Fork Brace for DL1000 and DL650 Murphskits.com [Archive]

Howboucha

01-21-2006, 03:31 PM

Murphskits.com has sent me an incredible fork brace to review. I have not had a chance to install it, but as soon as I do I will know you know what I think. Out of the box, the attention to detail is amazing. It is a true work of art. The directions are extremely easy to understand and anyone should be able to install it. They are priced at a reasonable $132.00. A must have item for the agressive rider. (So why do I have one? :twisted: )

Check out his website for more information. Here is the link to the VStrom section. http://www.murphskits.com/vstrom.htm

He also makes the Stromtrooper master cylinder covers http://www.stromtrooper.com/forum/templates/subSilver/images/strom1.jpg

Fourvalve

01-30-2006, 04:03 PM

I checked his web site, but no info at all on the brace...

Howboucha

02-04-2006, 01:03 PM

I think he has plans to update his site soon so that is why it isn't on there. But I did have a chance to install and try mine out so here you go!

The brace is made of high quality materials with precision machining. All hardware is included, which consists of the hex head recessed bolts (not sure actual term for them).

The directions are very basic and easy to follow. The parts on the brace have a ID stamp on each piece to help with the installation.

Here is a shot of it put together:
http://www.stromtrooper.com/brace1.jpg

The brace weighs almost nothing.
Here is a shot of the pieces with the bolts removed:

http://www.stromtrooper.com/brace2.jpg

Like I noted before, there was nothing to the installation. It took me less than a half hour, and that is because I had a hard time fining my allen wrench. :lol:

Here is a shot of the brace installed. Of course, it is the cleanest part of the bike.

http://www.stromtrooper.com/brace3.jpg

Test ride time. I rode on a very windy day. The roads were still sandy and wet, so I couldn't ride it is hard as I would like.

It's hard to show that it made an obvious difference, mainly because I am off of my riding every day routine. Right now, everything makes a difference. It did feel stiffer in the front end, and the bike didn't sway left to right on uneven terrain as easy. So I guess it did make a difference.

I would consider this to be a must have product for those that are riding their v-stroms in "adventure mode" and for the corner carvers.

Contact Sherm for more information about the fork brace.
http://www.murphskits.com

David Harry

02-04-2006, 08:37 PM

The directions are very basic and easy to follow. The parts on the brace have a ID stamp on each piece to help with the installation. Like I noted before, there was nothing to the installation.
http://www.murphskits.com
Howb: it looks as though you slip the brace half over the upper fork tube, then slide it down over the lower fork tube, bolt on the clamp piece, then bolt the two halves of the brace together - sound about right? Any interference with the fender fairings that extend up over the forks?

Steve strom

02-04-2006, 11:22 PM

Fellows,
I installed a fork brace from Murphs on my dl1000. It made a 'very' significant improvement to the bike's stability during high lean angle cornering.
I've already race teched the front end and installed a heavier rear spring (Wilburs) but still had a sometimes unnerving wavering thru corners......I always found myself making mid-turn corrections for the bike's sudden reaction causing increasing turn in, (falling in???), at the apex.
Now there is no correction needed thru these corners since installation of the fork brace.
Guess I put 2000 miles on the brace w/o any issues. Installation was simple.
Steve

BTW - No interference w the fender.

Howboucha

02-05-2006, 12:29 PM

Howboucha Dave!
Yep, Steve beat me to it. :) Nothing to it. You loosen up the bolts that connect the pieces together, slide it down, put on the end clamps, tighten them first then the center pieces and you are complete.
B.K.

Murph

02-05-2006, 11:47 PM

Greetings Folks :D ! Murph here, of murphskits.com.
A fast intro . We pride ourselves on introducing innovated products to small markets. While my pet is the Concours we have spread out in the last few years. Kevin Baker designed this brace and does the manufacturing for us. He did the design work when he had his DL650. I meant to get some info on our site today but the boss (Mrs Murph) had other plans :( .. she took over my office . Good thing as shes the one who is literality world know for our customer service, and she needed more space! The price for either unit (650 or 1000) will be $132 shipping included in the US. Shipping to our Northern cousins runs about ( or is that aboooout? :D ) $10 more. World wide shipping is about $14. We have DL1000 units in stock and will have the 650s in the production run this week ( I hope) All our products come with a money back offer. If you don’t think they did what they should we will take it back and refund your money except for the shipping cost. I hope this wasn't too “spammy” :oops: You folks have shown us a lot of support with other products we carry for the Strom and I did want to drop in and say thanks for that. We are In the process of doing a new webstore setup that has taken way more time than I ever thought. Anyway..thanks again, and if I can ever be of help let me know..

