not. It’s so out of touch.

I have never had a motorcycle with a hydraulic clutch, so I really do not have an opinion on the use of a hydraulic clutch. I can say that I am used to using a cable clutch, so I will have to test ride a vehicle with a hydraulic clutch to make a comparison. Good information Matt, you make me want to try another motorcycle to see what the difference really feels like.

I've been riding for many years and my 2018 Street Glide is the first hyd clutch I ever had. At first I didn't like the lever travel distance but loved the ease of the smoothness of operation. I soon discovered that an aftermarket replacement lever was available and got one. That corrected the lever travel distance to the immediate start of the friction zone at release of the lever and now it's perfect.

It's hydraulic for me more precise and no adjustments to make and it's very smooth dependable feel does it for me...I've been riding for forty five yrs.and no going back to cable...unless I have to✌🏿☝🏿

After trying hydraulic clutch at my first HD demo event 3 years ago, I knew I wouldn’t replace my 05’ cable clutch ride for a new Harley. I don’t understand this whining over easy clutches- never had an issue with squeezing a clutch under any circumstance and hydraulic clutch feel sucks! I adjust my own clutch and place the zone exactly where I want it.

I’ve had two H-D cycles with hyd clutch. Love them.. I always thought that was a major improvement. I haven’t noticed all the negative things he spoke about. I prob will now🙂 Either way, would not trade hyd for cable

Riden both... made by various motorcycle manufactures KTM (dirt & Street), Ducati, Harley, Yamaha ETC. Never really cared or noticed. As long as the engine excites me, I tend to only focus on the enjoyment of riding!!!

First off, great video, and I value your opinion. Thank you! I now love my hydraulic clutch on my Ultra AFTER replacing it with a Soft Brake lever which brought it an inch closer to the grip. I have coppel tunnel and holding it halfway out in traffic killed me, but since the reduced pull lever, I'm loving it!

I’m actually a little jealous of the cable clutch cause it’s so much simpler to do bars with the cable clutch especially if they used that new connector system they used on the softails

The hydraulic clutch took a little getting used to when I got my 2019 FLHTK, but after a little time with it I really liked it better and was really happy HD went that style of clutch. I love the consistency of the friction zone. I'm not sure I'd ever want to revert to the cable.

I'm a cable clutch person 100%.. I've never seen a race bike or performance bike with a hydraulic clutch. You can fine tune a cable clutch as well as its easier to work on them. Could you imagine being on the road and dropping your bike breaking the hydraulic line, a cable you could just use vise grips or plyers to pull the cable and get home.

Matt, I appreciate you diving into this touchy subject and you've done a excellent job explaining the difference and possibly the reasons Harley reverted backwards to a cable clutch. I think after everything was said and done it was definitely a money saving action on Harleys part pure and simple. They figured it wasn't a big enough advantage to a rider for the money it cost to produce it. In my opinion they have messed up,,,again. I absolutely love my 2019 CVO Road Glide hydraulic clutch! I loved everyone I've had and its too important of a feature to give up.( I see that Harley even eliminated the Sirius radio module). Let's hope they don't go back to cable operated brakes next because the circus donut riders prefer it!!!

I agree, I find the hydraulic smooth and consistent. I do have large hands so I never struggle with gray (friction) zone for slow speed cone work. I like that it does not require the extra maintenance. Great video Matt thank you.

i like the cable clutch. period. i have more control over servicing it easily too.

Great video Matt. I had a 09 deluxe and now have a 2020 RGS and can tell you that i didn’t missed a beat when I changed clutches. You can also get adjustable levers if you think the pull is too far. Ride safe.

I can’t believe you didn’t touch on the issue of Transmission fluid transfer. I couldn’t wait to buy my first hydraulic clutch bike in 2017. A Road King Special. I didn’t even test ride it I was so stoked. Then I picked it up. What a huge disappointment. The clutch lever effort was noticeably higher than my 7 previous cable Clutch harleys. It was my first comment to the salesman. “I thought this clutch was supposed to be reduced effort?” It’s not and it has been proven with a simple scale test on a few videos. I thought whatever, I’ll learn to live with it. Then around 20000 miles in, the transmission fluid started to transfer and when I brought it to my dealers attention, he says “that’s impossible” 😳 Long story short this was the start of a long frustrating year and around another 20000 miles of HD giving me the run around on fixing the problem. After 3 attempts at a repair did nothing, they eventually installed the vent in the primary and solved the issue. (Something I suggested on day one and was laughed at by HD) I asked for a fair trade in value on a new bike while this was going on. Nope. I asked for an extended warranty on my transmission because it had been run low on fluid for so many miles. Nope. This whole issue has put such a bad taste in my mouth that I bought a twin cam touring bike again a few weeks ago and am selling the road king and will never purchase another bran new HD again. They do not give a rats ass about their customers and the issues they face with their new machines. This was my third new bike from this dealer and definitely my last. I have no doubt that one of the reasons they went back to a cable clutch is the transfer issue suffered by a large percentage of bikes that they said for over a year wasn’t even happening and now this video not even mentioning it. What a joke.

