TierHawg said:
I heard the BMW 1200 GS/A had dry clutches, and was wondering if the ST had the same.
The BMW R-bikes have typically had the dry clutches. (Some Ducatis too, although with them I think it is more of a character thing.) It's sorta "baked in" to the overall BMW design - the crank runs longitudinally (front to back) rather than transversely (side to side) and it would be very difficult to put a wet clutch on the rear of the motor between engine and transmission. The BMW architecture is more "car like" so it tends to have systems more like cars (which also usually have dry clutches). I liken it to shaft vs. chain - each design has its plusses and minuses.
Dry clutch advantages:
+ Doesn't contaminate the engine oil with clutch debris
+ Potentially longer life if not abused
+ Potentially lighter/smoother clutch pull
+ Less clutch drag so typically no big CLUNK the first time you engage a gear and break clutch plates free
Wet clutch advantages
+ Much easier/cheaper to repair
+ Much more tolerant of abuse
+ No seals to leak and contaminate clutch
- Mark