Quite possibly a stupid question....
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: New England
Quite possibly a stupid question....
I am going to show my ignorance here but I'm sure you all will have the answer and I am willing to take what ever ridiculing that comes my way as a result.
My question is this; What are the advantages to a steering stabilizer and or fork break. I see that a lot of guy put them on their bikes to enhance performance. I'm sure that these items do enhance performance but I am unclear as to how and to what degree. I have ridden for a while without either of these and don't seem to notice any handling issues. I ride more than a "week end warrior" and ride pretty hard. Well, at least in my own mind...:-).
Anyway, your input is appreciated!
My question is this; What are the advantages to a steering stabilizer and or fork break. I see that a lot of guy put them on their bikes to enhance performance. I'm sure that these items do enhance performance but I am unclear as to how and to what degree. I have ridden for a while without either of these and don't seem to notice any handling issues. I ride more than a "week end warrior" and ride pretty hard. Well, at least in my own mind...:-).
Anyway, your input is appreciated!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: New Braunfels, Texas
What kind of bike do you have? Have you done any suspension upgrades. You really shouldn't need a stabilzer and the only bike I ran a fork brace on was my sportster.
If your not having any issues and wanted to improve your suspension I would start with shocks and fork improvements
If your not having any issues and wanted to improve your suspension I would start with shocks and fork improvements
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: New England
What kind of bike do you have? Have you done any suspension upgrades. You really shouldn't need a stabilzer and the only bike I ran a fork brace on was my sportster.
If your not having any issues and wanted to improve your suspension I would start with shocks and fork improvements
If your not having any issues and wanted to improve your suspension I would start with shocks and fork improvements
Sorry, def should have provided that info. I'm currently riding an '05 FXDX with the stock suspension set up. Before this bike I was riding and '07 FXDB but didn't have any issues with that bike either.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: New Braunfels, Texas
If you want to improve the suspension first you have to figure out if you want it to tun tighter in the twisties, want it firmer, want it softer, ect. Then figure out what you want to improve more the front or the back. I have a 2011 so I have the 49mm forks. I believe you have the last year of the smaller forks. I would look into ricor intimidators for the front (Brian is a sponser here) and go from there.
I went with ricor shocks and ricor intimidators and am still playing around with things to get it just the way I want it. I'm still learning as I go.
I went with ricor shocks and ricor intimidators and am still playing around with things to get it just the way I want it. I'm still learning as I go.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: New England
Rooti,
I'm pretty happy with the suspension as it is. The FXDX (at least mine anyway) come with adjustable suspension (rebound and dampening) front and rear. I guess this is where my ignorance comes into play...what I guess I don't under stand about the steering stabilizer and fork brace is how they work.
I would imagine that the steering stabilizer does just what it says. However I've ridden a number of harleys and never really had a wobble in the front end unless I was well over 100mph. Although I like to ride hard I don't spend a lot of time at those speeds.
I would also imagine that the fork brace does just that as well, but what I don't understand is why it would be needed. I would like to think that when the bikes were designed they were designed with enough rigidity so that when under "normal" stresses there wouldn't be any unnecessary flex. Once again that could just be my ignorance speaking.
I don't know, maybe I'm over thinking this.....
I'm pretty happy with the suspension as it is. The FXDX (at least mine anyway) come with adjustable suspension (rebound and dampening) front and rear. I guess this is where my ignorance comes into play...what I guess I don't under stand about the steering stabilizer and fork brace is how they work.
I would imagine that the steering stabilizer does just what it says. However I've ridden a number of harleys and never really had a wobble in the front end unless I was well over 100mph. Although I like to ride hard I don't spend a lot of time at those speeds.
I would also imagine that the fork brace does just that as well, but what I don't understand is why it would be needed. I would like to think that when the bikes were designed they were designed with enough rigidity so that when under "normal" stresses there wouldn't be any unnecessary flex. Once again that could just be my ignorance speaking.
I don't know, maybe I'm over thinking this.....
i ride hard and i have noticed a huge difference with both... i have both on all my bikes actually... 5 of them... damper takes out play and chances of getting into a tank slapper, while a brace keeps the forks from flexing. if you are a casual rider no point for either, if you push your bike then they are two of my fav mods to do... i run a super brace fork brace on my HD and they are a side sponsor
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Central Ohio
Check this:
The bikes 'turn' by leaning... the stabilizer keeps the handle bars stiff allowing greater control at higher speeds through the turns.
If you don't ride like this guy you don't need a steering stabilizer.
If you don't ride like this guy you don't need a steering stabilizer.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: New England
Thankfully never experienced a "tank slapper" and hope I never do! Those guys were riding sport bikes so I'm wondering how that all transfers/translates on a Harley. I def don't ride like the guy in the first video but I have been known to grind the pegs every now and again. Its sounding like this is might be something I'll just need to experiment with...