EASY
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Posts: 183
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posted September 07, 2006 09:27 AM
Handling Question
You guys who are really into the handling (curvy roads ext) I have a question. Does lowering the bike, using adjustable links, have any negative effects on handling? I cannot tell.
   
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Otis
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Captain Kickstand
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posted September 07, 2006 10:07 AM
Uhh, ground clearance... Unless you're really slow then it won't matter.
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Tool Man
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posted September 07, 2006 11:21 AM
quote:
You guys who are really into the handling (curvy roads ext) I have a question. Does lowering the bike, using adjustable links, have any negative effects on handling? I cannot tell.
You are kidding??
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dubious
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posted September 07, 2006 12:05 PM
If both ends are lowered equally, and steering goemetry doesn't change, then the only thing you will notice is it is less wheelie prone ( lower CG) and it will be easier to drag parts.
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EASY
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posted September 07, 2006 12:25 PM
Why would I be kidding??
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EASY
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posted September 07, 2006 12:37 PM
I understand I will have less ground clearance---duh, but the question I asked was about HANDLING not ground clearance.
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shawnski
Pro
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posted September 07, 2006 01:20 PM
quote:
If both ends are lowered equally, and steering goemetry doesn't change, then the only thing you will notice is it is less wheelie prone ( lower CG) and it will be easier to drag parts.
+1
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Xtremespeed
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posted September 07, 2006 02:08 PM
Ride height can have many different effects on handling. Lowering your bike will definately change the handling characteristics. Alowered bike doesn't turn in the same. Whether you will be comfortable with the way it handles or not is anyones guess. If you can't tell, then you probably don't ride aggressive enough for it to make a lot of difference.
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
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posted September 07, 2006 02:49 PM
quote:
I understand I will have less ground clearance---duh, but the question I asked was about HANDLING not ground clearance.
Did he just say "DUH" to dubious?
Oh Man!
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stevewfl
Moderator
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posted September 07, 2006 03:26 PM
dragging pegs around while intending to go knee-dragging...hmmm is that good or bad?
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fastestbusaaround
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posted September 07, 2006 03:32 PM
quote:
quote:
I understand I will have less ground clearance---duh, but the question I asked was about HANDLING not ground clearance.
Did he just say "DUH" to dubious?
Oh Man!
No..it was directed at TM 
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ninja14
Pro
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posted September 07, 2006 05:07 PM
I slid the forks up .75inch.........that and a bit of trail braking makes for very good turning. I have been able to keep up with everything on the streets. It is a little low...........have hit the pegs and fairing on the ground, but my settings are stiff - so it's just you need to hang off a lot. Works for me.....
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BobC
Pro
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posted September 08, 2006 12:16 AM
 Edited By: BobC on 8 Sep 2006 03:37
I lowered my bike last weekend for a top speed event. Muzzy adjustable links on the rear, down one hole which dropped the rear by 3 inches and a strap on the front, down as far as I could get it. In a straight line on a flat runway it was fine, turning off the end of the runway onto the perimeter road was also ok but the reduced ground clearance limited the amount of lean. The compressed front suspension meant the only "suspension" it had was the tyre. It got a bit bouncy a couple of times with no effective damping, especially after it wheelied changing into third gear and the front came down again. I put it back to standard height first thing Monday for road riding.
Other negatives are that the sidestand (kickstand) is too long if you lower the bike. Either get an adjustable or the cheaper option is buy a Kawasaki one and cut an inch or so out of it. Secondly, you can't really strap the front forks for road use and if you drop the yokes instead there is a chance of smacking the front mudguard on the underside of the front fairing on a road bump. Also, as I said above, you need damping as well as suspension travel for road use, so strapping it down is a no-no. Better to have some shorter springs installed if you really want to lower the bike. Lastly, reduced ground clearance can cause problems, there was already a post by someone who tore out the bottom of his sump on a bump !
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
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Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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EASY
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posted September 08, 2006 04:08 AM
Thanks guys for the input. No I really do not ride the curves that much----I think the nearest curve is about 100 miles away. I was worried about head shake as much as anything. I was hopeing somone had lowered the rear and had experianced any problems to come forth. It does make the bike feel more planted and swinging a leg over is much eaiser---
I cut the kickstand half an inch and re-welded it---works fine. I think it may have helped the wheelie issue, but I still cannot give it full throttle in low gear.
I would never say "duh" to dubious----well yeah I probobly would. He and I had several meltdowns during the long wait for the 14.
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fastestbusaaround
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posted September 08, 2006 04:15 AM
quote:
dragging pegs around while intending to go knee-dragging...hmmm is that good or bad?
Actually, the idea isn't to drag the knee, but to use it only as a kind of sensor to indicate where you are relative to the ground whilst in a turn. You wouldn't really be trying to touch it down, it just happens when you're positioned correctly (or incorrectly, as I've found out before  ), at least that's my understanding of the whole process.  I could be wrong about that; I've been known to be wrong once or twice before.:P
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MasterBlaster
Expert Class
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posted September 08, 2006 05:39 AM
I have done what you are talking about, used the turnbuckles in the back to lower 1in measured floor to bottom of tail, and slipped the forks 1in up front. Cut and rewelded my kickstand. Handles fine, just have to be aware of how low your oil pan hangs. Speed bumps and the like can take you out otherwise.....TB
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dubious
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posted September 08, 2006 06:57 AM
quote:
I understand I will have less ground clearance---duh, but the question I asked was about HANDLING not ground clearance.
Next time I be sure to help you out....................................NOT
Punks....
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dubious
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posted September 08, 2006 07:04 AM
BobC:
your pulling 3rd gear wheelies geared 18/41?
Pretty strong bike ya got there then...
Most drag race associations make anyone who has strapped the front, have 1.25- 1.5 inches travel left, so frames are not over stressed, or speed woblees are reduced
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BobC
Pro
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posted September 08, 2006 09:58 AM
quote:
BobC:
your pulling 3rd gear wheelies geared 18/41?
Pretty strong bike ya got there then...
Most drag race associations make anyone who has strapped the front, have 1.25- 1.5 inches travel left, so frames are not over stressed, or speed woblees are reduced
It's a complete animal. That was with it strapped too, brings a huge smile to my face though.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Tool Man
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Posts: 4493
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posted September 08, 2006 11:30 AM
Easy "Duh" it 
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ninja14
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posted September 08, 2006 11:59 AM
quote:
It's a complete animal. That was with it strapped too, brings a huge smile to my face though.
What did this "animal" dyno at and what MPH did you run at the event?
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2006 Turbo ZX-14.
2005 V-max 20th Anniv.
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted September 08, 2006 10:46 PM
This has been posted elsewhere but it's 192.9 STD RWHP and 205.4MPH.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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fastestbusaaround
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posted September 09, 2006 05:45 PM
Serious shit there Bob!
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