Steering damper?

Message

danowat · #1 Post by **danowat** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:53 am

I wouldn't mind fitting a steering damper, I was doing some "press-on" riding down a local B road, its almost like a mini IOM TT course, and I wasn't happy with the way my Falco "shaked it's head" when powering over some of the bumps and yumps.

So I would like to fit a steering damper, does anyone have one fitted? does anyone know who does fitments for the Falco, or would an RSV one fit?.

Cheers

Dan,

Tweaker · #2 Post by **Tweaker** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:19 am

The Mille unit bolts straight on. There are even mounting holes already in place on the lower yoke and fairing sub frame. I paid £20 for a standard Mille one but, of course, you can go for something with some adjustment if you prefer. Just make sure to use some locktite on the mounting bolts (don't ask me how I know

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HowardQ · #3 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:42 pm

Dano,
Just a thought before you do this. The steering head angle on the Falco is not as steep as a Mille or most modern super sports, so although it wags a bit and lets you know what it's doin, it's much less likely to put you into a full blown tank slapper.
I tend to like this about the bike, gives you just enough feel without gettin nasty. I have only ever ridden relatively short distances on bikes with old style steering dampers, but never sure about the feel aspect. Things like early Suzy TL1000s were safer screwed up tight but I do think they ended up with much feel and with that crap rear shock on the TL you needed some warning from the bike! They were also a pain in town.
That's probably why manufactures like Honda have now dropped em and gone for electronic units.
What do other people think on this subject??
Anybody actually had a Falco in a slapper?

DavShill · #4 Post by **DavShill** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:57 pm

Howard makes a good point. I ride a the same stretch of the Malton, Helmsley Stokesly road regularly and the specific places where my previous GSXR would get very "flighty" and front end shaking, the falco is much more predictable and less twitchy. You really need to ride hard on a stretch that you know very well in order make a decent comparison. I am no suspension specialist but I would be tempted to go through the methodical and gradual adjustment process before investing in a decent steering damper.

danowat · #5 Post by **danowat** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:02 pm

Suspension has already been setup by 100% suspension (bloody bargain at £40, best £40 I have ever spent).

I do agree, it is more predictable than other bikes, but I just don't like the shaking head that it does, and I can't think of any other way to "cure" it other than a steering damper (or riding slower

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Pierre · #6 Post by **Pierre** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:59 pm

I put one on after rounding a 90mph left hander in the dark on the A68 only to hit what i assume was a pothole and it cracked so hard left I thought my thumb had broke. Just went left-bang-straight as quick as that. No wait - it was quicker than that

I dont care if it needed it or not, its put my mind at rest and I'll tell you how much it scared me - I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW OHLINS ONE

DavShill · #7 Post by **DavShill** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:03 pm

Sounds like the suspension set up was a bargain Dan - £40 well spent considering all the tweak, test, tweak, test you've saved yourself. Looks like you need to spend some dosh on a nice piece of hardware then eh

HowardQ · #8 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:15 pm

Riding a bike quick is all about feeling confident, if you've set the rest of the suspendsion up, go for it Dan, let us know how it works out. It's all a personal thing anyway, if it makes you happier it's got to be good. Plus it adds to the bling!

sabestian · #9 Post by **sabestian** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:01 pm

I will install stock mille unit on my Falco, not that I am such a racer ;) more that it is Falco Fighter now. Less weight on the front wheel - more fun

When I tried it, it seamed to be working. Not much to write about, really. But I felt more confident with it on.
I needed to remove it due to the clearance problems with my stock brake lines, longer braided are waiting to be fitted. First need to learn how to bleed brakes and second - find some time to fit them.
As soon as I do that I'll let you know how it feels.

Perhaps this weekend?

BTW 100% suspension? Where did you find those guys? 40 quid??? I want it done too!

falcomunky · #10 Post by **falcomunky** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:13 pm

Me too! Thats well cheap if they have truly mastered that mystical paragon of technical impossability that is also known as Suspension Setup.

Where are they?

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:36 pm

£40 ! .... thats only £40 more than the chaps at K-tech charged me to set up my Ohlins and my forks!
But, sure I gave them something to buy themselves a drink.

Actually, I'd gone across to see them to see if they could sell me a C-spanner so that I could adjust the pre-load. They had none for sale but said that if I arranged to come back another day they'd set it up for me

Great bunch of chaps !

danowat · #12 Post by **danowat** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:48 am

The suspension setup was done at a trackday I did by 100% Suspension.

IMO, the £40 was WELL worth it, it wasn't just a case of, setup the suspension and thats it, it was a whole day testing session, it was like having my own (the guy does suspension for BSB riders) race mechanic.

He first sent me out on my first session to get the suspension "warm", then he set the static sag and said, take it out and see what its like, after the first session I told him my findings, tweak some more, another session, tweak some more, etc etc untill you are happy with how it performs, to me, £40 for that is a total bargain.

It made a HUGE difference to the bike and boosted my confidence 100%, I now know how far I can push my bike, not only that he gave me tips on tyre pressures both for track and road and I also found alot out about the Falco's suspension.

He told me the rear shock is nowhere near as bad as people make out, and also as it is in good condition and setup PROPERLY then it can be very good.

If you get chance, DO IT, I would recommend it.

I will see if I can find a Mille steering damper

sabestian · #13 Post by **sabestian** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:51 am

What trackday? Where? When? Why? More details, please!

fastasfcuk · #14 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:51 am

bargain.

danowat · #15 Post by **danowat** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:12 am

sabestian wrote:What trackday? Where? When? Why? More details, please!

It was the trackday I did last November at Snetterton, they are also going to be at the trackday I am doing in March (Sunday 11th) at Snetterton, which is £59 for the day incidentally.