| Author | Message | ||
     Georgehitch17 |
Hows it going guys. I've done a few track days and I'm starting to really pick up speed I feel like I would hold better lines in the corners if I had a steering stabilizer. What is my best bang for buck option on this Mod? I am capable of doing some customizing if needed but any recommendations or even used ones available would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to spend a couple hundred bucks if possible. Thanks for reading | ||
| Jdugger |
Honestly, the EBR part is the way to go. Good range of adjustability, and proper fit. Also, it's a high-end, serviceable damper with readily available parts at any suspension shop. Almost anything else is a hack. | ||
| Wastegate |
I have one brand new in the For Sale section.  | ||
| Lospice1 |
I have the GPR V4 damper and it works great and was easy to install. Not a "hack" at all  One has to ask why you think a steering damper will make you 'hold better lines.' A damper or stabilizer's function is to prevent the dreaded tank slapper and has no effect on steering lines. Will | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
The EBR unit uses an Ohlins damper. A bunch of sportbikes come from the factory with an Ohlins damper, and those OEM dampers seem to go pretty cheap on Ebay. Assuming that the dimensions of an OEM Ohlins damper are comparable to the one sold by EBR, and assuming you could buy just the mounting hardware from EBR, you could theoretically have a decent damper setup for a good bit less money than the EBR complete damper kit sells for. Scotts is a decent alternative and probably cheaper than the EBR (though not by much) but I think that big hunk of metal on top of the triple tree is pretty unsightly. Lastly, raising your triple tree so that it's flush with the top of the forks will help stability and make the steering more "neutral".. by which I mean less effort required to initiate a turn, and less input required to maintain a lean angle once set. (Conventional wisdom suggests that lower the triple quickens steering, but the contrary has been my experience.) | ||
| Georgehitch17 |
I don't worry about the dreaded tank slapper I've collectively put almost 30k on 1125's when I feel those bars moving around at high speed I easy up on my grip and it hasn't had a "tank slapper" issue at all since I started doing that. In the corners I feel like my steering could be tighter or have a little less freedom. I've ridden bikes with stabilizers and they give me that solid feel I'm looking for. Could I order just mounting Hardware from EBR? | ||
| Jdugger |
> A bunch of sportbikes come from the factory with an Ohlins damper, > and those OEM dampers seem to go pretty cheap on Ebay. They suck, too. The Kawi one is replaced by every racer I know with a real Ohlins unit. The valving in them is set up for the street, not racing. By the time you get them serviced and revalved, you are nearly at the cost of a new one set up correctly. | ||
| Jdugger |
> Could I order just mounting Hardware from EBR? The EBR part is quality. I know it's expensive, but it's the right answer. Spring for it and move on with confidence. If you are riding on the street, you are going to want it set around 4-5 clicks from minimum. Also, the recommendation of raising the front (making the bike taller in front) is not a bad one at all, depending on tire choice. Flush is pretty dramatic, but a few mm is a good start. The reason the 1125r can be a little counter-intuitive on geometry is the short wheelbase means front ride height also adds swingarm angle, which helps a bike hold a turn. It's one of the more finicky bikes to get set up, in my experience, and quite reactive to tire and set-up choices. | ||
| Cataract2 |
The valving in them is set up for the street, not racing Gee, wonder why they are setup for street. Oh, I know, because they are sold as a STREET BIKE. Come on man. They are setup for the job with which they are sold. Don't go slamming something that doesn't meet the needs of the activity with which they weren't sold for. If I was going racing I would replace every piece that doesn't meet the needs of the track that I could. | ||
| Jdugger |
> Gee, wonder why they are setup for street. > Oh, I know, because they are sold as a STREET BIKE. Come on man. OP is asking for options for track days. I do not recommend a low-end damper that's only intended for street use for someone picking up speed at track days. The EBR part has a wide range of adjustment and can be used for both. | ||
| Wymaen |
I like seeing Reddit formatting on places that aren't Reddit  | ||
| Froggy |
~~That is because your bacon is narwhaling.~~ I agree with Jdugger, the EBR unit is what I would get for track duty. | ||
| No_rice |
ive still never found the need for one. set the suspension up right | ||
| Jdugger |
No Rice, On the street, I agree. Pushed, this is an animal that can get pretty squirrely. I've had a couple of moments on the brakes when I found a rough bump and got myself crossed up I was really glad it was there. | ||
| Georgehitch17 |
@No_Rice I've rode this bike for over 20K miles and been fine without it but I think its time and its required by WERA to have one for racing... | ||
| Stirz007 |
Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Good suspension set-up certainly is a good thing, but that set-up is only good for the particular conditions you are riding. Change the conditions, set-up changes too. Weird stuff happens at hard cornering under braking, especially if you add bumps to the mix. That front end absorbs a lot of energy that has to go somewhere. If you plan to push the machine, a damper is a lot cheaper than an unexpected get-off. | ||
