Q&A: How Do I Adjust Trail on a Gen 1 Superduke?

Justin reached out asking about upgrades for his 2014 Gen 1 SDR 1290 — specifically whether we ever made Sport Links for the Gen 1. You might find this useful too:

Justin:

Hi there! I was looking to make some upgrades to my Gen 1 (2014) SDR 1290. Did you ever make sport links for Gen 1?

Thanks,
Justin 

Eric:

Hi Justin,

I loved my Gen 1. Yours and the next, the Gen 2, have the best frames.

So the Gen 1 doesn't use a link system in the rear. If you want to increase swingarm angle on that bike, you have to use a length-adjustable shock. That's the only way.

But if you want to raise the rear in order to get your frame angled more aggressively forward — which will result in you having less trail — you can do this by rotating your axle back. Because your axle is positioned inside an eccentric-shaped hub (meaning the axle is off-center inside this circular-shaped drum), rotating your axle has two effects: it moves the axle back, and it moves the axle down.

When you get the bike in stock configuration, the axle sits high on the rotation of this eccentric hub. If you picture your axle from the left side of the bike, looking straight at the axle, the position of the axle moves around this circular hub like the face of a clock. When you get the bike, the axle is at 12 noon. Twelve o'clock is therefore the lowest the rear of your motorcycle can be. When you rotate that axle back — by using a longer chain, for instance — you can position it closer to 1pm, or 2pm. And since the face of a clock is round, not only are you moving the axle back, but you are also moving the axle down. And when you move the axle down, you lift the rear of the motorcycle up. And when you move the rear of the motorcycle up, you angle the frame more aggressively forward, which also reduces your trail.

This is the most cost-effective way to reduce your trail. It only costs you a new chain. And trail is the most impactful change you can make to your motorcycle (other than throwing an exotic dancer on the back with you).

But... why is there always a but.

Changing your trail by lifting the rear is a little bit of a compromise. It's kind of like washing your car by rubbing it on a wet soapy sponge, rather than rubbing a wet soapy sponge on your car. If what you really want to adjust is the front of your bike — where trail lives — why are you adjusting the rear of your bike? Because it's cheap.

The best way to adjust your trail is with an adjustable offset triple clamp. And how remarkable is this? I actually went back in time and made a Superclamp — my own adjustable offset triple clamp kit — to work on your Gen 1 Superduke. With a Superclamp you can adjust your trail to be anything you want, without affecting any other element of your motorcycle's setup. It's a brilliant solution, brought to us by financially irresponsible business decisions made by yours truly.

But that's what motorcycles are for, right!?!!

Eric