Murph
COG 2769
www.murphskits.com

Howboucha

02-07-2006, 10:47 PM

Howboucha Murph!
Keep us updated on any V-Strom products, site updates, etc. Consider yourself "Stromtrooper Approved!" :lol:
B.K.

VLcaster

02-20-2006, 03:19 PM

I am also interested in the fork brace, for my 650 V-Strom.
I didn't see any info on them on the website.
Can you tell us when they will be available?

Thanks, Al

02-26-2006, 12:03 AM

Hey folks a fast update :oops: The 650 braces will not be back from the platers till the end of next week! We have the 1000 braces in stock, but neither are on the store site, drop me an email if your interested. I'm also a bit put out cause' our shipment of fenda extendas is a week late. They should be here by midweek :? however It never fails ,the fastest way to sale a product is to not have it in stock! Bear with us folks..

thanks!

Murph

02-26-2006, 12:20 AM

sinjindog

02-28-2006, 01:07 PM

I've got to put in a plug here for Murph. I've got a brace on order and can comment on it when it arrives, but I have ordered a number of parts from Murph in the past. My Concours benfitted from a stainless bolt kit, front fork brace and braided lines. Each time I ordered the CS was great and the products were very high quality. (The guys on the Concours Owners Group site swear by Murphs products.) Anyway when I picked up the Strom last year I ordered a fenda extenda which worked out great and then later I ordered some KB lowering links after I picked up a Corbin saddle. The links exceeded my expectation in quality and as usual the CS was outstanding.

Compared To What?

03-06-2006, 09:35 PM

Yo Murph. . .

How's the supply of 6Fiddy braces coming?

Thanks

Compared To What?

03-08-2006, 09:56 PM

Hehehe I got this yesterday. . ."A package was shipped to you on 03/07/2006 via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail" from Murph's!.

Film at eleven!

Compared To What?

03-09-2006, 07:38 PM

And Mr. Postman delivered mine this afternoon. . . . Took a whopping 10 minutes to install (only took that long cause I took pix of the install).

Is it just a really nice looking, well machined farkle or is it functional......I'll be finding out this weekend rain or shine. :D

Compared To What?

03-11-2006, 09:47 PM

Murphskits Brace - Part 1

In between gusting winds and thunder showers I managed to sneak in a handful of laps on my favorite local roads. I wasn't really expecting much in the way of a noticeable difference when I started as I'm pretty happy with the feel and feedback with the 020s and the Wilburs. I chose roads that I ride on a regular basis (2-4 times weekly) that offer a pretty decent variety of pavement types/surfaces and speeds.

On smooth pavement higher speed turns (70 and up) and high speed transitions the little 6Fiddy now seems to tip in and/or turn a tad quicker. I ran a set of really fast S bends (entrance speed about 75 and if you can make the right to left to right to left transitions quick enough, you accelerate all the way thru the series) three different times just to make sure it wasn't my imagination. With the 020s and Wilburs I was pretty happy with high speed transitions. . . .The brace makes it better.

The biggest difference came on very bumpy pavement and/or irregular and/or patched surfaces. The difference is very noticeable!

Entering medium speed (40-70mph) turns on "cobbly" surfaces the front end feels much more "direction secure"......that is to say that the feedback from the front wheel is more precise and there is much less of the squirming feel that irregular road surfaces normally transmit without the brace on these roads at these speeds and lean angles.

Leaned over and accelerating on the above mentioned surface(s) I got more or better "feedback" as I approached the limits of adhesion. The irregular surfaces didn't seem to upset or unsettle the front wheel under hard acceleration nearly as much as without the brace. The extra feedback was also very noticeable leaned over braking on the "less than smooth" surfaces. Medium speed "quick" transitions on the aforementioned "cobbly" surfaces seemed to be equally improved. Before the bike felt pretty secure, it now feels really "Planted" regardless of the pavement inconsistencies.

