Offset changes?

CUL8ER said:

Hey!
Racing SuperMoto on a 650 berg.. what affects will you get if changing offset from 16 to 22 or from 16 to 13. Does the ride hight change in the front if changing offset also?

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You could read for days on the effects of offset and other frame adjustments, but here's the Clif Note's version (oversimplified):

REDUCING offset INCREASES trail. The front end may "stick" a bit better, more trail also generally increases chassis stability, and increases the bike's self-centering effect. Too much trail can cause a resistance to initial turn-in and make the steering less "flickable".

INCREASING offset DECREASES trail. It may be easier to initiate a turn, but the front end can understeer in cases of too little trail. Chassis stability is decreased.

RE: Re: Offset changes?

you know cul8er, i've read all 11 of your posts and they are always on the money.....

i have gone from 22mm to 14mm on the old frame and that's all. i then bought the '03+ frame but went back to 22mm wirhout even experimenting.

i have done a report on this somewhere and how it felt. what you are doing is swopping one sensation for another and you have to decide which you prefer. for me it's all about the entry into corners and how the bike 'drops' in.

i found the 14s on the old frame shortened the wheelbase, added weight to the front and because the steering was so stable i needed less trail again so i raised the forks up through the yokes and that lowered the front end 20-25mm and made it lighter. the bike became very flickable.

the ktm 125 sx had 14s in about 2000, all husabergs come with 22mm except SM machines that have 18mm and an eccentric offset post of + and - 2mm. so perhaps this is the way to go?

regards

Taffy