Do I need a damper?

baron4406 · 02-22-2008, 7:19 PM

Will be getting a 954rr soon, have a few local bikes I wanna get......however the one I like the most doesn't have a damper. So everyone here says if you doing track days you need one, how badly do you really need one on the street? My bikes for the spring/summer/fall are my main mode of transport. Back and forth to work, long rides, and carving the many back roads around here. Last year i had an RC51 and it had a Scott's damper. However when I sold it i stripped off the mods and right before i sold it I took it for a spin, it really seemed nervous without the damper........can I assume a 954 will be worse?

santanaea5785 · 02-22-2008, 9:13 PM

I've riden a couple and I would say it would be a good idea. It would help alot in conering on the street as well as the track. The bike will feel much more comfortable. But thats just my opinion.....

tahitian954 · 02-23-2008, 6:50 AM

I would definetly recommend a damper, i bought mine without one, any time the bike was pushed hard it shook its head, had some really bad tank slappers, in my opinion the 954 should never have left the factory without one, it was one of the things that spoilt the bike for me, very frustrating, so yes, steering damper should be one of your first mods!!!

JAMAIL · 02-23-2008, 10:26 AM

I dont know about the 954, but i have a 929 and i would recomends a damper

bettingpython · 02-23-2008, 11:11 AM

yes get a damper for the 954.

03swanman954 · 02-23-2008, 11:26 PM

I baught mine a year ago and I dont know about the head shake and all and Yes I do ride mine hard,,,but I only have been up to 150,,so maybe around 170 it shakes or something I dont know,,,but none the less,,its been more than a fine handling bike,,but this year I want to run at Beaver Run in Penn,,in August,,so I was definetly thinking about slapping a GPS stab on before then.

Basically what I notice on my bike is that in a real power corner the bike likes to tuck into that corner,,so basically if your half awake the bike could get the best out of you. SO i do agree with all the above I know its a big chunk of money but I agree I feel the 954's should of been rolled out of Honda's doors with one on it.

Bottomline: If your going to drive back and forth to work everyday,,,dont worry about it,,,if you ride hard and maybe someday might try it at the track,,,definetly get one!

praylood_93 · 02-24-2008, 2:11 AM

i've ridden my 954 really hard, I have the suspension set up right and I've never once had it shake its head. i guess it depends on the bike.

JariCBR900RR · 02-24-2008, 3:19 AM

My opinion you dont need a steering damper in the street: bike has really something funny and wrong going on if it needs one.

On track things could be different, i dont have one in mine, never had a need for a one.

If you want one, go ahead, if it makes you feel better.

-J-

MT Wallet · 02-24-2008, 4:03 AM

I've never had a damper on any of my bikes but I am a very mellow rider, except for occasionally punching it hard in a straight line.

My 900rr has one already and that's only because it came w/it when I bought it.

This bike is the most nervous-feeling, and twitchiest bike i've ever ridden so I think it would be good for Fireblades.

bettingpython · 02-24-2008, 10:29 AM

The first time he goofs and shifts a little clunkily and unloads the front then chops the throttle and loads it back up while the wheel is not straight he will be wishing he had a damper after he goes for a rodeo ride.

I don't care what your intended riding style is there isn't a person alive who hasnt ham fisted a throttle or dumped a clutch when shifting.

The 954 will not forgive you if you screw up.

baron4406 · 02-24-2008, 1:29 PM

Well 2 years ago I had a 2001 F4i, it had a Hyperpro damper on it when I got it and people told me it was useless-you don't need them on 600's. Well one night I had an unexpected 2nd gear stand up and when the bike slammed back down i really think the damper saved my butt. I'm a pretty careful 40 year old guy, but i really like to carve corners. I've pretty much decided whatever 954 i get if it doesn't have a damper, I'm adding it to the price in my head. I haven't been on a track in 20 years, and if i do go i won't be on a liter, it will be on an SV650 or a 600. So my 954 will be street only.

rokitt51 · 02-24-2008, 1:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettingpython

The first time he goofs and shifts a little clunkily and unloads the front then chops the throttle and loads it back up while the wheel is not straight he will be wishing he had a damper after he goes for a rodeo ride.

I don't care what your intended riding style is there isn't a person alive who hasnt ham fisted a throttle or dumped a clutch when shifting.

