Customize Sport Bikes - What are the problems?

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RhadamYgg · #1 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:32 pm

Hey Everyone,
I hope you are well and if you are going to the show I hope to see you there. We may not recognize each other, but we'll have been there at the same time.

Anyway, I've been searching cycletrader.com for a bunch of bikes and I see some customized sport bikes like this one.

So, what I'd like to know is - the extended back/swingarm - does this make a bike more stable, less stable, etc...

I've seen a bunch of Hayabusas set up like this and with the extra wide tires.

Also, in terms of reliability and durability - will these things fall apart after a few years - are they designed to last a large number of miles, etc?

In general what is the feel for mods like this one.

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg · #2 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:35 pm

Another Example

Johnj · #3 Unread post by **Johnj** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:05 pm

Are you looking for a drag bike?

Extended swingarms and fat 300 tires are good at the drag strip and mediocre everywhere else.

Brackstone · Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:19 pm

I gotta imagine the turning radius for those is HUGE

radak5osu · #5 Unread post by **radak5osu** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:04 pm

The longer wheelbase means more high speed stability but significantly worse cornering and slower turn-in. Wider tires also make a bike harder to turn. Extended swingarms are for drag racing (so you don't wheelie) and for looking "cool". Apparently it's possible to ride them on the street but I can't imagine it being enjoyable. I don't want to bash them because I'm sure some people love the look but it's not my thing... to me it's like the Honda Civic with a fart can and whale tail spoiler that does nothing.

Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:49 am

I've had a hayabusa with an extended chromed out swing arm complete the ERC box with little to no issue.... and my jaw dropped b/c that had to take ALOT of practice.

Personally I'm not a fan.

RhadamYgg · #7 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:43 am

Johnj wrote:Are you looking for a drag bike?

Extended swingarms and fat 300 tires are good at the drag strip and mediocre everywhere else.

No, drag bike for me. Not in to racing or anything like that. I'm typically a mid-range mile rider that commutes a lot. I have noticed that bikes with the extended swing-arm seem to be cheaper than other bikes of similar price/year.

But if its mediocre everywhere else, I'm probably not in to that. Although I do like the way they look.

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg · #8 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:44 am

Brackstone wrote:I gotta imagine the turning radius for those is HUGE

Yeah, but it can't be as large as a car, can it? Maybe it can. I could just imagine taking the ERC with it....

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg · #9 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:52 am

radak5osu wrote:The longer wheelbase means more high speed stability but significantly worse cornering and slower turn-in. Wider tires also make a bike harder to turn. Extended swingarms are for drag racing (so you don't wheelie) and for looking "cool". Apparently it's possible to ride them on the street but I can't imagine it being enjoyable. I don't want to bash them because I'm sure some people love the look but it's not my thing... to me it's like the Honda Civic with a fart can and whale tail spoiler that does nothing.

Gahhh, I don't need to be any slower in turns. Although wheelie prevention when I get a larger bike does have its appeal.

I do like the way they look, but I've never really been an example of a person with good taste.

I don't like those Civics either...

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg · Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:55 am

storysunfolding wrote:I've had a hayabusa with an extended chromed out swing arm complete the ERC box with little to no issue.... and my jaw dropped b/c that had to take ALOT of practice.

Personally I'm not a fan.

Hmmm someone that actually had one and indicating that you're not a fan. That counts for me, I'll probably stay away.

I did see an interesting 'Darth Vader' Hayabusa that had the extended swingarm and 300 wide rear tire... It did look cool, but that one was super expensive.

RhadamYgg