Cheapest price fork brace???

[IanDMacDonald]

I find it ironic that B. Walker's opinion of suspension updates are merely changes instead of improvements, yet his signature reads that the XJR is the modern XS. So, is the XJR a change or an improvement over the XS? Idk, it seems kind of silly to say that modern suspension components being installed on a 30+ year-old bike is merely a change, and deny that it is an improvement. I can say that all of the stock springs I've replaced with progressive shocks have definitely improved the riding on my XS750's.

[Schming]

Yes, they are merely Changes..... for the better.... just like the air in a front tire, for ex., 26psi may be good all day long 1 up but pick up your partner and thier luggage and you may want to add a few psi's to compensate for the extra weight so handling won't be compromised, which would be a change for the better.

There are so many variables that control the outcome of every Change we do to our bikes that not all Changes are going to be for the better in all situations.

In other words I got mine You got yours, as this Forum Community is one of the best tools in my box, it's my job to understand how to use it to make the Changes to my machines that allow me to safely ride in my own fashion.

I do believe we all try our hardest to tinker, for the better.

[b.walker5]

Afraid were going to have to agree to disagree on this.

and as for the XJR being an improvement over the XS. Absolutely it is, and its kinda silly to suggest that it's not. But thats because its a modern engineered package in it's entirety. In other words, its designed to be the way it is. Its not full of bolt on extras in an attempt to make it that way.

Oh, and Ian. If you care to read the whole thread, you'll find that the only thing i'm saying is that i dont feel the brace was an improvement on my bike. Thats not saying that i'm denying that others feel that it's an improvement on theirs.

If you've got one, and you feel its an improvement, then thats fine. Ive said several times that its a personal thing.

[jetmechmarty]

I find it ironic that B. Walker's opinion of suspension updates are merely changes instead of improvements, I can say that all of the stock springs I've replaced with progressive shocks have definitely improved the riding on my XS750's.

Well, look at it this way. I put much heavier springs on my bike. It goes much better now carving the corners. If my goal was a smooth ride and soaking up bumps, then it's terrible. I have my own opinion about progressive springs. I don't like them. Not an improvement. So, there you go.

In my previous exchange with Mr. Walker, I was merely trying to express that anything would be an improvement over my worn out front end. I just didn't do a good job of that. I pretty much find myself in agreement with him. Not about the fork brace, but the subjective nature of improvements.

[jetmechmarty]

And another thing! I don't like the XJR. It's too small. At 6' 4", it hurts just to sit on it. How can that be an improvement over a bike that is a better fit?

[b.walker5]

Ok. Your welcome to that assessement. At 6' 2" I find it comfortable. Where did you find one to try it out?

[fredintoon]

What's a Pommie?

CZ

Hi Zapper,
it's an Australian slang term for an immigrant, especially one who considers himself to be better than born Australians.
Said to be derived from the Brit surname Pomeroy or possibly the German region of Pomerania.
Usually in the combined form Pommiebastard.

[fredintoon]

- - - it seems kind of silly to say that modern suspension components being installed on a 30+ year-old bike is merely a change, and deny that it is an improvement. I can say that all of the stock springs I've replaced with progressive shocks have definitely improved the riding on my XS750's.

Hi Ian,
modern shocks etc (well the quality items, anyway) are better than the stuff that could be gotten 30 years back so fitting them would be an upgrade.
Replacing your shagged-out 30 year old stock suspension parts with identical although unworn stuff would also have improved your XS750s handling, even if not by as much.

[jetmechmarty]

Ok. Your welcome to that assessment. At 6' 2" I find it comfortable. Where did you find one to try it out?

Leipzig. I spent the last five years on the road full time. It is a lovely motorcycle. I was surprised how small it looked the first time I stood beside it after having only seen it in pictures. I did not actually get to ride it, but I think you get my point. The XS1100 standard is a pretty big bike and I enjoy a reasonable amount of comfort on it. The Special isn't too bad either, but I think the standard is better. I just have a little trouble with the angle of the standard bars.

My 36" inseam has become more of an issue as I get older. Most motorcycles are made for men who are 5'10" tall, at least that's my opinion. The International Motorcycle Show was just in Atlanta. I threw a leg over the new Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. The Harley rep asked, "How do you like it?" I replied, "It doesn't fit!" My knees are above the tank. My feet are in a most awkward place. The bars are too close. In a word, it's awful. Is it a bad bike? Probably not, but it is to me. I fit on the Super Tenere, the Stelvio, the Multistrada, and some others like that. What I like are little bikes that don't fit!

