Thoughts on tomac getting a cable at KTM?

wreckitrandy
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10/28/2025 2:51am
Bearuno wrote:
I put this picture up on an earlier 'ET Clutch' thread, of a set up done for Joel Smets, (more than) 2 decades ago when he...

I put this picture up on an earlier 'ET Clutch' thread, of a set up done for Joel Smets, (more than) 2 decades ago when he went from Husaberg to KTM :

Joel Smets Cable Clutch set up on his early KTMs  jpg 0.jpg?VersionId=iRqrd

A few European companies offered such a thing (much 'nicer' than this unit) for KTMs, for a while. I'm unsure if such things can still be purchased, but, you can bet your arse, if ET ends up with a cable set up, a whole lot of suppliers will jump in to sell to those that want to jump on board with a 'new', old thing.

It's not Rocket Science, people.

Mind you, I'd be stunned that a Lever ( and it's associated pivot  set  up / lever ratio set up)  / Master Cylinder / Slave Cylinder set up could not be done to his requirements with a Hydraulic Clutch. Once again, it's, as they say, Not Rocket Science. Far from it.

But, you can have riders that are so set in their ways / prejudices, that they can't / won't change. 

So, so much can be done with Hydro clutches - things have come a long way from say, in my personal experience, the absolutely atrocious Hydro Clutch that Ducati did for the 80s era Pantah engined bikes that I had / still have. Cable set ups went straight back on my bikes for a few years at that time. Talk about a Heavy, On / Off switch of a bloody thing!

 

That's to me, the big 'IF'. The hydraulic clutch on a KTM has a harder pull than the cable clutch on a Suzuki... I suspect that the 'spring' on the KTM is WAY stiffer than the other bikes. Probably why at least one magazine has always claimed their stock clutch to be more durable. I wonder if the pull with a cable will feel like an old Maico. ET is a bad man. He probably won't need both hands to pull it in on the start, but I doubt he'll be slipping it with one finger either.

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10/28/2025 9:02am

Can’t wait for this to be a 10-15 pager. 

plowboy
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10/28/2025 11:12am

If Eli burns up the clutch they give him or can't get the modulation he wants off the gate...they'll do everything they can to fix it for him.  If they can't get him %100 comfortable then he's gotta adapt.  Just like every other swingin' dick.🙃

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PRM31
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10/28/2025 6:00pm

Chase, AP, Herlings, Prado back in MXGP, Coenens, etc. all get “pretty good” starts with the KTM hydro clutch. The starts won’t be an issue. Whether it will work as a tool to control the power out of most turns is, to the best of my knowledge, untested. 

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The Shop

10/28/2025 6:20pm

If he is or isn't getting a cable clutch option or KYB inserts is 100% in his contract. Pointless speculation otherwise.

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GH28
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10/28/2025 8:59pm
Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should...

Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should be concerned about durability considering Eli’s happy clutch finger. Are the hydraulic clutches more prone to fade? If so, could this be fixed with a Rekluse? 

I have managed to boil a hydraulic clutch line before and the lever engagement went away entirely.  I have yet to do that to a cable.

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FGR01
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10/29/2025 5:32am
Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should...

Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should be concerned about durability considering Eli’s happy clutch finger. Are the hydraulic clutches more prone to fade? If so, could this be fixed with a Rekluse? 

GH28 wrote:

I have managed to boil a hydraulic clutch line before and the lever engagement went away entirely.  I have yet to do that to a cable.

A cable clutch can definitely do something more or less the same.   It is possible to burn the plates so hard that you run out of range in the adjuster to keep sufficient play.  At that point, the plates are unable to return to the fully closed/engaged position and then the slipping and burning cycle will be exponential.   Granted, if the rider is paying close enough attention he can hopefully prevent this by keeping play in the cable before getting to that point.  But it can and does happen.  Usually in heavy mud races.

1
10/29/2025 11:24am

its real simple he will get what he wants thats a guarantee .....its pretty much the way they operate

1
10/29/2025 11:26am

THE QUESTION SHOULD ACTUALLY BE WILL HE BE RIDING THE KTM THE WAY HE HAS RODE EVERYTHING ELSE ...WILL HE BE WAY UP IN THE RPMS 

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captmoto
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10/30/2025 12:05pm
bvm111 wrote:

i’ve had zero thoughts because there is literally zero chance, the fact that it is even a discussion point is mind boggling to me 🤯

Yep, silly season gold.

AssangeMX
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10/30/2025 1:38pm

Not sure beast mode will help Tomac best Jett.  Migjt need a rethink like RC did when he got on the rm250 and had to unchopper it

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BossWool2800
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10/30/2025 1:48pm
mikeyjones wrote:

THE QUESTION SHOULD ACTUALLY BE WILL HE BE RIDING THE KTM THE WAY HE HAS RODE EVERYTHING ELSE ...WILL HE BE WAY UP IN THE RPMS 

@Wandell?

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hartebreak
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10/30/2025 6:23pm

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

10
TeamGreen
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10/30/2025 8:29pm

So, uh…yeah, no…

Did Eli get his KTM with a cable clutch, yet? 🤣

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soggy
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10/31/2025 6:41am
hartebreak wrote:
I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a...

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

5
2
10/31/2025 6:54am
hartebreak wrote:
I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a...

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

soggy wrote:
sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim...

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

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USA
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10/31/2025 8:41am
hartebreak wrote:
I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a...

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

soggy wrote:
sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim...

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

You honestly think chances are high that we get hit by a space rock and never have Anaheim 1 again?

soggy
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10/31/2025 9:24am Edited Date/Time 10/31/2025 9:25am
soggy wrote:
sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim...