More feedback, reduced "squirmy" feeling and more bite on continuously irregular surfaces!

Never found a place that I could safely and/or adequately test the difference in high(er) speed braking as pavement conditions (intermittent wet, muddy, dirty, puddly, slow moving cages, etc) were working against me this afternoon.

Tomorrow should be another good riding day in "sunny" SoCal so I'll do a longer "checkout" of the brace.

Compared To What?

03-12-2006, 06:21 PM

Murphskits Brace - Part 2

Took a 100+ mile "jaunt" this morning on some faster roads. About a 50-50 mix of "well paved" and "less than well maintained" Cruising speeds from 70 to triple digit++.

Hard braking (very near lockup) from 100+ speeds seems more controlled & less "skittish" especially at the verge of lockup. Even on fairly uneven surfaces at higher speeds the additional control (as a result of better feedback) was discernible under hard braking conditions.

Never did really get the front end to dance nor did I manage to induce any wheel-hop (But I did give it the old school try). I also noted that during high(er) speed transitions my ability to put the front end precisely where I wanted it seemed improved.

My take-a-way from two days of riding on a variety of different roads under a variety of conditions is simply this. . . .

Not only is the Murphskits Brace a well made and good looking "farkle", the sumbitch really does work and the improvement in the front end is certainly worth the $132 :D

Compared To What?

04-08-2006, 11:33 PM

700 Mile update

After 700 miles of "spirited riding on pavement ranging from (both wet and dry) "billiard table smooth" to "pothole-hell" and just about everything in between I'm 100% convinced. Most of these roads I have been riding for the past two years so I figure I'm pretty comfortable with "consistent riding for comparative purposes".

It's not my imagination . . . With the brace the front end is more precise, more supple and more controlled. What pisses me off is that I didn't find/make/install one of these 18K ago.

The little 6Fiddy with decent tires, decent fork oil, stiffer progressive springs and the brace is just plain "fun" to ride on any kind of road. Bumps, broken pavement, irregular grading, traintracks, bricks etc just doesn't phase the front end. What a "giggle" to sweep thru a set of bends with broken or choppy or irregular pavement and have the front end never lose it's poise regardless of the speed or lean angle.

Woulda - Shoulda - Couldas. . . . . I wish I'd changed the front fork springs and oil and added the brace about 18K miles ago. This is the "front end" that Suzuki should have put on the 6Fiddy in the first place.

The rear shock/spring combo has not given me any concern todate. I don't have much preload dialed in and lots of dampening. . . Seems to work well with the "modded" front end.

Someday the rear shock will begin complaining and I'll have to fork out some serious change to "upgrade" the rear end, until then I'm a "happy camper" in the suspension department.

STROMETTE

06-05-2006, 02:30 AM

Damn, I'm sold.

allonsye

06-07-2006, 09:49 AM

700 Mile update

The little 6Fiddy with decent tires, decent fork oil, stiffer progressive springs and the brace is just plain "fun" to ride on any kind of road.

What kind of fork oil are you using?

thanks,
paul

Compared To What?

06-07-2006, 12:43 PM

Bel-Ray 10wt

fl_strom

07-20-2006, 08:26 PM

I got my K-B Fork Brace from Murphs last Thursday. It's so simple to install - about 10 minutes to completely read and understand the directions, then about another 10 minutes to install.

Bascially the installation has been made very simple. There is no fork disassembly to be performed. You simply unbolt the 4 individual pieces, slip the left side around the upper left fork and then slide it down over the bottom fork tube and just simply put the bolts in, but don't tighten them.

Next you slip the right side around the upper right fork and then slide it down over the bottom fork tube and once again simply put the bolts in place.

Now you put the two sides together and start the bolts in and tighten them to 8 foot pounds. You set each side to be equal distance from the top of the fender - about 1/16 of an inch and then torque the bolts to 12 foot pounds.

Final step is to loosen the bolts that hold the two sides together and let the forks find their natural spacing. Now you torque those bolts to 12 foot pounds and go riding.

