Let's understand the terms wet clutch and dry clutch 28^th March 2022

Petrol engines do not create much power at low rpm; they must rotate quickly before delivering enough power to the wheel. The clutch is a device used to gradually and smoothly introduce power into the engine.

Motorcycle companies provide two types of clutches in their bikes- a wet-type and a dry-type. Today's blog will give you all the information on both types.

How does a clutch work?
Before we get into the types, let's understand how a typical clutch works. Consider two plates, one attached to the engine and the other to the gearbox. There is no contact between the engine and the gearbox. When they come into contact, the friction allows a transfer of power. When the force is increased, the amount of power transferred increases correspondingly.

Now that you know the functioning let's get into the types.

Dry Clutch:
A dry-type clutch is not immersed in liquid and engages by the principle of friction. The clutch plate is located outside of the engine housing. This implies it is in direct contact with the air and receives no lubrication. Since the plate gets heated due to friction, the dry-type clutch is usually bigger to increase the surface area of the clutch plate for effective cooling via air.

Essential things to know about a dry clutch:

• The torque transmission of Dry Clutch is better due to the absence of oil.

• Dry clutches are typically single-plated.

• The noise in a dry clutch is greater and lasts longer as wear and tear increases.

• Dust particles can gather in the clutch's casing.

• The life cycle of a dry clutch is typically shorter.

• A dry clutch has a high repair demand and expense.

Wet Clutch:
Wet clutches, as opposed to their dry counterpart, are coated with engine oil, allowing the clutch plates to cool. As a result, wet clutches withstand more significant damage. They are quieter at rest, making them ideal for stop-and-go traffic.
The presence of lubricant lowers the torque transmitting capacity due to a lower coefficient of friction between the clutch plates.

Essential things to know about a wet clutch:

• A wet clutch plate(s) is found within the engine housing.

• Wet clutches are employed in high torque circumstances where friction levels are high.

• Wet clutches have substantially less wear and tear.

• The oil filter in the wet clutch casing removes dust particles.

• The life cycle of a wet clutch is often longer.

• A wet clutch has very minimal maintenance needs and costs.

Here is all you need to know about clutches. Most bikers prefer a wet clutch since it is ideal for most on-the-road sports bikes.

However, if you want all the horsepower that you get from an engine, as in the case of an all-out racing bike, you should opt for dry clutches. While you decide on the clutch type, opt for bike insurance online to protect clutches from unforeseen wear and tear in the long run. Reliable bike insurance will cover the expenses required for the repair work of your bike.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.