Topic: Show me your steering dampers!

[nobody]

I'm mounting one because back in October I had a violent weave/wobble/whatever that threw me onto the highway while still doing 80. I figure I don't feel like doing that again so why not?

I've seen people mounting them on both left and right sides. Outside of adjust-ability, would there be an impact on functionality mounting left side versus right? Like, if I hit a wobble again, would it perform better on one side versus the other?

Also, every frame bracket posted is waaaaay nicer than mine, y'all got some nice brackets.

[calj737]

I'm so annoyed when people post topics looking for help and other people give such definitive responses like you did about where the damper has to be mounted.

I think you misread what he wrote:

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. ...I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Sure reads as though he offered an explanation, and his personal prference, and why. I dont see anything remotely close to your assertion of his "My way or the highway"?

[Retro Rocket]

I'm mounting one because back in October I had a violent weave/wobble/whatever that threw me onto the highway while still doing 80. I figure I don't feel like doing that again so why not?

I've seen people mounting them on both left and right sides. Outside of adjust-ability, would there be an impact on functionality mounting left side versus right? Like, if I hit a wobble again, would it perform better on one side versus the other?

Also, every frame bracket posted is waaaaay nicer than mine, y'all got some nice brackets.

As I posted earlier. I like mine on the left so I can adjust without letting go of the throttle, I usually adjust it heavier if i'm on a poorly tarred road with high speed limits, it makes the bike more stable and reduces the amount of effort you need to steer safely, thats entirely what they were designed for. Put it on which ever side you like, It performs the same task whichever side its on, I just posted my preference and why....

[Retro Rocket]

I'm so annoyed when people post topics looking for help and other people give such definitive responses like you did about where the damper has to be mounted.

I think you misread what he wrote:

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. ...I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Sure reads as though he offered an explanation, and his personal prference, and why. I dont see anything remotely close to your assertion of his "My way or the highway"?

Got me Fcucked to mate.... I definitely didn't do anything he assumed in that poorly worded rant.... Can I adjust your damper for you....

[calj737]

Can I adjust your damper for you....

Or his? Too much understeer you reckon???

[JWExperience]

Now you're just being nit picky. My bike is much more stable on the highway and I use the same setting...always. Most sport bikes come with non adjustable dampers anyways.


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Why are they adjustable then..?  Your bike isn't more stable on the highway at all, there's just less turns and no sharp corners to contend with and a generally flatter surface, you are going faster, thats all, I've had a tank slapper that broke my steering stops and nearly broke my thumbs, I was amazed I didn't throw the bike down the road, I've used dampers ever since. Turning up a damper on high speed sections of the road increases stability by slowing down or stopping oscillations in the front suspension and wheels, it sound to me that you've never done anything but stuck a damper on a left it alone..?  I suspect you probably don't know much about adjustable suspension either..?  The damper is actually part of that set up...

In my opinion, I hardly said anything to you other than my bike handles better than before and without need for adjustment. You started attempting to talk down to me and insult me about what you think I don't know(typical of you).
Point is my bike handles better, I know that and you don't. You haven't ridden my bike.
You got me on my apparent reading comprehension problem but I wasn't going back to re read your every post. I guess I'll make an appointment to get that checked out just for you homie.

[Stev-o]

Both my Kawasaki's in the garage came stock with the dampers on the right.

Wonder if the engineers WANT you to take your hand off the throttle when it's time to adjust it?

[Retro Rocket]

Both my Kawasaki's in the garage came stock with the dampers on the right.

Wonder if the engineers WANT you to take your hand off the throttle when it's time to adjust it?

I doubt it, maybe because more people are right handed...?  We have lots of high speed 2 lane goat tracks {roads} in Australia, I just find it convenient to change settings if I'm getting wobbles at speed caused by the state of the road, you could of course pull over and do it on the other side, but to each his own..  Just as a matter of info, those stock Z900 dampers are NHK, the early aftermarket 750/4 dampers were the same stock 900 Kawasaki damper....

[calj737]

Both my Kawasaki's in the garage came stock with the dampers on the right.

Wonder if the engineers WANT you to take your hand off the throttle when it's time to adjust it?

I doubt it, maybe because more people are right handed...?  We have lots of high speed 2 lane goat tracks {roads} in Australia, I just find it convenient to change settings if I'm getting wobbles at speed caused by the state of the road, you could of course pull over and do it on the other side, but to each his own..  Just as a matter of info, those stock Z900 dampers are NHK, the early aftermarket 750/4 dampers were the same stock 900 Kawasaki damper....

Now your telling us we have to use NHK dampers or we wont get our bikes stable! Dang, Dude, how high is your perch 

Did I translate that properly, Mick?

[JWExperience]

As for putting words into your mouth, Your insults were quoted so you need to work on your comprehension too I guess. I fessed up to my errors, apparently you can't and you would be hard pressed to find an insult from me. You on the other hand, to sum it up, called me a crackhead and called me ignorant. So you go away, better yet continue your sword fight with cal while telling him about all your cool friends cause I don't care.
^
There's one!!!!!!:)


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[Stev-o]

Both my Kawasaki's in the garage came stock with the dampers on the right.

