Guest Britcheflee Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Just wanted to know what setting or how resistant they have their steering damper set - I am actually beginning to feel that they make slow riding more difficult - do you adjust yours much and for different riding conditions? Do they really make a difference? Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzirider Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I have mine permanently on its minimum setting- the bike is very stable anyway and never has slappers so I dont need any extra damping. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grossohc Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 mine is also left on its minimum setting, I think its there just to look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badmotogoozer Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 ditto. I'd remove the thing if not for the ugly empty brackets it would leave. Rj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchbob Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Agree with all the above. All the bikes with dampers I've ever had, new and ancient, just left 'em off. I once rode a mate's Vincent with the damper on a bit and the damn thing nearly killed me at the first corner: how he coped with it I don't know. I think they're unnecessary except for third-wheel merchants, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big J Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I took mine off to fix it after it started leaking and binding.Didn't bother putting it back on,that was 3 months ago.Bike's fine without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Removed sitting in shed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hagan Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Just echo from me. I occasionally used the damper on my EV, e.g., on the rather rare miles I spent on the slab with a w/s and loaded, especially if the big trucks were about (as they usually are on the interstates). Came off once for gas, and forgot to reset. Went onto gravel ... quite exciting. Moot now since the damper died miles ago; the stock one is junk. On the Ballabio, I've played with it a few times while rolling up Ga. 400 to the mountains, but the Ballabio is stable enough not to have yet needed it even on the slab. Sure don't want it in town or in the twisties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gthyni Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 The stock Bitubo is not very good, too much resistance even in minimum setting. Took it off and replaced it with an Öhlins unit, perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nogbad Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 My bitubo is ok. Virtually no resistance on the lowest setting and strong damping on the hardest. I usually have it on about 1/3 from minimum, and turn it off in town. I have had a slight headshake powering out of badly surfaced bends and always thought the damper needed until I softened the damping both ends, and it now seems to behave a lot less skittishly, so maybe the damper is only needed if the suspension is set up too hard. Could this have something to do with all the steering dampers on sportsbikes? Maybe people just set the main suspension up too hard thinking that's what you do with a sportsbike, and end up needing a steering damper because it has no compliance. Just my Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gthyni Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I run the suspension fairly soft too, and I tried to run w/o steering damper altogher, I worked great. BUT I don't like tank slaping so the Öhlins damper is perfect, in soft settings next to zero resistance until your need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nogbad Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Hyperpro make a rate sensitive one where if you move the bars slowly the resistance is low, but it gives a heavy resistance to sudden movements. I guess one of those would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Barrett Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Just wanted to know what setting or how resistant they have their steering damper set - I am actually beginning to feel that they make slow riding more difficult - do you adjust yours much and for different riding conditions? Do they really make a difference?Lee 67618[/snapback] Oh is it adjustable? Perhaps I'll fiddle with it one day, perhaps the day after I look at my suspension settings. I just ride it, nearly 18K now. Ohlins would be wasted on me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouiji Veck Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I have mine cranked up pretty stiff from when I lost my Sachs last spring in Vermont. After getting the shock fixed I've left it stiff because of how great this thing feels in 80 MPH sweepers. Gotta be doing something right. Tight twisties and parking lot work is fine, I had read some tank slapper episodes on the short wheel base units also. I've steped over the handle bars in a tank slapper once.(85 Ninja 600+ frost heaves) Not a good way to go, so I'll keep a little tension on the ol' damper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ratchethack Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 It's a highly personal thing, but I've always dialed in steering damping for higher-speed riding on every bike I've owned that had one, and I crank it back for parking-lot maneuvering. To me, it makes every bike feel better in terms of stability, and I also find that it allows more precise control. On the Guzzi, I use 12 clicks on the bitubo for most riding. If I'm pushing it hard I crank in a few more clicks. Because I usually adjust it several times every time I ride, I J-B welded a little bump on the adjuster knob that allows me to feel where the setting is without looking down. Insurance against the dreaded wobbles, aka tank slapper (had it before, never on the Guzzi - don't want to either) is an added perk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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