Does anyone know?

[Midnight Rider]

When it was time to change my front tire I ordered the smaller front tire. At the same time I ordered a set of leveling links.

Now my question is, can I use the leveling links with the smaller front tire? Or do I stay with smaller front tire or go back to stock front and use leveling links?

 

I thought I read on here that someone said it was not good to use both.

 

Thanks,

Dale

[pegscraper]

I've done both and like it. Some don't like both. It's a matter of how much improvement you want to make to the handling.

[Redneck]

I've got both and I like it. The difference is pretty dramatic there is no more muscling it in to the corners just a little lean and it goes.

[James Ardrey]

I did both the first time and now I have the stock front tire size.Both have been the Avon venoms. For me narrower front tire in conjunction with the leveling links was too responsive especially quick to follow grooves or uneven surfaces. The links and the stock tires still respond very well without the poor tracking as I just described. The tracking seemed to get worse as the tires began to wear. The links make the perfect improvement in low speed handling and in curves. I can't speak to the improvement described by Venture riders that only changed to the narrower front tire. The ones on this sight that have done that describe similar improvement as the leveling links. Good luck on your decision.

[Guest KitCarson]

I like my bike just as it is......handles fine....but I am also six foot tall.......but have been paying attention for several months to all this leveling link and tire stuff. Seems to me it would be better for those who are shorter to use the leveling links.....keep the larger front tire......more rubber on the road......better traction...better braking........no tracking on rough pavement......oh on grooved pavement........drawbridges.......that kind of thing.....just relax.....let the bike do its thing......it is not going to fall over.

[Squidley]

Something that I noticed with the smaller front tire is your at the mercy of the wind even more. I had the smaller front on my 2nd '99 and going across Nebraska in the wind it really pushed me around. Right now I'm with the stock size and leveling links, seems much more stable when it's windy.

[V7Goose]

I posted extensively on this in the past - might want to do a search on the older threads. With BOTH the leveling links and the MT90 front tire, you won't have any problem when the tires are new, but as the REAR tire begins to flatten out from wear, you will notice the bike gets a bit twitchy and begins to track grooves and ridges easily. If you like the taller rear end with the leveling links, switching back to the stock front tire size will fix that. Otherwise, remove the links and leave the MT90 on the front.

 

Of course, if you think you like them both, then just stick with them - that is your call. As someone who has tried all combinations and worn out a lot of tires on my RSV already, I think raising the rear AND switching to a narrower front tire together is a mistake.

Goose

[Guest cruiser99x]

Ok- Now I feel stupid- What the hell are leveling links- anyone got a picture? My RSTD handles great wide tires and all. But Im always looking for improvements. What size tire did you go with??

Shane

[Riderduke]

Ok- Now I feel stupid- What the hell are leveling links- anyone got a picture? My RSTD handles great wide tires and all. But Im always looking for improvements. What size tire did you go with??

Shane

You can get the leveling Links from Diamond R Accessories

http://www.diamondraccessories.com/yamaha/yamahaproducts.php

 

They raise the rear end of the bike about an inch and change the rake of the bike to improve the low speed handleing I like them alot. I think that Rick Butler (member) invented them. i have never done the smaller front tire thing so i cannot say which is better.