| Author | Message | ||
     Clevelandxb9r |
Hi all ... new here ... I believe I qualify to be a BWB, I have ridden to work in the snow! Anyway, I recently traded in my 1993 Katana 600 for a blue 2003 XB9R (3000 miles)... I'm loving it! The XB was at the stealer for about 6 months before I could get them to move on the price (I've wanted an XB since they came out), and during that time I did a lot of reading on them. One article said that the XBs should be outfitted with a steering damper, and a guy on another board had a tank slapper which caused him to crash his XB. He warned me to get a damper ASAP. I figured those squids need to learn how to ride a bike (jk). Well, I was hitting some curves the other day and in a tight left hander there was two chunks of asphalt missing. They were both about 12 inches by 8 inches by 1.5 inches deep, and 3-4 feet apart. I hit both of them and went into a slow slapper. I have had headshake before (on the Kat) of the more common variety, while accelerating, slightly cupped tire etc, nothing that bothered me much. This slapper did not last long, I muscled out of it and made the turn. I tend to ride on the street like it is a dirt bike, I muscle the bars too much, I counter steer and don't think about leaning off. I have looked at most of the damper posts on this board and it seems dampers are not recommended much. Finally on to the questions (sorry for the length): -Was this a situation where those two holes hit just right to throw the wheel into the slap? -Would a damper help with a slow slap? (it was weird slow) -Would a damper hurt my riding experience? (why not get one and be safe?) -Is the Woodcraft damper adjustable? How is the installation? (any Woodcraft comments welcome) Thanks All | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Would a damper hurt my riding experience? (why not get one and be safe?) -Is the Woodcraft damper adjustable? How is the installation? (any Woodcraft comments welcome) No it wouldnt hurt, & better safe than sorry. The folks who have the woodcraft rave about it. I have looked at most of the damper posts on this board and it seems dampers are not recommended much. Reason for that is..if folks recommended one, then it might give the appearance that one is required due to twitchy handling or whatever. Personally I say you can never do enough to make sure your bike is safe for the road & that you have confidence in it. | ||
| Daves |
Welcome! I haven't seen the need for a damper on the XBs yet but if it would make you feel better then get one. Have you set up your suspension? Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| M1combat |
"Reason for that is..if folks recommended one, then it might give the appearance that one is required due to twitchy handling or whatever." Screw you Dyna. There's no reason to insult the integrity of everyone on this board who hasn't happened to recommend a steering damper out of the blue. The handling isn't "twitchy". It's sensitive and precise exactly like it should be. If it's too sensitive or precise your too old. How many miles have YOU put on an XB? That being said... A steering damper will find it's way onto my XB. Better to be safe than sorry. It's my opinion that nearly all sport oriented bikes would at least benefit a little from a damper. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
There's no reason to insult the integrity of everyone on this board who hasn't happened to recommend a steering damper out of the blue. How the hell did you read anything like that into what I typed????? Get up on the wrong side of friday??? Several folks here have mentioned they thought their XB's were twitchy & others have stated otherwise. As a result nobody has come right out & stated that yes they need one or no they dont, its a personal choice each rider needs to make. But thanks for the early morning screw you. | ||
| Raraf |
If you hear it is a prob or experience it don't wait till the company recalls the bike to fit them with dampers ala Suzuki TL1000S. My XB9S has been solid and I've been testing it on mountain roads here in Colorado. Dyna, does your R1 crotchety rocket have a stock damper like the new CBR? | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Yes it does. | ||
| Raraf |
Dyna, maybe I can scrape off my cheesy Buell logos off my "tank" and you can cover up your Yamaha logo with it and people will play nice with you again.  | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Not looking for anyone to play nice with. Remember what they say "a friend in need, is a pest"  | ||
| M1combat |
"How the hell did you read anything like that into what I typed????? " I didn't read it into what you typed, it's right there... "Reason for that is..if folks recommended one, then it might give the appearance that one is required due to twitchy handling or whatever." By that statement you imply that most of us really actually feel that we need one but aren't willing to admit it because it would be akin to admitting that just maybe these bikes aren't perfect from the factory. You know that's what you meant... Just for the record I have absolutely nothing against R1's or any other IL4 at all. I like Japanese engineering. Toyota is my favorite car manufacturer. I DO have trouble with elitist attitudes and Dyna has exhibited all of the traits of having one lately. Oh, and you're welcome  . | ||
