Value for Money is a homage to products and services out there that we have used personally for many years that have proven their weight in cold hard cash. Ipso facto - they prove to be real value for money.

This month, we take a look at one of the kings of aftermarket clutch componentry - Rekluse and the CoreEXP Auto Clutch.

If you want to know what a Rekluse Auto Clutch is, we have a full review of how it works and why we love it - you can READ THAT HERE.

To start off with, I’d like to point out that this Rekluse CoreEXP Auto Clutch was purchased by me back in 2011-ish where I initially ran it in a few enduros and hated it. You can read that story and how my mind changed in the link above.

Bits4Bikes.co.nz now distribute Rekluse in New Zealand and were kind enough to supply me free of charge the replacement steel plates for this birthday - with a usual retail price of around $115. I bought the Rekluse CoreEXP and clutch basket originally for just under 2k and it fits CRF450R model Honda’s from 2009-2012.

The 6 springs is a big imporvement over the stock 4-sprngs that the 09-12 Honda used.

Now, nearly 2k sounds like a pretty decent chunk of change, and it was back then too. Luckily these days, Rekluse has a whole host of options to choose from, all at varying prices. You can do the fully monty and spend thousands, or you can get an auto clutch set up for most late model bikes for just over a grand. Now that is good news!

This is the EXP base - the hub of how the auto clutch works. You can see the friction pads are still in really good nick.

So - after nearly 5 years in the 09 CRF450R, it was time to give the clutch a birthday. It wasn’t really slipping, but I could feel that I was starting to feel a slight loss in drive if I was in a gear too high. And I thought, after that long in the bike, having done many years of enduro races, XC’s, trail rides, and general mucking around - it really deserves a birthday. so we opened up the clutch pack to see how it all looks.

I opted for a Rekluse basket too, as the stock Honda basket melted like butter after 50 odd hours. You can see some wear on the fingers but this is mostly cosmetic. It was still a smooth surface.

What I was most surprised about was the state of the friction plates. You can see how there really isn’t too much difference between the new plate on top and the 5-year-old plate on the bottom. It looks like I didn’t really need to change my friction plates out at all which was very surprising!. And great if you are on a tight budget.

Though with the amount of heat these plates have had over the years, you will see real benefits with new plates - even though there is plenty of meat left on the old ones.

New friction plates at the top - old ones at the bottom.

It seems all the wear and tear on the clutch went straight to the steel plates below. They are visibly worn and you could feel that to the touch. However, you wouldn’t know it from how the clutch was still performing when out riding. And again, at about $115 for new steel plates, that is pretty good for value for money over 5 years. Add to that friction plates for about $50 and you are just like Charlie Sheen - #winning.

Here you can see the wear on the steel plates.

Pro Tip - soak your new clutch components on oil for 20 minutes before installing.

installation is slightly different than stock so best to follow the easy to read instructions.

The whole process took about an hour to do because I was going back over the manual, again and again, making sure I wasn’t going to mess it up. This is an easy DIY garage job which saves you more pingers on costly mechanics.

The top plate of the CoreEXP houses the 6-springs and the adjuster that makes the whole process come together.

I am not sure what I was expecting to see after opening the clutch after so many years. I have done very regular oil changes (at minimum every 10 hours) and I have done a full rebuild and two top ends. I am very good on the clutch and very rarely ride the clutch much at all. That whole time I had not touched the clutch once, besides removing for the full rebuild of course.

I honestly thought I would see more wear on the friction plates. At a pinch, I could have used the same ones but I had the new ones so there was no point. I will save them just in case though.

You turn this into a specific setting then do up the locknuts. After an initial break-in period and another adjustment you are pretty much set ‘forever’.

Again, I was lucky enough to be provided with the new steel plates from Bits4Bikes.co.nz but I had originally bought the Rekluse clutch myself. To me, this system is a huge value for money because in the 5 years, I have spent a total of under $200 and that’s impressive. Not only does this system give me improved clutch control, but it also seems to keep all the other clutch components in good shape too. The only downside is they are bike-specific so make sure you are looking at clutch upgrades from the manufacturers beforehand.

For more information about the Rekluse products, head to www.bits4bikes.co.nz, and see what they have for your ride.

The best aftermarket parts don't give you more power, but better control…the Reklue CoreEXP ticks that box…and then some.