Anyone Jacked Up Their (sports) Bike? Rate It Or Hate It.

[DanielJ]

I've seen a number of photos of bikes that have been done like this, and was wondering what positive / negative handling side-effects this will add ?
(usually done with longer rear suspension "dog bones").

On a Sports bike, cosmetically, it perhaps makes the bike look more aggressive ?

EDIT: All I can think of, hard acceleration, it'll keep you in your seat better with the rear higher, so you wont slip back. Plus hard braking, it'll shift your body weight more forward, bigger risk of going over your bars?? How about cornering?

 

[JoshAFJ]

Lifting a bike? I haven't really seen anything like that. Now stretching the swingarm....that's another story.

 

[DanielJ]

Lifting a bike? I haven't really seen anything like that. Now stretching the swingarm....that's another story.

Hello Josh. Yes, I've seen a few stretched swingarm videos. If its an extra foot longer (MAX), its not actually too bad, looks subtly different, not OTT. Especially when they also add a new wide rear wheel. Kinda dragster look. Has a certain appeal.

But the bike with a swingarm that's stretched a couple of FEET or more, just hideous. But each to their own.

"Jacking" up the rear, by replacing the 'factory' links with longer ones, on the rear suspension, lifts the tail a number of inches and gives the bike a more 'nose down' stance.

 

[SighBored]

I raised my rear by 4mm by adding another OEM washer, if that counts. LoL. Slightly better feel.

 

[DanielJ]

I raised my rear by 4mm by adding another OEM washer, if that counts. LoL. Slightly better feel.

Interesting, 4mm doesn't sound a lot, but ultimately its the geometry of the bike being altered, so can understand small changes (could) make a big difference.
Can you clarify further please where you applied the washer ?

 

[DanielJ]

The kits I'm looking at (for Jacking Up), increase rear height by 25mm or 40mm (depending on the Kit you go for).

I imagine 40mm is going to be regarded as an "extreme" kit, for Race use mainly? Offering quite noticeable changes in handling?

 

[lupin]

Could understand if your tall, but not sure why else you would want to make such a extreme change to a sports bike. You already have most of your body weight over the front anyway.

 

[DanielJ]

Could understand if your tall, but not sure why else you would want to make such a extreme change to a sports bike. You already have most of your body weight over the front anyway.

Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I am tall. 6'3".

I also understand this "Mod" will make the bike corner better, more responsive. That can only be a good thing??...
what I don't want is this creating too much forward weight, with the potential to lift the rear wheel under heavy (front) braking.

25 or 40mm. Which do you think would be better?

 

[SighBored]

Interesting, 4mm doesn't sound a lot, but ultimately its the geometry of the bike being altered, so can understand small changes (could) make a big difference.
Can you clarify further please where you applied the washer ?

Skip to 3:16

 

[DanielJ]

Skip to 3:16

Pictures (or video) represent a 1000 words. Cheers.

I probably wouldn't have "got it", if it wasn't for that vid. All looks so simple.
Plus I note there he did that without removing the rear wheel !?

 

[SighBored]

Pictures (or video) represent a 1000 words. Cheers.

I probably wouldn't have "got it", if it wasn't for that vid. All looks so simple.
Plus I note there he did that without removing the rear wheel !?

Yup, that's why I didn't bother to explain in text.. Wouldn't even know how to. He just needed to remove the rear shock, so no need to remove the rear tire, however he needed a block of wood wedged between the tire and tail, to prop up the tail when removing the shock otherwise the tail would collapse down .

 

[DanielJ]

Yup, that's why I didn't bother to explain in text.. Wouldn't even know how to. He just needed to remove the rear shock, so no need to remove the rear tire, however he needed a block of wood wedged between the tire and tail, to prop up the tail when removing the shock otherwise the tail would collapse down .

Yeah looks relatively straightforward, from the video, but I imagine the bike needs to be supported from the front too, so it cant move / roll / topple over. Also he has more access from beneath the bike it appears. Having workshop facilities probably makes a big difference, reducing alot of risk.

If I was to attempt this, it would likely go wrong in so many ways!

 

[SighBored]

Yeah looks relatively straightforward, from the video, but I imagine the bike needs to be supported from the front too, so it cant move / roll / topple over. Also he has more access from beneath the bike it appears. Having workshop facilities probably makes a big difference, reducing alot of risk.

If I was to attempt this, it would likely go wrong in so many ways!

No, he just used a rear paddock stand. If you worry about the front rolling forward, either put a block of wood and wedge the front tire, or you can use a band to clamp on the front brake lever.he was lying on the ground for a better angle. Best if you have a buddy to help just in case.