How much does a superbrace help?

[XRsteve]

While riding in some rough dirt today, I noticed my 650L seems to have a lot of flex in the front end. But I was riding my XR400 right before that, which has a scotts damper and fairly firm settings on the suspension. I plan on getting a damper for the 650 sometime in the future, but I'm thinking about getting a fork brace first. Will a superbrace help the 650 feel more stable in the dirt? How much would it help?

[rkuckkahn]

I have a brace and I'd never be without it. Damper would be nice but.....my opinion.........too much money.

[roadcam]

fork braces have been the very best mod I have ever done to any bike, street or dirt, ... I think they should be standard equipment on bikes ... ?

[-=Jughead=-]

What are some good ones for the 650L?

I know of the Summers (SRC), but it is expensive, plus you'd be best off with the fork guards too. This setup seems pricey to me. $150 for the brace, $160 for the guards is well over $300, including shipping.

The RSW one seems more down-to-earth price-wise (~$70ish), plus you can still use the stock fork boots.

Any one know of others?

Any one know of pros/cons of these or others?

[ewbish]

I put a RSW Brace on my XRL and it made a world of difference in the loose stuff. Best sub-100.00 mod out there in my opinion.

[desert4seat]

Anyone have a pic of that summers brace and guards on a an L ? Looks like they float above the fork tubes.. Is that right? Think that might look a little better than those stock accordion things… love to see a pic!

[-=Jughead=-]

Anyone have a pic of that summers brace and guards on a an L ? Looks like they float above the fork tubes.. Is that right? Think that might look a little better than those stock accordion things… love to see a pic!

Looks like it mounts to a pair of rubber "wipers" that mount right above the fork tubes.

SRC Pic Here

They suggest the fork protectors as well.

The stock accordion-style boots are OK with me.

[rkuckkahn]

I have the RSW brace and it works great. SRC was a little pricey for my taste.

I cut a couple "sections" of my stock boot out and it works really well. I went down two sections on top cut out three sections and moved the bottom portion over the top two (overlapped bottom over top). It has never pulled appart and held even over some very rough terrain.

Looks like SRC has a good solution with rubber wipers.

[-=Jughead=-]

I have the RSW brace and it works great. SRC was a little pricey for my taste.

I cut a couple "sections" of my stock boot out and it works really well. I went down two sections on top cut out three sections and moved the bottom portion over the top two (overlapped bottom over top). It has never pulled appart and held even over some very rough terrain.

Looks like SRC has a good solution with rubber wipers.

Good input.

Just curious...why'd you cut the sections out of the stock boots (instead of just letting it scrunch up)?

[desert4seat]

on those plastic guards (SRC)...At full bump, do they stick way up forming a kind of spear that'll stick you through the throat or eyes??? Lol! I mean really! ouch!

[sgifford]

I like my RSW brace, but I don't like how my fork boots sit now. Instead of the bottom edge of the boot being a couple of inches below the seals (like stock), they sit on top of the brace, and just below the seals.

After my last muddy ride, I found a bunch of gunk inside the boot/on top the seals. Is it possible to fit the boots under the brace without cutting them the way rkuckkahn did? If I can't make the stock boots fit better I'll have to switch to something like Seal Savers.

[-=Jughead=-]

on those plastic guards (SRC)...At full bump, do they stick way up forming a kind of spear that'll stick you through the throat or eyes??? Lol! I mean really! ouch!

They remain stationary relative to the triple-clamp. The fork tubes (lower) move up past them. Might skewer an armadillo or two on full compression, though. ?

[Maladjusted_XR]

I bought the SRC brace and fork guards for my R. The brace works great (no flex). The guards lok trick but are a POS (IMO). The plastic material (guards and guides) squeaks loudly when the forks move up and down. Very annoying...

The rubber boots supplier by SRC are ok but I supplemented them with Seal Savers stretched over and zip-tied in the flat area to help keep the trash out...

[goblin127]

I like my superbrace it came with bike.I put it on so I only road it a very short while. I have used ATK on other bikes and they allways made a diff. Just make sure you follow the instructions for mounting.

[rkuckkahn]

I removed a few sections because the boots didn't "sit" symetrically on the fork they wiggled up it. It was strickly, what I considered, an appearance problem. Kind of embarracing to even say now that I think of it, but I just can't think of a manly answer it was just looks...............I need some councelling.

[motomonte]

Just a question about the brace location.Where does exactly it fits, in the smooth area just below the seals or in the area where there's some castings(above the boots clamp).Im figuring out if i can machine a set but need the location for measurements and clearance.

[Boy Honda]

The RSW brace mounts on the smooth area near the seals. He says to mount it a 1/4" below the top of the lower leg. I and a few others on here have had an issue with the RSW brace not being wide enough and pulling the forks in a little and causing stiction. Someone made some .020" shims to correct it. I'd like to get some myself.

[rkuckkahn]

My RSW fit absolutely perfect, no freeplay or need to "move" the fork to get it to fit. Put the bike on a stand so there was not tension on the fork and had to ease it on but did it without any real force. It slipped on nice a snug again almost a perfect fit.

I wonder.........if it isn't fitting properly that some "damage" to the fork is causing a fit problem.

[N6VMO]

Well, I used a Superbrace and a Scott's stabilizer for the first time on Sat.

We ran in the California City GP#1 2006. I would have to say that both worked as advertised. The Superbrace assisted in steering me out of ruts and the stabilizer steadied me in the sand, rocks and whoops. My usual 'arm pump' was non-existent, even after 75 miles of racing.

Yes, I can use the stock fork boots with the brace, but they are now clamped about 2" higher than the stock position. So now they are compressing much farther and I can hear the air being pushed out and sucked in as the suspension travels. I am now thinking about getting some forks skins.