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

USA wrote:

You honestly think chances are high that we get hit by a space rock and never have Anaheim 1 again?

lol.

 

honestly I think I'd be ok with it.

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GH28
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10/31/2025 2:59pm
Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should...

Someone smarter than me explain as I haven’t owned a KTM before (I’ve ridden them and the hydraulic felt fine) but I would think KTM should be concerned about durability considering Eli’s happy clutch finger. Are the hydraulic clutches more prone to fade? If so, could this be fixed with a Rekluse? 

GH28 wrote:

I have managed to boil a hydraulic clutch line before and the lever engagement went away entirely.  I have yet to do that to a cable.

FGR01 wrote:
A cable clutch can definitely do something more or less the same.   It is possible to burn the plates so hard that you run out...

A cable clutch can definitely do something more or less the same.   It is possible to burn the plates so hard that you run out of range in the adjuster to keep sufficient play.  At that point, the plates are unable to return to the fully closed/engaged position and then the slipping and burning cycle will be exponential.   Granted, if the rider is paying close enough attention he can hopefully prevent this by keeping play in the cable before getting to that point.  But it can and does happen.  Usually in heavy mud races.

I'm talking about boiling the fluid in the LINE, not heating up the plates.  The line runs right next to a header and next to radiators.  I haven't managed to boil a steel braided cable yet, no matter how hard I try.

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FGR01
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10/31/2025 3:25pm
GH28 wrote:

I have managed to boil a hydraulic clutch line before and the lever engagement went away entirely.  I have yet to do that to a cable.

FGR01 wrote:
A cable clutch can definitely do something more or less the same.   It is possible to burn the plates so hard that you run out...

A cable clutch can definitely do something more or less the same.   It is possible to burn the plates so hard that you run out of range in the adjuster to keep sufficient play.  At that point, the plates are unable to return to the fully closed/engaged position and then the slipping and burning cycle will be exponential.   Granted, if the rider is paying close enough attention he can hopefully prevent this by keeping play in the cable before getting to that point.  But it can and does happen.  Usually in heavy mud races.

GH28 wrote:
I'm talking about boiling the fluid in the LINE, not heating up the plates.  The line runs right next to a header and next to radiators...

I'm talking about boiling the fluid in the LINE, not heating up the plates.  The line runs right next to a header and next to radiators.  I haven't managed to boil a steel braided cable yet, no matter how hard I try.

Yes, I understood what you were saying.  I am pointing out that cable clutches have issues of their own which can be just as detrimental.  

1
1
10/31/2025 5:58pm
soggy wrote:
sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim...

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

USA wrote:

You honestly think chances are high that we get hit by a space rock and never have Anaheim 1 again?

LOL, no, but earth is hit by many rocks every day.

3
10/31/2025 6:15pm

Chances are high for ET to get Pluto TV instead of cable.

1
11/1/2025 6:26am Edited Date/Time 11/1/2025 6:50am

In early KTM Supercross testing, Tomac has shown preference to centrifugal over cable actuation:

Tomac 2
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1
soggy
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11/1/2025 7:30am
USA wrote:

You honestly think chances are high that we get hit by a space rock and never have Anaheim 1 again?

LOL, no, but earth is hit by many rocks every day.

apparently we don’t understand if/then statements. 

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1
11/1/2025 9:07am
KurtJ99 wrote:
I look at Reeds privateer 22 success and wonder why Tomac doesn’t do that on a Yamaha. I can’t believe that it is about money this...

I look at Reeds privateer 22 success and wonder why Tomac doesn’t do that on a Yamaha. I can’t believe that it is about money this late in his career. The KTM must really be everything he wants and the best bike choice anyways. That would make sense. 

ohh_454 wrote:
KTM was the last factory choice for Tomac, I doubt it is everything he wants, especially after seeing Chase on it this year. The 22 route...

KTM was the last factory choice for Tomac, I doubt it is everything he wants, especially after seeing Chase on it this year. The 22 route is wayyy too expensive for Tomac who’s just trying to race for another 2 years imo. 

This means nothing because Chase is a head case and can make any bike look bad. He did no better on the Honda. 

8
11/1/2025 9:09am
hartebreak wrote:
I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a...

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

These are hilarious. People are acting like the KTM is some alien that cannot be mastered. KTM has won a lot of championships for a reason. He will be fine.

18
11/1/2025 10:32am
hartebreak wrote:
I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a...

I know Eli has already signed with KTM, but is there ANY chance that he cant get the bike figured out and we will get a "retirement" announcement prior to A1?

soggy wrote:
sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim...

sure there is a chance. it’s quite a small one, but theres a chance. 

Theres also a chance we get hit by a space rock and Anaheim 1 doesn’t even happen. 

I put them around the same odds. 

I’m putting the chance he gets one at 99%

1
11/3/2025 12:16pm
TeamGreen wrote:

So, uh…yeah, no…

Did Eli get his KTM with a cable clutch, yet? 🤣

Yes he did, he's had it for a bit now.  100% cable clutch, stamped.  

Everyone will see it tomorrow unless someone wants to drive by with a telephoto and take a look.  You could get shots of all the boys.  Eli's kit looks great on the pumpkin.

  

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TalinH112
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11/3/2025 12:23pm
In early KTM Supercross testing, Tomac has shown preference to centrifugal over cable actuation:

In early KTM Supercross testing, Tomac has shown preference to centrifugal over cable actuation:

Tomac 2

The Tomac genes are pretty damn strong haha 

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