Hello my name is Simmy.Proud new owner of a black and gold 2004 vtr. hoping someone is willing to answer a question or two. had the bike two weeks now and finally had a chance to push it some on a twisty road.10 mins in road got very bumpy ,handlebars went nuts,headshake i believe is the term.Could this be some thing to do withthe oversized tyre on the back (190-60 -17) or perhaps the hard spring settings,or is it just normal on such a surface.
What are your thoughts on a steering damper,cause a lot of the roads here in Quebec are of the very bumpy, rutty varity.
Thanks very much
New guy,first post.Hello
Welcome Simmy
the term is Tankslapper mate, fitting a damper will iron that out but the 190 tyre will be doing you no good only slowing up the steering and probably adding to your problems.
The vtr suspension isnt the greatest the rear shock is oversprung and the front end undersprung try playing with the settings abit i cant remember what factory/reccomended settings are as i no longer have the vtr front end i suppose it all depends on what you weigh also, are you a chunky porker or a skinny runt
ps Ben will probably be along and tell you some settings
ps are you a member on the superhawkforum.com?????
Alan
the term is Tankslapper mate, fitting a damper will iron that out but the 190 tyre will be doing you no good only slowing up the steering and probably adding to your problems.
The vtr suspension isnt the greatest the rear shock is oversprung and the front end undersprung try playing with the settings abit i cant remember what factory/reccomended settings are as i no longer have the vtr front end i suppose it all depends on what you weigh also, are you a chunky porker or a skinny runt
ps Ben will probably be along and tell you some settings
ps are you a member on the superhawkforum.com?????
Alan
chunky porker or skinny runt
Some where in the middle i surpose
Thanks for the answers Alan,wasn`t really a tank slapper just bars wobbling left and right like a b8stard.
Was worried about back tyre will change back to standard size when this fat sportstour affair has worn out
Not a member of any other forums cause typing and spelling suck.
Thanks for the answers Alan,wasn`t really a tank slapper just bars wobbling left and right like a b8stard.
Was worried about back tyre will change back to standard size when this fat sportstour affair has worn out
Not a member of any other forums cause typing and spelling suck.
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Stormin Ben
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 12:23 am
- Location: Birmingham
Welcome aboard Simmi
Causes -I have a few ideas
1. What tyres are you running (I claim points if they are Dunlops?
)
2. Is the suspension set to standard? Things to look for include;
Fork tops not flush with the top of the clip-ons
Spacer under top shock mount
Rear suspension set to anything harder than 3
3. Headstock bearings. Do they turn from full left to full right lock smoothly or is there a notchiness?
4. Rear suspension bearings. Any creaking when you bounce on the seat?
5. Worn &/or mismatched tyres. Big tick in this box
6. Riding style. Do you sit on the seat or hang off with weight on the pegs?
IMO there's no way a decent Storm would need a steering damper. Mine is 6mm up at the back and 5mm lower at the front and I ride down some of the roughest roads known to man. It can be uncomfortable at times but its never unstable
Hope this starts to help, post more for more help
Ben
Settings -nah. Bikes are too individual and different for a 'one size fits all' approach but setting the sag right is a damn good starting point (search previous threads)alan wrote: ps Ben will probably be along and tell you some settings
Alan
Causes -I have a few ideas
1. What tyres are you running (I claim points if they are Dunlops?
)2. Is the suspension set to standard? Things to look for include;
Fork tops not flush with the top of the clip-ons
Spacer under top shock mount
Rear suspension set to anything harder than 3
3. Headstock bearings. Do they turn from full left to full right lock smoothly or is there a notchiness?
4. Rear suspension bearings. Any creaking when you bounce on the seat?
5. Worn &/or mismatched tyres. Big tick in this box
6. Riding style. Do you sit on the seat or hang off with weight on the pegs?
IMO there's no way a decent Storm would need a steering damper. Mine is 6mm up at the back and 5mm lower at the front and I ride down some of the roughest roads known to man. It can be uncomfortable at times but its never unstable
Hope this starts to help, post more for more help
Ben
I've got an inferiority complex
But its not a very good one!
But its not a very good one!
