SuperBrace ABS Exhange - old for new

[FJRSANDIEGO]

I just spoke with Chris at Superbrace... They will take the original and exchange for the new "wing" style brace for an extra $42 plus $10 shipping. The original SB fork protectors will work with the new brace.

I have yet to bottom out the original after cranking the preload.

What do you all think about making this exchange???

:blink:

 

[ock913]

YES, I will do it. Any info on how to make the swap or do we just call SB?

 

[dgfella]

This seems illogical to me. Are they still offering the straight replacement for exchange at no cost, and the wing-style at a cost? Also $42+10 shipping feels to me like cost to them, which means they aren't really offering anything at all in exchange for a poorly designed and not so thought out product.

I am still running the original straight design on my ABS model. It bottomed out only once when the suspension was set soft, but hasn't had a problem since I stiffened up everything. I am also switching over to the SS lines from the group buy, and so there is a different manifold/fitting obviating the need to exchange my superbrace.

Still, they are not making me happy as a current customer. I'm likely never going to be a customer for future purchases.

my 2 cents...

 

[radman]

This seems illogical to me. Are they still offering the straight replacement for exchange at no cost, and the wing-style at a cost? Also $42+10 shipping feels to me like cost to them, which means they aren't really offering anything at all in exchange for a poorly designed and not so thought out product.
I am still running the original straight design on my ABS model. It bottomed out only once when the suspension was set soft, but hasn't had a problem since I stiffened up everything. I am also switching over to the SS lines from the group buy, and so there is a different manifold/fitting obviating the need to exchange my superbrace.

Still, they are not making me happy as a current customer. I'm likely never going to be a customer for future purchases.

my 2 cents...

So......but......and so you.....ahhhhhh, never mind, they would just make me take diversity training or sumpin B)

 

[dgfella]

radman

It's all those sexually loaded words like 'bottomed out', 'stiffened up'. Freud even said, "Sometimes a banana is just a banana".

dgfella

:der: :der: :der:

 

[FJRocket]

I just contacted SuperBrace last week via email to return my ORIGINAL flat iron model. Which by the way has banged my banjo bolt at least once, while I had the new Wilbers springs set at full soft doing a test ride. Never have hit it since, though. Anyway, figured now that Winter is nye, I should make the exchange.

They aren't big on emails there, let alone reading, are they?! They begrudgingly offered to replace my original brace. Long story longer, I have asked them twice about exhanging the original brace and paying the cost difference for the third generation brace. I'm hoping that I'll get to pay them $42 and NOT pay the shipping because I still have the defective product. We'll see what happens.

My brace is in transit already so hopefully I'll hear something soon. I'm telling them I'm willing to wait until the new generation is shipping before they return it to me, but given the couple of horror stories I've heard about dealing with them after the fact, I'm a bit skeptical about my brace getting lost in the shuffle.

 

[TheRunyan]

From a products liability standpoint, I think SB is making a huge mistake. SB designed and manufactured a product that is apparently dangerous for its INTENDED USE (i.e., on an FJR with ABS). SB is on notice of this problem. If someone has an accident due to front brake failure (as a direct consequence of the banjo bolt hitting the old brace) I'd hate to be in SB's shoes when the lawsuit gets filed... IMHO, SB is has an obligation to replace all old-style braces sold to ABS owners at its own cost.

 

[dgfella]

My thoughts exactly.... And why I won't be purchasing from them again.

 

[FJRSANDIEGO]

Jeramie seemed to indicate that the second generation (cut-out) version batch may be gone. When they replaced the original with the cut-out, I think they paid for the shipping (but you had to pay to return your original to them). My main question is: do I really need to return mine since I cranked the preload?

 

[Warchild]

SB designed and manufactured a product that is apparently dangerous for its INTENDED USE (i.e., on an FJR with ABS).

While I can see why you would make this statement, it is not accurate.

The original Superbrace was designed using the first year FJR1300 for its template. For us here in North America, that was the 2003 model, and of course were all models that first year were non-ABS. *That* is what the original (flat) Superbrace was design for.

Where the problem came is that the following year, Yamaha introduced the ABS model, which had a banjo bolt located further on down the triple tree area than in previous years. Where Superbrace dropped the ball was the (apparent) lack of testing of the original (non-ABS) brace on the new platform.

Personally, I never had an issue hitting the banjo bolt even once in the 34,000 miles I used the original Superbrace on my ABS model FJR, though I should note that I always had my fork preload set up properly for the type of riding I do. Still, there are times where one could smack the banjo bolt even if your front suspension is adjusted correctly (i.e. hitting a mega-pothole at FJR-Nominal). So those still running the original Superbrace on an ABS model need to be aware that they *may* not be totally out of the woods on this issue simply because they have their fork preload set up high.

From my observations, the re-designed Superbrace isn't going to fit on the '06 model, primarily due to the redesigned fender (not to mention the redesigned forks!)

 

[dobias]

FJRSanDiego,

I just talked to Chris and there seems to be some confusion. Did you pay the list price for the SuperBrace of $136? Chris believes that must be the case for you to be paying *only*$42 difference.

