The main purpose of a slipper clutch is to prevent over engine rev and rear wheel hop (or clatter) especially under hard braking in a vehicle (usually performance motorcycles).
When a back torque comes from the transmission, the splined hub slides up the bearing ramps, disconnecting from the clutch plates and allowing a limited slip between input and output.
The engine braking forces in conventional clutches will normally be transmitted back along the drive chain causing the rear wheel to hop, chatter or lose traction.
Slipper clutches eliminate this extra loading on the rear suspension, giving riders a more predictable ride and minimize the risk of over-revving the engine during downshifts.
[citation needed] Some experimental aircraft use a slipper clutch to control torsional resonance in the drive train and protect the engine from shock in the event of a propeller strike.