UTV Clutching 101: Everything You Need to Know and More!

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Unlike most road-going vehicles, most UTVs use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This means there are gears like a standard automatic transmission and no clutch and shifter like a manual transmission car. The CVT is great because it’s a simple design which is ideal for a UTV which is designed to be relatively simple, but there are some downfalls to the CVT system which is where aftermarket clutch kits come into play. But, how do you know what kind of clutch you need? Well, it all depends on your modifications and driving style.
What Does a CVT Clutch do?
The basic idea behind a CVT clutch is to control what RPM the engine and transmission are fully engaged at. Below that certain RPM, the clutch will allow some slippage which will help get your UTV moving off the line. If the clutch was fully engaged at low speed, the engine would end up bogging down and struggling to push the vehicle. The problem is, the clutch is designed around a specific tire size and power level. This means your power adding mods such as a tune, intake, and exhaust, could be going to waste without proper clutching.
Limitations of the Stock Clutch
The problem with the stock clutch, as mentioned above, is how it’s designed for a one tire size and one power level, plus the clutch needs to be suitable for towing/hauling, mud bogging, trail riding, and dunes. This effectively makes the stock clutch a one size fits all design, making it decent at everything but not good at one particular type of driving.
With an OEM clutch in the mud bogs, your engine can end up bogging down and burning up the clutch. In the dunes, you need the RPMs to stay high, so you have the power to keep the paddles spinning. These are areas where the stock clutch will not keep up with your demands, and an aftermarket clutch kit is needed.
What an Aftermarket UTV Clutch Kit can do for you:
Improved acceleration
Faster shifting and backshifts
Much better throttle response
Improved reliability (especially for modified UTVs)
No more belt issues!
What Kind of Clutch do you Need?
The aftermarket clutch you need depends solely on tire size, driving style, and power mods. But here’s a brief overview of what style clutching will work best for you:
Mud bogging requires a low of low-end torque to turn those big tires through the thick mud. Without proper clutching, you can end up stuck with your engine revving up but the tires not moving, resulting in a clutch and belt smoke - yikes!
Dune driving requires more top-end power to keep the paddles turning at high speed. Without proper clutching, you will slowly lose speed while climbing a big dune and eventually the wheels will stop moving.
Trail riding requires really good throttle response. When you’re exiting a corner, you want to be able to punch the throttle and have the RPMs jump right up where they need to be.
If you’re still not sure what clutch kit will work best for your UTV, contact our performance specialists by emailing sales@vividracing.com or calling 1-480-966-3040. We can help you find the perfect clutch kit for your UTV regardless of power, tires, and driving style.