Gen 2 front end on a gen 1?

[Hooligans]

I have been meaning to upgrade the front end of my Vmax for several years but have been bogged down with other projects. I had originally planned to go with an R1 or a Hayabusa USD conversion but I really like the look of the massive 52mm standard gen 2 forks. Has anyone done this before? It seems the gen 2 is raked a bit more than gen 1 - it also seems the forks are longer...but I don't have access to a gen 2 to take measurements. At 52mm they should be just as ridgid as USDs - and I think they just fit the style of the gen 1 much better than USDs. From a steering geometry/handling standpoint; would they offer any significant improvement over properly set up stock 43mm's or should I just stick with the tried and true USDs? I guess I should also mention that since this thought entered my mind I have been scouring the interwebs for a set of gen 2 forks and have seen none.

Thoughts?

 

[MaxMidnight]

IMO a properly set up (i.e. static sag set) 43 mm forks with Racetech springs and emulators are all you need.
May not gain any street cred. points but a dam sight cheaper and can handle better than most riders can use.
With the money saved get some decent shocks on the back.
Anything left will go towards some 17" wheels.

 

[[email protected]]

I agree with Max Midnight.
I run a set of GEN2 Hayabusa forks on my vmax. They were re-sprung and revalved by Lindemann engineering. They work great. But it was a lot of money and the 43mm forks I had with progressive springs and intiminators worked pretty darn good for a lot less money.

I don't regret the expense but I'd say it wasn't the "best bang for you buck" money I that I've spent on the bike.

 

[one2dmax]

Yes, we've done that before BUT, I also have a gen 2 rear setup with R1 front end using a gen 2 wheel and big brakes available.

 

[Hooligans]

How did I know Sean would have done this before...

Now that I've seen it - I love it. It looks like the wheelbase got extended by the swingarm a bit. Did you ride the bike? How did it handle? I don't really use my Vmax for very spirited cornering so I'm not concerned with it being much better than stock - I just don't want it to be worse.

Damn. That thing looks awesome...I think I'm sold on this idea.

 

[one2dmax]

We've only made a couple of these and the customers sweat they like it. The arm ends up around 7" longer then stock and you will need a sport tail. You can use the 200 or 240 wheel (I can supply either). We haven't had a customer use the R1 setup (with Vmax wheel) but it should work very well too. The gen 2 rear diff is about 20% lower ratio so more cruise and less acceleration.