The KOOD axle shafts are known for being the best in the market, they sure look a little different, but you can tell THE difference by riding the bike with the shaft.
The performance of this product is known as the "magic stick" and can be experienced instantly by simply replacing the stock shaft with KOODS's no matter what kind of bike you ride, from a minimoto to a big bike.
There are numerous reviews of the products' effectiveness for on-road bikes, but not so many for off-road! So Webike asked a beginner college student rider who competes in "Campus Off Road Meeting", which Webike sponsors, to help us with the impression!
What's the point of replacing the axle shafts in the first place?
An off-road bike is a jumpy and a weak shaft shouldn't be built in as a stock in the first place.
So there's no need to change to ...... chromoly axle shafts, ......? You would think so, right?
In addition, when we think of custom parts, we often think of weight reduction by changing the material from steel to titanium or other materials in the exhaust, but changing to a Chromoly shaft does not change the weight that much.
So what're the needs of a third-party Chromoly shaft?
Advantage 1: Increased rigidity
Since the axle shaft is one of the rigid components of the suspension, high rigidity and strength are required. It is the only component that constantly receives large forces such as "torsion" while driving, connects the wheel and suspension, and supports the weight of the bike. By reinforcing the shaft, the suspension is able to operate properly against forces up from the road during driving, and the tires are able to contact the road surface stably, thus improving straight-line stability and minimizing yawing when cornering.
→Compared to the stock shaft, the rigidity of the shaft is improved, and the cornering performance is improved by increasing the ground contact feeling of the front tire.
→Stable braking is available, which makes one extra braking at the deepest end of the corner.
Advantage 2: Increased accuracy
With the exception of a few special models, production bikes are constrained by cost, and there are many components where compromises must be made. The stock axles are also not as precise as they could be due to the cost-cut. The tolerances are also wider, and simply put, they are made thinner than the original size we wanted to make.
The Chromoly shaft is finished with high precision at a cost. This way, the bearing, distance collar, and side collar are neatly aligned, approaching the ideal structure envisioned by the developer. Also, in order to turn the bearing with low friction, it is necessary to apply the correct amount of pressure, which can be close to the ideal pressure.
→By increasing the accuracy of the shaft, the wheel rotation loss is reduced and the pushing and pulling become lighter.
Why would you want a KOOD shaft?
Our special materials
Chromium molybdenum steel is used with a mill sheet (steel inspection certificate) from a Japanese manufacturer that guarantees reliable quality. Before processing, heat treatment is applied from raw material, and distortion is corrected by pressing. The material is then heat treated again. This is to maximize the strength and tenacity of the Chromoly.
Centerless polishing with special care
The surface is processed by centerless polishing, which does not suppress the surface with the central axis but shaves it at a constant speed while pushing it out. This means that there is little deflection and high accuracy can be achieved. KOOD's core business is the processing, development, and manufacturing of metal products, so they are able to provide the best polishing.
Special "3-layer" plating
What KOOD is most particular about is plating. In order to improve the quality of rust prevention and durability, it has been processed with three layers of plating, copper plating, strike plating, and electroless nickel plating, which is rarely seen in the market. By increasing the adhesiveness and thickening the layer in the base plating, it is resistant to rust and cracking and the finish becomes beautiful. It also has a longer life than stock and prevents fixation or seizure. Perfect for those off-road bikes that are prone to mud and water!
So I've got it installed and ready to go!
The axle shafts were swapped out after practice the day before the second round of the "Can-Offs", bringing out her impressions as a beginner.
As mentioned above, KOOD shafts are plated with 3 layers of plating, but in order to prevent rust from migrating from wheel bearings, etc., which is caused by the potential difference in the metal, please apply grease to the shaft surface.
After greasing and installation, tighten to the specified torque and you're done! Simple as that!
Rider specs
The person we asked to give us an impression is an active university student girl, handle Kuma!
She got her driver's license without telling her parents, bought a brand new Bike(Yamaha SEROW) , and practices every week. She is a gutsy lady rider that you would never guess from her cute appearance.
Off Road Impressions by Kuma
"I wasn't sure if a novice rider like myself would be able to tell the difference, but I could definitely feel the change! I felt more stable and less scared than usual, especially in the rough road (where the rocks are strewn) and on the downhill brakes. Because of that, I was happy to be able to do more laps than in the competition. It'll give you more peace of mind, and that's something beginner riders like myself need to experience!" say Kuma.
On Road Impressions by Bear
"What I felt on-road was a smoother roll, a greater coasting distance than usual! I also felt that the suspension was milder on surfaces that were a little rougher and where the suspension would move more finely. Because you can ride comfortably, I'm sure touring is going to be more fun!"
Other off-line lineup
There's more in the lineup than just the Yamaha SEROW250 we've shown you in this article, so come experience the "magic stick" for yourself!
CRF250L
The CRF250L has recently been experiencing an unusual amount of excitement in the market.
KOOD carries a 3-piece set (front, pivot, and rear) for the new model, and for the old model except for the rear. CRF250L is famous for its heavy front area, could be perfect for stiffening up!
WR250R/X
WR250R/X is no longer sold in Japan.
How about customization that makes the strongest 4-stroke trail on the market WR even stronger? Front, pivot, and rear shaft are all in the listing
SEROW 225(94-04), SERPW250(05-07), Tricker(XG250)
There's also a solid lineup of Tricker(XG250) & SEROW in the listing (The 225 is only available with the front shaft though...) Because of its age, you may have neglected to grease it up and caused rust... How about KOOD shaft as a refreshment?
Selo 250(08-20), XT250X(06-08)
FI model of the second generation SEROW. It's the model that was used in this article. The shaft is in common with the XT250X super-moto model.
Summary
KOOD axle shafts have a strong image for on-road use, but they are also very effective even on rough off-road. Mr./Ms. Self-Propelled Off-Road Rider will ride both on and off, and I want you to experience KOOD shaft for yourself!
All the listed product also includes everything from the Cub 50 to the Ninja H2(wow!). Check them out from the link below!