forkbrace?

[the Ferret]

That's a good way to put it Southwend. Look at it this way...it can't hurt.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I had the same thing occur on Eric's CB. The front tire pressure, while looking fine, was low.

[Toddman_imp]

^^^what he said^^^

After servicing the bike, the only loose nut I could find was the one attached to the handlebars (me), but my front tire did need air and that did help substantially. It's always the simple stuff.

[simplest2remember_imp]

Nobody's talked about riding styles yet - if you're a nutter and stress the bike a lot as you're scraping your exhaust then maybe there's more off a case for a brace, but if you're a sunday driver and never get above 4000 revs then perhaps there's no point?

Personally when I'm nailing it I do feel a flexing in the frame which I don't remember being on the old Blackbird, but I don't know if a brace is going to do much to help that.

[the_undecider_imp]

I'm a fan of fork braces. They seem to be more noticeable on longer travel bikes like my V-strom. I put one on my 06 and it made a big difference in handling and it improved the front tire wear. It had a tendency for the front tire to start cupping. When I bought my CB with 3000 miles, the front tire still looked fine, so it may have been more of a bike specific issue. Nevertheless, I felt an appreciable difference in steering precision on the CB after I installed the Agras fork brace. I'll add my name to the list of those who say it seems to help and certainly doesn't cost all that much.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

My fork brace is pretty.

[Ferrealls_imp]

I'm running a COERCE fork brace. Definitely pulled a little wobble out of the bike in the 90-100 range. Then again I'm a big guy and I corner hard.

[LongRanger_imp]

My new-to-me '14 DLX came with a SuperBrace already installed on it. I left it on. The way I ride this bike, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[veech_imp]

That's a good way to put it Southwend. Look at it this way...it can't hurt.

There is one way it can possibly hurt: scratching your fork tubes. I have had fork braces leave indentations from tightening onto the fork lowers when they were removed. If this happens I can tell you it will really tick you off!!

That $150 part can potentially do some expensive damage.

[capttwb136_imp]

So how long do CB1100 front tire hold up on bikes with fork braces? I was surprised to learn that some guys replaced their front tires at 6,000 miles while the rear tires lasted a whole lot longer. It has been my experience the rear tires always wore out first.