What steering damper you guys use?
12-21-2005 | 10:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 172
What steering damper you guys use?
My front end feels a bit twitcy on lane changes...almost every time I change lanes I cringe just a little at the thought of a tank slapper cause it's so twitchy.
I can't imagine the head angle being steeper than my R6's was, and especially since there's less weight resting on the clip-ons/front end, I wouldn't expect it to be as such....
I know most people think "a damper is a damper is a damper", but what's the common one used on the Hawk? I've looked and saw alot of them required drilling into the frame if they're not top-mount.
So I've been browsing around and wanna see what the general consensus is here. I know on different boards/bikes, there seems to be a general common choice.
I can't imagine the head angle being steeper than my R6's was, and especially since there's less weight resting on the clip-ons/front end, I wouldn't expect it to be as such....
I know most people think "a damper is a damper is a damper", but what's the common one used on the Hawk? I've looked and saw alot of them required drilling into the frame if they're not top-mount.
So I've been browsing around and wanna see what the general consensus is here. I know on different boards/bikes, there seems to be a general common choice.
12-21-2005 | 11:31 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 172
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
Bike is brand new.....had .4 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. I just don't remember my R6 being as twitchy....maybe it's just from lack of riding in such a long time....
Eitherway, a damper is decent to have.....just wanting to see if anybody else rode a damper...
Eitherway, a damper is decent to have.....just wanting to see if anybody else rode a damper...
12-22-2005 | 08:59 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
12-22-2005 | 12:05 PM
#8
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 764
From: Nananimo, B.C.
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
I suspect something is not right with your bike.
Of all the stuff I've ever read, people I've talked too and experienced with my own VTR, I've never heard a stock bike referred to as "twitchy". I ride my bike like a maniac, track days and have friends with VTR's that I ride with and only once has someone come close to a tank slapper. He loves to do looooong 100+ mph wheelies down the freeway everytime we go out and came close when he dropped it weird at about 120
Of all the stuff I've ever read, people I've talked too and experienced with my own VTR, I've never heard a stock bike referred to as "twitchy". I ride my bike like a maniac, track days and have friends with VTR's that I ride with and only once has someone come close to a tank slapper. He loves to do looooong 100+ mph wheelies down the freeway everytime we go out and came close when he dropped it weird at about 120
12-22-2005 | 01:01 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
Tire pressure, tire condition, wheel bearing condition, wheel balance, wheel alignment; front and rear, race sag/preload on the rear spring, sag /preload on the front springs, triple clamp set up, steering head bearings, ... all can effect handling,, and those are the simply things,, not hitting on crash damage. What do you weigh?
12-22-2005 | 02:13 PM
#10
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 84
From: Woonona
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
I have to agree with superhawk22 & Norrth... a VTR in stock configeration should NOT require a damper... If you are suffering with a nervous front end I'd be checking steering head bearings & tyre pressure's first! Have you lowered the forks thru the triple clamps? If so maybe you've gone too far! (I had mine 8mm down & the front was still fine!)
The R6 that I used to own was in a different ballpark nevousness(?!?)-wise
The R6 that I used to own was in a different ballpark nevousness(?!?)-wise
12-22-2005 | 10:00 PM
#14
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
This is kinda strange, at your weight it should be pretty well set from the factory. There is no way it should feel twitchier, (is that a word?) Than an R6. Does it still have those dunlop 204s on it? If so that should be one of the first things to replace, those tires suck! (IMO) Check evrything to make sure they didn't screw up when they put it together but I think those tires could be the culprit.
12-22-2005 | 11:30 PM
#15
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 758
From: Laurel, MD
The tires are not the best, but they are perfectly servicable and not the source of the problem.
Anybody that thinks the stock tires suck, hasn't really experienced the suck factor of, for example, a rock-hard, bias-ply Cheng Shin. It gets a whole lot worse than 204s. The stock tires are actually among the higher end for sport-touring tires. They're just nowhere as good as a good sport tire.
As to the suspension settings, I think they are set up for about a 145 lb person. So they shouldn't be so far off as to be causing your problem.
Tell us more about your problem. Try to be as specific as you can. And while you are waiting for an answer, go check all the front-end bolts for tightness.
