| Author | Message | ||
     Lecanadysbcglobalnet |
I ordered a Trojan Horse Steering Dampener today. Last week after taking it easy on her for longer than necessary I took it to the flattest longest stretch of highway in Houston I could find (290 to Austin could find and opened her up. At about 140 I got a pronounced front end wobble. Don't know about anyone else but I it wasn't expected. I enjoy speed more than most but that was a little unnerving! At the current exchange rate (1.28 to 1)it was finally reasonable. Has anyone installed a Bitubo Dampener yet? Has anyone experienced a wobble at speed or is it just me? Thanks to you guys I bought her. Les} | ||
| Duggram |
Les, I've only been to 130 on a race track. The only thing I've noticed is a lot of head shake under power going over ripples or pavement breaks. I ordered a GPR damper yesterday and it will be here Tuesday in time for next weekends trackdays. Is it possible that you were pulling on the bars too hard? I hear that'll cause wobbles. | ||
| Rainman1ne |
Ive been getting a lot lately, think I have a bent wheel, anything over 115 I need to keep straight or else. | ||
| Redscuell |
"Ive been getting a lot lately" Now you're just bragging.  | ||
| White79bu |
How much was the dampener from trojon? I don't know a lot about the exchange rate. Because I have never bought anything outside of the US. | ||
| Duggram |
The price on trojans page is £314.89. At the current exchange rate of 1.5925 that's $501.48 US. Matt (@ trojan adrenalinmoto) told me that shipping to albuquerque on two fork ends would be about $70. Guessing the damper would be about half that? Have no idea about the cost of customs. Man that's sweet. I think the price is right and look forward to hearing about how this thing works! From the pics on their page you can see that it mounts on top of the forks which I like because you might be able to reach it for adjustment. I have a Storz damper for my sportster streettracker and appreciate the fact that I can easily reach it for adjustments. | ||
| Lecanadysbcglobalnet |
Seeing my bike has no clutch and they don't know why, it will be another two weeks from now till Ill have her back. When I hit 138mph I had just rolled into it hard. There was way more road and waaaay more motor & gear when it started. I had a tail wind with a cool morning at sea level (perfect for making power) when it started. I've read other threads from guys that had problems. Not to change the subject but has anyone lost their clutch, I mean totally. I've met the Lemon Law here in Texas twice over and the Tech from Mancuso Crossroads is at school and had the chance to talk to their engineers.Still waiting an answer as of yesterday. They have replaced everything up to the clutch it's self which looks to be working fine. The second time they fond the bearing in the pressure plate had started floating in and out. At speed you could actually feel it move in and out with the clutch lever. This sucks big time. Les | ||
| White79bu |
Well here's my situation. When Buell ran the $675 accessories promotion the dealer screwed mine all up. So they gave me a gift card for the $675 to their store. Now the dealer is all HD. So with the gift card I bought the race brake pads and service manual. I have $400 left and need a steering dampner. I was going to buy the Buell unit but it's not adjustable. But I also hate to spend money out of my pocket when I can us the gift card. So what do you guys think. Is it worth spending my money on an adjustable dampner or just buy the Buell dampner? I have a ton of things I need before my 09 track days season starts. So money is critical. | ||
| Lecanadysbcglobalnet |
Just checked my bank account. Total charge for the Trojan Dampener was $539.74 W/ shipping which you only get the choice of the mail service to the US. 2-3 weeks is what they told me on delivery. 170 here we come? | ||
| No_rice |
I was going to buy the Buell unit but it's not adjustable. are you sure? i thought for sure thats what that knob on the dampener was for. i sold one through here and glanced at it but i didnt check it over real close and now i cant remember. i was pretty sure that gold knob on it was for adjustment but i could be wrong. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
It's not a wobble. It's just the bike looking around! Harden the **** up? <grin> Rob | ||
| Edmbueller |
I had a VIOLENT tank slapper at 90kph which ended up throwing me over the bars about a month ago. It was in the city under medium to hard acceleration during weight transfer from a hard right to sweeping left. I find the bike gets very light in the front end and will NOT ride next year without a steering damper. I have decided on the GPR. It's easily adjustable while riding and I quite like the styling of it. | ||
| Slypiranna |
I'm leaning with the GPR as well. I believe this is something that I at least need...until that "perfect" suspension tune up/components are found... Simply put...it's appears the most user friendly. A sense of forgiveness is good to have at your fingertips! | ||
| Redscuell |
Edmbueller, I'm not happy to hear that 90kph can offer that experience on my new-but-not-yet-arrived-from-Stateside-A$20,000 1125r! My humble VF750FD has never even tried that kind of thing on me at those speeds.  | ||
| Neb25 |
I had my 1125R at over 170mph at Daytona and it was rock steady and that track is not as smooth as it looks. I run the Ohlins damper from Buell Racing. Sometime if a damper is turned up too stiff it will cause the bike to weave back and forth. | ||
