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Steering Damper-When do you need one?

Oz

Oz

.........................
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Location
Bay Area
Moto(s)
2016 Yamaha R1s
I've been wondering this question. When exactly do you know you need a damper. I've never ridden a motorcycle with one on , so I don't know what to look for . :confused
 
The time that you KNOW you need a damper might be too late.

My take on steering dampers is that they are like insurance against headshake. You may not know when you'll get one, but if you ride hard enough (especially on the track), chances are good that you'll encounter one sooner or later. The presence of a damper may save you from dumping the bike.

So, do you plan on riding your bike hard? If the answer is yes, then I think that it's a good idea to get one.
 
I'm from the opposite end of the spectrum.
In many cases I think steering dampers are just a bad use of money 'cause the bike doesn't need it. Besides, if you find that your bike's prone to tank slappers you can just slide the forks down a few milimeter in the triples to add more stability.

...of course, wahtever works for you! :)
 
I agree. In many cases all a damper is going to do for you is increase the poseur factor of your bike...

but...if you are heavy on the gas on let's say...T9 at T-hill and toss the front wheel in the air while slightly leaned over and some idgit on an R6 decides to move over on yah (instead of holding their line) and you have to close the throttle to avoid slamming into em and the front end comes crashing down...well, you'll appreciate having a damper there to dampen out the wiggles...
 
Thanks for the insight guys....
I would like to do many trackdays this year and I've been getting different suggestions from many people. I think I will go with Nine, and do the better safe than sorry approach. :cool
 
Touche! :)
Although what's a track day with out at least one good tank slapper?
 
I am assuming that the need for a damper is more so in more powerful bikes like liter bikes than it is for 600s, right?
 
More than anything it depends on the steering geometry of your bike and, of course, how and where you ride it.

There's more than a few in the 600 class in the AFM but, they usually change the steering geometry for quicker turnin which makes the bike more unstable.
 
nine said:
I agree. In many cases all a damper is going to do for you is increase the poseur factor of your bike...
Click to expand...

make note to self

get a steering damper

:laughing
 
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My first trackday at T-hill last year, I had a number of small slappers that were damped out by my Scott Damper. The worst was accelerating up the straight and I must have put a wierd load on the bars when I shifted back into the seat... Surprised the heck out of me! I got a little shake accelerating out of turn one a few times too. I changed the head bearings soon after!

I also like to ride hard on tight bumpy roads, like Stage and Tinitas. The damper definitely helps out there too.

I hit a mid-corner pothole on 35 last summer and the damper saved my ass!

Good insurance, IMO. :thumbup
 
I had headshake on my FZR 600 when it was new. This would be speeds upwards of 60 or so. Although it could have been the poor conditions of the roads.

I remember Yamahas having a reputation for headshake. But I thought I would be safe and get one for my R1 anyway.

And I am of the SF Poser cabal.
 
Mine has saved me a couple of times im sure. Once when i was cruising down 101 I was changing lanes and hit a rock or a chunck of concrete. Which proceeded to give me a serious tank slapper, and scaring the poop outta me. And the other time have been coming down hard on wheelies and overloading the front or soemthing liek that.
 
often short wheelbased bikes with smaller rake angles like the R6's require a dampener because heavy throtting often induces front end lightness. i tried to ride my 54' without a dampener one time, the next day i went back to the dealership and had them install it. my baby was only 2 days old hehe...headshakes and tank slappers aren't fun....
 
I got enough subtle warnings from my R1-- occasional one-two wiggles that would snap the left clipon out of my hand-- that I figured... why not. Just another safety device that you don't need until you have a sudden and very good reason to have one...
 
how bout if u dont ride like it's a track day on the street? is it worth it for the "just in case factor"?
 
The 03 Rsizzle is not that prone to headshake,especially with a bigger rider.It has more trail than the previous models.I rode one a few weeks ago and had no headshake issues,even while riding very hard.If you are small(under 175lbs),then it might be needed.
 
I knew I needed one when I came out hard of turn 15 at thunderhill.

Damn 954 :) But now I am blinging :twofinger
 
Ozzy, you gots a new bling bike, we already know ur gonna blung it out w/ a nice OHLINS damper.... :cool
 
BigOz said:
I've been wondering this question. When exactly do you know you need a damper. I've never ridden a motorcycle with one on , so I don't know what to look for . :confused
Click to expand...

This is the exact moment you know you need a steering damper.

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/videos/tankslapper.mpeg

322241-untitled-1.jpg
 
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