In crosswinds, there is a lot different feel. I also noticed a lack of "vaguesness" when riding on grooved roadway. I ordered it, got it sent to me and the total cost was $120. Makes the bike even better IMO.

Murph only puts good stuff out in the marketplace. He's a great guy to deal with and takes care of his customers!

fl_strom

07-20-2006, 08:28 PM

I've been riding the bike for almost 2 weeks now with the KB Fork Brace in place. Perhaps I've gotten used to it being there, but the bike is just so stable on the interstate, even in cross winds.

When riding curves - Florida curves, not the mountain curves, the bike is very "planted" and you can change your line in mid-turn like some of the 600 class sportbikes.

Braking is also a lot more stable. I had the opportunity to try it out when an unwary motorist talking on a cellphone decided to pull out in front of me. I almost stood the 'Strom on it's nose and the stop was very smooth and totally in control.

Great accessory that makes an already good bike a bit better.

Storm Girl

09-19-2006, 09:38 AM

So I was not imaging it!
I thought that the brace helped with the
cross wind problem. I wasn't sure before now if
I was just getting used to it or if the brace was
making a deference.

COOL.
This should come stock on the bike.

boomslanger

12-04-2006, 04:56 PM

I've had my Murphs fork brace for a short time now and all I can say is what a difference it makes.

My primary reason for getting the brace is that I regularly commute across a flat stretch of road in a valley that is like a wind tunnel. On more than one occassion I've had to bring my bike almost to a stop and have actually feared being blown onto the verge or towards the centre line. My other big bug bear was high speed truck wash as the very same route I take is a busy trucking area.

From the moment you take the bike out onto the road after putting the brace on you know you have a different bike, it is that noticable. My first big test is a 6km long set of 35, 45 and 55 kph bends I negotiate twice every working day. As you come into the bends in the 100kph zone heading south, there is a sweeping right hander that ends in the start of the 80kph zone of the bends. This sweeper is always longitudinally rippled from trucks heavily braking for the 80 at the end of the sweeper and the first 55kph bend just after that. More than once I've come into the sweeper well over 100 and as soon as I've leaned the bike over the front starts weaving on the road ripples and I have to back off very quickly.

Not anymore. The fork brace has made a huge difference, where I can actually go into this sweeper quicker than before, brake later and take the rest of the bends without even a hint of wobble or waywardness.

As someone mentioned before the front end seems solidly planted and that is the short of it no matter what the condition you are riding in or on. This is a completely different bike and I don't know what the trade off is for stiffening the front forks (maybe offroad handling performance) but it has been worth every cent I paid for it.

josjor

02-01-2007, 10:09 AM

+1 on the praise for Murph. You WILL NOT find a better business to deal with. I've bought a lot of stuff for my Concours from him and until reading this thread I never even knew he had some stuff for the Strom. The fact that he is one of the people I can deal with if I get a Strom is leaning me more and more towards getting one.

Super honest.
Super fast.
REAL INTEGRITY.

p7m8jg

04-24-2007, 10:32 PM

Ditto on the murph fork brace.
Shipped pronto. Installed easy.

WOW. Didn't think it was going to make much of a difference but it did. Really stabilizes the front of the bike - you wouldn't know it because it wasn't that way before......(if that makes sense)

Highly recommended.

John

Mr. Fisherman

05-03-2007, 09:57 PM

WOW! I think I ordered this the day before yesterday and I just finished putting it on the bike. Awsome follow through and great customer service. Super easy to install, even a caveman could do it :p . Looking forward to trying it out bit it is raining too hard even for me to go out in it right now.

Poser

08-16-2007, 04:51 PM

I just installed the fork brace. Easy install. Good quality parts. I didn't use Locktite so I'll probably pull it apart and reinstall properly.

Anthony

09-10-2007, 08:57 PM

I have one. Let me just say that the difference is significant and that no bike should be without one.

pizzmor

09-12-2007, 05:04 PM

I cannot offer a review as my fork brace is still in the mail, I would however like to share my expereince thus far in dealing with Mr. Murphy. I placed my order and paid through Paypal, but something happened with my order and Murph had my money, but no order was on file. He called me at home to see exactly what I had ordered and informed me my fork brace would be in the mail first thing in the morning. Now that is what I call customer service. BTW, he is also a real nice guy and sounds pretty down to earth from what I could tell over the phone. I would recommend him and his business to anyone. Two thumbs up!!!