Thank you very much for the information pros and cons. I am new to Harley Davidson and taking my lessons on a cable clutch and I bought ultra classic with hydraulic. You have described very well what the differences are. I will have to re- learn my friction zone.

Consumers : "Bikes are too expensive, no full led is not acceptable" Harley : "We heard you, here is the cable clutch ... but the bike will be a little more expensive of course"

This is probably one of the best dealerships in the US. No question about their commitment to their customers. 👌

Good balanced article, thanks Matt.

Spot on with the pros and cons of each. I think a lot of riders who complain that a hydraulic clutch is a harder pull (it isn't), can't handle spending any time in the friction zone with the lever so far away from the hand grip. I like that my hydraulic clutch friction zone has been consistent for 6 years and needs no adjusting. I don't like that a cable stretches and needs regular adjustment. But I wouldn't let a cable clutch keep me from buying a new bike - every bike I rode before my '15 was a cable.

I like the hydraulic, the one thing I can’t stand is other dealers lying to your face, matt laidlaw tells it how it is, 99% of these other dealerships do not. I notice they try to BS you until you open your mouth and show them how much you actually know, sometimes it’s more then them honestly. At the end I think Harley is going backwards... thanks for being honest matt

Excellent commentary Matt. It's great to have the choice between the two, all good.

I have had bikes with a hydraulic clutch for years and they work just fine for me. The 2 Harley Davidson's I have both have one and I'm good with them. 👍 I wouldn't have a problem with the cable clutch on the new one if I was looking at a new Harley Davidson...

I learned to ride Harleys with cable clutch and after a long ride arriving home with lots of traffic or when there was an accident on the road it was a true pain in the ass having to pull that clutch too many times, I prefer hydraulic all the way (also very precise and not having to adjust it) as an experienced rider and as a new one too, specially for new/young riders with less strength in the left forearm, I don't know if the new cable clutches are as hard to pull as old Harleys but those were hard to pull

Always enjoy your input Matthew keep up the good work! Hope to meet you someday. Texas Panhandle

I have hydraulic clutch on my 2003 Road King Classic. Very reliable.

There is a reason all motor cops that compete in rodeos use cable clutch. Cable is love cable is life

Great video. In his own diplomatic way Matt explained the hydraulic clutch was too complex for some Harley riders. Cable is good for those guys who can't hit the 'G spot'!

Well done brother!! Keep’em comin’!!

Great video Matt. I have both clutch types. 2011 FLHTK and 2019 FLHT. I like cable better. It's all about where the friction zone is, cable feels better to me.

I like having my AIM slave cylinder on my hydraulic clutch. Much easier pull with a much wider friction zone

Thank you Matt, always love watching your content. I will take the cable clutch 100% of the time. I definitely prefer the “mechanical feel” of any motorcycle I am riding which leads to better control and safety in my riding. Having total command of how and when I want to engage the power to my rear wheel is one of the keys to having command over my bike. I’m very glad Harley-Davidson came back to the cable clutch regardless of motive. Now, I wish they would bring back some of the beautiful iconic classic models they dropped! After all, that’s why I buy and own 3 Harley-Davidson’s in the first place! Take care Matt, have a great summer!

Like the hydraulic, harley went back to the cable due to the continued primary transfer as there plastic tube was not the fix. Ask me how I know. Matt love your channel and your store, I’m a commuter from NY.

Great stuff Matt, great. I'm good either way after having both, like everything, ya got the good, the bad, and the rest on each. I am surprised that HD doesn't provide the dealers like yourselves with a explanation for some of their model year changes with issues that are most certainly going to be buyer questions.... Not great business sense in my book,but HD's been pushing down that road for a while. Good thing we've got guys like you laying it out for us. Thanks madman, as always, great work.

"it reduced costs on the bike"..... Also: "Prices went up a few grand this year for a lesser bike"

I was glad they went back to a cable clutch. You can adjust the cable. Go shift a 2013, and then compare it to a 2014. It's a LOT easier on the 2013, and has a better friction zone.

Cable clutch is more fun to ride because of the bigger friction zone. I got a Dyna and a Limited. I like the cable clutch better.

Thanks ...the new 2022 Road King went back to cable clutch, easy to fix if you need to, less maintenance for owner. Love it Rocky.

I heard some info that some of the reason for the cable clutch is to get rid of the oil transfer to the primary problems is this true.

I personally prefer the hydraulic clutch. I have studied the pros and cons of both and agree with you Matt, it's not worth it to change to hydraulic. I will be purchasing a Harley in the near future. Most likely used, to get the hydraulic clutch, but it won't be a factor is the numbers and options are right on a new Harley. Keep up the great work here , Matt, showing off those GREAT new bikes. And Thank you Matt , for going over your thoughts on Harley and the company's thoughts as to changes being made along the way. Love the channel and hope to come by your shop and meet you in person soon.

