Dogbones finally finished!

[Rexbo]

I've finally finished the PROTOTYPE dog bones that raise the back end of the ninja 250. Notice I said prototype, as in these are not perfected. I have 10 pairs, and I'd like feedback from the people who install them, so I can improve the next generation, but I've got a feeling that everyone will be happy with them. Naturally, if there are improvements to be made, I will offer an exchange program from the prototype to the production parts for those who buy these. Feedback is appreciated from racers, trackday riders and street riders alike.

They lift the back of the bike by approximately 1.25" and improve turn-in and front grip tremendously. I currently have these installed with a GSXR rear shock and 22mm of fork tube showing above the top triple tree, and the bike handles amazingly. Turn in is effortless, footpeg and exhaust clearance is improved, and if the bike is too twitchy, you can raise up the front end a bit which only helps clearance more!

Offered at $25/pair for the prototypes, chances are the production ones will be more expensive!

Email me at steve@polymotoengineering.com if you'd like to purchase.

[pjed]

Email sent

[CZroe]

I've got a pregen and a newgen both with newgen suspension. Would it be possible to get two different lengths? I'd like to experiment a bit and see what it would take to get a newgen hugger on a pregen. Ideally, I'd like one set of these and another set that raises a full two inches.

[dino74]

Does $25 include the trophy?

[alex.s]

+1.25" in the rear and -0.8" in the front puts it at around 23d rake? i'm wondering what the trail would be with that... too late for me to figure it out in my head

[edxmon]

I was just reading on this, and some articles said that raising the front increases the distance between the seat and the pegs, is this correct? I need a tiny bit more space for my legs to make my ride perfect.

Also, if im used to the bike's stock handing, will installing this make it dangerously different?

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by edxmon

I was just reading on this, and some articles said that raising the front increases the distance between the seat and the pegs, is this correct? I need a tiny bit more space for my legs to make my ride perfect.

Also, if im used to the bike's stock handing, will installing this make it dangerously different?

Few could possibly be as used to the stock handling as me and yet I'm changing everything in one fell swoop (clip-ons, fork preload spacers, rearset adjusters, and raised rear suspension).

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Few could possibly be as used to the stock handling as me and yet I'm changing everything in one fell swoop (clip-ons, fork preload spacers, rearset adjusters, and raised rear suspension).

I'm tempted at $25 to just buy these, I guess I'll just have to experiment with the new handling if I do.

But if any one can confirm these provide any additional amount of legroom between seat and pegs I'll purchase them for sure.

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by edxmon

I'm tempted at $25 to just buy these, I guess I'll just have to experiment with the new handling if I do.

But if any one can confirm these provide any additional amount of legroom between seat and pegs I'll purchase them for sure.

I would think they do not alter the seat-footpeg distance, as the seat and pegs are mounted to the same frame, with no expansion or hinge joints between them.

Love the idea Rexbo, hope these sell well!

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by Momaru

I would think they do not alter the seat-footpeg distance, as the seat and pegs are mounted to the same frame, with no expansion or hinge joints between them.

Love the idea Rexbo, hope these sell well!

Makes total sense, thanks.

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by alex.s

+1.25" in the rear and -0.8" in the front puts it at around 23d rake? i'm wondering what the trail would be with that... too late for me to figure it out in my head

Don't know the numbers, but however it works out, the combination works for me on track

They don't change any legroom distance, rearsets can do that for you though.

CZRoe: I can machine any length needed, but if you want one-offs they will cost more.

[alex.s]

hmmm... i think 23d rake with stock 250 triple offsets should put the trail at right about 3" at rest. the travel on the forks stock is like 4.7 inches so trailing it in should have you about in the middle right? lets say 2 inch compression, so on the brakes turn in would be at 21d rake with a bit higher than a 2" trail??? sounds like fun! lol

if i remember right the motogp bikes run 23ish rake at about 3.2" trail. i had mine setup almost the same but i had the r1 shock, with the r1 knuckle which killed the rear travel down to 95mm which i didnt like compared to stock so i switched back. the geometry was great though. now i need a gsxr shock to put on with my stock knuckle. :/

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

Don't know the numbers, but however it works out, the combination works for me on track

They don't change any legroom distance, rearsets can do that for you though.

CZRoe: I can machine any length needed, but if you want one-offs they will cost more.

