This is probably a real nub question, but why would one want to put an extended swing arm on a bike? There is a 03 EX500 for sale more or less locally. The seller has a 4 inch extended swing arm on the bike and I was wondering why? Yeah I and askher, but I thoght I could get as good or better information here.


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As I understand it, an extended swingarm will sacrifice cornering for straight line performance. A longer swingarm helps keep the nose down and provides better traction for acceleration, but makes it more difficult to turn. By this logic, putting an extended swingarm on a bike that doesnt accelerate very well but corners excellent would emphasize its weaknesses, and turn a great bike into a mediocre one. I would guess the mod was done for looks (or since its a girl maybe a more favorable ride height?) and not for performance, so if you like the look, try it out but I personally would steer clear. No telling what else they did to it.

 

it's an east coast thing[8D]

 

on a 500? id say 100% for looks

on a hayabusa? 50% looks 50% keeping the front wheel down

on a prostock drag bike? 100% getting traction to the rear wheel and keeping the front end down

id say they are mostly for people who are serious racers (street or otherwise), or guys who want to look like they are. id put my money on the latter.