[IanDMacDonald]

B. Walker- I see your point more clearly now. To each his own, right? I guess I can equivolate that to an HID upgrade. Some say no, I say hell yeah!

[crazy steve]

This was brought up several times and kind of glossed over....

My conclusion is that well set-up forks work well, badly set-up forks are definitely improved by a fork brace, and well set-up forks will benefit from a brace if using a fairing. Either way using one won't do any harm apart from add unsprung weight which isn't good for handling, the original unsprung weight on these bikes is high so the difference will be marginal.

If your forks aren't working as well as they should be, a brace will 'crutch' them and make a bigger improvement than if the forks were 'right'. Like Tom, I've found some pretty big improvement by playing with the fork oil viscosity/level and making sure the springs are equal and up to snuff. If a fork brace is making a major improvement in handling, you have other, unaddressed issues....

[Bonz]

That's really stretching it to say if a fork brace makes a major improvement in handling you have other unaddressed issues.

I put a fork brace on my ZRX 1200 this fall a few months after a full service to my forks, including fresh springs. The difference in feel, precision and ride stability thru corners is night and day and no compromise in ride quality. I am safe and correct to make that statement since the before and after were side by side comparisons of the bike with not-worn-out components.

Can anyone show how a fork brace is a detriment to any single virtue or quality these bikes have with relation to the front end? Or as some are trying to say, that a brace somehow may not be considered an improvement???

[James England]

And another thing! I don't like the XJR. It's too small. At 6' 4", it hurts just to sit on it. How can that be an improvement over a bike that is a better fit?

I find that very strange. I'm 6'2" and intimately associated with the XS1100 and the XJR, having had several XS's and having an XJR right now. The XJR is a bigger bike than the XS. It's only slightly lighter. Your picture has nothing to judge scale by. Tell you what,I'll get a pic taken of me next to my XJR and sitting on it and then post them here.

When the XS first came out, it looked absolutely massive with a hell of a lot of. Street presence. The XJR is definitely bigger. I have pix of me on both of these bikes, side on and I'm more in proportion on the XJR. I think you are judging it on seat height. The XJR seat is lower than the XS. But. Certainly would not describe it as "too small" and certainly not next to the beloved XS1100.

You asked the question...tongue in cheek, I hope.....how can it be an improvement. if you ever get to ride one, you'd have the answer. Truly. I personally love the XS1100 and always will but the XJR really is in a different league. I like to look at it as the same lineage as the XS.

Re height...you'll shrink as you get older, so look on the bright side...you'll be able to go back to Leipzig and fit fine

[James England]

as for the XJR being an improvement over the XS. Absolutely it is, and its kinda silly to suggest that it's not.

agreed. But....even then, it can be improved and is not 100% ideal when it came out of the factory. Eg

Fork brace
Progressive front and rear springs
Change those ridiculously restricted inlet manifolds
Advance the ignition timing 4%
Ditch the OEM compromised main jets and needles and put Dynojets in
Derestrict the airbox by chopping of the snorkel, ditching the air intake 'rain cover' , getting rid of the side panel foam that chokes up airflow
Fit a free flow air filter

To name a few....

The point I'm making here is that even with "modern technology and design" on newer machines, they are still not 100% right. All factory machines are compromised in order to meet worldwide regs on sound, emissions, rubbish fuel etc and also to save money and make them cost-effective to make.

So, just like the "modern" XJR can be drastically improved, so can an older XS1100. Which is why I said that the comment re "if you want a new bikes performance, buy a new one" was daft because every bike, including brand new ones, can be improved.

I presume you have done the above mods to your XJR, have you? Or do you still think they leave the factory as good as they can be??

[jetmechmarty]

You asked the question...tongue in cheek, I hope.....how can it be an improvement. if you ever get to ride one, you'd have the answer. Truly. I personally love the XS1100 and always will but the XJR really is in a different league. I like to look at it as the same lineage as the XS.

Re height...you'll shrink as you get older, so look on the bright side...you'll be able to go back to Leipzig and fit fine

I've had a boring rainy Sunday. I came here to stir the pot. As I recall, the issue with the XJR is my long legs. They're folded a little tight on that bike. It's not an issue here anyway, as I can't have one here in the Land of Harley-Davidson.