[ConqSoft]

Submitted By: DG Rider

For those of you who think you might be having problems with the Honda Electronic Steering Damper , Honda has provided a quick self-test for comparing minimum and maximum damping, without riding the bike.

Test procedure is as follows..

Raise and support the front of the bike. Move the steering back and forth several times to get a "feel" for minimum damping.

1. Lower the side stand

2. Shift tranny into a gear other than neutral.

3. Open the throttle fully ( WFO ).

4. Turn the ignition switch on while maintaining steps 1-3.

The HESD icon on the LCD display should start blinking ( If not, start over ).
For the next 10 seconds, the ECM will set the HESD to maximum damping ( full-stiff ). Compare this to minimum damping. If there is no change, replace the HESD unit.

NOTE: This test will not work if the Malfunction Indicator Lamp has indicated a problem exists in the PGM-DSFI ( MIL is flashing ).

Also note: Some moto-mags have implied that the HESD provides no damping when it's "off". This is not true! Unless the HESD unit is damaged ( IE-no oil, etc ), it always provides a small amount of damping, even with the key off.

Now you can see just how much damping the HESD provides, check to see if yours is working, or just impress your friends with your knowledge of Honda PGM-DSFI's self diagnostics.

[FireBladerDk]

Hi ConqSoft,

a practical question: how do you raise and support the front of the bike ?

Regards ... Fred

[Red Rider]

Use a front stand.

[bladeracer]

I think he means how do you support the bike without putting drag on the steering :-)

[FireBladerDk]

That's right Bladeracer , for this test the steering should be free to move, and that's not so easy when the bike does not have a center stand.
I wonder if there is a place somewhere under the enginge where it is ok to support it? I'l have to look at it in the garage tomorrow.
Anyone out there who has tried it ?

.... Fred

[bladeracer]

If you have a rear stand I would think you should be able to simply put a jack under the headers.

[FireBladerDk]

Bladeracer, sorry but I'm not familiar with the term "headers" Can you explain this in other words please?

... Fred

[denzee]

You can't get at the headers (exhaust collector tubes) with the bodywork in place. I have done this test before and it can be done just fine while sitting on the bike and putting it in the test mode.

I was actually a little surprised that the amount of damping the HESD provides at full is not as much as you might think.

[bladeracer]

Originally Posted by FireBladerDk

Bladeracer, sorry but I'm not familiar with the term "headers" Can you explain this in other words please?
... Fred

Sorry Fred, the headers are the seperate exhaust pipes from where they connect to the head until they all come together at the collector,

[FireBladerDk]

Thanks for the explanations of "headers". I've got a new word in my collection now .

Coming back to the technical subject in question - the stearing damper - have any of you got experience of symptoms of a failing steering damper on a Blade ?

I only have two clear observations to effects related to stering damping or lack of it:

One was in a VW 1300 "bouble" (that's a car if you do'nt know). At arround 80 km/h the stearing wheel suddenly started rotating fast left and right with larger and larger amplitude. Shocked I hit the brake and the oscillations died away quickly. Replacing the old stearing damper solved the problem.

Another observation was on a Suzuki Haiyabusa 2006 this summer. Comming a little fast over a top on the road the front wheel first felt a little light (not lifting away from the road though) and then when the weight of the machine came down on the front wheel a little suddenly, I felt the same kind og oscillations from side to side, quickly dying away fortunately. And that was on a pretty new machine with - I guess - a correctly functioning damper.
Now what would have happened in case there was no damper function?

I have now done 4000 km on my Blade 08 and newer felt any vibrations like that. What about you out there? Have any of you tried it?

... Fred

[MSGT-R]

My old '03 600 didn't have a dampner, and it would oscillate if leaned over going through an intersection with rain gutters. After putting in a Scott dampner, it went away.

I have not had that feeling at all with my '06 1k.