I went down on 101 (May 15)

[richard]

How much of an impact does a steering damper do in such situation? I don't usually tighten mine if not in the twisties and even then I dont tighten it as much.

[mostrobelle]

Supposedly they do a lot.  I didn't have one at the time and haven't had anything similar happen since--but I also have a damper now.  The husband insisted on it, although personally, I just don't know.  How does one test the effectiveness?  They must do something because most bikes have them stock now, no?  I have an Ohlins I think and it tightens in increments from 1 to 8.  I have it at 2.  I don't notice it for normal riding, but I would hope that if the front end decides to do go haywire on me that it would sort of smooth things out or at least "dampen" the effect of the shudder. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Mine goes to 11 



I also like to call 'em dampeners because it annoys Spidey.

[Spidey]

DAMPER DAMPER DAMPER DAMPER

How much of an impact does a steering damper do in such situation? I don't usually tighten mine if not in the twisties and even then I dont tighten it as much.

A lot.  It doesn't have to be tight to be effective.  As long as it slows down the oscillations--even a bit--the bike will recover on its own.  You shouldn't really feel your damper working except in really extreme situations.  If you find you're tightening it up because you're getting headshake or because you otherwise need to when you ride hard, that's not good.  You're masking an underlying suspension problem. 

I think my damper is only set at a couple of clicks. 

[sroberts152]

The slapper I had started out very quickly with no indication it was going to occur.  I was going straight, then it just snapped one way then back. At first, the bike was still traveling upright and straight with just the front tire moving.  As time progressed, the bike started twisting back and forth like it wanted to slalom but still traveling in a relatively straight line.  The last twist just tucked the tire into the ground and threw me but the bike was swaying wildly at this point.

[johnc]

I just have to say, that while some 'slappers go in what seems like slow-motion, others happen at lightening-fast speed.  

'belle -  my "slow motion" comment was referring to what my brain did in that situation.  i believe this is a survival instinct that happens when your brain process a situation and comes to the conclusion that this event is really going to hurt and/or kill you ... so that the brain can process what is going on, and react accordingly (fight or flight), if it believes you can actually do something to correct or minimize the impending "hurt".  i can advise that this slow motion effect has happened to me a few times, and conversely, in a few situations that i had no control over the outcome (e.g.: a passenger in a car accident), my brain has forced me to black out just prior to the impact, so as to "spare me from the inhumanity of it all". 

please remember ... i am not a psychologist ... i only play one on television 

[rafa]

You are one lucky Guy.Do you have a steering damper on that bike?

[DarkStaR]

I drove over that section of 101 in my cage (lowered w/ coil-overs) yesterday afternoon, and it's HORRIBLE...still.

[richard]

Thanks so much for the response guys. It seems a very scary situation. Good to know what to do when it happens. Glad to hear you're ok sroberts. Thanks for sharing. I learned something.

[sroberts152]

You are one lucky Guy.Do you have a steering damper on that bike?

I did not have a damper on the bike.  I will on my next bike and for every other bike I own the rest of my life.

[MendoDave]

I don't know what to say other than I'M glad your alright. I guess if there's one thing we should all remember, we were warned, never ever get on the 101.







All kinds of chaos can happen there....


But then again if you gotta be on the 101, well...what are ya gonna do? 

[desmoquattro]

I don't know what to say other than I'M glad your alright. I guess if there's one thing we should all remember, we were warned, never ever get on the 101.

All kinds of chaos can happen there....


But then again if you gotta be on the 101, well...what are ya gonna do? 

Plus your 916 will sound line an inline 4.

[johnc]

Plus your 916 will sound line an inline 4.

well worth the inline 4 sound, if i get to ride cupcake holding tight on to trinity. 

[desmoquattro]

well worth the inline 4 sound, if i get to ride cupcake holding tight on to trinity. 

No chance. You're not the one. You have much more acting talent than the one.

[johnc]

No chance. You're not the one. You have much more acting talent than the one.

i can dumb down my acting, if it means riding cupcake with trinity