Steering damper or dampner

[Howie]

This is a true steering dampner...

[Mojo S2R]

This is a true steering dampner...

Ouch! 

[ducatiz]

This is a true steering dampner...

that poor dumb bastard

[hackers2r]

This is a true steering dampner...

Man...I watched the video of that crash over and over again in absolute awe.  Unreal.

[Mojo S2R]

Man...I watched the video of that crash over and over again in absolute awe.  Unreal.

Link please.  Thanks.

[NorDog]

Link please.  Thanks.

You have heard of Google, right?

[Mojo S2R]

You have heard of Google, right?

Couldn't find the video while looking for Lambo crash. j/k      I was actually being lazy.  Thanks.

[bikepilot]

I don't find a damper necessary for all-around street riding, but I'm used to much more frisky bikes than the monster.  I do think they can be a useful addition.  I prefer speed sensitive units with some adjustment.  I tend to run them on the light side - it doesn't take a whole lot to calm the bike down and if you don't get crazy with the low-speed damping the turn-in isn't badly hampered.  I run a Scotts/Ohlins rotory on the off road race bikes.  Its a top quality unit with more adjustability than anyone will ever fully utilize and is wonderfully speed sensitive.

I believe the Hyperpro RSC is also speed sensitive.  Probably many others are as well, but I dunno.

[Dellikose]

This is a true steering dampner...

A million dollar plus car into a lake 

Top Gear would not be impressed!

[Cloner]

Don't know if I'd go back to that bike shop.  That guy doesn't know much about bike design and geometry, I think.  Speed might cause aerodynamic lift that would exacerbate a small problem in the front, but to say that every chassis would experience this is incorrect.

As to Monsters, I've never been more than an indicated 155 on one, so I can't say what happens when they go fast.  However, I can say that I know of one S4RS is very stable at an indicated 155, even on rough pavement.

Tire cupping can cause shaking.  Odd inputs at the bars can cause it, too, like Nate's experience above with loose jackets.  Things added to one side or the other of the bars with significant aerodynamic drag (auxilliary mounts, in particular) can cause this.  Mathematically, I suspect that gross misalignment of the front and rear wheels could cause this, but I've never seen that happen in the real world.  I'm sure there are others, but I'd start by looking at the tires, then wheel alignment, then steering head bearing condition, then damper condition.

Or, you could install a steering damper to mask this rarely experienced problem.  Your call.   

I like the side mount ones 'cause they're cheap.  If I crash, the condition of the damper when I pick the bike up is the least of my concerns.

Good luck, in any case.  Headshakes at speed can be quite disconcerting.

[NorDog]

As to Monsters, I've never been more than an indicated 155 on one, so I can't say what happens when they go fast.  Or, you could install a steering damper to mask this rarely experienced problem.  Your call.   

Only 155 huh?  You could have gone faster if you were on a 620 Capirex.   

[He Man]

Only 155 huh?  You could have gone faster if you were on a 620 Capirex.   

no you cant!!!!

[Cloner]

Only 155 huh?  You could have gone faster if you were on a 620 Capirex.   

It was a customer's bike and it was a test ride, so I didn't want to press it too hard.  It did still have a few revs left in it, but I was running out of road pretty fast.  I suspect that the indicated 155 was actually in the 140-145 range.   

I'll try the 620 Capirex suggestion, though.  You never KNOW until you try.