[Compared To What?]

Bel-Ray 10wt

 

[fl_strom]

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]

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]

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]

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]

+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]

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]

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 . Looking forward to trying it out bit it is raining too hard even for me to go out in it right now.

 

[Poser]

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]

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

 

[pizzmor]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[james1300]

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!!!

Same here, except his wife Patty called me. Had the brace in three days.
Fit and finish are excellant. Installation was a snap!

 

[DarthGator]

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]

Fork Brace

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]

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]

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