steering stabilizer or Not ?

[cobra919]

Should i buy a stabilizer to help reduce headshake after landing an untrue wheelie. I'd ask someone in person but then they might laugh and call me an idiot and say "you just need to keep the front end down". That response wouldn't be meet well and I'd have to count to ten.. So I'm interested in your responses. thanks

[mcromo44]

Originally Posted by cobra919

Should i buy a stabilizer to help reduce headshake after landing an untrue wheelie. I'd ask someone in person but then they might laugh and call me an idiot and say "you just need to keep the front end down". That response wouldn't be meet well and I'd have to count to ten.. So I'm interested in your responses. thanks

A steering damper is a waste of $ on a 919. With the front end geometry being what it is, and the chassis as stiff as it is, the bike self dampens quite well.
Look at it this way.
In the case of a 919, if you land your front wheel so off centre that the bike won't self dampen and get back in line, you'll have landed so far off centre that a damper won't save you from what is coming next.

[MotoCycho]

Originally Posted by cobra919

Should i buy a stabilizer to help reduce headshake after landing an untrue wheelie. I'd ask someone in person but then they might laugh and call me an idiot and say "you just need to keep the front end down". That response wouldn't be meet well and I'd have to count to ten.. So I'm interested in your responses. thanks

I bring it down whatever way.. the front just straightens up on its own.

Originally Posted by mcromo44

A steering damper is a waste of $ on a 919. With the front end geometry being what it is, and the chassis as stiff as it is, the bike self dampens quite well.
Look at it this way.
In the case of a 919, if you land your front wheel so off centre that the bike won't self dampen and get back in line, you'll have landed so far off centre that a damper won't save you from what is coming next.

He he! What he said!

[nd4spdbh]

the ONLY time a dampener would be beneficial on a 919 is if your running with your forks higher up in the triples and even then i dont think you would really need it.

[arctic954]

Personally, I like bikes that turn QUICK.....I'm running a 10mm drop on the forks....and when I get a new rear shock I will probably raise the rear a tad via. the shocks ride height. Doing this greatly quickens the steering (like 954 quick), but also makes it more unstable.......... Mine will shake when crossed up or hard on the throttle through bumpy sections at the track....

Will mine death wobble? Probably not, unless your really being stupid.

+1 though, If your bike is stock, don't waste your money.

[mcromo44]

Originally Posted by arctic954

Personally, I like bikes that turn QUICK.....I'm running a 10mm drop on the forks....and when I get a new rear shock I will probably raise the rear a tad via. the shocks ride height. Doing this greatly quickens the steering (like 954 quick), but also makes it more unstable.......... Mine will shake when crossed up or hard on the throttle through bumpy sections at the track....

Will mine death wobble? Probably not, unless your really being stupid.

+1 though, If your bike is stock, don't waste your money.

Personally, I want the front stability and front feel that Trail gives.
And Trail is what you lose when you raise the tubes and raise the rear.
The ballpark generalization rule of thumb is for every 4 mm of reduced sag or tube raising, you lose about 1 mm of trail. Mine is rock steady everywhere on the track, and we have a real bumpy track.

[zaq123]

I'd say no, you don't have to have one, the same applies to better rear shock, reworked front forks, ss brake lines and so on...... Does it make the ride better? yes, depends on how you ride it. Would they put all that from the factory? As you can see, they don't. Honda targeted certain category of customers who wouldn't want to pay extra for all the above (at least as per their marketing research). That's why an aftermarket support has its own niche in this field.

but if you want to try one, get one. Not sure how many people who commented so far actually tried the damper on 919.

[brian]

I have one, I installed it because with the stock suspenders on my 03 I'd get a little head shake now and then and also when coming down crossed up Id get a little wobble. Not enough to really rattle ya up but I certainly noticed it, the damper slowed things down ALOT and didnt adversly affect the turn in. Then I put some f4 forks on and haven't yet had a shake, but if I do the damper will be there to lend a hand. I view it more as preventative than required.

Hope that helped

[Bigdaa]

I got one on my CBR929RR after my nuts where pureed ONCE. Never again did I have smashedballs. I had one for my ZX10R before I ever signed the paper on the bike. Never an issue there, either. All you have to do is experience it once and you'll want one, but if you get into situations that normally would result in a slapper, and it does not happen on your 919..........go mod the bike some other way. Fer sher, dude!

[cobra919]

before even reading all the post after this one. It's the BEST.

[cobra919]

Originally Posted by mcromo44

A steering damper is a waste of $ on a 919. With the front end geometry being what it is, and the chassis as stiff as it is, the bike self dampens quite well.
Look at it this way.
In the case of a 919, if you land your front wheel so off centre that the bike won't self dampen and get back in line, you'll have landed so far off centre that a damper won't save you from what is coming next.

Thanks mcromo44. Thats what i was hoping to hear. But i wasn't' sure enough what amount of headshake or bike stability I should EXPECT. Also to all that answered >>>RIDE LIKE YOU STOLE IT....

[LDH]

I've landed many a wheelie on the 919 a little more than crossed up and one airborne jump. The front end never even protested more than a quick correcting wiggle.

I've also ran competitive lap times on the 919 at Barber over the same ripples & rises that necessitate a damper on my track bikes and the 919 just kept her head down & plodded right on down the track like a parade horse with blinders on.

Steering dampers on the 919 are purely for show at bike night. The lazy geometry of the 919 makes it super stable to the point that if you are having a problem with excessive headshake then you need to be looking at either a mechanical problem with the bike (worn or loose steering head bearings etc) or you need to evaluate the way you ride and learn to be smoother