Linkage bones, EEC, XT-1200 Z +35mm

[Turk]

"This precisely made linkage bones notably improve the driving characteristics of the XT-1200 Z. High-up kit: The caster is shortened by the higher rear end, the motorcycle becomes more handy. Especially when used for more sporty driving styles you won't want to miss these new reversing levers! A better response characteristic is achieved with the help of the modified gear ratio - more grip is built up at the rear wheel. The look additionally improves because of the raised tail end!
Lowering kit: Even smaller driver will benefit from the lowering bones. Feel much safer due to full ground contact of your feet!"

Help me understand this!! Bike is not very stable on high speeds ( 170kmh and up) if i put this on would it be more stable. it says for more sporty driving??


http://www.off-the-road.de/XT-1200-Z/Linkage-bones-EEC-XT-1200-Z-35mm.html

 

[Koinz]

I'm not sure what handling characteristics would be benefited, but during my demo ride, I thought the bike was a little on the low side. I'm not sure I what 35mm translates to actual vertical height, but I thought I might raise it a little bit.

 

[jajpko]

I must be missing something. How do the longer dog bones change the gear ratio? :question:

 

[Waspworks]

When I designed the MotorradWorks suspension raising kit for the S10, I pulled the linkages off completely and carefully measured the safe operating range of travel for the rear wheel as it impacts on the angle of the drive shaft/mechanism.
I was only targeting a 25mm change in rear ride height. I was happy that the range I was looking for was within what I believe is the safe working scope of the bikes drive arrangement. Enough said.

Greg.

P.S - The MotorraWorks rear suspension raising kit is complete with center stand and side stand extensions.

 

[Koinz]

Greg, Sent you an email for more information.

 

[Turk]

Greg,
Sorry for my ignorance..how does it improve the ride quality. I usually don't do off road. Do I need this ?

 

[Koinz]

You guys can correct me if I mistate this, but my understanding is that the Dog bones don't increase suspension travel, it just raises the back of the bike.

I guess the improvement in ride quality (really handling) is the result of making the forks in the front more veritical or (negative caster). this would improve steering response.

I don't get the whole gear ratio thing or grip at the rear wheel, that's bs from what I can tell. YMMV.

 

[Waspworks]

You guys can correct me if I mistate this, but my understanding is that the Dog bones don't increase suspension travel, it just raises the back of the bike.

I guess the improvement in ride quality (really handling) is the result of making the forks in the front more veritical or (negative caster). this would improve steering response.

I don't get the whole gear ratio thing or grip at the rear wheel, that's bs from what I can tell. YMMV.

Relax guys, I think these are the words of a Marketing Man (MM) left unchecked )
I believe MM misconstrued "lever ratio" to mean gear ratio, and probably threw in the "grip at the rear wheel" because it sounded good + How do you prove him wrong?

You are correct Koinz. The change in the bikes handling is not directly attributed to the raising of the rear or the linkages them selves, but moreover, what was not done on the front.
The rear is raised and the front is not. This change alters the rake while marginally reducing the trail to give a quicker steering response. The front wheel is also easier to load which in the dirt translates as a firmer bite on the terrain with less propensity to drift or be pushed in corners.
This same quicker but more planted feeling also comes across on road. I always felt the bike was too "bum down nose up" and the front was not as responsive mid corner as I would like. The change in angle enhances that by offering more response from input at the bars and offering easier change of direction.

I have had my links installed for more than 6000kms now and never once have I felt an unusual or unnerving steering wobble or the need for a steering damper - On road OR on dirt.

Turk. You dont NEED this modification. If you are happy with the geometry as it is, leave it as it is.
This is a handling enhancement. It is not rectifying any existing problems with the bike.

Greg.

 

[markjenn]

Everything else being equal, when you raise the rear of a motorcycle or lower the front, you're steepening rake and reducing trail which reduces stability, but makes the bike turn easier. If you just raise the back, you're also increasing cornering clearance and raising the CG. The opposite does.... well the opposite. Different length dogbones in the linkages are, for all practical purposes, ride height adjusters - the same as if you made the shock longer or shorter. Ratios, spring rates, etc. are unchanged.