Could you do a video showing how much it cost to change from cable to hydraulic and vice versa? When I had me fxbb a big part of getting back onto a touring bike was the hydraulic clutch.

I have not test rode a bike with a hydraulic clutch. I practice slow speed maneuvers and I think my hand would tire faster having the friction zone engage at the end of travel. It all depends on your stature (Matt is blessed in that Dept.) 😊 and how you ride. Matt you explained all the pros and cons to a T. Thank you!

I really like hydraulic clutch. Hated having to adjust cable every oil change.

I like the Hydraulic better, and the slipper clutch.

Matt you are absolutely correct,I Love my hydraulic clutch on my 2019. Trike.

thanks for giving us something informative without any bias about selling... hd have had some problems with hyd clutch .. my 2019 lowrider from new pulled away so easy out of my garden i could not believe how smooth it was,,, no snatch no judder even when stood for a long time,,, easily the best i have owned..

I wish Harley would start moving forward instead of backwards.

I’m currently riding an ‘18 RoadGlide Special and love the clutch . I have owned bikes with both . Personally I like the hydraulic but not enough to make a stink over . One thing that can happen with the cable , the cable breaks . I’ve seen it happen on a Police motor . Thanks Matt , another great video

Excellent review well explained I like the feel of a cable clutch but wouldn’t worry me if all models went hydraulic👍🇬🇧

Guys after 2 Hydro clutch bikes and many many miles, just picked up a 2021 RG. The cable was briefly mentioned by stealership, but I noticed it before I signed. Yes the cable feels a touch heavier, just a touch. When Matt here says slightly, its a good word cause its slight. It felt a bit odd at first and I felt I over reved on a start a few times. Soon as I got a good feel after enough starts and stops. I fricking love this cable clutch, here is why. The friction zone seems huge compared to my hydro clutch bikes. Not just a little bigger, miles bigger and way way way more rider usable. What I mean by usable, like coming up on a red light and you wana slow for the light to change. Riding the rear brake and this clutch makes it simple to find that exact amout a clutch friction ya want. Tighter slow speed turns made much easier, the cable gives you that much more feel. Love it. I can handle adjusting it every now and then. Guess I need to go way back to my 1972 FLH days wear an extra clutch cable was always wrapped around on the inside a one of the hard bags. (and extra points, plugs and a wrench, condenser, more oil LOL yea those were the days). By the way you dont actually have to have a clutch to ride a Harley, ask me how I know. Yea I realize , cable prolly cheaper for the Motor Company, But sometimes in my mind, less is more. I like it.

I prefer the hydraulic clutch. IMHO

The longevity, simplicity, and dependability of the cable clutch is what keeps me with a mechanical version. After testing out the hydraulic version, it was the lack of a friction zone that became the second deal breaker for me.

My 17 fat bob had an easier clutch to pull than my 2020 road king does. I also had to replace my levers on the road king to bring the friction zone closer to the bars to make slow speed maneuvering a lot easier. I hated the hydraulic clutch until I changed the levers.

Thanks for a very comprehensive presentation on the pros and cons of hydraulic vs cable clutch systems. Very much appreciated your comments on those of us with shorter finger reaches. I have been attempting a hydraulic conversions for my 883 custom and various lever systems to lighten the clutch pressure. I think I will settle finally on the cable with a few mechanical combination upgrades. Much thanks, Lloyd

we'll see it coming back... for sure...

I have four bikes of various makes and I really couldn't care either way. My Goldwing has a hydraulic and my Heritage has a cable. I just get acclimated to whichever one I am riding. I do like the simplicity of the cable clutch with no fluid to worry about, but either one doesn't sway my decision on buying a bike.

Anything HD does has 50% of it's "fanbase" bitching about it. They are in a lose/lose situation. If they stay the same they "aren't innovating enough" if they step outside the box they're "alienating their customer base". This is no different, it's the age of the internet, too many would rather complain than ride. Do I like the new cable clutch? Who knows I haven't ridden it, and my guess is neither have a lot of the keyboard warriors that think it's the worst thing HD has done in 100 years.

Matt, you are not wrong. Great video, thanks for posting

Cable clutch! No question...

I wish you would have touched on the warranty issues and the oil transfer to the primary from the hydraulic clutch. I have only used a cable clutch so I can't compare both.

In my opinion, the stunt riders can do what ever they like!! Going back to cable is a poor excuse for trying to save $$$$ As bikes are no cheaper, in fact dearer !!

I had a hydraulic clutch on my Victory Jackpot and hated it. There was zero feel. You weren't in the friction zone until the lever was almost fully released which made low speed manouvering much more difficult. When I was shopping for my Harley Davidson back in 2018 I was determined to get a model with a cable clutch. That's how my SportGlide came and I'm very happy with it.

I must be a real rookie, I've riden both and I felt no difference.

Another great video Matt! Hoping another podcast is coming soon

No issues with my hydraulic clutch.

As a retired police motor officer agree 100% more control over friction zone with cable . Great video