Is stretching worth it?

[crazyarch]

I rode a buddy's ZX14 that has a Trac Dynamics 6" stretch kit with 240 tire. The bike felt really slow and heavy to turn, It also felt really ambigious going in a straight line. When I got off the bike I noticed that the tires, which are practically new, have no chicken strips. My buddy was proud but it seems weird that the tires were rolling at the edge of their tread and we were just putting around local roads. We may have gotten above 70-80 mph only a couple times.

Does stretching a bike really effect the handling that much?

[fallenangels]

I've done a 10 inch strech and unless you are an AMA wanna-be you won't notice it much...just a little heavier on the turn in.

[SRADkneedragger]

Come on really guys? It's a Busa! The thing doesn't handle like my GSXR-750! I stretched my Racebike 10" just to keep the front down on the NOS and it feels a little slower in the corners but I have a GSXR for the twisty stuff. It's fine buy some low buck extensions see if you like it long then if you do resale the extensions and get an arm!
Marie
201.534mph

[dadofthree]

No stretch for me. Saw two pro's on pinks with hayabusa's years back and they were running 4-6" arms. My bikes for my enjoyment; no stretch.

[DOOM&GLOOM]

Come on really guys? It's a Busa! The thing doesn't handle like my GSXR-750! I stretched my Racebike 10" just to keep the front down on the NOS and it feels a little slower in the corners but I have a GSXR for the twisty stuff. It's fine buy some low buck extensions see if you like it long then if you do resale the extensions and get an arm!
Marie
201.534mph

She's right, its relatively cheap to do. Extensions and a chain.

[kml666]

Does stretching a bike really effect the handling that much?

yes

cheers
ken

[crazyarch]

I was just wondering if someone would let me in on what people see in stretched bikes unless they drag them.

I guess I just don't get it:ponder:

[toastman]

that 240 tire would be the greater effect on the handling than the extension.
Quit honestly its rider preference to extend or not. I went 6 over, and because I hated the look of the back tire squashed under the tail. I didnt buy the hayabusa for canyon carving thats for sure.
Then I tried drag racing...and have been hooked since 06...

Cheers,

Tony

[kml666]

I was just wondering if someone would let me in on what people see in stretched bikes unless they drag them.

I guess I just don't get it:ponder:

The same reason people take a perfectly good pair off tits and turn them into giant flesh colored basket balls that have the sound and feel of unripe water melons when rapped with your knuckles.

There's no accounting for taste.

Now to go and put my flame proof suit on. :whistling:


cheers
ken

[_WOLFMAN_]

Another benifit that alot forget about and if you have not ridden a stretched bike. The longer wheelbase really smoothens out the ride of the bike. I do sport touring and by no means a cannon carver, I mainly just cruise and can still corner fast enough over the speed limit to get in trouble with the law if I choose to. I am also stretched 6" over like Tony and running factory sized tires. I have not drag raced yet but love the look of a stretched and lowered sportbike.

[crazyarch]

Another benifit that alot forget about and if you have not ridden a stretched bike. The longer wheelbase really smoothens out the ride of the bike. I do sport touring and by no means a cannon carver, I mainly just cruise and can still corner fast enough over the speed limit to get in trouble with the law if I choose to.

I think the smoothing you're feeling is the longer wheel base reducing the bike's dynamic ability. The Busa already has a long wheelbase stock - 58-59 inches (most sport bikes are 54-55 inches). Add 6" of stretch and you are riding a bike that's longer than the Harley Electra Glide :wacko: So basically you have made it into a tool for one thing - going either straight or almost straight.

What amazes me (and frankly frustrates me too) is that so many people just assume this fashion statement (stretch & lower) is actually "setting the bike up". When I stop at places where there are a bunch of Busas or ZX14's they are all stretched, lowered, etc. When I tell them I actually raised mine 1" in the back and I'm thinking about getting a shorter swingarm they think I'm ignorant. It then occurred to me I seem to run into more stretched bikes hanging out than putting a knee down :moped:

I'm not trying to pick a fight as I know Busa people are very passionate about this issue. What really bugs me is the fact that so many Busa people are looking at that stretched thing that it's actually hard to find aftermarket stuff designed to improve the bike. The only way a lot of that stretching stuff can make it is that people aren't demanding performance from the modifications, just a looks. The result is that many people think of the Busa as a comic bike when it's actually one of the most spectacularly engineered bikes ever.

[DOOM&GLOOM]

Ahmen Brother!! Well said crazyarch !!! +10 its only limited by your imagination and balls.

[toastman]

If I wanted a knee scrapper, I would have bought a GSXR 1000. Instead I took the busa...status symbol...maybe. Comfortable for my 6'5" frame...definatly. Do I love speed...YA BABY!!! The most easily modded bike to suit the riders taste...no doubt in my mind!!

Cheers,
Tony

[z-edd]

I had a R1 great to do trackdays on but not so great out on the roads. Whated some comfort to ride all day but still handle well in the corners and do a trackday once in a while entered the busa works great for both. I like the looks of some of the stretched out busas but not enough to give up corner carving.

[studioman4fd5]

its worth it ONLY if thats what YOU like, BUT if you wan't to always have the full benefit of the busa leave it stock...the busa has the ability to do all kinds of riding. sweeping through the canyons and straight line quickness.. but when you stretch it, your just one way riding.. straight! and acting or fooling yourself that you can still lean, and every rider wants to really lean.. i know i had one stretched and one stock...now if you choose to stretch make sure you go with a set up that you can change back to stock, if you later change your mind....and thats my two cents......:smoke:

[SRADkneedragger]

I was just wondering if someone would let me in on what people see in stretched bikes unless they drag them.

I guess I just don't get it:ponder:

For me it's a combination:
SRAD loves the Long Low Look, and like me he has his own canyon carver(an RC51) I have the '07 GSXR-750
The other reason is that even before we added the Nitrous it would try to pull up on me in 1st and 2nd even with the LSR gearing, not a good thing. Now when I pour the juice on in the top of second and on out it stays down in the front.
Marie
201.534mph

[limitedbusa]

i like the look of stretched and lowered bikes but i would never do it to my bike because it doesn't fit my riding style. if i was going to drag race or LSR, yes i would do it but it fits my riding style best to leave it stock. i like to go fast but i also like to hit twisties.