Yamaha engineered the bike for what they consider is the best compromise between quicker steering and stability, but some adjustments within reasonable limits can certainly be made to make the bike do more of what you want it to do. For most bikes, I typically have cornering clearance issues and don't mind a taller bike, so raising the rear helps the cornering clearance issue without making the bike unacceptably tall - if this quickens the steering a bit, that's fine too. This is certainly one area where you need to ride the bike yourself, do a careful suspension setup, and then work away from stock as you think the bike needs to be changed to adjust the compromise to your needs, not simply accept someone's word that quicker steering and less stability is "better".

- Mark

 

[Don in Lodi]

Turk. You dont NEED this modification. If you are happy with the geometry as it is, leave it as it is.
This is a handling enhancement. It is not rectifying any existing problems with the bike.

I've been trying to figure out Turks driving need to have this big dual sport over a 100 mph all the time. He shoulda bought something meant to go that fast. Sure, the Tenere can go that fast, but it sure wasn't meant to.

 

[Waspworks]

I've been trying to figure out Turks driving need to have this big dual sport over a 100 mph all the time. He shoulda bought something meant to go that fast. Sure, the Tenere can go that fast, but it sure wasn't meant to.

+1

That's had me scratching my head a bit as well... ???
I ride with dual sport tires and dont feel comfortable approaching their max rated speeds.
I find the S10 cruises beautifully at 130>140kph although it chews a lot more fuel than when you sit at 110>120kph.

Greg.

 

[Turk]

I sure do need an another bike for my highway travels. But here in Turkey you dont really know whats going to come a cross. you would be on a stretch that is great tarmac and then suddenly you are on not so good roads or dirt. Tenere is perfect bike for here.
I'm new to adventure touring bikes . I just need to accept the fact that I'm not on a sport touring bike and stop pushing the limits of this bike.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I just need to accept the fact that I'm not on a sport touring bike and stop pushing the limits of this bike.

Accepted. I am glad to hear the bike can do that if need be though.

 

[colorider]

I'm new to adventure touring bikes . I just need to accept the fact that I'm not on a sport touring bike and stop pushing the limits of this bike.

Hmmmm, other than perhaps for pure speed, why can't an adventure touring bike do everything a sport touring bike can? In my experience, the AT bike does it all VERY well and I feel the SuperT will do it in even better!!!

 

[markjenn]

Hmmmm, other than perhaps for pure speed, why can't an adventure touring bike do everything a sport touring bike can? In my experience, the AT bike does it all VERY well and I feel the SuperT will do it in even better!!!

If you're talking about bikes like the FJR, there is still an increment of pure-pavement performance that can't be matched by adventure bikes. And its not just speed - its things like weather protection, the ease of high-speed cruise, and better handling on high-speed roads. But that's not to say that the adventure bike doesn't make up for it in other areas. It all depends on your priorities. While both bikes would do it, If I had to make a 5-day coast-to-coast trip, I'd definitely prefer to be on my FJR rather than the S10. That being said, I do plan on selling my FJR when the S10 comes in - there's just not enough there to justify owning another bike.

- Mark

 

[~TABASCO~]

Greg,
Sorry for my ignorance..how does it improve the ride quality. I usually don't do off road. Do I need this ?

Just GOOGLE motorcycle dog bones... These 'suspension links' are nothing new and been around on different bikes a million years.. you can do a ton of home work and read about the differences in geometry till your hears content !

 

[colorider]

If you're talking about bikes like the FJR, there is still an increment of pure-pavement performance that can't be matched by adventure bikes. And its not just speed - its things like weather protection, the ease of high-speed cruise, and better handling on high-speed roads. But that's not to say that the adventure bike doesn't make up for it in other areas. It all depends on your priorities. While both bikes would do it, If I had to make a 5-day coast-to-coast trip, I'd definitely prefer to be on my FJR rather than the S10. That being said, I do plan on selling my FJR when the S10 comes in - there's just not enough there to justify owning another bike.

- Mark

BTDT on both AT and ST bikes and I still feel the AT type bikes are equally comfy for LD riding. I've ridden many 1K+ days on both types and I can honestly say I felt better at the end of the run when riding an AT bike. Yes, there is more weather protection (especially the lower torso) on a ST bike - but from what I have seen and read the SuperT is going to offer better than most weather protection due to the size/shape of the tank. The lower legs will still catch more though.

I'm still on the fence about keeping my FJR and don't expect to know for sure until at least next year sometime. It has been one of my favorite bikes and it will be hard to see it go - but as you say - it's hard to justify having both it and the SuperT.