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Buell Forum » 1125R Superbike Board » Archives 001 » Archive through February 17, 2011 » Ohlins Steering Damper Adjustment « Previous Next »

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Vall345
Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey, gang.

I'm looking for some guidance/starting points from you track day and drag race gurus. I have the ERB Ohlins damper on my Buell, which I use for street, track day and drag racing. Last Friday I got into a horrible tank slapper at the strip right after the shift into second gear. I know it was more my crappy riding than the bike, since my son was also riding the bike that night, and had no issues. I also never had that happen before, except for the minor headshake we all talk about.

For the strip, I have a different rear shock that is lowered and revalved by TRAXXION, up front I have shorter spacers and a strap. I run the damper only a few clicks off of, or full soft, afraid to overdamp. I think the front may have been a little lower, which would aggravate the situation.

Also, I have a bad habit of riding with my feet off the pegs and trailing. This obviously puts more load on the handlebars. I did this for years on my other dragbike, but it is a lot lower and longer.

Obviously, I'm more the culprit than the bike, plus I know a steering damper is not a cure for stupidity, but I would like to just get some starting points for the settings for street, road course, and if you have experience, the drags.

Thanks so much in advance for all your help

Sam
Orange City, Florida
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Jdugger
Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 02:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I run mine just a couple of clicks above bare minimum, even though the instructions that came with the unit recommend it be run at least 5 clicks in.

You want to to provide just enough damping that a headshake won't create enough feedback that the bike "gets into a feedback loop". (oscillates?)
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Vall345
Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 02:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the input.

I actually had the damper set to about 4 in from full soft, and it really slapped. Again, I realize that the bike is set up in "stupid" mode, with the lowered and strapped suspension. Plus, like I said, I wasn't riding it like it should have been. My son didn't have anything other than some headshake after each shift. I did raise the front ride height yesterday, plus, I re-adjusted the fork bearings which were a little off. I'll be giving it another whirl this Friday.
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Buellrider66
Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 06:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I started out with the recommended setting. Rode, adjusted, rode, adjusted.. kept going until I liked the feel i finally found.
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Pmjolly
Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 11:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Will a steering damper fix the small front end wobble my 1125R has when accelerating hard at high speed? I've never had a bad wobble with it. I think I am fairly in tune with what my ride is doing. The wobble is very faint, and I usually take it as a sign to back down just a bit. It has happened twice. The last time it happened was Sunday while catching up to the front of the pack of XB riders I was with. I had passed several slower riders, and had a long way to go to catch up to the front couple of riders who had walked away from the group. I was wide open throttle as I crested a rise in the road. I don't really know how fast I was going. I was scanning the road in front of me. Suffice to say, I was scooting along at a fast pace. As I hit the top of the hill, I know the front end got light. I'm sure the front wheel was barely skimming on the ground. That's when I felt the faintest wobble. It only lasted a second, as I had to slow down for the next turn.
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