Why stretch?

[satyajitmenon]

I keep perusing local motorcycle ads to see if anything interesting catches my eye.

While everyone likes to modify/customise their bike to their style, I see a lot of stretches. Typically an 8 inch stretch.

My question is - why. If the objective is to modify towards straight line cruising, why not just buy a cruiser? :\

I haven't ridden a stretched sportsbike, but I have to imagine it messes up the dynamics in terms of the ability to tip into a turn.

 

[Arkaign]

Better at drag racing, worse at handling. Trade-off.

 

[coxmaster]

Thank god this thread isn't about stretched tires.

 

[Jeff7181]

Too often it's about looks. Chrome stretched swing arms with a 300 on the back of a 600cc bike.

The functional part is for drag racing. By moving the rear tire back, you're effectively moving the weight on the front end forward and increasing the length of the lever, making it more difficult to lift the front end. Provides a better launch, and also provides some straight line stability... longer wheelbase = less twitchy running down the track.

 

[cardiac]

I ran a couple of bikes back in the 80's at the strip that I extended the swingarms. As Jeff said above, if I lengthened the swingarm 6-8", then I usually didn't have to run wheelie bars...and they hooked like a bitch...

Bob

 

[satyajitmenon]

Ok. I get that it helps with drag racing.

But considering that most of the stretches I see around here are on Hayabusas, and the riders are just pootling around in shorts and flip-flops, I'm guessing they're just the rice equivalent for bikes?

Thank god this thread isn't about stretched tires.

Never heard of this. Had to google it, and I was like

 

[rstrohkirch]

Pretty much unless you differentiate between ghetto and rice...then I'd say it's more ghetto.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I guess they're popular in flat states with few curvy roads. Around here you don't see too many bikes with a stretched swingarm. What it gives you in drag racing ability it more than takes away from you ability to turn into corners.

 

[Turin39789]

Ok. I get that it helps with drag racing.

But considering that most of the stretches I see around here are on Hayabusas, and the riders are just pootling around in shorts and flip-flops, I'm guessing they're just the rice equivalent for bikes?




Never heard of this. Had to google it, and I was like

IIRC Busa's are only good for two things:

1) New Riders(in this case turbo is better)
2) Drag Racing

 

[SpatiallyAware]

IIRC Busa's are only good for two things:

1) New Riders(in this case turbo is better)
2) Drag Racing

They actually make fantastic touring bikes.


Busas are a lot like pitbulls, they're a great bike just tend to have shitty owners.

 

[Arkaign]

IIRC Busa's are only good for two things:

1) New Riders(in this case turbo is better)
2) Drag Racing

Hahaha, I won't disagree with #2, but #1? Do you mean better for new riders just due to killing them and getting them off the road? A turbo busa is the last thing I'd want a new rider on unless I wanted him dead.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Hahaha, I won't disagree with #2, but #1? Do you mean better for new riders just due to killing them and getting them off the road? A turbo busa is the last thing I'd want a new rider on unless I wanted him dead.

You're obviously not a card carrying member of the Turbo Hayabusas for N00bs Club. Ask Jules for membership info. ^_^

 

[Arkaign]

Hahaha, allrighty then. I knew it couldn't be totally srs