Steering Dampers, what have you got fitted (Gen1-1000)

[Sandscorcher]

Have you fitted a steering damper from another bike ?

[Hedgetrimmer]

Not needed on a properly set-up bike, standard or otherwise. My current one came with a great big ugly Sprint one fitted. First thing I asked Luke to do while he was doing the other mods was to get rid of it. 4 previous gen 1s, and never found the need for one.

[kitcrazy]

I've also got that sprint damper it came with the bike and I've got so used to it now that when I took it off I didn't like how the front end felt so put it back on  

[Sandscorcher]

Thanks for the replies,
I still fancy one on so will have a quick look at the sprint ones.

[slimwilly]

I am thinking of putting one on, having a bit of a bar wobble when changing gear flat outin third , fourth on the track, it's as the front wheel lifts off the floor, it does not seem to get worse , just a bit unnerving, I will have a look at some next meetup on track.

[Sandscorcher]

Mines almost the same, its only when changing gear and I'm pushing on a bit.
Haven't noticed it other than that yet but I've not long had the bike and the warmer weather (play days  ) are on the way so its just an option I'm thinking of.
please do let me know what you find out Slimwilly.

[SteveMc278]

Assuming steering dampers are intended for higher speeds would they also, as a side benefit, improve (FZS1000) rider comfort & handling over rutted and broken up road surfaces?.......which are now common place on our roads

[bigfootpete]

That sounds odd, I'm reasonably ham fisted on my bike, but even on rough surfaces I haven't had any bar wobbles, front end is stock.

[Dudeofrude]

Mine (probably) saved my bacon today. Was pushing on a little too much along a 4 mile straight and the got a minor wobble going over a bump. Only wobbled 3 times then corrected itself but without the damper I might have had a major tank slap? Now obviously I'll never know for sure if it helped but I'm glad it was there so I didn't have to find out.

[Fazer99]

I'm glad this thread has been brought up as I was wondering about a steering damper for my 600 as wondered if it would help improve the handling on these now crappy british roads.

Would I be waisting my time and money getting one for my 600 or does it sound good?

[robbo]

If the crappy British roads are inducing the possibility of serious weave that could lead to a tank slapper ,then get one. Old Brit bikes had them as standard but things have come a long way since then. Personally I've never had one on any modern bike.

[slimwilly]

I now "Do" need a damper, raced at Oulton Park on the weekend and the front was up in the air so much,,bars are flapping in the wind  , need it for my mind too, there was one bike who got into a tank slapper and lost his bike , it went the whole length of the start straight without him and then crashed.

[b1k3rdude]

Assuming steering dampers are intended for higher speeds would they also improve  handling over rutted and broken up road surfaces?....

I noticed after several months of riding my Bandit and then going back onto the fazer I clearly noticed both of the above. Under hard acceleration and/or high speed the front gets twitchy (I havent adjusted the preload as the seat is tall enough as it is and im 5'8"). But the rutting is far worse on the Fazer than the Bandit.

[ptolemyx]

Damper on mine, fitted purely for cosmetic reasons........recent track day had to actually wind it on a couple of turns 'cos of wibbly-wobbly under hard acceleration 

[Dudeofrude]

Damper on mine, fitted purely for cosmetic reasons........recent track day had to actually wind it on a couple of turns 'cos of wibbly-wobbly under hard acceleration 

Have you not got that fitted the wrong way round?

[JoeRock]

Damper on mine, fitted purely for cosmetic reasons........recent track day had to actually wind it on a couple of turns 'cos of wibbly-wobbly under hard acceleration 

Have you not got that fitted the wrong way round?

Looks it!

[Dustydes]

Only bracket kit I could find was Hyperpro pushing £400 :-(

[5LV]

I now "Do" need a damper, raced at Oulton Park on the weekend and the front was up in the air so much,,bars are flapping in the wind  , need it for my mind too, there was one bike who got into a tank slapper and lost his bike , it went the whole length of the start straight without him and then crashed.

What times were you knocking out.
My gen1 does 1.48 around oulton without a damper

[b1k3rdude]

Damper on mine, fitted purely for cosmetic reasons.......

Whats the make and model, and go pics of where the damper mounts to the frame..?

[ptolemyx]

Makes no difference which way round the damper is fitted. I made brackets for mine and it's fitted the way shown in pic's for clearance by the tank and when on max' right lock.
It's a cheapy fleabay item; might not say "hyperpro" or "ohlins" but has large effective adjustment range, sufficient length of stroke, good rose joints at the mounting points and build quality looks reasonable......not leaking damper oil yet......

[gixersix]

Damper on mine, fitted purely for cosmetic reasons........recent track day had to actually wind it on a couple of turns 'cos of wibbly-wobbly under hard acceleration 

Dude, how low have you dropped the top yoke?
Have you run it like that without the damper at all?
I think I've dropped mine 10mm so far, but want to try another 5mm, but not sure I want to run a damper - never needed one on my 97 SRAD and they're flighty beasts ;-)