I know you guys have discussed this before, but I did a search and couldn't find much info. I bent my second tie rod on my V yesterday and need to make a change. I think these stock ones are made of butter. Would you recommend keeping a few stock ones in the truck for spares(They are only about $9 a piece), or get some stronger ones? I am concerned that if I go to a stronger tie rod, that instead of bending a rod, I will either break it, break a tie rod end, bend the steering shaft, break a hub or something else serious. Would you recommend stock, or aftermarket, billet, stainless???? I saw some ASR Pro Racers with heim ends on Ebay for $119.00. When I had a Z400 I bought some beefy billet rods and they were pretty nice for about $40 a set.

I know the object is to not hit stuff (trees), but yesterday I bent mine when hitting a rut. (it was full of water and I didn't know how deep, and how steep of drop of it was. almost threw me over the bars)

 

We bent both tierods on our V-force. I welded a pipe over them for strength. The tierod end then fell apart while riding, so the ends aren't very good either. We bought the ASR's from Ebay and have not had a problem since. The stock rods and ends are junk. The Hemi ends are much better.

 

I have the ASR tie-rods, I like them . If you use the ASR's CHECK lock to lock to make sure the bolts holding the rod ends to the stem and knuckle don'thit control arm/frame. Mine did, had to cut them off a little.

 

I also have the ASR tie rods, the seller is very good and the tie rods are well worth the money spent.