Eagle K-9 Fork Brace Installed

[KLdrumR]

This is to share my experience with those who may be considering a fork brace or otherwise wondering if they have to live with high speed instability.

Never had used fork braces in the past. The KZs and other bikes I had never really needed them, that I could notice.

Riding the KLR650 on the highway, after years of KZs that felt pretty anchored, was an adjustment. There was tons of info on this forum that addressed the subject. After researching the subject of fork braces for the KLR650, purchased the Eagle K-9 from Arrowhead. I considered other brands but knew Eagle's quality from the Doohickey, the price was competitive, and I trusted these are engineered specifically for the KLR.

Arrived in two days, well packaged. The piece is well-machined and looks good. Very solid, as you would expect.

The installation instructions seemed simple and easy. Followed them ok, except I found in order to slip the boots back down over the brace, I had to remove the center bridge. This may or may not be the way to do it, but it didn't appear clear to me in the intructions. Still, mounting was about as simple and easy as could be, took about 15 minutes. Having done it once, I could probably get it done in 1/2 the time if I did it again.

The brace blends in well with the looks of the bike. You barely notice it. The semi-gloss black finish looks great.

Tools away (allen wrench and socket wrench, duct tape to keep the boots out of the way), helmet on, time to test ride. I had read that it would make a significant difference. Even the instructions indicated that. Still, to experience the change in handling was dramatic. Previously, once above 60 mph or so, depending on the wind, the front end would flex all over the place, feeding the sensations directly to the handlebars. At 70 and higher, to me, it felt dangerous. I had gotten used to it, to a degree, but never liked it.

I headed to the interstate and brought the bike up to 70 mph. I immediately noticed the handlebars weren't moving left and right as if someone was grabbing them and twisting them side to side. The front end felt totally settled down, planted, stable. The difference was remarkable.

I sought out some 18 wheelers. I let them pass me. I rode behind them. I passed them (at over 80 mph). I rode off their front corner, right where the wind wall they push blasts out to the side. I felt completely confident and safe, even when I was pushing the speed.

I saw a pothole at least an inch deep (still on the interstate) and about a foot wide. Kind of reflexively headed for it without even thinking about it. Ba-domp, right through, still planted, nothing squirrely, no problem.

At the intersection of 495 and 93, I got off 495 S onto the ramp to 93 N. One of those long, sweeping ramps that you can pull some pretty high speeds on. Leaned the bike one way then the next, rolling on the throttle. Glued to the road. Very nice.

Now, this is not to say that the big, red sail over the front wheel and the two smaller red sails over the handgrips didn't still try to wrench the front end left and right. The fork brace didn't make them stop trying to move the forks. You could feel that. The difference, with the brace, the forks can now put up a fight and win.

When 08 riders talk about how stable their bikes are at high speed, I believe I now have a bike that rivals their stability, albeit that a more aerodynamic fender would be the icing on the cake to the front end stability upgrade.

So as much as I endorse the Eagle Doohickey for it's affect on the engine performance, I equally recommend the K-9. The off-road oriented riders may or may not experience the same satisfaction, but I know there are a lot of riders who travel highways to get to the trails, and/or commute regularly on the road. For them, definitely Doo the Brace.

I just wonder if I mount one on my drums, my time will improve...?:

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks for the nice review, I'll have some KLR money in another couple of months and this will probably go on with a new set of tires.

TW

[fdr1371]

Put on an Acerbis fender, lose those silly stock 'hanguards' and you'll really see a handling improvement.

On a day to day basis (basic city riding for me - speeds less than 50mph), I don't see a whole lot of difference. But when you push it hard it the corners, you can definitely see a major difference.

A very good, and decently priced mod in my opinion. I did the fender and the brace at one shot - all of about 10 min. for both.

YMMV.

[SilverCityzen]

Great write-up, thanks! I'll probably add this to the list.

What tire do you run on the front? I alternate between D606 and D607 depending on time of year and job and such... any clearance problems with a D606? (I don't have any worries on the 607... )

[KLdrumR]

Originally Posted by SilverCityzen

Great write-up, thanks! I'll probably add this to the list.

