"Nervous Front End" on Streetfighter??

[The ModFather]

I came across multiple references to a problem with a "nervous front end" on both the SF848 and SFS in the review on the link below. I'm seriously contemplating buying one of these two but to be honest I dont know what the hell a "Nervous Front End" means. Sounds like it means the steering gets a little wobbly (twitchy?) at higher speeds but I'm not sure. Does it mean you get mild tank slapper syndrome? Anyone know?

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2012-ducati-848-streetfighter-review-first-ride-91139.html

[Slide Panda]

It's the opposed it of 'heavy' it only takes a light touch to move the front end around. Now too light a touch require becomes 'nervous' - moving or twitching at the lightest touch.

There's no mild 'tank slapper' - If you've hit that point, the bars are oscillating violently, hence the name. Before it reaches that level it's called 'head shake'

[corey]

a steering damper (which i'm not sure if the bike has one stock or not) would solve the issue.
my monster with 999 forks has a particularly short trail measurement... it turns in quickly, and is a little less stable at speeds above 85mph... it's a trade-off.
if you want more high-speed stability, you'll sacrifice turn-in speed (quickness).
i don't use a steering damper, i just pay attention to what i'm doing and what my handlebars are telling me.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

a steering damper (which i'm not sure if the bike has one stock or not) would solve the issue.
my monster with 999 forks has a particularly short trail measurement... it turns in quickly, and is a little less stable at speeds above 85mph... it's a trade-off.
if you want more high-speed stability, you'll sacrifice turn-in speed (quickness).
i don't use a steering damper, i just pay attention to what i'm doing and what my handlebars are telling me.

(sidenote) - Corey thanks for posting this comment.  My S2R has a 999 front end setup and I had to go with a steering damper.  With the new trail and lighter wheels it became a little too nervous for me.  Good to know I'm not the only one with that issue (/sidenote)

[corey]

(sidenote) - Corey thanks for posting this comment.  My S2R has a 999 front end setup and I had to go with a steering damper.  With the new trail and lighter wheels it became a little too nervous for me.  Good to know I'm not the only one with that issue (/sidenote)

Yea. I have my stock wheel, so mine is actually in a really good spot for my riding style.
It's the tapering on the actual fork bodies that cause the issue. You're really only able to mount the forks at ONE specific spot, and it's just a tad bit steeper (my wheel axle is about 1/4" closer to the bottom triple) than the stock setup. Trail is steeper, and wheelbase is slightly shorter. Turned mine into the light, flickable bike that I've wanted. A steering damper is probably somewhere in my future, but not a necessity at this point.

[justinrhenry]

A steering damper comes stock on the streetfighter.  I own one and I'm not sure what they mean by a nervous front end.  I've never had issues and I've gone plenty fast.