OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[ash]

Hello,

any suggestions on a good set to avoid bent steering stem evertime I flip the quad. Besides not flipping it

I don't plan on flipping the thing but it's happened twice and copped two bent stock steering stems. And while I don't plan on it, it will probably happen again.

Is it worth getting a stronger stem? Or will this just result in a straigt stem but buckled frame....?

And if so? which stem? I would probably like an extra inch or two hight as this is for a '06 YFZ450 and I feel a little bent. Mind you I am pretty short at 5'9"

cheers for any feedback.
ash


ps: It's so annoying how pisssss weak these quad things are
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Syd, NSW and wanna try MX!

[fourtrax]

you always risk flipping it when you start pushing a stock set up.
im presuming your bike is standard.
once your stem is stuffed you can buy a new one from hardiman etc and the aftermarket ones are made out of chromolly which is alot stronger.

or if your racing mx or dirttrack you need to widen the quad, this will make it more stable and thus lessen the chance of rollover.

[PeteW]

depending on how bad your bending them the stockers can be straightend. If you widen the quad you will gain stability but the best trick is not to crash so much.
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[Ozzy84]

The problem with replacing stock stuff wih "stronger" aftermarket stuff is that all you are really doing is moving the weak point, you may never bend a steering stem again, but next i bet will be tie rods, and if you replace tham, then ball joints...... etc.


for similar money you can widen your bike and reduce the chances of rolling

cheers, ryan

[ash]

Thanks for the replies!

The bent stems have been from the quad going ass over tit... not rolling over. First time happened from hitting a sudden hidden speed hump and the quad and I did a couple of flips.

The second time I was trying to go up a steep incline with about half meter of vert at top. I didn't make it...

But sounds as though getting a cromolly stem will just mean next time I'll bend something else. Is that about right?

cheers,
ash

ps: Great forum site.
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Syd, NSW and wanna try MX!

[REDTED]

Try only tightening bars & controls(brake & clutch perch)to 90%.That way under force,they moove instead of bending or breaking.Redted
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Cheers-Redted. 04 Raptor

[yfz450]

ash wrote:

Thanks for the replies! The bent stems have been from the quad going ass over tit... not rolling over. First time happened from hitting a sudden hidden speed hump and the quad and I did a couple of flips. The second time I was trying to go up a steep incline with about half meter of vert at top. I didn't make it... But sounds as though getting a cromolly stem will just mean next time I'll bend something else. Is that about right? cheers, ash ps: Great forum site.

this is true to a certain extent, with a stronger stem you will move the weak point to another component , but it will take more of an impact to bend/break that new weak point.

at the moment your weak point is the stem and stock stems are very weak so its no accident that they are bending. if you upgrade your stem your new weak point will be the bars, bars are cheaper and easier to replace. however it will take a larger impact to bend the bars.

you see what im getting at? an upgraded stem and alloy bars will be able to handle a bigger crash then what the stock setup will.

[PeteW]

you make a pretty fair point ther Adam.

In those sort of crashes Ash your probably gonna keep bending stuff. A stronger stem will probably handle it though.
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[ash]

Gold, it's so handy to learn from others experience. thanks guys.

I guess I'll end up getting a stronger stem then. But I can straigten the latest bend in the stock stem for now; it is a mild bend.

In terms of gaining a little hight, do you think aftermarket handle bars will do it alone? A mate said I should gain about 1 - 2 inch handle bar height with some brands....?

Cheers,
ash
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Syd, NSW and wanna try MX!

