Do I need Steering Damper on a '05 Monster 620?

[The ModFather]

My concern is encountering a speed wobble aka "tank slapper" as I never have but havent been riding long enough to feel confident that I never will. I also knew a guy who went down and died due to a tank slapper on the highway. Is having optimal suspension enough? If I dont exceed 65Mph do I need a steering damper? I dont typically do high speed runs or any track days but I am partial to quick acceleration. Should I invest in a steering damper? Will it actually prevent a Tank Slapper? If I have my suspension looked at and validated is that enough? ( or will messing with a stable suspension setup make things worse?) Any thoughts on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

[Spidey]

Wow, lots of questions.

You don't *need* a steering damper.  Lots of folks ride without them and without any incidents. That said, it sounds like you *should* get one, if only for piece of mind.

Properly set up suspension will obviate some of the need for a damper.  A properly set-up bike is less likely to have a slapper, though it still can.  But yes, there is a risk that playing around with suspension (even by a professional) can either go wrong or can introduce other variables that might make a tank slapper more likely.  Take it to a professional and you'll be fine.    Even if your suspension is properly set, there are certain situations where your bike can easily go into a tank slapper, even under 65 mph.  Plenty of folks have had tank slappers at slower speeds than that.

A damper might not completely prevent any and all tank slappers, but if your bike starts into a tank slapper, in most circumstances, a damper will smooth it out.  

A speed wobble is not a tank slapper.  A tank slapper is a very specific thing.  It can start as a front end bobble (which happen all the time), but quickly increases to where your bars are oscillating  back and forth and literally slapping the tank.  

I'm a big proponent of steering dampers.  I think of them as insurance.  You can ride for decades and never have a tank slapper, but that one time where you wish you had a damper can be a nasty one.  In your situation, given that you know someone who died from a slapper, I'd invest in one just for the confidence it would provide.   However, they should never be used to mask an underlying suspenion problem.  If you're looking to cure head shake, a damper is not the answer.  

[Cider]

Until recently, I thought dampers were overpriced bling.  I say recently, because a couple weeks ago I got a tankslapper at 80mph and landed on my face.  Now I'm a believer  .

[darksouls]

i had problems on my rc51 out of the corners whacking the throttle. I had a scotts  for that and never had a problem after that. Tank slappers are pretty nerve wracking

[DarkMonster620]

As Spidey says, spend the money on TUNING YOUR SUSPENSION for YOU . . . I did that on my 620 and NO more tank slappers and usually I ride more or less at the same speeds you do . ..  rarely seeing over 70mph . . .

Or maybe, one the suspension tune with a set of Showas and fine tune those

[Howie]

A steering damper in addition to good suspension is a big plus.  A steering damper as a cure for bad suspension is a big negative.  Get your suspension right first.  You should not NEED a damper.

[kopfjäger]

A steering damper in addition to good suspension is a big plus.  A steering damper as a cure for bad suspension is a big negative.  Get your suspension right first.  You should not NEED a damper.

Ding Ding 

[The ModFather]

Very much appreciate the input Gents! But the OP was 4 years ago so I'm sorted.

[1.21GW]

Very much appreciate the input Gents! But the OP was 4 years ago so I'm sorted.

Hehehe.  I find this very funny.

Reminds me of a rejection letter I got for a job solicitation letter I sent when I was twenties.  The rejection letter was sent two years after they received my inquiry.  I remember thinking, "Why even bother replying?"  All that did was call attention to the fact that they didn't reply.

[ducpainter]

Very much appreciate the input Gents! But the OP was 4 years ago so I'm sorted.

All I want to know is if you bought into the damper voodoo?

[The ModFather]

No damper. Guess my suspension is proper !

[SwiftTone]

i had problems on my rc51 out of the corners whacking the throttle. I had a scotts  for that and never had a problem after that. Tank slappers are pretty nerve wracking

The problem was that you were walking the throttle. I have a RC51 and never experienced a tank slapper even at a intermediate track pace. I did have a little wobble but nothing of concern also my suspension was tuned.

[darksouls]

The problem was that you were walking the throttle. I have a RC51 and never experienced a tank slapper even at a intermediate track pace. I did have a little wobble but nothing of concern also my suspension was tuned.

Nah did the same thing on the mille and that had more torque than the rc. The mille did have much better suspension, however a damper is cheaper than proper fork work/replacing.

[ducpainter]

<snip> however a damper is cheaper than proper fork work/replacing.

yet fixes not a thing.

Where's the economy?

[SwiftTone]

yet fixes not a thing.

Where's the economy?

Agreed. Steering damper should not be used as a band-aid for bad suspension. It should be used as a safeguard/insurance if a properly setup suspension is overcome by the surface.

Get the suspension properly setup for rider weight and riding style, work on correct body position, keep weight off the bars and ride smooth, and the bike will almost always do what you tell it to. The bike wants to stay up and be stable. Its the rider that makes it unstable if not ridden correctly.