| Fdl3 |
Clevelandxb9r: As an owner of a 2003 XB9R, I have not felt the need for a damper. I ride conservatively...no, I ride spiritedly...no, conservatively...no, spiritedly...!  Dyna: Knowing your past issues with your pre-XB Buell,and how you like to categorize all of Buell based on those issues, I felt the same about your statements regarding the XBs that M1 did.  Yep, I didn't get to ride to work today...  | ||
| Clevelandxb9r |
Thanks for the replies Daves: "Have you set up your suspension?" No, I have not touched it yet, I need to get a manual for it and do some more reading and testing. I have been taking it pretty easy because it is very different from the Katana. It feels like a pretty good set up, but the front seems a little over-sprung and under-dampened. I was thinking about waiting on the damper until I got it sorted out anyway. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
By that statement you imply that most of us really actually feel that we need one but aren't willing to admit it because it would be akin to admitting that just maybe these bikes aren't perfect from the factory. You know that's what you meant... Thats complete BS, you simply want to read something into it, so thats what you see. Funny how I state if folks recommended one, then it might give the appearance that one is required Notice the word "might". And I further clarified it with Several folks here have mentioned they thought their XB's were twitchy & others have stated otherwise. As a result nobody has come right out & stated that yes they need one or no they dont, its a personal choice each rider needs to make. Yet you persist in making false accusations. Whatever. | ||
| 420at145mph |
if u ride like i do balls oout n usually on one wheel get a damper i know i need one but they just too damn expensive right now | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
I agree 420, dampers are sure pricey for being little shock absorbers basically. I would like to upgrade my stock one with an Ohlins unit, but it will have to wait awhile. | ||
| M1combat |
Cleveland - How much do you weigh with your riding gear? Lemme know and when I get home I'll post the setup from the book for your weight (unless someone beats me to it...). Also, tire pressure is pretty critical. With the stock 207's I ran 34-36 but I weigh 210 w/ gear. This isn't one of those bikes that you can just "set it and forget it". I check my pressure at LEAST once a week. Generally Saturday morning before I go riding. Also, most people seem to be happiest with Metzeler Sportec M1's/Pirelli Diablo's (same tire, dif. tread pattern), or the H2's (I think it was the H2's...). If you are looking for more mileage than super sticky rubber will give you there have been good reports from the Metzeler MEZ6 as I recall... Ask Fullpower about them. Dyna - I don't want to read anything into anything. When I read your reply I didn't even notice who posted it until after I read it. The fact is that if the bike feels "twitchy" then the suspension is not setup properly. The only people I have ever heard mention that this bike is "twitchy" are magazine reviewers who passed the bike around to three or more different people and didn't mention setting up the suspension. Generally two of them say it's twitchy and one of them absolutely loves it or at least doesn't understand what the others are talking about. The others are people who have just bought them from dealers who didn't want to take the time to set the suspension. In any case, I stand directly beside my original statement and I'll even add that the MOMENT you bought your R1 you decided to become an elitist _______ and started subtly slandering Buells and the people who ride them by way of innuendo and double speak. I never picked that up from you before you bought your R1. Why is that? I think Blake nailed it right on the head with your recent FORCED name change. Line it up and twist brother... /EDIT ON Keep in mind - I DO recommend a steering damper but quite frankly I've never felt that I needed one. edited by M1combat on June 25, 2004 | ||
| Roc |
Make sure you set your suspension up first. I don't think you need a damper. Sounds like the potholes could have caused a sensation like a tank slapper but at lower frequency. How long did it continue after the potholes? Potholes are bad news. My XB seems to be on the opposite end of the pool from twitchy. What you should do is mount some big ••• lights so you can see the potholes. | ||
| Curve__carver |
"The fact is that if the bike feels "twitchy" then the suspension is not setup properly." Yep. True of most modern, ligh-tweight sportbikes. Maybe more so on an XB due to the shortish wheelbase. The stock setup just didn't work for my riding style. It took me a few tries, but once I got--it just felt RIGHT! | ||