[WAT4]

What you could try is cutting the top and bottom sections off of your standard stem and welding in a new sectin of tubing. You can then use a stronger material and get the extra height you are looking for. We have done this on numerous quads with excellent results. While not as "trick" as an aftermarket stem, it will keep lots of $$$ in your pocket to put towards stuff that will be of much more benefit.
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DNA ATV Racing 09 KTM300EXC

[OZ_450]

hey daryl sorry for not runnin with you guys in grass track on weekend but only got quad back together late fri night so wanted to run it in properly b4 running against u fast guys maybe soon

there is a meeting 2nd of july in hamilton but i got to double check with club on the 28th to make sure we are all systems go for it if ya interested
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black covered in 5.7 powered oversize quad
model vx ss 350 hahaha
enough bass to compensate for lack of skills
Empty Wallet Racing proudly on track for GM Motorsport

[WAT4]

No worries Brad, you did miss a good day though. We ended up with seven quads, all from the mount, so there was plenty of push and shove. Will see if we have anything on but have been busy riding/racing nearly every weekend. We now have a quad class at mac park and Portland club are also keen for us to race at their club days-plenty happening.
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DNA ATV Racing 09 KTM300EXC

[47industries]

Why don't you just do what Smitty does to avoid those pesky bent steering stem problems, take Pete with you to change it!!!!!
Mick@47
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The way to this man's heart is through his esky

[Ozzy84]

WAT4 wrote:

What you could try is cutting the top and bottom sections off of your standard stem and welding in a new sectin of tubing. You can then use a stronger material and get the extra height you are looking for. We have done this on numerous quads with excellent results. While not as "trick" as an aftermarket stem, it will keep lots of $$$ in your pocket to put towards stuff that will be of much more benefit.

this is exactly what i have done, cut top and bottom off and put longer mid section in place its only a little longer but just the way i want it, just over half an inch higher, then painted it black. cant even notice anythings been done.

cost $0

[cowchaser]

47industries wrote:

Why don't you just do what Smitty does to avoid those pesky bent steering stem problems, take Pete with you to change it!!!!! Mick@47

Maybe I should just learn to ride on four wheels and not my handle bars. Im'sure Pete would be much happier
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Smitty

[47industries]

Nah, he would have nothing to do and might have to ride or something.
Mick@47
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The way to this man's heart is through his esky

[ash]

I might get a mate to ad an inch to the steering stem like you've suggested. sounds like the right price.. But I'll prob get bars first which will give a little height too.

If I bend again, then I'll probs go the chromolly stem.

cheers ash.
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Syd, NSW and wanna try MX!

[John Mags]

I think you can weld cromolly to mild steel anyhow so you can run a molly tube with the stock top and bottom. Another option is drawn seamless tubing. Both would be stronger than stock.
Paul Smith should put a set of wheels on his handle bars and grab bar to help the thing roll more smooth when upside down.

[mick450]

maybe a set of flexx bars might be the go
i dont use them myself but saw a set on the weekend and they would take a lot of shock out of the stem and your hands
im thinking of trying them i will let you know how they go

[Ozzy84]

got any more info on these bars? where to get em, how much etc

[mick450]

700rappy wrote:

got any more info on these bars? where to get em, how much etc

check this out

http://www.fasstco.com/products/flexx.shtml

im getting them from legend quad services here in wa
i think they are about 400 dollars

[054esoom]

Have had a set of flexx's for about 18months-love em!!!!

[cowchaser]

I used a set of them on the LT-R I rode in the states they are the Rolls Royce of bars for sure they are awsome. But I still bent the stem on that bike too and it was a soft low speed roll over. So they don't help much there
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Smitty

[yogie]

I was told if if I put on a good set of bars and flip the quad, you'll bend the stem because the bars today are so strong, the stem has nothing to give so it bends, and I was better off keeping the factory bars ????

anyone care to confirm or deny
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[PeteW]

yogie wrote:

I was told if if I put on a good set of bars and flip the quad, you'll bend the stem because the bars today are so strong, the stem has nothing to give so it bends, and I was better off keeping the factory bars ???? anyone care to confirm or deny

the theory is sound there Yogie, most factory bars would bend before the stem. I dont find factory bars to be very cmofortable to ride with and I'd rather bend a stem that have my steel stock bars break off on a ride.
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