XX on the web.....

Warchild · 05-04-2007, 11:56 AM

Every so often while searching the web, I'll run across an old photo of my first XX.... that old "Night Train" has been a heavily photographed bike over the years

Tis morning I saw one from Superbrace, and is over four years old. It really demonstrates why the XX has about the lowest wind drag coefficient of any bike on the market:

TiXX featured on SuperBrace gallery.

flitemdic · 05-04-2007, 12:09 PM

OH, Bollocks. That ain't Nighttrain. Too clean. No suicidal bug remains. No road grime.

"Your honor, we have been presented with false evidence in this case.........."

flblackbird · 05-04-2007, 12:28 PM

Are they paying you for that pic use in their advertising??

silverbulletxx · 05-04-2007, 12:48 PM

Does this superbrace really make a big difference. I am about to go down to the tail of the dragon and would like to have the best handling possible. Also should you get it with fork protectors or not

CanadianBird · 05-05-2007, 11:38 AM

Where'd ya get that little skull, I have tire caps like that, from the Harley dealer but where you have that is cool.

mish · 05-06-2007, 9:22 AM

Did you move your horn and brake lines? Where did you put the horn if you moved it. I got a superbrace but didn't put it on yet because of the warnings that it could interfere with the travel

r2t2 · 05-06-2007, 2:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitemdic

OH, Bollocks. That ain't Nighttrain. Too clean. No suicidal bug remains. No road grime.

"Your honor, we have been presented with false evidence in this case.........."

You can't see his wheels... I've seen may a picture of NightTrain where the bike is clean, but the wheels are filthy!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mish

Did you move your horn and brake lines? Where did you put the horn if you moved it. I got a superbrace but didn't put it on yet because of the warnings that it could interfere with the travel

Mine is installed w/o any radical modifications... The SB is about 1" taller than the fender. If you're bangin' the horn and what not then I'd seriously consider having some fork work done. The GP fork rebuild along with my SB has totally transformed the front end of my '99. Perhaps you should put a zip tie on one of your forks and check to see how much it compresses during a spirited ride.

Warchild · 05-07-2007, 7:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverbulletxx

Does this superbrace really make a big difference.

Actually, it does make a difference. Now, it doesn't make a massive night/day difference (like it does on larger, heavier bikes such as the ST1100, FJR1300), but it is definitely a worthwhile component to have, particularly if your forks are basically stock. You ability to maintain your line during triple-digit sweepers is amazing, as well as the overall improvement in front-end feel and feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mish

Did you move your horn and brake lines? Where did you put the horn if you moved it. I got a superbrace but didn't put it on yet because of the warnings that it could interfere with the travel

I did not move my brake lines or horn. If you're hitting these components now, then I'd concur with r2t2: you should look at perhaps upgrading fork springs (at the very least!), and do all the other obvious things such as ensuring that you have set proper sag, etc, etc

mish · 05-07-2007, 8:22 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice I am not having that problem, I just read a warning on this forum to be careful when using the superbrace. It's suppose to rain tomorrow I think it will be a good day to put it on

sandman900ss · 05-10-2007, 5:52 PM

Mish:
I'm a total newbie to the site, but another XX owner pointed me to this thread, as I was interested in the Superbrace. I'd appreciate it if you could update your install when you see this- how did the brace work out for you?

slyxdevil · 05-11-2007, 4:36 PM

i dont wanna install anything that will interfer with travel or brake lines or horn they could have made it 2 pieces with allen bolts for much easier install? wonder why they didnt

r2t2 · 05-11-2007, 6:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slyxdevil

i dont wanna install anything that will interfer with travel or brake lines or horn they could have made it 2 pieces with allen bolts for much easier install? wonder why they didnt

Uh... They did...

haWHYnXX · 05-11-2007, 9:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r2t2

Uh... They did...

X1rider · 05-11-2007, 10:38 PM

What's the cost of this goodie?

haWHYnXX · 05-11-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X1rider

What's the cost of this goodie?

See here.

xxxron · 05-15-2007, 6:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warchild

Actually, it does make a difference. Now, it doesn't make a massive night/day difference (like it does on larger, heavier bikes such as the ST1100, FJR1300), but it is definitely a worthwhile component to have, particularly if your forks are basically stock. You ability to maintain your line during triple-digit sweepers is amazing, as well as the overall improvement in front-end feel and feedback.

I did not move my brake lines or horn. If you're hitting these components now, then I'd concur with r2t2: you should look at perhaps upgrading fork springs (at the very least!), and do all the other obvious things such as ensuring that you have set proper sag, etc, etc

I don't understand this, Warchild.
Is it not normal to use most of the travel in the forks? I don't see how using less travel is going to improve the suspension. If you're hard on the brakes and you hit a dip in the road you're going to use most of that travel and the horn and brakelines will touch that Superbrace. Or am I missing something?
I installed one a few months ago. I removed all the brakeline bracketry and used heavy-duty zip ties to secure the lines to the lower triple clamp and I made a bracket for the horn with a piece of aluminum 1X1 angle. It was pretty easy. I didn't even have to remove any plastics. I had to paint it black but other than that, I am completely satisfied with it. It did make a noticable improvement and it looks good too.
My suggestion to anyone interested is to spend the few extra bucks for the fork protectors as you have to remove the stock ones. (by cutting, if you dont want to pull the fork legs)
But like I said, it is not to difficult to install and well worth the effort.

slyxdevil · 05-15-2007, 12:43 PM

the instructions tell you to remove or loosen axle pinch bolts so i ass/u/med
the wheel was coming off and stopped reading

Warchild · 05-15-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxron

I don't understand this, Warchild.
Is it not normal to use most of the travel in the forks?

When you hit big bumps at speed, etc, sure, you're going to use the majority of the available travel. But to use most/all the available travel as a routine occurrence, that's not very optimal. Though it is certainly not unheard of if you have stock fork springs. It is widely acknowledged the the XX comes undersprung and overdamped right off the assembly line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxron

I don't see how using less travel is going to improve the suspension.

No, no; the issue is not "less travel", it's one of setting proper sag and having the front end sprung for your body weight and riding style. If you haven't done these things and you're a big guy with an aggressive riding style, than you are likely to find the XX stock suspension to be a weak point in an otherwise outstanding platform. Suspension travel that results in striking components or "bottoming out" of the forks generally indicates a woefully undersprung condition and/or improper pre-load settings.

haWHYnXX · 05-15-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slyxdevil

so i ass/u/med

Oops!!

xxxron · 05-16-2007, 8:18 AM

I'm not a big guy, (5'8" 210lbs) and I don't ride aggressively but rather spirited. I've never bottomed my suspension but I can see where the fork seals have been. Using a tape measure and taking some rough measurements with the superbrace installed I got about 3 3/4 to 3 7/8 inches until the horn hit. It would have been close. I moved the horn and brake lines just to be on the safe side. I think the suspension is just fine for me the way it's set up now and actually, I find it a bit stiff compared to my old GPz. (and a bit stiff compared to other things, too.)
I really, really like this bike. It seems like it was made just for me.
I'll probably upgrade the forks sometime in the future but for now, I'm just gonna ride it.
Thanks for the explaination, Warchild. Your posts are always useful and informative.