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Steering Damper

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  • #1

    Steering Damper

    i know everybody says you dont need it but i have considered putting a side mount damper onto my kat as a added precaution front end wobbles a bit wouldnt mind getting rid of that

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VihdvsqTrw4"]2004 katana 600 burnout - YouTube[/ame]
    sigpic2004 streetfighter project
    out with the 600 and in with the 1100(1127)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    If the front end wobbles on a Kat then you've got problems. Generally it's either a cupped tire or bad bearings. A steering damper isn't going to fix either of them. Waste of your money.

    A steering damper is for when you've got a really short wheelbase coupled with low rake and trail. Rake is the angle of the fork legs. Trail is the distance along the ground between where the forks are pointing and the center of the contact patch. Together, higher rake/trail make the bike more stable and make it want to straighten itself out under acceleration. Lower rake/trail makes the bike more maneuverable. If you go toward the extremes of maneuverability then you throw a steering damper in the mix to help the stability. Doesn't make the bike want to straighten up any better but it'll slow down how fast the bike gets out of hand enough that human reflexes can handle it.
    Last edited by Wild-Bill; 03-11-2012, 09:35 PM.
    Wherever you go... There you are!

    17 Inch Wheel Conversion
    HID Projector Retrofit

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Wild-Bill View Post
      If the front end wobbles on a Kat then you've got problems. Generally it's either a cupped tire or bad bearings. A steering damper isn't going to fix either of them. Waste of your money.

      A steering damper is for when you've got a really short wheelbase coupled with low rake and trail. Rake is the angle of the fork legs. Trail is the distance along the ground between where the forks are pointing and the center of the contact patch. Together, higher rake/trail make the bike more stable and make it want to straighten itself out under acceleration. Lower rake/trail makes the bike more maneuverable. If you go toward the extremes of maneuverability then you throw a steering damper in the mix to help the stability. Doesn't make the bike want to straighten up any better but it'll slow down how fast the bike gets out of hand enough that human reflexes can handle it.
      im concerned about when im at higher speeds due to not having any farrings on the bike
      sigpic2004 streetfighter project
      out with the 600 and in with the 1100(1127)

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      • #4
        That doesn't matter much. Are you getting head shake as is or just thinking you might?
        Wherever you go... There you are!

        17 Inch Wheel Conversion
        HID Projector Retrofit

        Comment

        • #5
          Ive never had any probs with my nekkid build at max speed. That is with the rear raised and the front lowered. No need for a damper with these bikes.
          1992- project katfighter
          2005- GSXR750
          2001- TL1000R
          http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=111130
          www.lunchtimecigar.com



          KATRIDERS RALLY 2014 - cintidude04
          KATRIDERS RALLY 2015 - cintidude04
          KATRIDERS RALLY 2016 - cintidude04

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          • #6
            Like its been said, there is no need on these bikes. I have maxed mine out a few too many times and no issues

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            • #7
              There was a thread about a steering damper an owner put on his Kat about a year or so back. I believe it was in the Suspension section. You might research that topic to see what he did.
              How To Install Race Tech Emulators & Rebuild Forks
              How To Repack Yoshimura RS3 Exhaust
              How To Install Oil Cooler Fans
              How To Install Audiovox Cruise Control On A 1998+ Katana

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              • #8
                I had a front end wobble for a while.... considered a damper..... but then learned better and replaced the cupped dunlop with a metzler. Solved my problem.
                Please, Just go home, relax, and have a think or two... hell... have as many as you can handle! It'll do all of us some good.
                Tony
                94 Katana 600

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                • #9
                  my suspension is good and my tires good i want to do the damper because i did the 1127 swap its wheelie prone lol
                  sigpic2004 streetfighter project
                  out with the 600 and in with the 1100(1127)

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by bigamike View Post
                    my suspension is good and my tires good i want to do the damper because i did the 1127 swap its wheelie prone lol
                    Dampers don't help with wheelies either. You checked the bushings in your forks or your steering head bearings?

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                    • #11
                      itll help when i come down from a wheelie
                      sigpic2004 streetfighter project
                      out with the 600 and in with the 1100(1127)

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        I think the key to that it to make sure the wheel is straight when your tire touches the ground. The sound you hear is the tire catching up with the ground speed it should be spinning at.

                        Possible solutions include.( from least benefital / cost).
                        Steering damper
                        wheel bearing
                        Steering bearings
                        Tires
                        Not wheeling.

                        Any suspension mods?
                        Last edited by il_ragazzo; 03-13-2012, 01:03 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
                        Please, Just go home, relax, and have a think or two... hell... have as many as you can handle! It'll do all of us some good.
                        Tony
                        94 Katana 600

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                        • #13
                          Don't do it useless mod for a kat

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by bigamike View Post
                            itll help when i come down from a wheelie
                            No, it will cover up the fact that you are bad at doing wheelies.

                            If you want it for the bling just say that, because there is no other justifiable reason.
                            90% of motorcycle forum members do not have a service manual for their bike.

                            Originally posted by Badfaerie
                            I love how the most ignorant people I have met are the ones that fling the word "ignorant" around like it's an insult, or poo. Maybe they think it means poo
                            Originally posted by soulless kaos
                            but personaly I dont see a point in a 1000 you can get the same power from a properly tuned 600 with less weight and better handeling.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by scottynoface View Post
                              No, it will cover up the fact that you are bad at doing wheelies.

                              If you want it for the bling just say that, because there is no other justifiable reason.
                              +1
                              1992- project katfighter
                              2005- GSXR750
                              2001- TL1000R
                              http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=111130
                              www.lunchtimecigar.com



                              KATRIDERS RALLY 2014 - cintidude04
                              KATRIDERS RALLY 2015 - cintidude04
                              KATRIDERS RALLY 2016 - cintidude04

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