Anybody that thinks the stock tires suck, hasn't really experienced the suck factor of, for example, a rock-hard, bias-ply Cheng Shin. It gets a whole lot worse than 204s. The stock tires are actually among the higher end for sport-touring tires. They're just nowhere as good as a good sport tire.
As to the suspension settings, I think they are set up for about a 145 lb person. So they shouldn't be so far off as to be causing your problem.
Tell us more about your problem. Try to be as specific as you can. And while you are waiting for an answer, go check all the front-end bolts for tightness.
12-22-2005 | 11:39 PM
#16
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
OMFNG Cheng shin!!! 
those tires REALLY SUCK! I had those on my nighthawk when I first got it my god those were pieces of ****. You brought back bad memories with that name! My only point was they really aren't the best tires and are prone to scallop and are a bit pointy. Which can cause a little twitchy feel. You're right it's probably not the cause but could be a cotributing factor. IMO
those tires REALLY SUCK! I had those on my nighthawk when I first got it my god those were pieces of ****. You brought back bad memories with that name! My only point was they really aren't the best tires and are prone to scallop and are a bit pointy. Which can cause a little twitchy feel. You're right it's probably not the cause but could be a cotributing factor. IMO
12-23-2005 | 04:32 AM
#18
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 172
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
All front end stuff is tight, I think it may just be the lack of riding coupled with cold crappy tires and hard braking on a not so perfect surface.
I went out yesterday and needed to stop faily quick at a redlight AND when traffic for no reason came to a halt on the highway and no nervous front end issues reared thier ugly head.
But I think a damper is in order anyways for all the roads around here are undergoing construction anyhow....that and I don't dig tankslappers
I went out yesterday and needed to stop faily quick at a redlight AND when traffic for no reason came to a halt on the highway and no nervous front end issues reared thier ugly head.
But I think a damper is in order anyways for all the roads around here are undergoing construction anyhow....that and I don't dig tankslappers
12-23-2005 | 05:49 AM
#19
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 758
From: Laurel, MD
(I actually replaced them before they wore out.)I was just trying to put it in context. I thought your clarification explained their deficiencies pretty well. I had hoped my extensive experience with sucky-tech might do that as well.
FYI, I currently have 208s and they seem to work pretty well. Regarding Dunlops, I read that the new Qualifiers are a top tire. I think most other people like Sportecs or BT014s. I happen to believe you can't buy a bad tire in the top tier these days. But you can still get a Cheng Shin if you want to swing low... :wink:
12-23-2005 | 09:39 AM
#20
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Yeah, I didn't wait till they were done either. I have the bto14s and love them but I must admit I'm very curious about the Qualifiers. I've read good things about them, (from Dunlop of course) and i'm curious if they live up to the hype.
12-23-2005 | 02:10 PM
#25
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Anybody that thinks the stock tires suck, hasn't really experienced the suck factor of, for example, a rock-hard, bias-ply Cheng Shin. It gets a whole lot worse than 204s. The stock tires are actually among the higher end for sport-touring tires. They're just nowhere as good as a good sport tire.
.
.
FYI, cheng shin is pronounced "cheap skin"!
IIRC, this new owner has a holdover '03. Given that it's shod with 204's that not only are old/stale but they probably still have the preservative on them. He may have just had a "moment or two" with them sliding/slipping on winter streets and liken this to headshake.
12-23-2005 | 05:52 PM
#26
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 84
From: Woonona
Do you guys get Shinko brand tyres??? Now they suck..it sould be illegal to put them on your bike, or at least void your warranty! I wouldn't call it rubber, closer to plastic....
12-27-2005 | 07:36 PM
#28
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 281
From: Denver, CO
Re: What steering damper you guys use?
Sounds like the shop didn't assemble the bike properly in the front. If you haven't taken it in for your 600 mile service check, I recommend doing so. They also do a valve check and I'd let them know about your issue that's not normal at all! Should cost around $120 and you get an oil change to boot with Honda Pro Synth.
I've never heard of tank slap on a Superhawk whatsoever, even in somewhat bad wheelie landings. Superhawks should never need dampeners.
I've never heard of tank slap on a Superhawk whatsoever, even in somewhat bad wheelie landings. Superhawks should never need dampeners.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
