rear to front handling?

So, I'm trying to put together a list of mods for this off season. I'm contemplating adding the "rear to front" mod to the list.

I've read everything I could find on the forum and even ventured to another for virago mods. I'm not worried about the mod its self but more any extreme handling changes that my result. Of course, the few who have done it posted their initial "everything seems ok". Some of those were even done on bikes that were not meant for daily driving...

What I'm looking for is maybe a more detailed report of any long term findings? This is my daily driver so I'd like any details I can get? thanks

 

Never tried it. Never ridden an XJ that was mod'd that way. The only thing I could say about the bigger front tire comes from riding a Suzuki dual sport. It's front tire was only 1inch smaller diameter and 10mm more narrow than the rear. Similar to what your proposing doing to your XJ.

Noticed at really slow speeds you could feel the extra mass up there, but I got used to it pretty quick. It was great going over unpredictable terrain. No side to side on the longitudinal lines and very comfortable on gravel (at least as comfortable as that can ever be). Great stopping power as well. I didn't feel quite as confident at high speed on pavement going low in the turns, but not a sport bike anyway.

If it was my daily driver I would either not do it, or make sure I could easily change it back if I decide it's a no go. Interesting looking mod though.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. Not to discredit your experience but the dual sport you are describing sounds particularly odd? The front tire was both smaller and skinnier! I'm not by any means familiar with dual sport bikes but that on its own sounds goofy...

I agree, I will be using a spare rim that I have lined up for the mod so I will be able to go back, if I see fit.

 

My bad too little sleep has affected my brain. The front tire was 1inch bigger than the rear. Sorry.

 

You missed a detail with that mod.

The original front is a 19" wheel; the rear an 18". The overall diameter of the wheel and tire, due to the larger size tire in use on the "rear" wheel, provides just about the same overall diameter as the original front did, except it's big and fat.

Some motorcycles, old BMWs, the original Triumph Tridents and my Norton for instance, have the same size wheels and tires front and rear right from the factory. However, the frame geometry of those motorcycles was designed around the concept; and the front isn't so much "oversize" as the rear looks a bit skinny.

Our bikes, on the other hand, weren't designed that way. What you will do is add a whole LOT of unsprung weight, and increase the gyroscopic effect of the front wheel assembly. You will be rewarded with heavier steering and it will probably feel like riding an old sidewalk bike (bicycle.)

Personally, I prefer lacey, drilled floating rotor discs over the automotive look. But then again, I'm big on "mods" that improve the performance of the machine, not lessen it just to look cool.

 

I do thank you for the tip but I have not missed any details for the mod.

I do understand the issues of "unsprung mass". Those details are the only reason that I have not made the mod yet and also why I made the inquiry.

 

He's got a maxim, isn't the rear wheel 16" on the max and 18" on the seca?

 

Oh, sorry, sure is. Then maybe I missed a fine point, I assumed it involved using an 18" "rear" on the front. Never occurred to me that it involved a 16"" with what, a 130 tire? Would that even fit between the forks?

 

I believe it does. I've seen it a few times on this site and I like the look too.

Someone even had a "kit" for sale I thought.

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... front.html

with photos.

 

I really like the mod but not sure I want to give up my rotors

 

When I bought my maxim it had a 130 rear but a 110 front fitted, when I renewed just the front with the O/E 100 tyre, the handling improved massively!... incredibly! especially at low to moderate cornering speeds - it seems to fall into corners naturally now.