Aftermarket Levers = WOF Fail?

[pritch]

I wouldn't be surprised if stock levers are made to only just meet any given standard. They are universally crap die cast aluminum. I doubt anything machined from solid would be any weaker, cheap Chinese or not. Clearly stock cast ones are more than up to the job of heavy braking. Billet ones would resist breaking better in an off.
I'm not saying the Chinese ones are great (I have Titax). But really doubt there's a safety element to the issue.

As with a lot of things, f'rinstance tyres, it's about confidence. CRG levers would have my complete confidence, as would some others. No-name made in China would not.

In regard to telling if it's a factory original lever, I've seen a lot of accessory ones that look a long way from factory. Pink, blue, bronze. It's like the guys who fit them want people to know they have after market parts fitted. It appears to be some sort of pissing contest.

I kind of like factory stuff myself.

And no, it isn't about pretty colours or a pissing contest, some after market levers do things that standard levers don't. Sometimes too it's nice to have something that is nicely designed and made, rather than an item knocked out as cheaply as possible like most standard levers. Other people will never understand any of that.

[baffa]

The quality of the metal used in the lever itself isn't really the issue.
it's more the bolt and assembly not snapping or working itself loose under pressure.
Standard componentry is more than adequate, but tends to have a rather heavy generic feel to it, and will be of lesser quality than a good quality aftermarket item.
The other thing people don't take into account, is how "worn" the levers are. If you've dropped your bike half a dozen times, and simply bent your lever back, the metal will be seriously fatigued.
Once you've gotten used to good quality aftermarket levers, standard levers feel clunky.

[Gremlin]

There was only one guy on duty who had a motorcycle licence, so he did the exam. He was a little Asian guy, struggled to get on the bike, let alone ride it.

As I sat in the waiting room looking out at what was going on, I could see him scratching his head at which one of the very many switches did what. I gather he was looking for the horn.

When I was going to VTNZ (now the local bike shop does WOFs, much better) I deliberately left the GSA on the centre stand. The bike was taller than the wee asian guy and the seat probably at his chest. He did look at it a bit, but there was probably no way he could get it off the centre stand. When I came back out, he asked me to do the braking test. Suited me just fine.

I wonder how much better aftermarket levers perform during an emergency stop.

I have cheapie aftermarket ebay folding, adjustable extendable levers. They fold just beyond the main lever, have clickers for adjusting reach and the lever length is adjustable. Excellent when they have to fit behind a handguard. Dropped the bike hard at one point and the lever snapped higher than the fold point Now I also have metal backed handguards... so I'll probably bend the handlebar next time However, with BMW levers costing ~$120 each, and I actually like the aftermarket feel much better, I buy a couple of sets, and carry spares for when I drop it (yeah it's not if)

[Big Dog]

When I was going to VTNZ (now the local bike shop does WOFs, much better) I deliberately left the GSA on the centre stand. The bike was taller than the wee asian guy and the seat probably at his chest. He did look at it a bit, but there was probably no way he could get it off the centre stand. When I came back out, he asked me to do the braking test. Suited me just fine.


I have cheapie aftermarket ebay folding, adjustable extendable levers. They fold just beyond the main lever, have clickers for adjusting reach and the lever length is adjustable. Excellent when they have to fit behind a handguard. Dropped the bike hard at one point and the lever snapped higher than the fold point Now I also have metal backed handguards... so I'll probably bend the handlebar next time However, with BMW levers costing ~$120 each, and I actually like the aftermarket feel much better, I buy a couple of sets, and carry spares for when I drop it (yeah it's not if)

Just don't buy ones stronger than your perch.

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[AllanB]

Just don't buy ones stronger than your perch.

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Good point here - rather stuff a lever than the works

[pete376403]

Aftermarket levers I have put on the KLR have a groove a bit inboard of the ball end, to provide a breaking point when it hits the ground (at it does, from time to time). The standard levers did not have this, so the perch broke instead. I know what I prefer. Dorks at VTNZ wouldn't have a clue about what works and what doesn't, which is why I don't go there.