Product Report: Works Connection Elite Perch
swapmoto
- January 06 2009
- 2,835 views
- 14 comments
One of our biggest pet peeves about the new 2009 Honda CRF450R has to do with the clutch. Not the action or durability, mind you (our test bike has over 50 hours on the stock clutch), but rather the stiff feel it has at the lever. Instead of feeling buttery smooth and light like last year’s CRF450R, it’s more like the gnarly CR500R two-strokes of yesteryear.
That’s where the new Elite Perch from Works Connection comes in. With a slightly different pivot point and greater leverage than the stock perch, the quickest way to relieve arm pump for new Honda riders is to install one of these babies. With the Elite Perch installed, our CRF450R enjoys a buttery smooth feel at the clutch lever. We’ve had one of the newest versions (with a black lever) installed on our bike for several weeks now, and have come to absolutely adore the product.
The entire perch assembly is made of billet aluminum, and the on-the-fly adjuster features four large, gnurled nubs that are easy to feel and adjust while riding. In contrast to other on-the-fly adjuster wheels with more elaborate designs, the Works Connection unit offers deliberate clicks that are easy to detect when you are on the go. The nylon sleeve that the perch mounts over allows the assembly to rotate on the handlebars in the event of a crash. Care must be taken to properly tighten the perch so that this feature works: too loose and the perch can move while you are riding, but too much will render the nylon sleeve pointless. We have crashed with the Elite Perch installed and found that it does indeed rotate on the bars, eliminating the need for fancy hinged levers.
We did succeed in bending our lever, though, but it was not on the motocross track. Our art director Dave got a little overzealous with Swap’s Honda-powered powerwasher and blasted the CRF450R off its stand. The lever came into contact with the pavement with an impact that would be impossible to duplicate while riding, and the tip of it was transformed into a curly french fry. Because the Elite Perch lever is carved from billet Alcoa aluminum, it has a tendency to bend and not to snap. Miraculously, with the help of two large box-end wrenches, we were able to restore the lever to near-original condition. Another great feature about the levers is the triple-bearing pivot. With three seperate bearings in the pivot point of the lever, it has a very-and we mean very-precise feel with zero up and down slop. We’re sure that the bearings are also partially responsible for the softer, smoother feel at the lever.
Works Connection was one of the first players in the high-end aftermarket clutch perch market, and it continues to lead the way with quality, good looks, and function.
The Elite Perch is available in either red or blue anodizing, with either black or silver levers. Hot start versions cost $179.95, while non-hot start versions are $139.95.
Call 530/642-9488 or visit www.worksconnection.com
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January 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I use these, They are absolutely AMAZING! Easy to adjust on the fly, easy to pull. Works Connection makes incredible products all around! This was the first mod I did to my 2009 KX 450. It definitely changed the feel of the clutch.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
$180 bucks for alittle bit of aluminum, wow
January 6th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Check the price for a OEM replacement and it’s a deal!
January 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I agree these WC elite perches are sweet and do make the clucth pull a lot lighter and smoother especially on the 09 CRF 450. Love Mine!
January 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
like the clutch but i dont like the part of it being unbreakable like asv or that renthal one. sorry if i left any out but thats the only ones i know of
January 7th, 2009 at 6:38 am
u left out sunline. I just bought the hole cluch assembley and break lever. The perch isnt as sweet lokking as the WC thoug. Does anyone know weather the multi directional flex lever from sunline fits the perch from WC or PC?
January 7th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I dont know wich one to buy? ASV , Sunline, WCR , Renthals ?? man all are candy =S
January 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
How about a photo of the bended lever?
January 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Looks cool, but I’ve been a fan of ASV for years and they have the warranty which the folks at ASV definitely honor.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I have an ASV lever mounted into a Works Connection Elite perch and it is a sweet set up.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I didn’t like ASV levers being unbreakable. Hands come off the bars and it’s nice to have that lever there to catch yourself. When you adjust the clutch in the air, it’s nice to know you can rest your hand on the lever and use your thumb and not worry about the lever flying forward on you if you have forward momentum.
I have yet to have a WC perch break or even bend on me. The levers are so stout. I’m actually surprised transworld got it to break on concrete.
I haven’t used sunline or renthals, but I’m definitely not a fan of the ASVs.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
WC makes nice stuff!
Our Sunline V-1 Levers have a 5 year warranty on them. Plus the #7 guy use them!
January 8th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
The first thing I noticed on my 09 Honda CRF450R is the location of the clutch perch, it’s short lever and how it’s located to the hand (for me it just can’t be adjusted just right without cramming that large kill switch into the grip). This WC elite perch would be a nice add-on .. I use Works Connection stuff on all my bikes and I’m always happy with the quality and fit. Good Stuff
September 30th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
i need a new lever. what year and model lever fits th elite perch