Rekluse is a high-performance clutch company founded in 2002 by Al Youngwerth. Rekluse’s best-known product is its centrifugal-style automatic clutch for dirt bikes that prevents stalling and makes rough, rocky terrain easier to traverse. The technology provides riders access to terrain suitable for more experienced riders. More recently, Rekluse has developed a Left-Hand Rear Brake (LHRB) device. The Rekluse LHRB is dual-action, as the right foot brake lever remains fully functional. The purposes of the LHRB are to make it easier to brake in tight right-hand turns and when standing up, as well as to enhance braking precision. We requisitioned a Rekluse Dual Actuated Left-Hand Rear Brake kit for Beta motorcycles for a test.
Several versions were offered over the years, and the Dual Actuated LHRB features the latest technology and features. The Beta-friendly kit also works with Yamaha and GasGas motorcycles—it is not a generic design. The kit is complete with the hardware you need. You provide the tools and DOT 5.1 fluid. The installation manual is one of the best I have ever seen, and it goes into great detail with multiple descriptions and illustrations for each step.
Built to the highest standards, this kit oozes quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful features. Sporting aircraft-quality fittings, black-anodized billet aluminum, and hardened steel, the $489 Rekluse Dual Actuated LHRB kit is a top-shelf product that should prove durable.
The installation of the LHRB demands patience. It requires planning due to the amount of hardware and fittings that must be adjusted for proper fitment. Once that is done, the installation is straightforward. I would rate it as a 6 out of 10—10 being splitting the cases and 1 being putting air in the tires. Let’s just say Associate Editors Jess McKinley and Neil Wyenn would have no problem. At the same time, Associate Editor Kelly Callan and Editor Don Williams would come running to me, begging for help.
Unique to Rekluse’s LHRB is the sliding-perch mounting system. While not a fully realized adjustment feature, it provides a decent range of adjustment when placing the perch and the lever in a desired position. The rotatable and repositionable handlebar clamp system is unique, and can solve fitment problems on a handlebar with lots of stuff mounted—GPS, phone, handguards, and the like.
For example, using the LHRB, you can no longer place the clutch perch in a very low position, as you need room for the Rekluse hardware. Also, the LHRB’s hydraulic line must be free and clear of any hardware on the handlebar.
After about 30 minutes of mocking up the system on the bike, verifying fit and lever positions, I was ready to move forward. Once you have figured out where you want everything to go, you lightly cinch down all the fasteners and orient the Rekluse master cylinder so the bleed port is at the highest point.
I installed the Rekluse Dual Actuated LHRB on a 2023 Beta 480 Race Edition, running a Flexx handlebar from Fasst Company. It is a handlebar system that provides impact absorption via elastomeric hinges. The Flexxbar hinge hardware gets in the way of the Rekluse hydraulic line, so some perch and lever position compromises had to be made. Although it’s not a deal breaker, it takes a couple of rides to get used to the lower lever positioning of the LHRB.
Conventional handlebars will not run into this issue, nor will isolation mounts such as those from Urmosi or Mako. Putting the Rekluse LHRB above the stock clutch lever was tried, but the clutch lever position was too awkward. Many will opt for combining the LHRB with one of the Rekluse Clutch systems, making access to the clutch lever an option rather than a necessity.
Bleeding the system is no different than a typical rear brake bleed, though you now have the Rekluse Brake Sleeve—a junction of the new hand brake and the existing foot brake hydraulic lines. This part goes into the rear brake master cylinder, and it comes with a new reservoir top that allows for the connection of the hand brake system. Installation of the Brake Sleeve o-rings is critical, and a bright flashlight is mandatory to verify you have the o-rings properly seated.
The kit comes with the all-important tools for back-bleeding a brake system—syringes! Pushing the fluid up from the bottom (from the caliper) also pushes the air bubbles out of the master cylinder. When transferring hydraulic fluid from the container to the syringe, go slowly. If you suck the fluid up too quickly, you will create cavitation, which will introduce thousands of microscopic bubbles into the fluid. If the fluid looks hazy, you’ve got bubbles that will cause spongy brakes. Take your time.
Bleeding takes as long as an hour, unless you are very experienced and skilled—then, it can take 10 minutes. If you have never bled brakes before, get some help and follow the instructions to the letter to reduce frustration. It’s all about preventing introducing air into the line as you go. You can’t do anything wrong or damage the kit by getting air in the lines—you just are making the task last longer.
Once the system is bled, and the levers adjusted and tightened down, you are ready to ride.
Take it easy on your first ride. The left side of the handlebar may be unfamiliar to you now, what with an extra lever and the existing lever in a new location. Spend time acquiring muscle memory for the new brake and clutch positioning and operation before you go full banzai on the trails or track. It took me a couple of rides—you may need more or less, depending on whether or not you’re a fast learner.
Testing of the Rekluse Dual Actuated Left-Hand Rear Brake is a simple affair. There is nothing to figure out—it just works, and it works consistently. There is a lot of braking power to be had, and it’s much easier to control the rear brake traction when you can feel the hydraulic feedback in your gloved hand rather than your booted foot. Plus, it allows for optimizing the foot brake pedal position of your choice, standing or sitting, and using the LHRB for everything else.
The ability to drag the rear brake in tricky corners or on very narrow trials is a considerable improvement. A slight application of the rear brake prevents unnecessary rear wheel shifting and spinning, giving you much more control in a corner.
While this is an excellent iteration of the Rekluse Dual Actuated Left-Hand Rear Brake, there is room for design improvement regarding positioning on a busy handlebar—the second master cylinder can be challenging to position out of the way. Perhaps there could be a solution, such as a remote reservoir or a dog-legged lever bend. While Rekluse can’t design a product that accommodates modifications installed by every rider, products such as the Flexx handlebar are common. So, I’ll throw that out there and hope for the best.
In the meantime, the Rekluse Dual Actuated Left-Hand Rear Brake is an outstanding product that improves the dirt bike riding experience. I recommend this device to riders with better than average riding skills riding harder than average terrain who want to reduce riding frustration caused by the inability to confidently reach the rear brake in tricky situations. It also works for riders who regularly ride mountain bikes or e-bikes, where left-hand rear brakes are the norm.
