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BMW R1100R vs XS1100

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  • #16
    Originally posted by MGordon View Post
    Thanks guys....Does this take the place of a fork brace (i.e. stop the front end from flexing/wobbling) or just in that it provides much stiffer compression, hence less diving and more stability in handling. I've never felt a bike wobble more than the XS!
    I am interested in this as well... Do you guys have any more details? Note - My bike "wobbles" a lot less in a straight line and on corners with the addition of progressive 412s on the rear - nothing done to the front yet.
    1980 XS1100 Midnight Special
    1980 XS400 Special - (cafe project)
    2009 Polaris 600 RMK (got to ride something in the winter)

    Comment


    • #17
      The emulators do not replace the fork brace. They have different functions. The emulators do a great job of keeping your front tire in contact with the pavement, while soaking up the bumps and eliminating sudden dive. They are tunable and rebound can be controlled with a change in fork oil viscosity. This set-up is a huge improvement over stock.

      To know if you benefit from a fork brace, grab the front brake in a sweeping turn. Quickly let go. Your bike should maintain the same line. If not, you could benefit from a fork brace.
      Marty (in Mississippi)
      XS1100SG
      XS650SK
      XS650SH
      XS650G
      XS6502F
      XS650E

      Comment


      • #18
        My bike "wobbles" a lot less in a straight line and on corners with the addition of progressive 412s on the rear - nothing done to the front yet.
        I put the HD version of the Progressive 412 on my bike. I'm not entirely happy. I have the preload cranked all the way up to set the proper sag. I weigh 235 lbs. When I add a passenger, my headlight is shining in the trees. The stock "pogo-sticks" are better in this regard. I'm wondering if the springs will swap. I don't think I'm a fan of the progressive spring.

        Any ideas?
        Marty (in Mississippi)
        XS1100SG
        XS650SK
        XS650SH
        XS650G
        XS6502F
        XS650E

        Comment


        • #19
          Originally posted by jetmechmarty View Post
          The emulators do not replace the fork brace. They have different functions. The emulators do a great job of keeping your front tire in contact with the pavement, while soaking up the bumps and eliminating sudden dive. They are tunable and rebound can be controlled with a change in fork oil viscosity. This set-up is a huge improvement over stock.

          To know if you benefit from a fork brace, grab the front brake in a sweeping turn. Quickly let go. Your bike should maintain the same line. If not, you could benefit from a fork brace.
          Not advisable, you shouldn't be doing anything "quickly" or "suddenly" thats just bad technique. Read anything about riding, ask any racer, or instructor, or anyone truly knowledgeable about riding if you should try this...

          I'd even hazard a guess that doing this same test on any bike, even a brand new top of the line sport bike would cause a change in your line, your going to totally upset the suspension, change the weight distribution etc etc which is going to change your line.
          1979 xs1100 Special -
          Stock air box/K&N Filter, MAC 4-2 exhaust, Bad-Boy Air horn, TC fuse box, Windshield, Soft bags, Vetter Fairing, Blinkers->Run/Turn/Brake Lights, Headlight Modulator, hard wire GPS power

          Short Stack - 1981 xs1100 Standard - lowered for SWMBO.

          Originally posted by fredintoon
          Goes like a train, corners like a cow, shifts like a Russian tractor, drinks like a fish, you are gonna love it.
          My Bike:
          [link is broken]

          Comment


          • #20
            progressive shocks

            Originally posted by jetmechmarty View Post
            I put the HD version of the Progressive 412 on my bike. I'm not entirely happy. I have the preload cranked all the way up to set the proper sag. I weigh 235 lbs. When I add a passenger, my headlight is shining in the trees. The stock "pogo-sticks" are better in this regard. I'm wondering if the springs will swap. I don't think I'm a fan of the progressive spring.

            Any ideas?
            I use these:
            418 Progressive 12" shocks they have a 230/270 spring rating and I have no issues riding 2 up with the missus (I weigh 260 and her weight is classified , but combined we are close to 460 )

            Headlight is fine and ride and handling were never better with stock than these.

