Dropping the bars through the yokes?

[UnknownStuntm...]

Anyone done this? I was thinking about it after riding an RR the other day and comparing to my CBR600F(2004). I noticed the bars of the RR are much lower and pitch you forward a bit, I assume to give more weight over the front and make it 'feel' better...

[0ddball]

To a point, go too far and it will handle worse. Try 10mm drop and see how it is. In theory it should be less stable but turn in sharper.
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ZXR750L

[Bezzer]

As above will turn in quicker etc but don't go too far as it will get too twitchy AND make sure you check that nothing is going to foul with it being lower, watch oil/water radiators aren't going to be bashed by the mudguard because of the reduced clearance.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[Teflon-Mike]

Do you mean:
A) putting the handlebar clip ons BENEATH the top yoke, as opposed to above it......
OR
B) Unclamping the fork yokes, and sliding them further down the Fork Tube

A) changes your riding position in relation to the bike, tipping you more forward into a more pronounced racer crouch.
Depends whether clip ons would 'sit' beneath top yoke given casting shape. How low they'd go, and whether cable routings etc would let you do it, AND let bars still go lock to lock.
Given Honda castings, probably more likely to be successful changing riding position swapping OE Clip Ons for after market adjustable ones.

B) Changes steering geometry, ride height and bike 'attitude'.
Slightly shifts weight lower and further forward, steepens rake angle, reduces trail, generally makes handling a bit more nervous.
Old racing addage, 1/4" at the front is worth 1" at the back, vis a vis dropping nose against lifting rear... ie effects similar to a jack up kit.

Not done OE clip ons beneath joke, have done plenty of alternative bars. It often does little for handling, but if it makes you more comfortable, then why not. As often though, makes folk less comfortable, reduces control and visibility.

Done dropping & lifting to death on different bikes over the years, depends what you want. On race bikes we'd change the fork height in the joke routinely for different tracks, different conditions or different suspension 'settings' (in the day you made them by changing springs or adding shims, rather than twiddling knobs!)

My CB750's pretty soggy as stock, so set up I have on that's pretty radical. Its jacked 4"+ at the back curtecy of over length shocks, and dropped about 1/2" in the yokes...... but that's afetr some seriouse suspension firming. It has progressive wound springs and heavier fork oil up front, shimmed and re leveled, at the back heavier rate dampers and much heavier rate springs, but with very little pre load....... Handling is some what more 'composed' and slightly more spirtited than 'standard', but its a rather single minded set up for my riding style.

Its something you have to mess with a lot to get right, takes a lot of fiddling, and if you start swapping shocks and springs and 'stuff' to find what works for you, expensive!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Old Git Racing]

If you do do it stiffen the front end a bit all round on pre load, compression and rebound as it will have more weight on it. Done it on a lot of the bikes I've had as they tend to be a compromise from the factory and I prefer the sharper feel from doing this.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[DrDonnyBrago]

The CBR ground clearance is bad enough as it is, drop the front and it'll be even worse.

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Teflon-Mike]