Ted Bell

10-22-2007, 08:29 PM

I'd like to add my $.02 worth both as to Murph's customer service and product. I received my brace on Saturday the 13th. I excitedly opened the box and was horrified to see a brace for a 1000. I went back to my invoice and low and behold I had screwed up and accidentally ordered a brace for a 1000. It was Saturday afternoon and I was going out of town on Sunday for a week. I shot off an email to Murph explaining the problem and seeking his assistance. Within about 30 minutes he responded back and told me what my options were. Nice service!

When I got back into town on the 19th another package was waiting. The proper brace had arrived while I was gone. I opened the package and inspected the brace -- very good workmanship. I installed the brace Saturday according to the easy to understand instructions.

I rode to work this morning and noticed the improvement immediately. We get a lot of canyon winds in the morning so portions of my commute are windy. Rather than being squirrely as usual, this morning the bike's front end was rock solid.

I recommend this product without hesitation -- great customer service and a product that works!

Chi Town Veeeee

05-14-2008, 10:00 PM

Wow.. I installed the brace the night before. The bike felt MUCH tighter!! I could swerve left right and no more spongy feel. I got on the highway, and took it up to 110-115... and it felt much more secure!! No more wobble in the handle bars. As for the company.. I ordered the part, and it came in packaged very well a couple of days later!

I HIGHLY recommend it!!

Patman

06-05-2008, 09:55 PM

I'm glad to see such high praise for the KB and Murph's. I ordered a Superbrace a couple weeks ago and was told by a dealer it'd be two weeks before it'd arrive because they didn't have any in stock. Fast forward two weeks; I call the dealership to check on it and they're now telling me that Superbrace is being vague about when they'll ship. Bullsh_t -- I'm done waiting. If Murph's has a KB in stock, I'm going to buy it.

MZBuckeye

06-05-2008, 10:11 PM

Murph's brace is awesome, I absolutely love mine!

james1300

07-07-2008, 12:47 AM

DarthGator

07-20-2008, 11:27 PM

Does this brace fit the 2002? The Superbrace product specifies for the 2003-2008 models. Do I have a different fork than y'all? If so, is there a brace on the market for 2002 Vee's?

Chuck0334

07-21-2008, 02:07 PM

:cool:Hello--I just talked to Super Brace about this. I have a 02 also the stock # you need is #3304 the same as the 03. Ride safe-Chuck

csr67

08-14-2008, 03:45 PM

My Murph's brace for the wee strom came in the mail yesterday. First impression, what a nice piece of machining... Install took all of 10 minutes and the instructions are very clear. Rode to work this morning and the brace makes a night and day difference in the crispness of handling and overall feel of the front end.. Add this product to my "Why the F did I not do this sooner" farkles... Also high on this list are the Madstad and Fastway pegs....

CYKZflyer

08-19-2008, 01:27 PM

I got my Murph's brace in the mail on Thursday.Just in time for a weekend trip with my son.I installed it in 25 min and I was working very slowly,piece of cake.
I put about 1000 km on it and found the front end just felt much more responsive.On the trip home we had very strong gusty winds and although we still felt the wind much more stable.The whole trip was two up so I didn't get a chance to really give er, but my impression is very positive

Tribal-Wolf

01-09-2009, 12:40 PM

Is the 650 brace the same as a 1000?

greywolf

01-09-2009, 01:37 PM

Is the 650 brace the same as a 1000?No. They are different and not interchangeable.

Fredeich

01-11-2009, 12:49 PM

There are so many experienced riders recommending this brace, and the positive results that they experience, seems foolish not to get one!

Just ordered mine. Thanks for all the info.

Illinois

02-02-2009, 01:24 PM

Like you, after reading the reviews, went ahead and ordered the fork brace. Coming off of a cruiser I wasn't aware of any particular handling deficiency other than getting blown around on windy days. Purchase went off without a hitch; product was on my doorstep in three days. Went on easily thanks to clearly written instructions. Noticable IMPROVEMENT! Front end feels more planted on the backroads, and no longer getting tossed around on the highway. On a scale of 1-10 my experience with Murph rates an 11.