OK, so I haven't been using the 900SS much this year. But that doesn't mean things don't go wrong! The clutch fluid goes down very slowly every week. The M/C was replaced with new as it definitely was leaking last year (onto the fairing). I now have an old one to get rebuilt sometime by a KTM dealer. Please can the more knowledgeable of you advise: -Oberon or RSR slave? The RSR is a few quid cheaper but is it the same quality? -Should I replace the (original) rubber hydraulic hose? -lastly, how the heck do you replace the battery box rubber straps? I have new ones, but can't get the old, cracked, but just about OK ones out of the bb. Do you have to dismantle the whole area around it? Cheers, Humbug
Yes. Get a black sleeved braided s/s one to look original, or any other colour to show off you’ve a new one. Getting the old ones out is easy: use a blunt flat head screwdriver to prod the swelling down through the hole in the battery box and retrieve from underneath. Threading the new ones in is trickier, use rubber grease to help get the flared part through the hole.
I have 2 Oberon's on my Dukes which I have had for several years, brilliant, improve action and no issues. Also bought a good few bits from RSR, carbon parts, and it's very good quality and service. I haven't tried their slaves though. So I can vouch for Oberon, mate has one too.
Thanks for the responses! I'll get the Honda Bros back on the road this week then concentrate on the Duc. Picked up some Dot4, so can at least ride it
On the Husqvarnas (which clutches aren’t great) the preferred upgrade is Oberon. I opted to replace all the rubber parts (seals etc..) with new ones. But if it fails again I will got for an Oberon.
After a year's use, I have to say the Oberon slave cylinder is a great upgrade. Smoother, slightly lighter, and the fluid in the reservoir doesn't get black like it used to. Took advantage of a nice sunny morning to get out on some fast sweeping A roads. To me, this bike is pretty close to perfect, I like a bike with character, and not too much power, so that you can use most of it. It overtakes effortlessly, though above 80 my glasses start shaking when the roads are a bit rough..time to back off, I guess. The bike has now done 21,000 miles, that's less than 1,000 miles a year, so, apart from a brief time 5 years ago sharing commuting duty with the Honda Bros 650, has been a sunny day toy. It should have gone to the Isle of Man in August, but that's understandable, 2020 sucks. Still pretty standard, on original exhausts. It had a top end refresh a couple of years back. The 900SS still has a mild stumble at 4,500 revs, but crack the throttle and it's hardly noticeable. The engine is so smooth above this, and is still making power at 8,000 revs, though I usually change up earlier. The suspension is hard, allowing you to feel imperfections in the road surface, and the handling is way better than my abilities. Fits my 5'7" body well, and is comfy for a couple of hours at a time, after which it's time to refuel anyway. Must remember not to wear a neck warmer next time out, it pushes on your neck at the back and makes raising your head a little harder. Filters well in traffic, as it's so slim, and can out-accelerate a Porsche (928, I think), as I found out today. I think I'll keep it a little longer
the rebuild kit for a standard master is only about 25 quid, failing that get the oberon. RSR are ok, but I've not had their cnc bits, only their carbon stuff which is pretty enough but the every item I've bought has needed work to make it fit.
Thats bad luck Sev, I've had problems with other carbon manufacturers, but RSR have always been great fit and excellent finish. Dunno about their slaves though.
Something not already said, Oberon have a return to factory life time warranty on their slave cylinder. I found them very helpful when I had a clutch lift problem that turned out to be failed master cylinder seals. Andy
