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48 Posts
Title says it all. Anyone have comments on how it improved your riding? Never had one so I'm on the fence.
C.
C.
Adjustable steering dampners. Do you notice the difference? Worth it?
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1,136 Posts
Mines not adjustable.
'97 GSXR 750 I acquired about 2 months ago came with one- I think it's aftermarket.
I like it, seems to work well.
'97 GSXR 750 I acquired about 2 months ago came with one- I think it's aftermarket.
I like it, seems to work well.
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3,004 Posts
While they certainly play a role at higher speeds, I don't believe they are necessary for street use. But if you want that extra sense of security, there's nothing wrong with that either. I've never had a problem on my Victory without one and the only time the OEM damper on my 600 came in handy is when I started riding track. Even then, I don't believe the OEM is adjustable.
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4,283 Posts
Tank-slappers can happen at any speed, and steering dampers are great additions that help to prevent them. Even accelerating rapidly over degraded pavement can be the start of one. And no, they're not fun.
I doubt I'll ever not have one.
I doubt I'll ever not have one.
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3,004 Posts
Damn right they can happen at any speed, that's what happened to my left side fairing! Real good this damper did I tell you :suicide
Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling anyone not to waste their money on one. Seriously though, riding the vic has been less dramatic than the GSXR - even out at the twisted sisters. After all, I have toned down the street riding :biggrin
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4,283 Posts
I don't know if the OEM with OEM fluid really counts. It's more like a steering slower. :lmao
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3,004 Posts
True that :biggrin It has worked fairly well on the track though. There will be an upgrade to a fully adjustable damper in the future!
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264 Posts
If your suspension is set up properly for the street, track or whatever...it should prevent/help you get out of tank slappers most of the time if you get yourself in a situation. However, I'm a huge fan of them. My R6 made me nervous at times until I got one for it. Because of it's geometry and how it positions you over the bars, it makes the turn in like a scalpel and hitting uneven pavement or chip/seal it wanted to yaw the clip-ons.
I sure like 'em...
I sure like 'em...
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368 Posts
The stock steering damper is not adjustable (eg k5/6 1000). On my bike which I just sold I removed the oil and replaced with (in stages and finally) 20w thickness. Makes steering very heavy at walking speed but on track with front wheel often kissing the track on hard acceleration it reduced a lot of the bar movement.
My new bike is a race bike R6 with an adjustable steering damper. I will probably set it to max and go down if necessary.
My new bike is a race bike R6 with an adjustable steering damper. I will probably set it to max and go down if necessary.
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706 Posts
I have a Hyperpro RSC steering damper (Tank Mount) on mine. It's fully adjustable and you can leave it on the lower setting as it's a Reactive Safety Control. In town it feel likes you don't even have one. I had one bad tank slapper and this kit saved me.
During bike meets I keep hearing others taking the piss out of me saying.....it's all just for Bling Bling and I need to man up and learn to ride without one. End of the day it's a safety feature and I will feel lot more comfortable with one on.
Like others said I have my suspension set up professionally but I still get a little wobble under hard acceleration. I am not sure if it's norm or require more setting :dunno
During bike meets I keep hearing others taking the piss out of me saying.....it's all just for Bling Bling and I need to man up and learn to ride without one. End of the day it's a safety feature and I will feel lot more comfortable with one on.
Like others said I have my suspension set up professionally but I still get a little wobble under hard acceleration. I am not sure if it's norm or require more setting :dunno
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3,753 Posts
Are you seriously comparing a cruiser and a sportbike? Sorry for my ignorance, but the only Victory motorcycles I know are cruisers...
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3,004 Posts
No, I'm comparing a motorcycle with a steering damper to one that does not :dunno
They are devopling/racing their electric sport bike and race in the IOM though.
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12,116 Posts
If it'll build your confidence, go for it. I don't think any steering damper on any Gixxer has ever been adjustable from the factory. I personally have never had a tank slapper race or street and have never ridden a bike in anger that had an aftermarket damper. That said, I can't honestly say I notice any difference because I've never gone fast enough with the aftermarket equipment to make the distinction. I've only ridden bikes with aftermarket dampers on the street. I always felt the stock one was fine and for me an aftermarket damper has never been something that I felt like I had to have but like I said earlier, if it'll build your confidence, go for it. :thumbup
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72,646 Posts
I agree with this mostly... For a street-going bike, you shouldn't notice it.
For a track/race bike, it will be noticeable at slower pit area speeds.
Even with a properly set up suspension, head shake is a common occurance on the race track, so a damper is necessary. I don't know of any fast racers who ride without one.
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12,116 Posts
I know Honda did that about 10 years ago with the 1000RR but not sure about the later models. I think they eventually scrapped the idea if I remember correctly. :dunno
I think TheGeek means that they should ideally be transparent when the bike is stable and only make a difference during head shakes/wobbles. That's usually not possible with a constant damping coefficient, hence the tendency to add noticeable steering drag at lower speeds and the use of electronic speed-dependent damping control to try to alleviate this problem.
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15,106 Posts
Exactly. Everytime I see a streetbike with a Scotts or GPR mounted, I take a look.... and they're always cranked to the stiffest position.
Electronic as in electronically dampened, or electronic adjustment to the hydraulic valving?
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