Hmm. Considering that I was hoping for a discount if I buy two, I'll probably go with Soupy's adjustable links if I need to pay more to raise more (the ones they make for EX250J can't raise but they do make custom links).

I should probably order two of what you got though (1.25" *may* be enough clearance for a hugger on a pregen). Message sent.

[Rexbo]

This first batch of 10 I'm selling at pretty much no profit, really just to see what kind of feedback I get. The next version may have two different lengths, different finish, slightly different design. It all depends on feedback, the price of future parts all depends on what changes are made.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

This first batch of 10 I'm selling at pretty much no profit, really just to see what kind of feedback I get. The next version may have two different lengths, different finish, slightly different design. It all depends on feedback, the price of future parts all depends on what changes are made.

All the more incentive to get my valuable feedback on raising it more and having reason to raise it more (pregen hugger).

[Rexbo]

only 2 pairs left! These are going quicker than I thought!

[cuong-nutz]

Give me a shock to use them with and I"ll take it off your hands

[Rexbo]

SOLD OUT.

I'll make the next batch with modifications if needed and post them up here and on the website. Thanks to everyone who ordered, they shipped yesterday, I'll send out individual tracking numbers tonight. Please provide feedback/dislikes/improvements/suggestions to me and the type of riding that you do, and I'll do my best to improve the design!

[zCasanova]

Someone put up a pic when they're installed.

[pjed]

Got my gixxer 600 shock and the 03/04 gixxer 1000 spring on the way. Really looking to see how this set up works. If I get it done soon, I'll post pics.

[pjed]

Got the dog bones today....they look real good. Hope to get the new shock on next week.

[sharky nrk]

When mine get in they are going one bike with a stock shock and one with a gsxr shock, will provide feedback on both.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

SOLD OUT.

I'll make the next batch with modifications if needed and post them up here and on the website. Thanks to everyone who ordered, they shipped yesterday, I'll send out individual tracking numbers tonight. Please provide feedback/dislikes/improvements/suggestions to me and the type of riding that you do, and I'll do my best to improve the design!

Was I part of the first wave? It looks like they shipped on the 26th. I sent payment fror two sets on the 24th and never got a tracking number. If I have to wait longer for mine, it's no big deal. I'm just curious.

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

When mine get in they are going one bike with a stock shock and one with a gsxr shock, will provide feedback on both.

You ordered two as well, huh? One of mine is going on a pregen with newgen shock and swingarm so I can experiment with a hugger and the other is going on a newgen just to change the ergos (showing off undertail and hugger = side effect )

[sharky nrk]

Haven't had a chance to get these on but did recieve them in the mail.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CZroe

One of mine is going on a pregen with newgen shock and swingarm so I can experiment with a hugger and the other is going on a newgen just to change the ergos (showing off undertail and hugger = side effect )

the higher will fit in front of the wheel with a raised tail and some creative cutting of the undertail. The hard part is clearance on the exhaust if your hugger has any kind of fake beefier swingarm attatched to it. Use a Scotts hugger or something similar. That will be your best shot.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Was I part of the first wave? It looks like they shipped on the 26th. I sent payment fror two sets on the 24th and never got a tracking number. If I have to wait longer for mine, it's no big deal. I'm just curious.

I definitely shipped yours out, I'll send a tracking number when I got home.

[Nemesis]

Y u no bring my dogbones to M1GP race?

[NorCal_250R]

Man i wish these were legal to use in AFM. The rules to not allow modification to the dogbones is pretty crazy.

[sharky nrk]

Just IMHO, anyone using these needs longer hardware then the stock versions. I was a little uneasy about putting them on with so few threads to attach the fasteners due to the extra width of the new dogbones, and then my fears were confirmed when taking the fasteners to their 44 ftlb setting I stripped the bolt, there were only three or four threads engaging.

Excited about the dogbones, but anyone that hasn't started yet, I recommend longer fasteners.

[Zyconic17]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

I've finally finished the PROTOTYPE dog bones that raise the back end of the ninja 250. Notice I said prototype, as in these are not perfected. I have 10 pairs, and I'd like feedback from the people who install them, so I can improve the next generation, but I've got a feeling that everyone will be happy with them. Naturally, if there are improvements to be made, I will offer an exchange program from the prototype to the production parts for those who buy these. Feedback is appreciated from racers, trackday riders and street riders alike.