Thanks Ben,Stormin Ben wrote:Welcome aboard SimmiSettings -nah. Bikes are too individual and different for a 'one size fits all' approach but setting the sag right is a damn good starting point (search previous threads)alan wrote: ps Ben will probably be along and tell you some settings
Alan
Causes -I have a few ideas
1. What tyres are you running (I claim points if they are Dunlops?
2. Is the suspension set to standard? Things to look for include;
Fork tops not flush with the top of the clip-ons
Spacer under top shock mount
Rear suspension set to anything harder than 3
3. Headstock bearings. Do they turn from full left to full right lock smoothly or is there a notchiness?
4. Rear suspension bearings. Any creaking when you bounce on the seat?
5. Worn &/or mismatched tyres. Big tick in this box
6. Riding style. Do you sit on the seat or hang off with weight on the pegs?
IMO there's no way a decent Storm would need a steering damper. Mine is 6mm up at the back and 5mm lower at the front and I ride down some of the roughest roads known to man. It can be uncomfortable at times but its never unstable
Hope this starts to help, post more for more help
Ben
10/10 for Dunlops
Don't know much about suspensions settings, but have three rings showing on front forks, which I believe is standard. Rear spring at no. 3
Will check head bearings (the test that you suggested), same goes for rear suspension. 7/10 for tires, I believe not completely finished but almost. Most of the time my behind is on the seat.
Thanks very much for taking the time. Your suggestions will give me something to do tomorrow.
Simmy
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Fireman on a Storm
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 5:59 pm
- Location: Romford
I too have my forks up through the yokes about 8mm and she doesn't flap. Worn/loos head bearing will cause this. My advice would be to check all these types of things, ditch the 190 tyre (or tire to you Canadians 
) then get everything back to stock settings before experimenting with different settings.
) then get everything back to stock settings before experimenting with different settings.Two bikes, still only four cylinders!
Thanks for the settings Fireman
but I think once the oversized tyre has gone I want to try the standard settings I found elsewhere on the site for awhile.
Just as long as the handleing is not like the other vtr of a friend I tried,his just refused to go around corners,and low speed handling was a complete nightmare (handled like the front tire was flat).
thanks again
but I think once the oversized tyre has gone I want to try the standard settings I found elsewhere on the site for awhile.
Just as long as the handleing is not like the other vtr of a friend I tried,his just refused to go around corners,and low speed handling was a complete nightmare (handled like the front tire was flat).
thanks again
Great minds think alike it seem a Stratman, saw your post just after i finished the one before,typing handicap.
Just want to set the record straight,born in Shrewbury,grew up in north Yorkshire where my behind never really left the seat of a bike for 10 years.So not really Canadian,but been here for 15 years now.
Just want to set the record straight,born in Shrewbury,grew up in north Yorkshire where my behind never really left the seat of a bike for 10 years.So not really Canadian,but been here for 15 years now.
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Squiffythewombat
- Posts: 1406
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:51 pm
- Location: Canterbury, Kent
- Contact:
THANKYOU BEN!!!!!!!!!!! So true!Stormin Ben wrote:
IMO there's no way a decent Storm would need a steering damper. Mine is 6mm up at the back and 5mm lower at the front and I ride down some of the roughest roads known to man. It can be uncomfortable at times but its never unstable
what is it with peoples obsession fitting steering dampers? Im riding stock suspension on propper country bumpkin roads and quite agree! Personally i would say, take you wad of cash and buy some advanced lessons!
(sorry alan, not trying to piss on your fire, i just cannot see the need for a damper!)
Squiffy_The_Wombat
Eagles may soar but wombats dont get sucked into jet engines!!
Eagles may soar but wombats dont get sucked into jet engines!!
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RedStormV
- Posts: 1372
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:41 pm
- Location: West Yorks (Bronte Country) - Home of the Negro Lesbian Cornet Players
- Contact:
Hi Simmy,
Welcome to the site, you'll get all the advice you'll ever need on here and have more than a few laughs on the way.
I don't think it's that Ben and Squiffy don't like steering dampers, as much as they don't feel that they need them on their bikes with their set up, the roads they ride and the way they ride their Storms.
Definition: A hydraulic device similar to a shock absorber attached to the steering linkage to absorb road shock and steering kickback.
See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering_damper
HTH
Graeme.
Welcome to the site, you'll get all the advice you'll ever need on here and have more than a few laughs on the way.
I don't think it's that Ben and Squiffy don't like steering dampers, as much as they don't feel that they need them on their bikes with their set up, the roads they ride and the way they ride their Storms.
Definition: A hydraulic device similar to a shock absorber attached to the steering linkage to absorb road shock and steering kickback.
See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering_damper
HTH
Graeme.
