SuzukiSavage.com - Fork Brace

MnSpring

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Fork Brace
08/28/14 at 16:20:48

It seems that the Jury is still out,
on whether a 'fork brace; is worth it or not.
And most of the 'Pro's', come from the dirt bike, people.
"jump as high as you can, and as far as you can".
(Which is understandable, If I was doing that,
would want as much support as I could get)

Reason is. Their is a bit of stretch of road I use,
Where the pavement is, rough, and their 2 RR tracks at a angle.
(It's Knees tight on the tank, and a firm grip, if I go over that above 50)
Do you think a fork brace will help, on this bike.

On a, 'big' bike, (which I have borrowed) it's just mush.
On the XT225, (dirt tires), it's the same as the smooth road.
(Hold on to the filling in your teeth)

Is a, 'fork brace', gonna help? On this bike? (Opinions)

Next, if it is determined, that one would help.
Any alternative to the 175.00, 'Super Brace", one?

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Ben Franklin once said: "If you give up a freedom, for the sake of security, you will have neither".
Which is More TRUE, today, than yesterday.('06, S-40, Stock) well, mostly .

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Paladin. Serious Thumper Offline Hamster Posts: 4929 Sunny Southern California Gender:	Re: Fork Brace Reply #1 - 08/28/14 at 17:35:36 verslagen1's bike and mine -- both with flyshields, both with fork braces. For me, mounting it had noticeably better handling.
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cafecarl Junior Member Offline I love old motorcycles Posts: 58 Maine Gender:	Re: Fork Brace Reply #2 - 08/28/14 at 18:43:50 If you're going fenderless, I'd say it's worth it. But the stock fender is a pretty strong piece of steel with a doubled layer bolted to the forks. I guess I don't push mine hard enough to see the need. They do look cool though.
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pg Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 5273 In Transit	Re: Fork Brace Reply #3 - 08/28/14 at 19:07:49 IMHO it is well worth it, the best $125 I spent on mine. I went with the TKAT.
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prechermike Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Kalashna Kitty, from Skat Posts: 1190 Ponzer, NC Gender:	Re: Fork Brace Reply #4 - 08/29/14 at 05:31:56 I got mine from TKAT as well for my '87. To me the difference was noticeable, seemed to smooth the rough roads out some. When I bought mu '06, it already had a TKAT on it. I'd say it is worth it.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Fork Brace Reply #5 - 08/29/14 at 06:39:49 I can only think of one here who didnt say he saw handling improve. I felt a difference, Superbrace, It was a gift from a buddy, Boy, if I was gonna customize one & give it a Bad Boy look, Id go with the T-Kat,,
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splash07 Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 911 Charleston, SC Gender:	Re: Fork Brace Reply #6 - 08/29/14 at 06:51:09 got my TKAT used here for $75. Keep an eye out and be patient and you will find one for a decent price
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Serowbot

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OK.... so what's the
speed of dark?

Posts: 28660
Tucson Az
Gender: male

Re: Fork Brace
Reply #7 - 08/29/14 at 07:47:34

Just for the sake of balance,... I'll give my 2 cents...

I tried a t-kat for about 6 months... and it did nothing for me...
Admittedly,.. I didn't feel any fork flex problems before installation either...

As a former dirt rider,.. maybe I'm insensitive to it... (I'm rarely bothered by low tire air, until it gets below 15lbs)...
... or,.. I'm only 145lbs... maybe I don't weight the front-end enough to have a problem...

It may have more effect if you have no fender... or if you are 200+lbs...

There is also a psychological component...
I've read of perceived "handling" improvements that wouldn't relate to the addition of a brace...
...just as I've read about "performance" improvements from adding a Raptor petcock, or idle mix adjustments...

If you're concerned about wasting your money... do a test...
Remove your front fender, and try the rough stretch of road you ride a few times...
If you perceive a worsening in handling,... perhaps a brace would give an improvement...

I think most people that buy a brace, are really looking for a steering damper...
JMHO... Wink

...

I'd recommend a taller rear shock...12" or 12.5"...
...and a 1/2" spacer on the front fork springs to add firmness...(our stocker is way too squishy in front, and too harsh in the back)...

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

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MnSpring

Serious Thumper

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Younger than most
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Posts: 9345
Minn
Gender: male

Re: Fork Brace
Reply #8 - 08/29/14 at 08:25:44

Serowbot wrote on 08/29/14 at 07:47:34:

I think most people that buy a brace, are really looking for a steering damper...

That's exactly what I was thinking. On, 'normal' tar roads, the S40 seems fine. (Lot more comfy than the XT). I have also ridden, 'big' bikes. And they are so disconnected from the road, why not just drive a cage, (or Can-Am).
But the front end, 'wandering', on bad tar, thought their would be a 'fix'.

Will keep checking, and perhaps look for a, 'T-Kat, one.
Also, adding a bit to the forks sound good.

Thanks. And if their more, 'this way or that way', opinions.
Please post them.

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Ben Franklin once said: "If you give up a freedom, for the sake of security, you will have neither".
Which is More TRUE, today, than yesterday.('06, S-40, Stock) well, mostly .

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oldNslow

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SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

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Rochester, NY
Gender: male

Re: Fork Brace
Reply #9 - 08/29/14 at 10:03:26

Quote:

But the front end, 'wandering', on bad tar, thought their would be a 'fix'.

No experience regarding a fork brace or no brace on our specific bikes but just a comment from another old dirt rider. The front end is supposed to wander when the surface sucks. That wiggling back and forth is the bike constantly self correcting to keep itself upright. At speed the bike does this without any help from you. Think about how you have to constantly saw the bars back and forth to keep your balance at one or two mph.

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MnSpring Serious Thumper Offline Younger than most people my age. Posts: 9345 Minn Gender:	Re: Fork Brace Reply #10 - 08/29/14 at 17:27:59 Well, found a, t-kat. It should be here late next week. After I install, and ride, I will report.
Back to top	Ben Franklin once said: "If you give up a freedom, for the sake of security, you will have neither". Which is *More TRUE, today, than yesterday.('06, S-40, Stock) well, mostly* . IP Logged