Blaster B1 UMI steering- pros & cons?

[ItsRixter]

Hey I wanted to throw this out there....what is your opinion on the UMI steering kit on a B1?

I have some points that I will share after I see a few posts. If you have or used one, chime in.

 

[blaster800]

I had one on my shelf I never even mounted and ended up selling .They look real nice and are a quality item , I personally think they are way heavier than stock ! IMO . I just keep tight bushings in my B-1 s and everybody that rides them always asks why It does not have any slop in it ?

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

I have one to mount up for this season and I'm a little bummed about having to drill a hole in the hood for the cables to pass through. I'd never pay retail for one, that's for sure.

 

[godocgo]

there ok, but the bearings suck. never last more than a season.

 

[ItsRixter]

There are some smart and experienced people on this site.

I thought the angle or height or something was a key gain. I see little point in making the conversion. I have two blasters one with and one without the UMI steering. A tiny bit more play in the stock setup....but the UMI has:

• Eventual faulty bearings dripping rust juice on top the motor
• The new hole in the hood with grommit for the throttle cable allowing water in the engine compartment (the stock runs the throttle cable down the steering shaft and has the stock bar cover...water proof like a stock carb intake design)

When you figure the added weight, cost, installation procedures, needed maintenance over a stock setup, I have a hard time buying that this is a good mod for the ski. No big ride position changes, added throw to the steering (a stock steering doesn't need addition throw IMO) or any other gain...pretty lame

 

[SoCal_WaveBlaster]

there is a reason you should buy stainless steel bearings before you install your UMI...i have had mine for about 2 years and the bearings are perfect.
i have a UMI on my 96 and an accusteer on my 94, im still up in the air about the accusteern as i have only ridden it once since i swapped it over

and Rick, if you still have my number give me a call, i got a new phone and for some reason your number didnt transfer...we need to go ride

 

[tom21]

I never can muster up the stomach to spend that money on a umi. the stock works for me. the only worry I have is I have seen a number of stock break off at the head. that would not be a good day. otherwise, I keep spending my money on other things that are a better bang for the buck. Like I have been bidding on "amber lamps" on ebay. :shrug:

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

A little off topic, but here is another option that I was about to go with before I stumbled across my umi. The steer tube on the stock blaster steering (above the hood) is 1" od. That is also a common size for threadless headset steer tubes on bmx and mtb bikes. Cut off the stock steering head, stick on a 1" (or 1 1/8" w/ adapter) extender and add a stem with your choice of length and rise. Of course, replace all hardware with stainless as well. For about $75 you can get something that looks way better than stock and will put your bars were ever you want them. And as an added bonus you can still run your wires down through the middle. I still might go with this unless I am real hot on this umi setup...

Example links:

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC102173

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC304052

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC362736

 

[ItsRixter]

there is a reason you should buy stainless steel bearings before you install your UMI...i have had mine for about 2 years and the bearings are perfect.
i have a UMI on my 96 and an accusteer on my 94, im still up in the air about the accusteern as i have only ridden it once since i swapped it over

and Rick, if you still have my number give me a call, i got a new phone and for some reason your number didnt transfer...we need to go ride

I'm going to guess where you are getting those stainless steel bearings....hook me up if they are "spare" jet engine bearings :notworthy:
pm me your cell #

 

[blaster800]

A little off topic, but here is another option that I was about to go with before I stumbled across my umi. The steer tube on the stock blaster steering (above the hood) is 1" od. That is also a common size for threadless headset steer tubes on bmx and mtb bikes. Cut off the stock steering head, stick on a 1" (or 1 1/8" w/ adapter) extender and add a stem with your choice of length and rise. Of course, replace all hardware with stainless as well. For about $75 you can get something that looks way better than stock and will put your bars were ever you want them. And as an added bonus you can still run your wires down through the middle. I still might go with this unless I am real hot on this umi setup...

Example links:

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC102173

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC304052

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC362736

What is the purpose of the third Item you have listed here ? Is it to move the bars backward or forward ?????

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

Well, with the stock head cut off you are going to need a stem of some sort to mount the bars to and that's the third part. The beauty of the idea IMO is that depending on the stem you choose (they come in all different lengths and rise angles), the direction it points, and the possibility of using an extension; you can locate your bars where ever you want. Higher, lower, forward, back, you name it. I got the idea from this build thread (he isn't using an extension tho):

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/66318

 

[blaster800]

I see now , I have never needed to be that far forward to do that to my ski, expecialy with a full fuel tank , however It might be fun to try out some time . I like the handleing the best in the surf with 3 gallons or less fuel on board , It would be ok if you have long arms Im sure !

 

[SoCal_WaveBlaster]

I'm going to guess where you are getting those stainless steel bearings....hook me up if they are "spare" jet engine bearings :notworthy:
pm me your cell #

i got them from E-bay :biggrin:

 

[Jpass]

I just picked up my first B1 at Daytona Freeride. It has the stock steering and I was told to go with a UMI, but after reading this thread it doesn't seem like I am going to spend the cash for one.

I loved the UMI set-up on my GP800 though. I had it four over 5 years without any issues.

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

I see now , I have never needed to be that far forward to do that to my ski, expecialy with a full fuel tank , however It might be fun to try out some time . I like the handleing the best in the surf with 3 gallons or less fuel on board , It would be ok if you have long arms Im sure !

I was going to do it to go up, not forward. The stock steer tube has quite a rake to it so putting an extension on it moves the steering back and then I was planning on using the length of the stem to go back forward to around were it was originally. Kind of like this: >

This idea is really similar to the x2 steering system that WFO sells for $$$.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I loved the UMI set-up on my GP800 though. I had it four over 5 years without any issues.

Well then?

So, you think it is any different for a B1?

Brian

 

[scottie mac]

The stock stem is slightly taller than the UMI for the blaster. If you are used to the stock stem, it isn't a big deal, if you are used to the UMI and go to a stock stem, it just seems a lot higher. Might just be in my head, but drove me crazy.

I like the bike neck idea. Looks pretty cool, too.

Scottie

 

[Jpass]

Well then?

So, you think it is any different for a B1?

Brian

I guess the difference is my last ski came with the UMI set-up when I bought it as opposed to me having to shell out the $$$ to buy something that other people don't consider a must have mod.

 

[BruceSki]

I like the handleing the best in the surf with 3 gallons or less fuel on board !

weird. I like a full tank much better. Although i like a full tank on my sj too. maybe its just riding style? (or i'm too tired by the time there are 3 gallons left)I wonder what the differences are since we are all quick to say "i need after market bars" or something for better control.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I guess the difference is my last ski came with the UMI set-up when I bought it as opposed to me having to shell out the $$$ to buy something that other people don't consider a must have mod.

Bud, this is the internet, people can say whatever they want, completely right, completely wrong, or anywhere in between. Take most of what you read here with a grain of salt, especially not knowing exactly where the complaints come from or why.

I have no connection to UMI, but I have their steering on a B1 here at the shop and plan on buying either UMI or Accusteer for my own personal B1.

Good parts cost good money to produce and generally why they cost good money to buy. This market is very niche, without big quantity runs and multiple dealers. You aren't buying cookie-cutter-crap, good alloys, several machining processes, outside suppliers like anno, bearings, seals and so on.

If you ALREADY have had a UMI setup for sometime and like it, why on earth would you think the quality would be any different on another unit? Because some guy on the internet said it wasn't any good?

Generally speaking, you only have to buy the good stuff once and if you ever have a problem, replacement parts are available and the company is too, for any help before, or years after, the sale.

Brian