The 954 will not forgive you if you screw up.

, i somewhat agree with that. I have done this on my 954, and RC51s. But i have never had a problem with either without the damper. I didscrew up a 954 once doing wheelies, came down on a rippled road that i had been on b4, and tankslapper cant describe what i went through. I still dont have one on most of my bikes, but it isnt a bad idea to put one on, especially a sportbike.

rsser · 02-25-2008, 10:20 PM

This bike also tends to squat when accelerating hard out of a corner.

Firming up the rear end is also money well spent if you ride hard.

Spanky · 02-25-2008, 11:49 PM

End of the day there's so many different things that can set up a headshake on the 954, from road surface or erratic throttle control to a rear tyre with a worn centre...spring the cash for a damper - it wont stop the headshake from starting but it'll sure help you get through it when it arrives !.

During my last outing at Phillip Island I was getting a bit of a wobble on as I accelerated down the front straight, it never got too bad and as soon as I changed up to 4th it would settle back down straight away thanks (in part) to the damper fitted...

That wobble had all the makings of a good tank slapper if it really got going and the damper helped keep it under control.

My bike is pretty well set up for me, so in this case the rear tyre was the cause - a Michelin Pilot Race 180/55 that came second hand with the rim when I bought it...someone had done a few Kms on the street and worn a flatish spot around the centre about 25mm wide.

For what it's worth - buy a damper for the peace of mind that comes with it because you never know which little wobble is going to be the big one without it !

Cheers, Spanky.

rsser · 02-26-2008, 12:18 AM

Good points Spanky.

FWIW I've had awful tank slappers on various bikes on rough roads. None have pitched me off but I don't like the experience and so have a Matris damper fitted to the 954.

CBR929RE · 02-26-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky

For what it's worth - buy a damper for the peace of mind that comes with it because you never know which little wobble is going to be the big one without it !

Cheers, Spanky.

thats about the best reason I can think.

I put a damper on my 929 after getting into a tankslapper on the highway a couple years ago. last summer I did my first track days. after progressively getting a bit faster through the 3 days I kept needing to turn the damper up a click at a time to tame the headshakes. kept it at a very small wobble. that way I know the damper is doing its job but I can also keep as much feeling in the bike as possible.

Spanky · 02-26-2008, 4:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsser

Good points Spanky.

FWIW I've had awful tank slappers on various bikes on rough roads. None have pitched me off but I don't like the experience and so have a Matris damper fitted to the 954.

Supposed to be good gear the Matris stuff, and they look pretty cool too - do you like it ?

954rr Irl · 02-26-2008, 4:45 PM

i had a "sprint" damper on my old 954, a right proper job!

For me "Sprint" or "Ohlins" are the only ones i would ever use but each to their own.

moron900 · 03-03-2008, 10:51 AM

if u ride the 954 just a little harder... it badly needs a damper... especially if you encounter uneven roads, potholes..

but if you ride a 954 below 60mph and dont bring it over 5000rpm at all gears, then u dont need a damper.

santanaea5785 · 03-03-2008, 1:13 PM

I recommend SCOTTS, No problems or compalints with it. Besides chances are your going to be going faster then 60 I hope if not theres no reason to have a 954........just a thought

Bigtoe · 03-03-2008, 2:10 PM

I had a Storz on my 954 when I had it. Worked very well for me.

tahitian954 · 03-03-2008, 3:31 PM

Agree with moron900, things are ok until you push hard on uneven roads, thats when the 954 shakes its head in dissagreement, uneven roads with potholes are a common problem over here, wish i had the pleasure of smooth roads, the only time you get that here is on a track!!!!

954rr Irl · 03-03-2008, 4:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tahitian954

Agree with moron900, things are ok until you push hard on uneven roads, thats when the 954 shakes its head in dissagreement, uneven roads with potholes are a common problem over here, wish i had the pleasure of smooth roads, the only time you get that here is on a track!!!!

man you wanna try the roads here in Ireland, sometimes it breaks your heart on a sportsbike. The roads are in a complete heap, so much building going on.

Good thing i am off to Europe for 2 weeks in the summer, cant wait !

sam · 03-04-2008, 1:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moron900

if u ride the 954 just a little harder... it badly needs a damper... especially if you encounter uneven roads, potholes..

but if you ride a 954 below 60mph and dont bring it over 5000rpm at all gears, then u dont need a damper.