Wonder if the engineers WANT you to take your hand off the throttle when it's time to adjust it?

 Just as a matter of info, those stock Z900 dampers are NHK, the early aftermarket 750/4 dampers were the same stock 900 Kawasaki damper....

Yeah, knew that. And apparently they are still making them.

I dont feel the need for one on my K4, that bike is rock solid at any speed.
But I will put a new one on the H2 that I am finally about ready to get started on!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-steering-damper-stabilizer-jap-NHK-ODM500-for-KAWASAKI-z1-h1-h2-s3-kh750-kh-/351711650335?hash=item51e3a5e21f:g:cZQAAOSwJblW~yKk&vxp=mtr

[Retro Rocket]

Both my Kawasaki's in the garage came stock with the dampers on the right.

Wonder if the engineers WANT you to take your hand off the throttle when it's time to adjust it?

 Just as a matter of info, those stock Z900 dampers are NHK, the early aftermarket 750/4 dampers were the same stock 900 Kawasaki damper....

Yeah, knew that. And apparently they are still making them.

I dont feel the need for one on my K4, that bike is rock solid at any speed.
But I will put a new one on the H2 that I am finally about ready to get started on!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-steering-damper-stabilizer-jap-NHK-ODM500-for-KAWASAKI-z1-h1-h2-s3-kh750-kh-/351711650335?hash=item51e3a5e21f:g:cZQAAOSwJblW~yKk&vxp=mtr

Yeah, the H2 I rode was immaculate, every time the front wheel touched back down then front end shimmy was scary....   Definitely put a damper on that beast....

[JWExperience]

Apparently you need to harden up instead of sending me a profanity laced PM after responding here, was I getting to you lol?
and it wasn't quite civil prior to my post you quoted... You had your normal condescending know it all post. You probably didn't realize it because you're always like that I guess.


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[JWExperience]

I'm the childish one while you continue with your insults, let it go buddy...its ok.
LOL AS I TYPE THIS YOU SEND ME ANOTHER PM. I CANT WAIT TO READ IT YOU TROLL. HAHAHA


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[JWExperience]

It's night time here...
Good job deleting your posts too

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[Retro Rocket]

It's night time here...
Good job deleting your posts too

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 I'll wait for another genius response from the poor cop that just can't handle someone that won't bow to his perceived authority, must be frustrating....   I've got some nice little meme's i'll post instead of a response from now on, I refuse to waste words on someone like you....

I'll just leave this here because its says it all....

I'm so annoyed when people post topics looking for help and other people give such definitive responses like you did about where the damper has to be mounted.

I think you misread what he wrote:

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. ...I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Sure reads as though he offered an explanation, and his personal prference, and why. I dont see anything remotely close to your assertion of his "My way or the highway"?

Time to get over yourself cop....

[JWExperience]

Lol you can't help it can you? Quote me all you want, I won't delete my posts like you. I haven't said anything requiring you to bow to my authority and even acknowledged my error at one point. I only argued that my bike that I have ridden, and you have not, rides better now. Seems to me you're trying to get me to bow to your authority since you were ranting about your vast knowledge of tuning motorcycles but nobody will read that since you deleted it...I wonder why...hypocrite.
I look forward to you're memes, they will probably be able to make better arguments anyways.


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[JWExperience]

It's night time here...
Good job deleting your posts too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 I'll wait for another genius response from the poor cop that just can't handle someone that won't bow to his perceived authority, must be frustrating....   I've got some nice little meme's i'll post instead of a response from now on, I refuse to waste words on someone like you....

I'll just leave this here because its says it all....

I'm so annoyed when people post topics looking for help and other people give such definitive responses like you did about where the damper has to be mounted.

I think you misread what he wrote:

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. ...I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Sure reads as though he offered an explanation, and his personal prference, and why. I dont see anything remotely close to your assertion of his "My way or the highway"?

Time to get over yourself cop....

Let me quote this so you don't go deleting it again...

[BomberMann650]

That was a digression I've rarely seen on sohc4 .... Just wow, thanks admins!

I've been trying to understand why a steering damper is useful.  Seems I found it here.  Only experience I had with a steering damper was on a raptor 660 4wheeler, and I just wanted to unbolt the thing! it made the wheels so hard to turn!

[PeWe]

I have the same damper as the OP. I put mine on because I got a hairy wobble over bumps at highway speed. Next I'll replace the bushings in my swingarm.


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I see that you have different fender. Is it with a bracing as OEM fender?
If not, wobble all over the road.... I got it for many years ago when I used a fiberglass Dunstall fender, no bracing at all, clamped with hose clamps on each lower fork.

+10 on the steering damper kit Wobbly show. I ordered this from Yamiya since my old has started to leak. The rigid frame bracket is vital. I cheaped out back in the days using an exhaust clamp as was common here back then. The damper was not as stiff as it can.

I have a plan to replace the horns with one Stebel kompressor horn (waiting in my garage) and no messy wiring.