| No_rice |
Believe me, my 1125s are pushed beyond average on the street and track. I don't race simply because of the inability to get the time off and willingness to make the $$$ investment. Plus closest track is 3hrs and closest good track is 5hrs. But I've been clocked at paces to consistently podium my bikes in full stock street trim many times, I just simply have never had that thought that a dampner would have helped me in a situation. Not trying to be argumentative. Just pointing out that I ride extremely aggressively, street, track, and offroad all on 1125's and xb's and haven't found a need for one myself. Having said that, if it personally makes you more comfortable and confident with your bike, then go for it. Being confident with yourself and your bike setup will make you a better all around rider | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
The "prevailing attitude" in sportbike world is that OEM Ohlins steering dampers, like every other piece of OEM equipment (i.e.tires) is manufacturer price point specced shite, when compared to a unit purchased directly from the manufacturer. Google it, you will never find anyone say "My stock Ohlins unit is sooo much better than the one I bought from Ohlins." That debate has long been settled. The no-name one on my SV1000 was utilitarian crap. The Ohlins unit on the Kawis is utilitarian crap with an Ohlins sticker. They are better than nothing, but still bottom of the barrel. The 1125 doesn't "need" one, but after riding an XB with a GPR, my 1125 felt really loose....like it "needs one". Sure you can get by without it, but it would be nice..and at Dugger's pace, probably necessary. I never felt the need of one until I tried one....and I can't justify the expense (thus I don't need one), but i'd damn sure take a cheap/free one. The 04 ZX10R? Now that was a bike that "needed" a damper. That reputation of "needing" a damper was the reason for the OEM Ohlins dampers on the kawis now...that all end up on Ebay...because the guys that actually need a damper, need a better one. | ||
| Jdugger |
> I've been clocked at paces to consistently podium > my bikes in full stock street trim many times, I used to say stuff like that, and then wondered why my times sucked ass in races compared to practice once I started racing. I do appreciate the comparison, and it does have some merit as an objective measure of skill level, but let me assure you, race and practice times are totally different animals. You really can't compare them. The other thing to consider in racing is you are often way off ideal lines. Starts, passing, defensive gestures -- all part of race craft, and all have their own ways of asking more of your machine that you ever have, even as you are sliding around in the marbles. God bless the Red Mist. | ||
| Cherry_bomb |
the 1125r on a racetrack at racepace definitly needs a steering damper. i bought it, knowing that i'm not needing one. but 2 weeks ago in brno, my front end started to "shimmy" very badly with about 200kph and the ohlins damper stopped it very quick. and yes: it's better to have one and not needing it than the other way. life-insurance. the bike is more stable and corners like on rails... next to the brembo masters the best investment so far... | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I don't have one on my race 1125. I've always said that i was going to get one, and it just hasn't happened. There are a few times that I was wishing that I had one on there, T7 at Road America my front tire left a nice snake on the track as it tried to spit me off. Similar experience in T5 at Black Hawk Farms. Etc, etc, etc. I work with a suspension tuning company at the track, it's setup good, there are just situations that you can't get out of with setup. | ||
| Albert666 |
i got an ohlins damper off ebay then made this bracket  | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Albert, you son of a bitch, will you PLEASE make that bracket and sell it? Pretty please?! Sincerely, A guy who thinks you make some sweet stuff and would like the safety net of a steering damper but can't justify spending $500 on one. | ||
| Zac4mac |
It's always nice having access to a Bridgeport. and stock. | ||
| Jdugger |
Flesh, that's just it... if you use one of those Kawi-off-ebay dampers, you are aren't really getting any additional safety. | ||
| Paulp1125cr |
Would I be ae to mount that set up on a 1125cr? I could make the bracket. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
I'm with fleshrocket, I'd totally do that...and Dugger, it's better than nothing, which is the alternative thing that I can afford. Also I'm not racin'. As you said, valved for the street, right? Bottom of the barrel equipment for bottom of the barrel commuting! | ||
| No_rice |
sometimes peoples opinions are always right, and you just have to learn to leave the discussion at that... | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Jdugger, I don't think my 1125R NEEDS a steering damper, but I think it would be a little extra safety net just in case. It definitely doesn't NEED a race-quality damper. Don't get me wrong, if cost was no object, I'd get the EBR unit. But money does matter and I'm not going racing so I don't need the best possible damper. I appreciate your concern, though! | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Paul, if you could make the mounting bracket, I think you'd have more than a few interested buyers. |