Since I paid the group buy price of $115 (?) he wants me to pay an additional $63 plus postage.

I think that's exorbitant, but I await your answer before I agree to any additional cost.

I had waited this long because I knew they were coming out with a revision I could live with having the ABS block.

Warchild,et al

Can you tell me if there is any concern with the Speigler ABS connecting block while I have the front end lowered 12mm?

dobias <_<

 

[FJRocket]

FJRSanDiego,I just talked to Chris and there seems to be some confusion. Did you pay the list price for the SuperBrace of $136? Chris believes that must be the case for you to be paying *only*$42 difference.

Since I paid the group buy price of $115 (?) he wants me to pay an additional $63 plus postage.

I think that's exorbitant, but I await your answer before I agree to any additional cost.

I had waited this long because I knew they were coming out with a revision I could live with having the ABS block.

Warchild,et al

Can you tell me if there is any concern with the Speigler ABS connecting block while I have the front end lowered 12mm?

dobias <_<

I think an upcharge is a crock.

I offered to pay the difference in the RETAIL price of the braces. Now if that's $63, so be it.

But to upcharge just because we got a bargain (for a "defective product")? That's no reason for them to try to recoup the difference. And if they gave someone a price, they should stick to it. Sheesh.

I think I'll just get the stupid wing version and quit doing business with these yahoos altogether. I should have just dremelled out the original brace and left well enough alone. I would have saved a few dollars in shipping. Heck, I would have never hit that banjo bolt again anyway.

Hope someone else has better luck. I DO like the looks of the new brace, but I certainly do not like the company producing it.

 

[dgfella]

Whoa??? Group Buy purchasers have to pay additional?? For either a poorly designed product, or an improperly tested one?? Superbrace is digging themselves deeper and deeper.

I wonder how they'd be responding if there was a liability suit filed, rather than 'just' unhappy customers.

 

[Geezer]

Well, I don't have a Superbrace and don't have an opinion about their product or service other than the fact that I like the looks of the new brace. There is at least one competitor for the flat style brace and it is less expensive. Some of us have the Motorcycle Larry brace and I am very happy with mine.

FWIW - Mine is the gay ass shiny one

 

[Bounce]

From a products liability standpoint, I think SB is making a huge mistake.  SB designed and manufactured a product that is apparently dangerous for its INTENDED USE (i.e., on an FJR with ABS).  SB is on notice of this problem.  If someone has an accident due to front brake failure (as a direct consequence of the banjo bolt hitting the old brace) I'd hate to be in SB's shoes when the lawsuit gets filed...  IMHO, SB is has an obligation to replace all old-style braces sold to ABS owners at its own cost.

Technically, it was designed for the 2001-2003 models (the 2003 model of which was their test bike iirc). Lemme look... er... nope no ABS even as an option.

Sure seems awful upright fer 'em to go back and mod the 2003 brace to ensure it works okay with a 2004 ABS model that has the front forks misadjusted. Yep. Right neighborly.

 

[Warpdrv]

Have we actually come up with a price for the new Wing style... yet...

Wondering how much... unless I completely missed it...

thanks

Warp

 

[dobias]

warpdrv,

The Superbrace website (www.superbrace.com) states the new model 1129 for the ABS Fjr is $178.95 list price plus $25 for the SS fork protectors.

dobias <_<

 

[04 FJR Pilot]

they'll probably lose their ass on the redisgned one as most of us have already gotten one and it won't fit the '06. I too have the original "stupidbrace" and it has hit the banjo bolt twice on some bad potholes. I knew exactly when it happened as you can feel it. I plan on taking mine off and putting it in a boring machine to put the notch in it this winter. Aint gonna send it back to them smucks for 3-4 weeks when I can do it myself in an hour.

 

[TheRunyan]

From a products liability standpoint, I think SB is making a huge mistake.  SB designed and manufactured a product that is apparently dangerous for its INTENDED USE (i.e., on an FJR with ABS).  SB is on notice of this problem.  If someone has an accident due to front brake failure (as a direct consequence of the banjo bolt hitting the old brace) I'd hate to be in SB's shoes when the lawsuit gets filed...  IMHO, SB is has an obligation to replace all old-style braces sold to ABS owners at its own cost.

Technically, it was designed for the 2001-2003 models (the 2003 model of which was their test bike iirc). Lemme look... er... nope no ABS even as an option.

Sure seems awful upright fer 'em to go back and mod the 2003 brace to ensure it works okay with a 2004 ABS model that has the front forks misadjusted. Yep. Right neighborly.

I'm only viewing it from a product LIABILITY perspective: SB sold the brace KNOWING it was going on ABS bikes (the FJR model years, including '04, were listed on the site). There was no mention that it was "not intended for use on an ABS" bike. Provided the rumors of the brace hitting the banjo bolt are true -- and I don't know because it hasn't happened to me -- one can easily conclude SB did not do produt testing on ABS bikes or it would have designed the brace differently (as it and Motorcycle Larry have now done). Under the circumstances, I don't see much of a hurdle for a products liability attorney if something happens.

Not my issue, just observing the obvious...