How Necessary is a Steering Damper?

DelMonty · May 2, 2012

Hi,

I've had the steering damper temporarily removed on my 2002 RSVR as there's an issue with it, and have been told by quite a few people they are more of an aesthetic addition to improve sales and that the Mille doesn't really need one. To be honest, I prefer the feeling without it, but if the front is prone to tank slappers I'd rather get it fixed and put back on. How needed are they?

Thanks,
James

PaulW · May 2, 2012

In my opinion not needed. Mine's backed right off (Gen 2) and given even Portimao's architecture it's never been needed. Sure the bike shakes its head occasionally, but nothing like a slapper so that's part of the fun.
Given your Gen 1 has even lazier steering than my bike I'd not worry at all.

HTH

Cirrus · May 2, 2012

PaulW said:
In my opinion not needed. Mine's backed right off (Gen 2) and given even Portimao's architecture it's never been needed. Sure the bike shakes its head occasionally, but nothing like a slapper so that's part of the fun.
Given your Gen 1 has even lazier steering than my bike I'd not worry at all.

HTH

Now he tells me after buying his! lol

Corsa_RSVR · May 2, 2012

Monty, a steering damper only needs to save your *** once. 95 % of the time you don't need it. The RSV is not prone to ' tank slapping ' , even so a bumpy section of ' fast ' riding may bring some horrible surprises.

The other thing about dampers is that you don't have to be ' tense ' when steering with one hand as you know that the damper will even out a ' little ' surprise. A damper is like ' money ' in the bank.....

Cirrus · May 2, 2012

Nice analogy!

PaulW · May 2, 2012

Cirrus said:
Now he tells me after buying his! lol

Ooops :roll

Well they look nice & bling.....

Carbon Kid · May 2, 2012

Not really needed on v2, V4 yes but only on low setting.
Saying that had a cupla slappers on the v2 when really going for it on our bumpy lincs roads, being relaxed helped cos bike iust righted itself naturally. The v4 is so stubby and stiff it can really shake its head.
iMO if you have one you might as well fit it, dont bother if ya dont
cheers
ck

DelMonty · Apr 16, 2013

Bit of a thread revival here, thanks guys, turns out the damper needs a service as it's really stiff if it hasn't had any movement through it for a minute or two. Haven't got round to sending it off for it, will do when I get the suspension serviced next year. I've been riding all this time without it and not had any 'moments', maybe I'm not riding hard enough :-D

wizbit · Apr 16, 2013

It's only personal opinion but common consensus all the same; I don't think you need one on these bikes, they're very well mannered as regards to steering.
I reckon alot of people call a head shake a tank slapper but 'lock to lock' is a tank slapper. I've had one in eight years and that was on a gsxr, I've never came close on either of the two milles I've had.

I don't buy in to all the advice people dish out on how to correct a tank slapper either...you can't feel if your arms are attached to your body never mind make small corrections with your hands. Cling on and hope for the best is all you can do!

DelMonty · Apr 16, 2013

I hope I never have to deal with one! Best thing I've heard is to just 'gun-it', if that's at all possible with what you've described!

Apparently it takes the weight off the front wheel, something the following guy couldn't do in an article I read as he was already flat out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1srcQMa_0

wizbit · Apr 16, 2013

Yes that's the most common one, makes sense but try and do it in practice. I'm guessing the dude in that vid couldn't quite pull that technique off either ha ha

hamster86 · Apr 18, 2013

Mine slaps good and proper but I only ride on track. Got one of the standard red ones with heavier oil and its calmed down. But then you learn to ride thru these problems

albrown001 · Apr 19, 2013

I've got mine 1 click off being too tight. I find it makes the bike corner much smoother and makes for smoother riding. I don't notice its there unless I back it off. I prefer having one. But never had a tank slapper on this bike or the last rsv yet, so its not needed to save me so far in 7 years. Some bikes its needed some bikes its not. It is there as a safety device as well as smoothing out cornering if you get it adjusted right.

The only time I get wheel wobble is coming out of corners sometimes over bumps and on the gas. But I wouldn't call it a tank slapper.

Just what I think. Hope thats of some help

Search

Search

How Necessary is a Steering Damper?

DelMonty

PaulW

Cirrus

Corsa_RSVR

Cirrus

PaulW

Carbon Kid

DelMonty

wizbit

DelMonty

wizbit

hamster86

albrown001

Similar threads

New Posts