steering damper

[joecrx]

just saw this says it fits all bike with right fitting kit , bargain if you ask me

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111152861917? ... EBIDX%3AIT

[D-Rider]

Very cheap - wonder if it's any good?

Worth bearing in mind if I ever get a bike that needs a steering damper.

[fatboy]

Ive just bought one !
Very nice bit of kit, fully adjustable, on its firmest setting it is not easy to push the damper by hand so should cope with everything.
Took 9 days to arrive from China, no import tax to pay, it was labelled 'Sample, value $8.
Now the bad bit... It will NOT bolt straight on as it is manufactured to take M8 bolts, the Priller on takes M6 bolts.... BUT...
I know a man who can turn up all the parts needed to make it fit, he's into his bikes so we're talkin beer money !
Will be doing this as soon as I get the car MOT'd, week or so
PS this is the best generic steering damper on Eblag, most robust, buy it !

[fatboy]

Worth bearing in mind if I ever get a bike that needs a steering damper.

Two schools of thought here,
My Falc is rock steady, dont need one.
Or
jesus fucking christ,super skittish crossing those cats eyes there, thought it may wash out on me.
I have the second type, being a racing snake may well be part of the problem

[D-Rider]

Sounds more like tyre issues ..... and always a good idea to cross between cat's eyes rather than over them

Still, not knocking anyone else's need/desire to have one - especially at that price.

[mangocrazy]

jesus fucking christ,super skittish crossing those cats eyes there, thought it may wash out on me.
I have the second type, being a racing snake may well be part of the problem

Has your Falco had the suspension modified, or is it fairly standard?

My Falco felt hugely better after softening off the rock-hard standard settings. I changed the fork springs and had RaceTech gold valves installed - that made an enormous difference. Feels totally planted now.

[fatboy]

As far as I know, the front is standard, front tyre is in VGC. Im in no doubt that Im in need of having my suspenders fettled by a pro, so steering damper is a good intermediate fix.
Fork oil will need repacing by now and suspeners set up for 10.5 stone racing snake, will see Mr Jackson @ Fazely in the new year after earning the overtime over Christmas period,as ever wages do not match lifestyle choices

[mangocrazy]

If you're still running the standard blue spring Sachs shock, that really won't help, but I was seriously impresssed by the transformation that new springs and Gold Valves made to my Showa forks. Before that it was rather like riding a road drill - no real compliance and every bump transmitted itself straight through the bars to me. It felt skittish and harsh.

I fitted Hyperpro progressive springs (about £100 a pop at the time) and Racetech Gold Valves. For two tiny pieces of metal with holes in them I thought the price was exorbitant (about £150 I seem to recall), but the difference they made was huge. The standard valves are just too restrictive; they simply don't flow enough oil. Basically the bloody holes are too small...

The RT valves have much larger ports and are flowed so that the oil passes through without fuss. The ports on the Showa valves are much smaller and square-edged, so flow is really badly restricted. Once you've fitted RT valves it's the shim stack that determines the suspension response, and RT provide suggested valving shim stacks to suit your weight/riding style. Mine worked straight out of the box and I've had no reason to alter them.

This is the size that fits Falcos (and loads of other bikes with Showa forks):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Race-Tech-Gol ... 4d12354ccd

If you're buying from the US try and find a way to get it sent as a gift. If you know someone in the US, get it sent to them and get them to send it on as a gift. HMRC are bastards...

[D-Rider]

Just remembering what a PoS the Falco was with the OE fit MEz3 tyres and how nervous it felt / wouldn't turn etc etc.

Knowing what a difference tyres can make, I wonder whether there is any correlation between the tyre choices of either those that feel they need a steering damper and those that don't?

I recognise those with the chopper-oriented clipons above the bars or bar risers may also have a need for a damper but I wonder whether tyre choice might play a part?

[Aladinsaneuk]

Or tyre pressures.....

[fatboy]

Or tyre pressures.....

Guilty of not checking tyre pressures.
Tyres are Maxxis Sport tourers, rear being replaced this week with Maxxis Diamond.
Shock is Sachs White Spring.
Overall suspension a little too hard

[Aladinsaneuk]

I found 36/40 right on the maxxis sport tourer

Hanna runs them at that and rates them

Getting the suspension set right was possibly the single best mod I have ever done

BUT

Spend 25 quid at QD or similar and get a battery jump start / tyre inflator / thingie

Then spend 10 quid on a good digital tyre gauge....

Use them before every ride....

[BikerGran]

Even on my old Kwak GT550 when it was 2 wheels - possibly the least sporty bike on here (possibly? what am I saying?) - I found that anything more than 1psi difference in front tyre pressure from the pressure I had found to be right for me and the bike (not necessarily the same as recommended) made a huge difference in handling.

[MartDude]

Even on my old Kwak GT550 when it was 2 wheels - possibly the least sporty bike on here (possibly? what am I saying?) -made a huge

Still faster than a black Falco on a Green Flag truck

[Aladinsaneuk]

very true

or indeed a pensioner with a bus pass