I have to disagree, and I hope you're kidding. If a 954's shaking its head at those slow speeds, something is wrong with the bike. I ride my '02 954 (no steering damper) a LOT harder than that, with no problems. I had the joy of true headshake on my '90 CBR1000F once... and have no desire to repeat it!

At the track, accelerating on a curve over the top of a hill at significantly higher speeds than you're talking about--with the resultant unloaded front end--my 954 was perfectly happy. I suppose if I had freaked out about having little/no weight on the front end and gone into panic mode I could have had a nice tankslapper by crossing it up before landing, but that would be my failing, not the 954's.

Bumps, potholes, uneven roads... again, something's wrong. With setup and nothing bent... my bike does fine over all that stuff. I'm annoyed by it, but that's about the ID-10-T's that are supposed to "fix" the roads, not that the bike can't handle it.

One possibility is that riders who put a lot of body weight on their bars will be more inclined to get headshake/tank slappers. If you have a reasonbly light touch (and I can't say that I'm great at that!), and the bike's set up right, it should be difficult to have headshake.

I don't have a problem with putting a damper on it (I've thought about it myself as the "just in case" insurance mentioned earlier), but let's not make it sound like the 954's a basket-case!

<ok, rant over>

moron900 · 03-04-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

I have to disagree, and I hope you're kidding. If a 954's shaking its head at those slow speeds, something is wrong with the bike. I ride my '02 954 (no steering damper) a LOT harder than that, with no problems. I had the joy of true headshake on my '90 CBR1000F once... and have no desire to repeat it!
<ok, rant over>

u must have misunderstood my post. i'm saying that it is impossible for a 954 to get a tankslapper at speeds below 60mph.

i've had many many tankslappers on my 900rr (crashed once from a tankslapper due to trying to control it by holding the bars - was the first few weeks when i started riding bikes)

i have never encountered any other tankslappers on both my bikes after a damper was installed for each. you said that u can be light on the handlebars; (we all know that it is a rule of thumb to put as little pressure on the bars as possible) but in my situation... try going at 120mph on the expressway, then the bike hits a really bad uneven patch/wavy road surface... i personally dont think in that situation i can let loose my grip on the handlebars at such speed; the bike is not only starting to tankslap, but the whole bike is jumping in the air from both wheels.

on the other hand, its been smooth flowing when i fixed an ohlins damper on it. the bike still skips both its wheels over the wavy road surface at that speed, but it does not tankslap at all; i can still accelerate throughout the whole ordeal.

besides, i already have my suspension setup properly (ohlins shockers and beautiful forks for both bikes as well) so i do not think that my problem is a result of bad suspension setup.

* i have already tried tightening the steering cone bearings, it helps a little at slightly higher speeds... but not any speeds above 130 on such situations mentioned above. but tightening it will wear out the bearings much, much faster.

brookester · 03-04-2008, 12:23 PM

I've put over 40,000 miles on my 929 and although I don't have a damper on my bike I would recommend one. I am going to transfer my GPR damper from my TL1000R.
I remember accellerating hard over some ripples in the pavement and when I shifted from 1st into 2nd the handlebars went nearly full lock back and forth. I about shat myself... and the bike is set up right.. with Dan Kyle forks.

Okami · 03-04-2008, 12:56 PM

put it this way, the day i removed my damper to get a "better feel of the front" i ended up getting a better feel of the pavement.

till this day I refuse to ride a bike without a damper, if you know your ability's well, you'll know if you need one.

denzee · 03-04-2008, 2:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okami

put it this way, the day i removed my damper to get a "better feel of the front" i ended up getting a better feel of the pavement.

till this day I refuse to ride a bike without a damper, if you know your ability's well, you'll know if you need one.

Well put Okami and funny. Unless you've experienced a tank slapper at high speed, you don't seem to give it a thought. I think it's always better to have one, even the stock HESD. I bet Max Biaggi at Phillip Island last weekend wished he had his turned up a little more. Watch it here and see how violent the bike gets. How to junk a Ducati in about three seconds.

YouTube - Max Biaggi Phillip Island Crash Rd 2 2008 Turn 1 WSBK