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Well, this is gonna open up a can of worms. But for what its worth, I had three reasons for not participating in the group buy:
1. I already have a true-track (was considering changing because I want a center stand and the true-trak prevents that)
2. Made of aluminum (the very concerns expressed above) This thing DOES support the ass end of your bike guys. Two advantages of the true-trak IMHO are:
a. Your not replacing a structural component of your bike with an aftermarket part. (but at least in the case of the ride str8t, its actually a modified stock part, with simply the attachment for the link added to it...the swingarm load bearing part is same as stock )
b. easier/faster to install.
3. In addition to the copying of the Ride str8t design, (correct me if Im wrong, but does he not have a patent on it?) the listings for at least one of the Ride str8t knockoffs I believe I've seen on e-bay and other places, appear to have the descriptions, wording, etc, copied word for word from the Ride str8t website. While I can understand that there are only so many ways to design these things, I did feel that the verbatim copying of the text from the Ride str8t was pretty shameless. I try to the support people who put the initial work and/or r&d expense in to designing and marketing this type of thing, rather than those who come along afterwards to copy the design and undercut the price of the original company, who put the REAL work into developing the product. Ripping off the original Ride str8t website verbiage almost word for word was the final slap in the face to the inventor for me to chose not to purchase one of the imitations.
Let the flaming begin.
I was told by the inventor that the patent was for the United States only. Not a World wide patent. TWR is made in Canada.
__________________
'06 Street Glide
SE Slip-on, StageI A/C, SERT, Dyno Tuned, passing lamps and turned downed tips
If RideStr8 has U.S. patent protection TRW can not sell thier product in the U.S.
__________________ "when trouble arises and things look bad, there's always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is a half-wit."
I have been following all posts involving "bagger wobble", ever since I experienced it first hand with my SG.
I became intrigued with the "TWR-Missing link" when I noticed how many members on this forum were purchasing this product for the reduced price that was offered to our members.
The first thing that came to mind was that it bears a strong resemblence to the"Ride-Str8" stabilizer thatwas high on my list of modifications to purchase buthave beenhesitant to pull the trigger due to price.
Along comes the "TWR" at a more reasonablenumber, so,asmany others many others have done, I was ready to buy but the sceptic in me said to do a little research.
I called Dan at Ride-Str8 to get some info on his product, he sent me an email with some structural info that has influenced my decision.
I am going to share this email with the members because I think it may be helpful and insightful
information.
Keep in mind I have no affiliation to either company and in no way am I trying to start a feud between the two. I'm simply trying to share my research with our forum members.
<snip>
Well, thanks for sharing. Before replying I went back & checked RideStr8's web site so I wouldn't be running on memory. I looked at both before making my choice & one of the factors was RideStr8's site. TWR states what they're made of including the grade of aluminum. RideStr8 simply says "American made materials". I couldn't tell from their site if that was steel or aluminum, but the stabilizer support tab did look welded. TWR made it clear that theirs was a one piece bilet of high quality aluminum.
Since aluminum is a major portion of what motorcycles are made of, & bilet aluminum is used for everything from wheels up, I don't have a problem with well machined aluminum. The whole assembly is going to be bolted to three, 1/4 X 20 bolts anchored in the aluminum transmission case, so any difference between the strength of steel & bilet aluminum is pretty much unimportant.
Lack of information on the website, the weld v bilet, & the price difference (& I didn't even get in on the group buy) are what made my decision. I am sorry to see any company domestic, or foreign, resort to denigrating their competitors products. Brag about your own products, design, & expertise, but stooping to mud slinging doesn't work for me.
I'm sure they both produce the same results & I'm happy with mine. Enjoy whichever you choose.
__________________
Jinks ('86 FXRS, '07 FLTR)
#64
Remember, "No good deed goes unpunished"
Very interesting read, now I have even a tougher time making up my mind. Well not really I don't have the funds for either at this time but someday. Keep the info coming guys it will help all of us.
__________________
2007 Street Glide - Vivid Black - 103 cubic in. - 96.5 HP & 103.3 TQ
EMAIL FROM RIDE-STR8:
Just be aware imitations from companies in Canada that copied my designs. Thereare some major material and manufacturing differences between myproducts and the low quality imitations.
Even though it may look the same they are not. TWR andCDC are in violation of my design rights, and have no regards in jeopardizing peoples safety by producing low quality imitations.[/align][/align]TWRframe bracket is made of aluminum. Therefore the linkage holding screw is threaded into aluminum without thread insert.[/align]Ride Str8 Frame bracket is made of cold rolled 1018 steel.[/align]Ride Str8 linkage bolt isthreaded to the transmission bracketand is then secured with a jam nut. TWR is not.[/align][/align]I have a very specific design for bikes years 1994 to 1997 and a different design for 1998 to 2001.[/align]The main reasonfor making all of these extra parts was to maintain the direct loading condition to the frame bracket while keeping it as close to the frame joint as it was possible to assure maximum restriction with minimum deflection.[/align][/align]
I have the TWR and there is NO screw threaded into aluminum like stated. The linkage bolts go through the brackets and have lock nuts. There is NO way you are going to break this before shearing off the transmission screws, same as you would with the ride-str8. It sounds like sales talk to me.
I loved the scare tactics too. "You'll need insurance if you buy the TWR model."
Ahhhh... Hello? This is an add on part that theoreticallyIS NOT NEEDED... You can drive the bike without it!!!
People are only addingthese thingsto improve handling in certain situations. Situations Millions of us deal with daily without ill-effect.
(I'm not saying these things don't work, rather many of us ride without one.)
Another thing, these things are way way way over priced for what they are doing. The parts alone are probably no more than 100 bucks in material.
They got us suckers thinking 330 is a good deal. However, when you scare the public into thinking they can't live without a ridestr8, the price of "piece of mind" makes it worth it...to most.
Good luck to you guys who are using them. Personally I have no beef with making something better or improving your ride...But to scare folks into HAVING to have it, and then over pricing it....thats a little bit of BS. I'm glad someone else is willing to make a part that seems to work and is under cutting the competition. ABOUT TIME....
RE: Ride-Str8 vs TWR
"when trouble arises and things look bad, there's always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is a half-wit."
However, when you scare the public into thinking they can't live without a ridestr8, the price of "piece of mind" makes it worth it...to most.
