I just got my bike and it has a Mcintosh 9" over stock swing arm and bricks lowering links. So I'm wondering if it's really cut out for the twisted? It looks cool
And I"m probably never gonna drag it
So wondering I it would be worth putting stk swing back on.
It will be better at 6 then 9 but no way will it be as quick and nimble as the OEM one. There is a reason why road race guys dont have extensions and its common to add 1" longer links to make the bike sit taller which also shortens the wheelbase
... i went to the 55 series rear tire and ABSOLUTELY LOVE how my bike handles. It feels more like a liter bike by changing the rear tire and its oh so fun.
Guys that post up "I have an extended swingarm and my bike corners just fine" is actually saying "My bike corners just fine for my cornering ability" which is obviously pretty low.
Going 2-4" longer than stock will enable you to retain some handling, if that is your thing. 6" or more noticeably diminishes handling around corners and tends to push the bike to the outside - it takes more effort to "plant" the bike inside and keep your line. Back in the day, bikes like the Kawasaki ELR 1000 were king of the road race track - top heavy bikes that had to be "muscled" into the turns. It is scary that Eddie Lawson went that fast and that hard on a bike like that. Today's bikes take much less effort to drop into turns - especially with "pointy" tires like Pilot Powers. There is no question that the stock wheelbase - or even shorter - is the fastest way to get around turns. On the flip side, a shorter wheelbase will also compromise straight-line, high-speed stability. There is somewhat of a compromise built into every chassis, and for some, the handling they get from a long wheelbase bike is adequate enough.
Whether you extend 2-4-6 or 12 inches, any extension affects numerous aspects of suspension and the bikes ability to perform well. When you extend the swingarm you aren't just extending the wheelbase. You are changing Rake, Trail, Weight Bias, Swingarm Angle, Chain Pull just to name a few. The most important items compromised is traction (On both ends) and stability especially at lean angles.
I disagree with you on extending the swingarm makes the bike run wide. Extending the swingarm actually raises the rear which shortens the trail making the bike tend to turn tighter. Flattening the swingarm out is the culprit that makes the bike run wide.
Every one of my own personal bikes that I have extended, I also lowered. I should have clarified that, but thanks for pointing that out. It just goes to show there is a lot going on. The Busa is not exactly a road race bike, so it is very common to stretch and lower it, as a lot have done. It doesn't ruin the bike at all, and even though I can't hang in with the Gsxr's on tight turns, I can still hold my own with a 6" stretch. And when the road straightens out, you better get out of my way . . .