            John
            John is in an anonymous city with an Alamo (N29.519227,W-98.678980)

            Go ahead, click on the bikes - you know you want to...the electrons are ready.
            '81 XS1100H - "Enterprise"
            Bob Jones Custom Navy bike: Tkat brace, EBC floating rotors & SS lines, ROX pivot risers, Geezer rectifier, new 3H3 engine

            "Not all treasure is silver and gold"

            Comment


            • #21
              Not advisable, you shouldn't be doing anything "quickly" or "suddenly" thats just bad technique. Read anything about riding, ask any racer, or instructor, or anyone truly knowledgeable about riding if you should try this...

              I'd even hazard a guess that doing this same test on any bike, even a brand new top of the line sport bike would cause a change in your line, your going to totally upset the suspension, change the weight distribution etc etc which is going to change your line.
              That being said, the XS11 may or may not benefit from a fork brace, depending on your riding style.

              The emulators will make a noticeable difference, no matter how you ride.
              Marty (in Mississippi)
              XS1100SG
              XS650SK
              XS650SH
              XS650G
              XS6502F
              XS650E

              Comment


              • #22
                I wonder how much a difference they make on a XJ11? The XJ11 handles much more steadily and comfortably than the XJ650J though the XJ650j is much more nimble. I've never been on a XS11 so I can't compare. I know the shocks are different on the XJ11 than the XS11.
                82 XJ1100 Maxim "hurricane"- DEKA EXT18L AGM battery , NGK BPR6EIX spark plugs, Green Dyna coils, Sylvania SilverStar Ultra H4 bulb, 139 dB Stebel Nautilus air horn, Home-made K&N air filter based on an original paper filter frame, new piston rings, Barnett Clutch Springs, SS braid/Teflon brake lines, TKAT fork brace, rebuilt calipers, master cylinders, new brakes, reupholstered seat, lotsa little things and so many answered questions here.

                Comment


                • #23
                  XS or XJ11 will benefit the same way. XJ11 has a heavier fender, so the fork brace is a little less a factor.
                  Marty (in Mississippi)
                  XS1100SG
                  XS650SK
                  XS650SH
                  XS650G
                  XS6502F
                  XS650E

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    My xj11 had forks like an xs 11 special.so yes

                    I used to ride crotch rockets through mnts when I was younger abd I figured screaming through the mnts was over untill this mod! It shoots back and forth with such ease now. Before it had to be muscled to get it to move un the cyrves. It is like riding my yzf600r!
                    " She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. "

                    79 xs11 standard
                    xs pods, Kerker 4-1, zrx1200r carbs mikesxs coils 35k voltz of power!!!
                    8mm msd wires
                    tkat fork brace...
                    Fox shocks...
                    mikes650 front fender
                    led's gallore...
                    renthal bars
                    gold valve emulators
                    vmax tensioner
                    Rifle fairing

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Emulators and angles

                      I will probably get a set of emulators for Yami after reading these posts.

                      Regarding the suggestion to grab the front brake while going around a corner and the bike should go straight.
                      Consider this: If the front forks compress the wheel base of the bike will get shorter. If the wheel base is shorter the turning radius will change. If the turning radius changes the bike can not go in a straight line.
                      Assuming here that straight refers to a constant arc around the corner.
                      If there was no rake to the front end or the rear end there would be no change in bike length.
                      This is why we ran the old bikes with stiff suspension and were careful with corners that had bumps in them.
                      Newer bikes have less rake because of all this, and suspension that works a lot better.
                      I am now riding my 006 SV1000S Suzuki for the summer.

