AS3 Performance Clutch Covers Vs OEM Clutch Covers: What's The Difference?
We take a detailed look in to the features and benefits of installing one of our AS3 Performance Factory Series clutch covers.
If you walk through the paddock of any off-road motorcycle event whether it be motocross, enduro or supermoto, you will notice most riders and teams are running aftermarket clutch covers on their bikes and if you have ever wondered why, here we give you a breakdown of the advantages of using an AS3 Performance clutch cover over the standard OEM clutch cover.
Our AS3 Performance Factory Series clutch cover installed on Jonny Walkers Beta 300 RR Racing. PC: Red Bull UK
Better Protection:
The standard clutch covers on most motocross and enduro bikes are manufactured from cast aluminium which is very thin and vulnerable to damage especially on rough motocross tracks with the high possibility of stones impacting the lower engine from the rear wheel of other riders or in tough enduro conditions where you run the risk of damaging the clutch cover manoeuvring over rocks or tree roots. In both instances if the clutch cover is damaged the oil from the engine can leak and result in a DNF or damage to the engine or most likely both. AS3 Performance clutch covers are CNC machined from a solid block of 6061 aluminium which is the perfect material to use as it provides excellent strength qualities while keeping the weight to a minimum. AS3 Performance clutch covers are also manufactured thicker than the OEM clutch covers and the precise CNC machining process gives them the perfect fit around the clutch casing.
The JWR Yamaha MXGP team used our clutch covers on their Yamaha YZ 250 F and Yamaha YZ 450 F race bikes throughout the 2021 season.
Performance Benefits:
When developing a new clutch cover if it's possible we will try and have them made with a slightly deeper profile to allow for more oil, sometimes this is achievable if there is enough clearance between the clutch cover and rear brake pedal. Some AS3 Performance clutch covers will have a 1.5mm deeper profile and will hold more oil than the OEM clutch covers, this will improve the circulation of the oil and lower the oil temperature to help prevent premature wear of the internal clutch components.
AS3 Performance clutch cover installed on Alberto Moseriti's FRT Racing Husqvarna FC 450 Supermoto bike.
Looks Better, For Longer:
Most OEM clutch covers have a painted finish, they can scratch easily and the finish can soon wear off leaving the engine looking untidy. AS3 Performance clutch covers have a black hard anodised finish. Hard anodising is different to normal anodising, the finish can with withstand a much higher level of abrasion from boots and dirt rubbing against the cover. Hard anodising can also withstand higher heat than normal anodising and you can often find most cook wear is hard anodised for this reason. Lastly our clutch covers are finished with laser etched AS3 Performance Factory Series branding giving the covers a distinctive look and factory bike feel compared to the OEM clutch covers.
Used By The Best Riders At The Highest Levels:
Over the years our clutch covers have been used by many of our sponsored riders including Kevin Strijbos, Anton Gole, Vsevolod Brylyakov and Tim Edberg riding for the JWR Yamaha Team in MXGP and EMX 250. Jonny Walker also uses an AS3 Performance clutch cover on his Beta 300 RR competing in the FIM World Hard Enduro Championship and the FIM Super Enduro Championship and most recently the Fast Eddy Enduro team and their riders Tom Sagar, Jamie McCanney and Joe Wootton are now using AS3 Performance clutch covers competing in the 2022 Enduro GP Championship. Italian Supermoto team FRT Racing have also used our clutch covers for a number of years on their Husqvarna FC 450 supermoto bikes with their riders Alberto Moseriti and Edgardo Borella competing in both the Italian and European Supermoto Championships. AS3 Performance clutch covers have been tried and tested at all levels and in all conditions and continue to be a go-to part for many of our sponsored riders. The confidence that the riders have in our clutch covers allows them to solely focus on their riding without having to worry about damage to the clutch during a race.
Johnny Walker uses our AS3 Performance clutch covers to protect the vital internal clutch parts on his Beta 300 RR. PC: Red Bull UK.
Easy To install, Bolt On And Ride:
Our clutch covers are designed to be installed easily with no modifications needed and basic mechanical knowledge required. The precise CNC machining process guarantees that the bolt holes will line up perfectly and the cover will sit completely flush against the engine casing. The clutch covers are not supplied with a gasket but are designed to be used with the OEM gaskets, if you are installing the clutch cover on a relatively new bike you should be able to re-use the original gasket providing it is not damaged when removing the OEM clutch cover. If your bike is a few years old and is still running the original gasket, we recommend to fit a new one when installing the clutch cover. For all clutch covers that use a rubber O-ring, a CNC machined groove runs around the base of our cutch covers which will seat the rubber O-ring perfectly.
Decided to upgrade from OEM to AS3?:
We have clutch covers available for a wide range of 2 stroke and 4 stroke motocross and enduro bikes including Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, Gas Gas, and more. Click the link below to browse our complete range of hard anodised billet aluminium clutch covers
