Handling upgrades / frame stiffeners

[anton73]

Hello, does anyone know some good bolt on frame stiffeners? Im planing to do some non invasive mods (if they're are any) to make my VMAX feel less like a ship at sea with all the wobble. Next mod I'm thinking is either motor mounts or frame stiffeners. Any recommendations?

 

[Fire-medic]

My opinion is that the best change you can make in bike handling is to use wheels sized to allow you the use of radial tires.

 

[MaxMidnight]

Unless you have addressed the suspension then adding frame braces or solid mounts is unlikely to give significant benefit.
Also IMO either braces or mounts- you don't need both.

 

[Henne]

https://www.schwabenmax.de/index.php?cat=KAT2311&lang=DEU&product=VR050

 

[apsolus]

My opinion is that the best change you can make in bike handling is to use wheels sized to allow you the use of radial tires.

sir any idea why radials make it handle better? im a racer so i know what it means to have good tires under you. or do the radials just make it go down the road better?

 

[Henne]

Brutaly honest.
The best you can do for safe fast rides with the max is a Lenkungsdämpfer.

I drove full speed with no problems

 

[Davelaf]

https://www.schwabenmax.de/index.php?cat=KAT2311&lang=DEU&product=VR050

If by lumpendampner? You mean those solid motor mounts, I read the German vendors description of them and it seems to make sense. Any ideas if any source here in the ol US of A for those?

 

[MaxMidnight]

sir any idea why radials make it handle better? im a racer so i know what it means to have good tires under you. or do the radials just make it go down the road better?

Have a read of this

 

[anton73]

Have a read of this

Thanks. I understand why it would make the bike feel better and perform better but in my case the bike wobbles/dips side to side just in a straight line with the slighted input of the pegs or bars. Not only that but it never wants to go around corners, I've been riding this bike for months and it's very unbearable compared to my gsxr. I'm thinking my tires have to be imbalanced but not positive.

 

[MaxMidnight]

IMO tyres are not the issue and a Max will never handle like a GSXR.
What have you done to check the suspension?

• Correctly adjusted head races
• Correct level of oil min forks
• Front and rear wheel bearings
• Swinging arm bearing adjustment
• Damping properties of rear shocks
• Condition of rear shock bushes
• tyres at correct pressure

 

[apsolus]

Have a read of this

great info. so it seems bias ply vs radial is clear. interesting stuff! bias ply is tougher while radial is better in every other way is what i gathered.

 

[VMAXXIMUM]

I don’t understand all of the handling complaints. I mean our bikes were not designed to compete with sport bikes but I’ve been running my 95 at track days for years with great success. I started out stock on bias ply’s (ME888’s) and over time have upgraded to frame braces, solid motor mounts, better suspension, radials and the most noticeable performance wise 6 pot calipers. Again my max will not out handle my gsxr750 but I regularly surprise other riders as I ride around them on the track.
I love how my Vmax handles. It’s solid, tracks where I point it and turns in very well.
I’m not suggesting that our bikes have not had their fair share of problems but if you have well sorted suspension and your steering head is properly adjusted our bikes handle just fine as long as you don’t push the cornering near the limit. Mods like I have do significantly extend that limit by stiffing the frame, and improving the suspension.