Steering Damper reviews please

[Southerner Oop North]

Hi all

Having long been of the opinion that I don't need a steering damper on my bike I think I am going to have to eat my words.
Going round Oulton this weekend I got some serious head wobbles going on a couple of times and knowing how easy it is for me to fall off anyway I think I should invest in a damper to get rid of this distraction

Never having used one before can you all let me know what types you use, what adjustments are available on what you have, how much it cost, how intrusive you think it is and how effective you have found it.

Cheers all

[JP]

I got a Hyperpro RSC damper, without the damper she was pretty shaky after the PC111 and Remap which gave some twitchy moments and now dont get any trouble using it on notch 8.

Fits in 916 style around £350 and I would recommend, but thats on a naked.

[scream]

ohlins across tank style for me tim.

i have it set fairly loose though. 

[TARMAC TERRORIST]

Have you had your suspension set up?

[Legzr1]

Only ever used two types (both across the yoke-types).

Matris - fantastic kit - fitted to an 04 ZX10 - not cheap but quality.After 12,000 miles (including 25+ trackdays) it started to leak,was sent back to the importers (cheers Macca) and returned as new for £50.

Ohlins - HHMmmmm - standard fitment to the 08 ZX10 (so possibly not up to the quality of after-market Ohlins kit) - adjustable but very little difference between fully in and fully out and even on highest setting did very little to calm any wobbles (landing crossed-up wheelies or accelerating hard out of bumpy corners ; Croft required a change of underwear).

Even with expertly set-up suspension it is a nice safety net.

[scream]

my ohlins makes a massive difference when adjusted. 

[Legzr1]

As I thought (and heard elsewhere) - OEM stuff isn't quite the same 

[lillywhites]

Had a Scott rotary on my GSXR...lovely bit of kit and you could adjust on the fly......was expensive but obtained via USA for a cracking price...even though the bike had one fitted as oem I found that the aftermarket version gave more confidence but maybe its all in my head.

[Southerner Oop North]

In answer to TT no I haven't, again it's not really been a problem until Oulton this weekend which brought up quite a few deficiencies in the package. Rider included obviously

My Suspension will be having a tweak the next time I'm on track be it at Oulton or Rocky. TBH it is probably overdue a service too

As for the steering damper I think I will see what sorts of prices I can get trade for Ohlins and Hyperpro. Cheers guys and  all round

[scooby]

before you go down the damper route tim,get the suspension set up properly,you might not even need a damper.


but if you do,had/got an ohlins on my road 10 (was on the track bike) and took it off as it just doesn't feel the same as the GPR.they really are a top bit of kit,easy to adjust,easy to fit and very reliable,plus no pistons to bend when if you crash  .and i think (used to be able to) you can get a discount with an ACU licence 

[Gaz]

before you go down the damper route tim,get the suspension set up properly,you might not even need a damper.

 

Also, grip more with your knees, relax your grip on the bars. Don't allow the bars to take any of your weight I tested the difference between being tense and relaxed over the top of Clay Hill, and avoided a tankslapper between Druids and Lodge simply by relaxing.

[Southerner Oop North]

I know what you mean about relaxing the grip Gaz I don't think it was that cause I have practiced that quite a bit ???

It might be because I didn't have stomp grips on the tank due to the paint only just being dry, I'll see the next time I'm out cause I've just fitted them.

A suspension check up is defo on the cards though

[Gaz]

I know what you mean about relaxing the grip Gaz I don't think it was that cause I have practiced that quite a bit ???

It might be because I didn't have stomp grips on the tank due to the paint only just being dry, I'll see the next time I'm out cause I've just fitted them.

A suspension check up is defo on the cards though

For all the practice, you have a lot to think about riding on track so it wouldn't be unfeasible that instinct takes over once in a while.

According to a course I've recently attended, a bike will correct even the worst wobble by itself within about 0.5 of a second, due to gyroscopic properties of the wheels; a tense arm will attempt to stop a wobble within 0.012s, which causes the wobble to increase to the point of a tankslapper. This was proven by riding over (small) logs at 20-30mph with hands completely off the bars* - no falls.

On my ZX6R, at Clay Hill on various laps I could feel a noticeable twitch in the bars as I went over the lip. This was on full throttle in 4th or 5th. When I consciously tried putting zero weight through my arms I couldn't even feel them move at all.

At the little dip between Druids and Lodge, I had the start of a tankslapper in the CBR. Near enough took my hands off the bars and the bike calmed down in less than a second. I think I may still have got passed, but I was more worried about stopping the poop draining into my boots at the time.

I personally think that at our level and the bikes we ride, a steering damper is not required on a 600. Buy another trackday to get more practice



*Except me, cos I was too chicken to manage it.

[leek74]

i got ohlins over the tank style, which could actualy be fitted in the normal position under the yoke.
i had a few moments going over hill top at full chat when the bars wobbled a bit, i didn't mess with the damper though ,but if we go back on the 14th i will be turning it up a couple of knotches.

got mine cheap though, less than half the new cost.  

[mc101]

Hi all

Having long been of the opinion that I don't need a steering damper on my bike I think I am going to have to eat my words.
Going round Oulton this weekend I got some serious head wobbles going on a couple of times and knowing how easy it is for me to fall off anyway I think I should invest in a damper to get rid of this distraction

Never having used one before can you all let me know what types you use, what adjustments are available on what you have, how much it cost, how intrusive you think it is and how effective you have found it.

Cheers all

Tim - GPR damper ... used to run the ZX10R without a damper and got quite used to the front end moving around but as I've got quicker over the years I've found them to be a wise investment/insurance policy. 

Cant comment on others but I've found the GPR and its support to be pretty much flawless... have it set at 30% and the front end still moves around just not quite as violently as before.

Get the suspension setup properly as a starting point imo.