[Deltarider]

Delta, if you don't know why dampers are used, after being told numerous times already,  its a waste of time explaining it over and over again..

OK, then let me ask this:
Did any of you that experienced wobbles, tank slappers and the like*:
a) Inform Honda that there's something seriously wrong with their product and a steering damper should have been provided?
b) Inform US authorities there's a serious safety issue that needs to be adressed? I'd recommend to report it to the same authorities that did such a wonderful job on warning stickers and mirrors (objects in this mirror...). There can be no doubt they take things very serious indeed.
c) Inform road authorities there's a dangerous situation on road such and such and a warning sign would be the least they could do, responsible as they are for these third world quality roads in the first place?
d) Now we all know how hard it is to pass the US license test. Not only you are supposed to tell your left from your right blinker, you should also know the difference between a green and a red light AND HOW TO ACT and most important of all: the infamous rolling stop at a stopsign that has to be avoided AT ALL TIMES (oh, boy, oh boy, that one tough). Now, are there any of you steering damper users that did take an advanced motorcycle training, like motorcyclecops undergo?
e) Is there an explanation why (overhere) to my memory I've not seen steering dampers on police patrol bikes? And do you think I can sue the unresponsible police trainers that not only showed up on a bike without a damper but also failed to warn us we should start with mounting one?
I apologise in advance for wasting your time.
* Yes, I've often experienced the usual unrest at around 60 km/h. Nothing to worry about as long as both hands rest on the handlebars and yes, I've experienced (only a few) speed weeves at speeds over 160 km/h. Nothing to worry about, just don't sit upright but lower your chest (again) to the tank.

[Wobbly]

I'm mounting one because back in October I had a violent weave/wobble/whatever that threw me onto the highway while still doing 80. I figure I don't feel like doing that again so why not?

I am certain that there is something else wrong (bearings, tire). This should not ever happen.

[strynboen]

better use Money, fix the bike,,, then spend/vaste Money on stering dampers..the damper is medisin...not the cure...
get to the veak point..and fix that.

.go to the root of the problem...instead to fight the symptoms
sohc bikes is relative low power bikes......sport bikes can make use of this
..the only supersport on sohc,, is the marking on the tank..

[Terry in Australia]

Well, not wanting to argue with the armchair experts here, but Honda actually supplied a (non adjustable) steering damper as an optional item, along with a right hand front brake disc/caliper assembly, an oil cooler, you name it, you could buy it, as an optional extra, they just didn't install them on their bikes in the factory to keep the price down.

I'm not for a moment saying that for everyday use you actually need one, but hell, for 100 bucks they're cheap insurance. Cheers, Terry.

[calj737]

OK, then let me ask this:
Did any of you that experienced wobbles, tank slappers and the like*:
a) Inform Honda that there's something seriously wrong with their product and a steering damper should have been provided?
b) Inform US authorities there's a serious safety issue that needs to be adressed? I'd recommend to report it to the same authorities that did such a wonderful job on warning stickers and mirrors (objects in this mirror...). There can be no doubt they take things very serious indeed.
c) Inform road authorities there's a dangerous situation on road such and such and a warning sign would be the least they could do, responsible as they are for these third world quality roads in the first place?
d) Now we all know how hard it is to pass the US license test. Not only you are supposed to tell your left from your right blinker, you should also know the difference between a green and a red light AND HOW TO ACT and most important of all: the infamous rolling stop at a stopsign that has to be avoided AT ALL TIMES (oh, boy, oh boy, that one tough). Now, are there any of you steering damper users that did take an advanced motorcycle training, like motorcyclecops undergo?
e) Is there an explanation why (overhere) to my memory I've not seen steering dampers on police patrol bikes? And do you think I can sue the unresponsible police trainers that not only showed up on a bike without a damper but also failed to warn us we should start with mounting one?
I apologise in advance for wasting your time.
* Yes, I've often experienced the usual unrest at around 60 km/h. Nothing to worry about as long as both hands rest on the handlebars and yes, I've experienced (only a few) speed weeves at speeds over 160 km/h. Nothing to worry about, just don't sit upright but lower your chest (again) to the tank.

No, because for less than $100 I don't need to stand in line, wait on the telephone, or fill out a form in triplicate to speak to some Government moron who would doubtlessly punt the issue upstairs to another moron who would ask the following questions:

Sir, when you experienced these alleged wobbles, tank slappers and the like, did you:
a) Inform Honda that there's something seriously wrong with their product and a steering damper should have been provided?
b) Inform local authorities there's a serious safety issue that needs to be adressed?
c) Inform DOT there's a dangerous situation on road such and such and a warning sign would be the least they could do, responsible as they are for these roads?
d) Have you taken an advanced motorcycle training, like motorcyclecops undergo? If not, how then you can ever expect to be as accomplished a rider as the Dutch?
Sir, please understand, it's my job to waste your time, so please do wait while I take my lunch break.


No thanks, my time is worth more than the benefit of educating morons with little to no chance of becoming enlightened.