They lift the back of the bike by approximately 1.25" and improve turn-in and front grip tremendously. I currently have these installed with a GSXR rear shock and 22mm of fork tube showing above the top triple tree, and the bike handles amazingly. Turn in is effortless, footpeg and exhaust clearance is improved, and if the bike is too twitchy, you can raise up the front end a bit which only helps clearance more!

Offered at $25/pair for the prototypes, chances are the production ones will be more expensive!

Email me at steve@polymotoengineering.com if you'd like to purchase.

@Rexbo when you measure the 22mm above the top tree... where are you measuring from? the front, center, or rear part of the fork tube? i only ask because the top of the tube is not parallel with the surface of the top tree.

[Rexbo]

Good question. Side where the triple tree split is.

[Zyconic17]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

Good question. Side where the triple tree split is.

thanks! that helped. now i have an idea about why my bike feels like a pig! i have stock rear ride height and 11mm above triple trees! are your dogbones designed to work with stock shock or just the modified shock you are using?

[sharky nrk]

Got mine installed but have not ridden yet. Some additional notes:. They end up very close to the stock spring, I think I may put a spacer in now that I have longer fasteners on the bike. Also really surprised at how much a difference it makes in rear ride height with the stock shock. I am 5'11" with a 32 inseam and I can barely flat foot with boots on (couldn't with flip flops in the garage). I have stock everything else suspension wise but that will change little by little in the coming months. I will inspect one more time and try and ride tomorrow.

[CZroe]

Nice. Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. I've got a pregen frame gutted and ready to go with a newgen swingarm. I'll take before and after shots when I install the dogbones, which the USPS is still taking their time with.

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Nice. Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. I've got a pregen frame gutted and ready to go with a newgen swingarm. I'll take before and after shots when I install the dogbones, which the USPS is still taking their time with.

Should be there any minute! They're taking their sweet time thats for sure...

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

Got mine installed but have not ridden yet. Some additional notes:. They end up very close to the stock spring, I think I may put a spacer in now that I have longer fasteners on the bike. Also really surprised at how much a difference it makes in rear ride height with the stock shock. I am 5'11" with a 32 inseam and I can barely flat foot with boots on (couldn't with flip flops in the garage). I have stock everything else suspension wise but that will change little by little in the coming months. I will inspect one more time and try and ride tomorrow.

Yes a spacer is recommended, and be ready for the steering to be WAY more responsive

[sharky nrk]

Okay so I went out for a 2 hr test ride that included 15 to 35 mph twists, 55 mph sweepers, and a bit of highway riding.

Bike is a 09 with full ex, pods, jet kit; stock suspension and tires, clip ons and rear sets. Forks were left in the stock position and preload is maxed as I am 210 lbs. Bike experience includes SS, Sport, and Cruisers and also track days.

As mentioned previously the increase in rear ride was substantial making it a bit more difficult to flat foot. Not a problem for me but could be for shorter folk. Got the bike moving underway and immediately noticed a decrease in straight line stability and the bike was noticeably twitchier. Not to the extent of being dangerous but a bit unnerving at first.

The bike seemed to require less input to initiate the sweepers but found myself over committing with initial inputs to the bars. To be expected with the geometry changes and after the first few miles I was well adjusted to the change. The tighter turns really highlighted the bikes new willingness to change direction quickly. The bike fell into corners quickly and held its line without as much bar input. Transitions were quicker and more direct but the speed also seemed to unsettled the bike when going from one side to another more so than stock. Prior to the links the bike still wanted to wander a little wide on exit, and that has been greatly improved.

The bike also did not appreciate sloppiness with adjustment inputs after turn in. The front end felt ever worse with the additional loading. Getting the front sorted and greater confidence with corner entry would really let the bike dive in fast and deep.

Definitely a great addition but probably a bit much for stock front suspension and tires.

[Rexbo]

Awesome, thanks for the input! If you think its too twitchy, you can always drop the forks down in the forks a few mm and that should help. Do you think a slightly longer dogbone would be better (this would reduce the amount the rear is raised).

Was the fitment with everything acceptable?

[cbinker]

Well i got my shock installed all stock, it would be interesting to here from PJED as he was at the track day with me 2 weeks ago.

[CZroe]

Got mine Monday. Thanks! I'll be attempting to install the first set the first moment I have when it isn't well over 90 degrees.