A clutch that contains many plates that are in the oil spray of the transmission and the oil gets between the plates. The plates on wet clutches have a tendency to stick together when the bike sits. So, when you start the bike in the morning, before you put it in first gear to move off, depress the clutch lever for about 30 seconds to allow the oil on the plates to drain off and the plates to separate. Otherwise, you’ll get a decided clunk and slight movement forward when you put it in first. (Compare Dry Clutch)
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Thanks for the tip about the plates sticking when starting up. My bike often jumps a little when shifing into 1st after starting. I thought maybe the clutch was not adjusted properly. It jumps if I start it in 1st as well (shouldn’t do that), apparently for the same reason. I thought the wet clutch was submerged in oil; I now know it’s in the “spray” of oil. Thanks a lot.
[...] As opposed to a “wet clutch” which is immersed in a cooling, lubricating fluid, which also keeps the surfaces clean and gives smoother performance and longer life, a “dry clutch,” is not bathed in fluid that robs it of some energy. Since the surfaces of a wet clutch can be slippery (as with a motorcycle clutch bathed in engine oil), stacking multiple clutch disks can compensate for slippage. A Dry Clutch is more like the clutch found on an automobile that separates the engine from the transmission. There is a dry connection between the engine and transmission. (Compare Wet Clutch). [...]