[beatr911]

Michael, Just curious. For the club racers that rode the FF, were the lap times comparable or did they at least feel the times could be comparable or better than thier regular bikes? Excuse me for this basic question but I just don't have a feel for the track performance other than it's enjoyable and fun.

I can see that using a 17" wheel is preferable for tire choice. The small cruisers use a 130/90-15 (~24" OD) tire which is about equal in OD to a 130/70-17 so that evens out with tire choice. I was hoping that the small cruiser 15" tires would be a height advantage, but this is not the case.


Any smaller and it's all scooter tire choices. Or heavy LRR 12" or 13" car tires only good for another ~1" lower swingarm pivot (2" smaller OD). Maybe not worth the tradeoff.

For a low power bike, lowering the swingarm pivot into pro-squat may not be a significant problem. Harleys (not that they have exemplary handling and ride) often have pro-squat swingarm geometry with much more torque. The handling performance envelope target for this bike would be at least as good as the Harley. Probably better.

Rereading, the Burgman 400 does look like a good prospect. It seems to have one of the most efficient transmissions of the scooters, being bathed in oil and such. Form factor is close. Searching, I have not been able to find one hacked into ultra low form. Do you know of any?