What tire do you run on the front? I alternate between D606 and D607 depending on time of year and job and such... any clearance problems with a D606? (I don't have any worries on the 607... )

Stock tires still, with now about 1000 miles on the bike. I've read negative reviews for them off road and positive on road. I think they're good road tires and fine off road, but I am not aggressive on dirt at all. Plenty of extra clearance - no issues whatsoever.

Am considering Metzler Tourance as long as they are semi-useable off road.

Tires are another one of those subjects that there are lots of threads, posts and opinions on.

Again, for freeway speeds and cornering stability, highly encourage the installation...

[KaribKLR]

I installed the brace last week and what a difference. The bike tracks much better at speed through bumpy, potholed corners, and is much more predictable on rocky dirt roads. If I hit some sand or gravel in a corner, the front wheel finds traction more quickly and keeps the line much more reliably. Any wobble at speed is damped way down to almost gone, but that may be my stock '07 fender and high windshield (no handguards). The brace pumps up the confidence factor, and I'm feeling real good about charging corners I was leery of before due to an irregular road surface. I finally scrubbed the molding tags off the sides of the tires!
This is turning into a "must-do" mod for me, and I can't speak too highly of the workmanship and quality of EagleMike's products. The Acerbis fender is probably the next hole in my pocket...

[KLdrumR]

Congrats on that.

Since installing the brace, I've added fork springs, cartridge emulators, Avon Distanzas, and am trying a couple of different shock options.

These bikes really reward you when you upgrage the suspension...

Happy riding!


cb

[KaribKLR]

I do suggest contacting him directly instead of buying from a retailer. You might save some money and it never hurts to establish a personal relationship with a guy who has a machine shop!

[Eaglemike]

I've posted this elsewhere, but since this thread has come up again - I'm not making the K-9 for Happy Trails anymore......

Karib - glad you like it!

all the best,

Mike

[michaeln]

I just sent you payment via paypal, Mike. Looking forward to receiving it!

[KLRsix5zero]

I got an Eagle Brace not long ago myself and I couldn't have described it better myself...

The difference truly is remarkable.

[michaeln]

I had a fork brace on my Honda XR650L and it made a big difference in the feel of the front end, all beneficial. Although the XR650L is also 80s tech, the forks are still stouter than the KLRs, so I'm sure the KLR needs the brace even more than the XR.

I'm sure I will be as pleased with Mike's fork brace as I have been with every other Eagle Mfg product I have.

[ljg]

The K-9 made a *huge* difference in my bike's handling.

Thanks Mike!

[mad chef]

sounds great, if you want the rest mount the ktm fender right on top of the fork brace, new hand guards that don't resemble a satalite and complete the package. thtat should stop all the head shaking and give you a great highway ride. Thanks for the post, i'm goin for the eagle as well

[klr2007]

Im gonna go broke hanging around here, everything in this thread I can relate to. Sounds like money well spent!

[KLdrumR]

Originally Posted by klr2007

Im gonna go broke hanging around here, everything in this thread I can relate to. Sounds like money well spent!

I guess you don't want to know about Cogent Dynamic's shock and Race Tech Cartridge Emulators then!!

Seriously, one of the first things I read about the KLR is that it responds well to suspension upgrades. I can vouch for that!

[DrJ]

Originally Posted by mad chef

sounds great, if you want the rest mount the ktm fender right on top of the fork brace, new hand guards that don't resemble a satalite and complete the package. thtat should stop all the head shaking and give you a great highway ride. Thanks for the post, i'm goin for the eagle as well

Ditto re handling stability over rough stuff with Mikes brace.
just ordered the KTM fender from RC and plan to do a low mount directly on top of the brace, as Mike provided the new version with 4 threaded holes.

Q; Has anyone pics of the KTM fender mounted to the brace to help guide my install. I hope to measure twice and cut once to mount the fender.

thanks for any help,before I screw up and buy a second fender