FCP Engine Mounts
Can Engine Mounts Make You Faster?
In a marketplace flooded with the pursuit of gaining horsepower, the idea that engine mounts can actually make you faster without adding any power is a divergent idea, which I really like!
Take a look at the claimed benefits and consider how these could make you faster without actually adding any horsepower.
Improved handling
Improved front wheel traction
Plusher feel
More control
Added bump absorption
Several reviewers said that one of the most noticeable improvements happens in the corners. They said that areas two and three of corners (exiting) are especially improved. I’ve always believed that smooth corners are the key to great riding, so if these engine mounts could help with that, I was a quick believer that they would be worth it!
HOW DO ENGINE MOUNTS IMPROVE PERFORMANCE? According to FCP, engine mounts connect the frame to the engine causing the motor to be a partially stressed member of the chassis when bolted in. The frame flexes during all types of riding, allowing the motor mounts to flex more or less can change the way the chassis handles and feels. FCP’s Titanium front engine mounts have a different flex characteristic vs stock. The hole design, hole location, material, thickness and structure of the their engine mounts allow the frame to flex differently which can improve all the areas listed at the beginning of this article.
I recently had a very interesting conversation with a suspension tech that used to work at the factory level. He said that bike flex is a real thing and can give tremendous handling benefits that no other modification can provide. He said that during testing they would alter torque settings on the engine mounts to improve flex, handling, and traction. I am not recommending that you change your bike manufacturer’s torque settings, but what I am saying is that the idea of increasing flex to improve bike handling and performance has been around for a while and it’s not a made up marketing gimmick.
At $430, these aren’t cheap, but if they do everything they claim, it could be one of the best dollar for dollar upgrades available.
I read a lot of reviews and the allure of the claimed improvements to corners and overall bike feel were too much to leave alone, so I pulled the trigger and purchased a set.
INSTALLATION: The ease of install will vary from brand to brand. Install on my YZ250F was fairly straight forward, however, the mounts on the right side were more difficult due to hoses and the header pipe.
OPINION: My suspension settings are fairly plush to begin with, so I probably didn’t see as much benefit as someone who is riding a pro-level suspension setting. That said, I have definitely noticed that my bike’s handling and predictability has improved, especially in ruts and acceleration bumps. Perhaps the biggest improvement is that I feel my bike is more predictable in corners, which was the main benefit I was looking for. I won’t go as far to say that the mounts turned me into cornering like a pro, but I am happy with the result.
SHOULD YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY ON AFTERMARKET ENGINE MOUNTS? The amount of benefit you will receive will vary depending on your skill level, brand of bike, suspension setup, and riding conditions. However, after concluding all of my research, I couldn’t find one reviewer that didn’t notice a marked improvement in one or more of the claimed benefits I listed at the beginning of this article.
As a consumer like you, spending my own hard-earned money, I would recommend running a set on your machine. $430 is a lot of dough, but its a part that isn’t going to wear out, and you can recoup a good portion of that money if you decide to sell them down the road.
It’s up to you if you want to try them before or after getting aftermarket suspension work done. There is a case for doing it before or doing it after. I think there is a strong case for giving them a try to see if it resolves some of your bike issues that you were hoping to resolve with aftermarket suspension work. There is also a case for getting them done after suspension work as detailed in the Swap Moto video below. Either way, I am confident that you will notice an improvement.
After riding with the FCP mounts for over a year, I would definitely recommend them!
Reviews worth watching or reading:
Jeff Walker Review (Watch from 5:50 to 7:15) Walker tested the Works Chassis Labs mounts, but the same principles apply.
FCP Website:
https://fcpracing.com/