98 kx 250 clutch plates steel or stock aluminum

[Flattracker]

Does anyone have experience or preference using aftermarket steel clutch plates?

[treedodgingfool]

I only use OEM clutch parts with no issues (competing in enduros/almost always technical nasties play-riding & I'm a chronic clutch abuser), but if your '98s clutch was switched by a previous owner to aluminum drives instead of the way more durable OEM steels, I'd switch back out to OEM steels used in them.  The fibers/friction plates are aluminum and they're very durable as long as you don't file the basket too many times/too much play and replace the fibers & springs at intervals relative to the amount of miles/hours the bike gets (I put probably around 2k+ miles per year on my bike & swap clutch fibers & springs usually once per year regardless of specs, in my case, going any longer is borrowed time).  Aluminum drive plates have no real benefit and seem to contiminate the oil almost immediately.

[Foxx4Beaver]

Over the past 38 years, I've used just about every aftermarket clutch out there, I raced the "A" and "A Vet" the last 11 years I rode competitively.
In those years, I've found nothing gives the PRECISE FEEL at the lever, than the OEM clutch with aluminum plates....I've said it on here before, a lot of oil changes go on at my place, but when you're on the line at a track like Southwick, with 30 other "A" riders...you better be confident in your clutch.
The ONLY other set-up I would ever consider, is the COMPLETE clutch pack from Hinson...meaning the basket, inner hub, all the plates, pressure plate, springs....I used one of these in my 04 KX250 and was impressed on the "feel" at the lever it gave.
If you're just out play riding/weekend warrior, then you would want to go with the less maintenance OEM steels. 

[Flattracker]

I race flattrack the only clutch use my bike requires is hole shot and two (1/4mile track) or four (1/2) shifts per race.  My bike has been idle for the last five years after four years of racing.  I have not previously had any trouble nor have I replaced any clutch parts other than the springs. I'm not sure about previous owners I was told and believe the bike had two seasons of trail riding on it when I purchased it in 2005.

[Flattracker]

I'm not sure if the Friction Discs are OEM,  but if I remember correctly the Clutch Plates(in my bike) have dimples on them.  I seem to remember them being aluminum, I will check for sure this weekend.    Please clarify are the stock Clutch Plates STEEL or Aluminum?

[treedodgingfool]

The stock, OEM drives (metals) are suppose to be steel in '98, same as up to '04.  Considering the age & time and if you're planning to get back into the groove of things riding heavily or more often, being that the plates (fibers & metals) are original, I would replace the fibers & springs as long as the metals are steel & within spec/not warped.  

Everybody will have differing opinions based on their discipline of racing (I having competed off-road, mostly enduros, at 70+ miles at a time, for 15+ years in A-Open/250/Vet and my husband has been competing in the same discipline for 30+ years in A-Senior/250/Open), but for what we do and the mileage accumulated, beyond dumping the tranny oil after every race & almost every ride, we prefer steels and a fresh clutch at the start of every season (fibers, springs, pressure plate).  I need my clutch to survive a 70+ mile day in the saddle with a lot of slipping, hence why we never liked aluminum plates.  MX & Flat-trackers, may have a different view upon what works best in their applications, we need sheer durability based upon the hot, slow going technical stuff encountered and out right mileage we accumulate during each event or ride.

[Foxx4Beaver]

dimples on them.

aluminum does have the dimples, I don't know about the steels, it's been over 25 years since I ran steel plates....my 88, 90, 93, 95, 97, 04 all had stock alloy clutch's brand new off the floor, and my current '00 that I rebuilt last year had an alloy set-up ...I've yet to ever have to replace a clutch due to wear running alloy plates, just gotta keep the oil clean.
 

[treedodgingfool]

I've owned (all purchased new) three '03 KX250s, two '04 KX250s & one '07 KX250. Those all came from the factory with steel drives (which are dimpled). Just rebuilt a customers '05 KX250 with OEM steel drives too.  The fibers are aluminum.