| 420at145mph |
heh roc u should post that pic of YOUR bigg ••• lights god daaaaaaaaamn them things is ugly | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
I never picked that up from you before you bought your R1. Why is that? Because you werent looking for it. Kinda like buying a car or a bike. You never seem to notice all the other ones in your are until you buy one. Your mind is playing tricks on you & making you read into posts what isnt there. Believe you me that if I wanted to "slam" Buell & be some sort of goofy @ssed "elitist", you sure as hell would know about it & wouldnt need to read anything into it. I ahve never been one to mince words & if I have soemthing to say I say it. I have bitched in the past & said my piece & I am over it, why cant you get over it??????????? | ||
| 420at145mph |
we all know ura dick waaaaaaa people should quit picking it apart do they really think that picking n reposting what u write is gonna make u change? the powers that be let him bitch n moan so u guys should too same goes with me | ||
| Bads1 |
M1 have you ever ridden a bike with a dampner on it??? | ||
| Stealthxb |
This is a great impression to make for the new guy! Grown folks arguing like schoolgirls. Clevelandxb9r... Welcome to the board. When people are'nt bitchin about Dyna they have some good input! My advice: Set up your suspension, ride it for a while, then if you have the money buy a damper. I would like to have one eventually, but have not experienced anything that slightly resembled a slapper or twitchy handling yet; and therefore, it has'nt been high on my priority list. | ||
| M1combat |
/EDIT ON Donning my school-girl outfit /EDIT OFF Of course you would slam Buell in a very overt way if you chose to. I know enough about you to know that. That's my point. You don't want to overtly slam Buell... You prefer to do it via inuendo and double speak because this is a Buell board and you've made some friends here (well, that and the fact that Blake would most likely jump you for it as soon as you said something that wasn't true AND because it makes you feel like you would have a leg to stand on should someone call you on it). I appreciate the fact that you had a bad experience but the fact is that I'm not the only one who has noticed this AND it's not the current issue. Others have called you on it as well. Three times this week as I recall. I even appreciate the fact that you generally speak your mind in no uncertain terms. Lately though, you have changed that. It's become much more subtle but certainly there. More pompous I suppose would be the proper term. I don't mind when someone has a problem with a Buell at all... My response to that is to attempt to help. Your response is to allude to a possible design flaw with the bike that doesn't exist (not that I'm saying it's flawless). Why can't I get over it? Because you're talking to a new XB owner and implying that there's an inherent and dangerous design flaw that makes the bike unstable. That will hinder confidence and could create a dangerous situation. If you had told Cleveland to make sure the setup was correct (it IS common knowledge that the XB is sensitive to setup) I wouldn't have batted an eye. You didn't. You implied that everyone here on the BBS is somehow trying to cover up an inherent design flaw (or "twitchyness"  ); by not recommending a steering damper. By saying "it might give the appearance" you are implying that there's a different "appearance" that we ARE trying to convey. I don't see that as the case but based on your statement you do. Either that or you should have re-worded your statement. I can only decide that you used the words you used to convey the message you conveyed on purpose. If that's not what you MEANT... great. Say it. That IS however what you SAID. Dana - No, I've never ridden a bike with a steering damper. I understand the concept though and have driven a car with one. edited by M1combat on June 25, 2004 | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
do they really think that picking n reposting what u write is gonna make u change? Yes they do. I guess it makes em feel better about themselves somehow if they at least attempt to belittle others. Im like you tho Donnie..screw em, could care less what the whiners think. Get a damper if it gives you piece of mind. Like I posted earlier..it sure as hell wont hurt & it may just end up saving your @ss someday. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
M1, you really are starting to sound pretty anal about the whole deal. I suggest you drop it. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Dana..you gonna be at the bar later tonight? | ||
| Jasonblue |
For the record I do not think there is a need for a damper on the XB's. I have a 9S that I ride the snot out of. | ||
| M1combat |
I've been called anal before... I'm a Virgo, we tend to be that way. "I suggest you drop it" Oh you suggest do you? Anyway... (In my best Bronx accent) Already done boss. | ||
| Bads1 |
Can be if you want me to????? M1 I rest my case. |
