Are all billet clutch baskets the same?

Mitaka makes a billet and hard anodised clutch basket out of 7075 alloy. They are pretty common in the UK, and come at a great price. They're a little known secret in the Vintage and Evo scene as they are the best option for the older Honda's and are as good as the other branded baskets you can buy. I have Hinson, Rekluse and Talon on my bikes.

http://www.dirtbikestore.co.uk/acatalog/DirtBikeStore_com_Mitaka_Billet…

Don't touch their pistons or conrod kits though...

I bought a Wiseco basket for my RM250 based on the fact that I couldn't find a Hinson when I needed it. It made a HUUGE improvement to clutch feel and it seems to be holding up really well, no notching etc.

Id say the biggest difference is warranty. If its the same material theyll be pretty similar lifespan wise

Definitely this. As long as materials are the same, you should look for the best warranty. Hinson has a 6 month warranty that is voided if you use kevlar or carbon fiber clutch plates, while Wiseco has a lifetime warranty with no stipulations I can see.

Hinson has a different coating supposedly. They call it akodize.
Rekluse has been on the cutting edge of design the last few years. Either company you won't go wrong with.

Hinson only

I spoke to an engineering guy that makes parts for older bikes, CR480, steel framed Hondas, that sort of stuff and he was telling me that Wiseco & Talon are actually made out of a harder material than Hinson. I asked why have they got such a good reputation then & he said coz they basically gave them to the top teams to use and once the public see the teams using them, they presume they are the best.

How come? i have a Mitaka rod i want to rebuild my 300EXC crank with. Seems good quality?

I have repaired a few engines where the pistons have failed prematurely. Their pistons are cast and machined in Taiwan, and I presume the con rods are the same. For stressed components, I would rather have the security of knowing that a ProX or Wosssner component is in there. That said, they seem to be expanding and improving all the time, so if you think it's fine, I would run it. Most failures are from poor installation anyways.

Someone told me that moose basket and the Hinson are the same product just rebranded... anyone heard that

Moose baskets are just Hinson with the Moose logo. (moose pistons are CP also). Wiseco baskets are claimed to be forged and not billet. In theory, forging should make a stronger part. I have used a bunch of Wiseco, Hinson, and Rekluse without any complaints on any. Also look into Rekluses new torq drive clutch pack. They use thin steel shims that go over the tabs on the basket so instead of replacing a grooved basket you can just change the $20 shims

Moose, Hinson, Wiseco are all great products. Wiseco baskets actually have a lifetime guarantee. Barnett makes an aluminum basket with steel inserts as well. They come in fractionally heavier than the aluminum counterparts, I doubt enough for anyone to even notice.