                      Unkle Crusty

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        First thing I did was the Tkat brace. Later, Progressive 412 shocks and Progressive springs. Sorta wish I had gone with the emulators as well but I wasn't thrilled with the idea of drilling holes within the forks.
                        Anyway, for me the Tkat brace made a huge difference. The rest not so much. I think my XS handles quite well. I've been happy.
                        80 SG
                        81 SH in parts
                        99 ST1100
                        91 ST1100

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          I've had a TKAT fork brace for years (first run) with the stock air front springs, and rode the snot out of my XS11 (double the yellow +10). Was like trying to tame King Kong on tight turns and rolling sweepers, but once I got it, I got it and could hang with just about anyone. Adding the TKAT brace worked wonders, but the fork was still mushy and required creative positioning to compensate for the chassis and suspension.fork/head flex on the XS11. Just put in Progressive springs yesterday, did 3" spacer (instead of 3.5) and 15W Fork Oil, and WOW..... Front end feels almost as tight as my FJR. I've got crappy chen-sing tires because she is mostly a garage queen 1X a month rider these days, and know the chassis/frame flex is still an issue, but I am shocked at the improvement in stability. I did have some frame reinforcing done in the 90's, and ran sport bike tires, but will be interesting to see how progressives in the rear change things. First is a New exhaust, and then next year (gotta stay in budget) will add progressive rears.

                          I dont know what the emulators cost or what they will do, but progressive springs are cheap and EASY to install that unless you plan to track or race the bike, you may have what you need.
                          Last edited by Bulldog9; 05-19-2011, 06:44 AM.
                          2005 FJR 1300 "Mission" (NON ABS)
                          1979 XS 1100 SF "Visitation" Owned since 1984 - SS Brake Lines, TKAT fork brace, Progressive Fork Springs.
                          1978 XS 750 D "Motivation" - 9" rear custom shocks, dropped front end, shaved seat

                          When Caged:2006 Jeep Commander, 1986 Cutlass 442, 1976 Porsche 912E (latest project)

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            The emulators are cheap at 150.00 I used them with the stock springs. The drilling and inserting thrm only took a couple of hours. Very easy and its a way bettet improvement than progressive springs.
                            Do some research on some other sites for the emulators. Alot if people will tell you the are way better than progressive springs. There are only about 3 or 4 of us on hrre with them. And 1guy has them in fj11 forks. Look at any old vintage bike site and see how people like them.
                            " She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. "

                            79 xs11 standard
                            xs pods, Kerker 4-1, zrx1200r carbs mikesxs coils 35k voltz of power!!!
                            8mm msd wires
                            tkat fork brace...
                            Fox shocks...
                            mikes650 front fender
                            led's gallore...
                            renthal bars
                            gold valve emulators
                            vmax tensioner
                            Rifle fairing

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              IMO, a fork brace is an excellent improvement on any XS1100. They were available in the 70's and I have had one on all four of my bikes. The front fender has a brace in it but it's nowhere near as rigid, or sturdy or effective as an after market brace. Get hold of a front fender, off the bike and twist it.... it flexes slightly and does so even more when attached to the bike.

                              I bought a vintage Micron brace off eBay. They are quite readily available and go straight onto the bike, allowing you to keep the rubber fork shrouds.
                              XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Bmw

                                Speaking of BMW. I used to sell them in the early seventies, as well as Honda, Triumph, Moto Guzzi and Vespa scooters.
                                I preferred the Guzzi shaft drive to the BMW. It did not wind up the rear end the same, and the cylinders did not hit the pavement.
                                The most comfortable bike to ride around town was an older BMW 500 with Earls forks. Had a sprung seat. But it wobbled worse than anything I have ever riden.
                                Later my favourite around town bike was a CB400 Honda.

                                For a slight difference in a ride:
                                At the track I used to get off a screaming 250cc TD2B Yamaha with six gears on the left, weighing around 220 pounds and 40 hp: and then get on a 300 pound 750 Norton making 85hp in a Reynolds frame, and four gears on the right.
                                After a while I moved the shifter to the RH side on the Yamaha.
                                I also switched helmets which helped me adjust to the different bikes.

                                The smooth running engine in XS11 Yami is always nice. It will never handle as good as my much newer Suzuki, but that is why I have both.

                                Cousin has a BMW in the barn up in Seahouses. I should visit sometime.
                                Was trying to get to the IOM in 011, as it was 40 years since I was there last.
                                Unkle Crusty

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