Yoke dropping geometry

[Quasievil]

Guys im interested in what geometry and handling changes dropping the front yokes will achieve, what are the advantages or disadvantages in doing this.

I have a Motard (as ya know) they are obviously very light on the front tyre and im thinking it would be a good thing to have more weight on the front tyre (get more heat better grip)

What happens is there any rear end work needing to be done to conter it ??

Ive dropped it 3mm and seems to help but how far to go and why etc ......... cheers

[Tony.OK]

From my limited knowledge............it'll make it tip in quicker, but go too far and you'll start having stability probs at speed, headshake etc.
Its the same as a sprotsbike jacking up the rear, lowering the front can loose yer ground clearance but that shouldn't affect yer mud slinger.
Don't be afraid to try different heights at the trackday mate, I'd say 10mm wouldn't be too much for a motard, go slow and feel the difference, best way to learn what something does.
Get a hold of RT's guide too, its really basic but has helped me understand why and how susp changes affect handling.

Edit: Ya didn't say why you dropped it? What are you trying to gain?

Edit # 2: corrected info.....................

[Ocean1]

When you say dropping the front you mean having the forks further up in the clamps?

Won't change the weight bias much, most effect comes from the lower front stance shortening up the trail.

Tends to make 'em steer quicker, downside is that beyond a certain point it can get quite vague and sometimes very twitchy, (can get some serious headshake going on at speed).

Hang on, don't the KTM have an eccentric front axle clamp? If so you could move the axle forward to compensate. In which case I’m not sure what the point of lowering the front would be.

[Quasievil]

The KTM has two rake settings 20-18, I changed it to 18 on the advice from Steven Briggs, I also dropped the forks through the clamps about 3mm to hopefuly gain a bit more weight on the front, the bike actually handles brilliantly as it is now however Im all keen for more weight on the front.

[White trash]

You'll quicken initial turn in and run tighter lines. The trade off is you'll lose confidence in the front due to decreased feedback from the tyre and the front will be more prone to "tucking", usually without warning.

It will also make the bike HARDER to change direction from full lean to full lean, although with big wide chook chaser bars and sod all weight this will not present an issue. I doubt wether said adjustment will add heat to the tyre by any significant measure.

[Morcs]

Another thing to do to prevent the front wheel being as flightly at speed, get rid of the big front guard - it just catches the wind and wants to lift... get a stubby

[Robert Taylor]

Guys im interested in what geometry and handling changes dropping the front yokes will achieve, what are the advantages or disadvantages in doing this.

I have a Motard (as ya know) they are obviously very light on the front tyre and im thinking it would be a good thing to have more weight on the front tyre (get more heat better grip)

What happens is there any rear end work needing to be done to conter it ??

Ive dropped it 3mm and seems to help but how far to go and why etc ......... cheers

Go to www.racetech.com and then click onto F450. It explains it all quite well.

[Ocean1]

If you're confident about the reasons for wanting more weight forward you can often get an extra link in the chain and move the rear wheel back.

I've modified a couple of my dirt bikes in the past to give me more adjustment, for just that reason. Makes a bit of difference when you're alternating between very tight and open, faster terain.

Then... are you getting your arse well forward on the seat when you tip it in? Me, I grew up on bikes that behaved a little different, and I don't do the style most modern dirt bikes demand very well. Don't alter the fact, however, that if you don't get your body weight right forward you'll have every reason not to trust that front wheel...