| Htekwo |
As someone said, most of your handling issues will be solved by having the bikes suspension setup for you and your riding style. The aids are for the last 10% or so of needed control. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I've had Loretta up to 138 indicated once and 130 + several times and no wobbles ever. Maybe I got lucky and she's "set-up" right... I'm still in love with Matt's Bitubo damper, God that's gorgeous. Z | ||
| Tasmaniac |
You all should try riding on our Tassy roads violent tank slappers are a daily habit for me and the dampers are way too expensive for my pocket, but you can ride out of them quite easily just stay loose and twist the throttle some more, you get used to it. Regards Brett | ||
| Tasmaniac |
Hey Red the VF wouldn'nt even come close to what you are buying, prepare yourself for a serious increse in pulse rate. Regards Brett | ||
| Redscuell |
G'day, Brett, my neighbor to the south (next stop the South Pole, right, matey?).  She'll be right, no worries! | ||
| Tasmaniac |
I cant wait to get mine on your roads Red coming over in Feb to run through the black Spur Mt Buffalo, Tawonga Gap (many times) Falls Creek, Mt Hotham (many Times)and the Omeo valley to the Blue Duck we finish off with the Afterburner day after the world superbikes much much fun. Regards Brett | ||
| Smoke |
i have 13000+ miles on my 1125 and the only head shake issues i have had was at Eagles Canyon inside pass day coming out of turns where the ground was rippled by accelerating cars and 1 fast turn with ripples at our local track. this is about speeds of 70-95 mph. never had it on the street. like Tas says, setup is key, loose on the controls, accelerate and i usually put pressure on the pegs and get light in the seat. only reason i am considering a steering damper is a rules requirement at a couple of organizations. tim | ||
| Dano_12s |
Look at the damper as extra insurance.Hindsight is 20/20,as far as"loosen up+ride it out"you do not have a chance when the bars are ripped from your hands+your watching them go full lock to lock@80MPH.Scars+broken bones to prove it!Now the XT+1125r have them. | ||
| Sheepaholic |
Just took the 1125 for it's first track run at Macnamara Park, Mount Gambier http://www.macpark.org/ to see what needs to be done. After some easy laps, and some minor adjustments, I started to open the throttle...first on the back straight passing a slower rider @ 130mph+, stop to stop,...spread the brake pads and took a bit of furious pumping to get them back. Five corners later and woohoo! slapping again. Came in and took a turn off the rear preload and the slapping was reduced a little but on a bumpy undulating track there is no way I can use full throttle without a steering damper (shock and forks are out getting revalved and waiting for damper parts)at $400 odd bucks the ohlins setup is a bargain! 30% of the guys racing with GPR's seem to blow oil out and have to get new seal kits at least once during the season so I am not such a fan. The bitubo looks great and makes adjusting easy but once I have a damper setup it is vary seldom that I have to change up or down more than one click. | ||
| Dave_bogue |
Damn right! Do not attempt to ride out a speed wobble. I tried that once upon a time, went down at 110 mph, had a dislocated shoulder and lots of painful bloody roadrash. I learned a lesson the hard way. Now I wear full leathers. Both my bikes have a steering damper. Dave | ||
| Lecanadysbcglobalnet |
Thanks Dave! No matter who's advice you listen too, your still the one flying off the bike, feeling the pain, and paying the bills afterward!!! Don't get me wrong I appreciate the advice on setup and will follow through with it, but I'll also install the dampener when it gets here and be glad I spent the $. Thanks for all the input. It nice to have access to guys w/ great knowledge w/ equal amounts of experience. Les | ||
| Chameleon |
I've had mine up to 160 a couple times and well over 120 frequently. I have not needed a dampener. +1 on setting up your suspension properly. Helps a lot. (Message edited by Chameleon on October 27, 2008) | ||
| Edmbueller |
Just for the record. My suspension was set properly when I had my tank slapper. I absolutely do no rule out a bad input on my part, however I also believe the absolutely atrocious road conditions in my city were a contributing factor to going down. I am confident a damper will be a huge benefit to me. That and I am hitting the track next year full force. | ||
| Duggram |
30% of the guys racing with GPR's seem to blow oil out and have to get new seal kits at least once during the season... Sheepaholic, where did you get this statistic? It does say in their FAQ's that they recommend having the unit serviced once a year if you're racing just like with forks and shocks. But they also say that they have units that have gone 3-4 years without it. | ||
| Sruzhyo |
Hey guys. So it used to happen right around 90mph+ when rolling on the throttle, often at WOT the head would start shaking. As soon as I'd ease off the throttle it goes away. Now (strangely enough) it'll happen at 125+. Often under acceleration I'll see it. More throttle=more shake, so ease off the throttle it is. Before I drop the coin on a damper, I'm going to have a shop here help me setup the suspension to make sure it's right. Even though the "stock" settings should be about right on, some time at the shop with some beer for them is still cheaper than a damper =) |
