ducati steering damper

3458 Views 17 Replies 6 Participants Last post by pearler, Jan 28, 2015

pearler

Discussion Starter · Jan 24, 2015

Hi everyone,

Iv only had my 848 for like 2months so still getting used to it. Anyways thought I'd put a picture up of the damper thats on the bike and see if anyone has the same one and if they have adjusted them. Not sure exactly how it works as iv never had one on any of my bikes. Do you need to consider the fork preload settings also if wanting to adjust damper? Or should I just get someone to have a look at everything and make sure its setup acordingly?

Thanks everyone

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[email protected]

· #2 · Jan 24, 2015

That be the DP. The knob on the left end is for adjusting. Turn towards the "-" and it will soften it. Turn towards the "+" and it stiffens. For most street riding, I'd adjust it right to the end "-". If you end up tracking the bike, you will find it's sweet spot. It'd designed to stop head shake when the front gets light during acceleration on a track but as the Duc's are pretty stable, even on the softest setting you won't notice it much.

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pearler

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 24, 2015

Thanks [email protected] .I had a rough idea what I was ment to do but thought id post up first just incase. I'll try make a note of where its at now just incase I like it the way it is now after turning it to the end of " - " . Yer im just street riding.

7 Summits

· #4 · Jan 24, 2015

I was told to start at the softest setting and increase the stiffness to a point where you can easily maneuver the bike (while off the bike in a parking lot or garage). Once you begin to struggle steering while walking the bike, you have gone too far. Now get on the bike and ride and adjust as necessary. I believe my RCS damper has 24 settings and I usually have it set at 6/24 for street riding. On the track this may increase to 7 or 8/24. Makes a huge difference in feel. You don't want the setting to be so light that there is no dampening and likewise not so stiff where you have to struggle to maneuver the bike.

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pearler

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 24, 2015

7 Summits said:
I was told to start at the softest setting and increase the stiffness to a point where you can easily maneuver the bike (while off the bike in a parking lot or garage). Once you begin to struggle steering while walking the bike, you have gone too far. Now get on the bike and ride and adjust as necessary. I believe my RCS damper has 24 settings and I usually have it set at 6/24 for street riding. On the track this may increase to 7 or 8/24. Makes a huge difference in feel. You don't want the setting to be so light that there is no dampening and likewise not so stiff where you have to struggle to maneuver the bike.

7 Summits,
It is a bit of a struggle steering/moving the bike even while im sitting on it, well I think its is since my cbr929 is pretty easy when im sitting on it doing the same thing. So you reckon set it to the lightest while your sitting on it or off it? Then adjust the stiffness up til it feels a bit harder moving the bike in garage, drive way or whatever yer?

Thanks

jwm2k3

· #6 · Jan 24, 2015

With no steering damper on the bike the 848 is just harder to turn the bars than almost any other bike...this is due to the bikes geometry. Shouldn't be too big a deal.

When riding just remember to countersteer and you'll be pretty happy with how it feels...

7 Summits

· #7 · Jan 24, 2015

pearler said:
7 Summits,

It is a bit of a struggle steering/moving the bike even while im sitting on it, well I think its is since my cbr929 is pretty easy when im sitting on it doing the same thing. So you reckon set it to the lightest while your sitting on it or off it? Then adjust the stiffness up til it feels a bit harder moving the bike in garage, drive way or whatever yer?

Thanks

Pearler,
Easiest thing you can do is set it to the lightest resistance setting and try to walk it around in a tight figure eight (off the bike). Then the highest setting and repeat. More than likely the highest setting will make this drill quite difficult. Keep tweaking it until you find YOUR most comfortable setting. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

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Gunny Fitz

· #8 · Jan 24, 2015

2

My Vote = YES!

From my own experience, having a steering stabilizer makes a TON of difference!
Mostly felt on the track, but if you ride a bike hard on street it will surely make you a bit more secure as well. Tried a few in my day and opted to use this Bitibo model on my Tri last.

IMHO it works a bit better than the stock Ohlins that came on the bike, but it does have tons of settings which you need to play with before finding the best for you, and its proper application for whatever riding you are doing of course.

The one i never figured out though is the type that is mounted on the side of bike. Anyone ride with one of these and can attest to how they work?

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jwm2k3

· #9 · Jan 24, 2015

The piston style (whether side mounted or top mounted) are better than a rotary style, but only slightly.

Reactions: 1

Abby normal

· #10 · Jan 25, 2015

Gunny Fitz said:
From my own experience, having a steering stabilizer makes a TON of difference!
Mostly felt on the track, but if you ride a bike hard on street it will surely make you a bit more secure as well. Tried a few in my day and opted to use this Bitibo model on my Tri last.

IMHO it works a bit better than the stock Ohlins that came on the bike, but it does have tons of settings which you need to play with before finding the best for you, and its proper application for whatever riding you are doing of course.

The one i never figured out though is the type that is mounted on the side of bike. Anyone ride with one of these and can attest to how they work?

I had a gold bitubo (same shape as that one) on a bike
And it pissed out all it's oil. Then the vendor refused
To even answer my queries. Not saying they're all
Bad, but mine was.

I have a purse-snatcher setup (side mount) on another
Bike. Ohlins, been there for 10 years. Works perfectly,
No issues. At one time that was the only / preferred
Mounting point.

Reactions: 1

Gunny Fitz

· #11 · Jan 25, 2015

How long was it before it died on you, and how long ago did this happen?

I know who you are speaking of and if it wasnt that long ago send me a PM so I can help you out.

Abby normal

· #12 · Jan 25, 2015

Hey Sargent ... Thanks for the offer, but it's not necessary.
I replaced it with an ohlins and all is good.

Reactions: 1

Gunny Fitz

· #13 · Jan 26, 2015

Sargent?
Not sure, but assume you are NOT talking to me on that?

If you were meaning to say "Sergeant" which is a young E-5 in the Marines and Army, that is what i was in 1987 but "Gunnery Sergeant" is an E-7 in Marines only and takes some time to achieve and carries with it s good deal of experience by that time in a career. But as I said, I assume you may be talking about another individual on here my man? Mo hard feelings whatsoever if its me. Just hear to help ANYONE , ANYWAY that I can brother.

Abby normal

· #14 · Jan 26, 2015

Apologies. No offense intended. Not being military, I was unsure
if it was proper to use the title 'gunny'. And thanks for your service.

Reactions: 1

pearler

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 27, 2015

7 Summits said:
Pearler,
Easiest thing you can do is set it to the lightest resistance setting and try to walk it around in a tight figure eight (off the bike). Then the highest setting and repeat. More than likely the highest setting will make this drill quite difficult. Keep tweaking it until you find YOUR most comfortable setting. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

Thanks mate,
I should be trying your's and [email protected] advice later today and post up how I go.

pearler

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 27, 2015

7 Summits, [email protected] ,
The damper was set all the way to the "+" end. I turned it all the way to the " - " end and just turned the the steering left-right and it felt alot better. Then I walked it around the drive way going left right left right up and down the drive way and it felt alot better. I didn't get to do the figure eight because I didnt have enough room. I moved it back to the " + " and done the same thing and it didnt feel good so I changed it back to the " - " end. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow and see how it feels also.

7 Summits

· #17 · Jan 27, 2015

Good initial testing. You should have he damper set to a position between too light (feels as if there is no damper there) and too strong (feels like you have to put a lot of effort into turning). You want to have a slight dampening pressure at speed. As you ride and play with it make notes of where the setting is before you go out on a ride with some nice twists and turns. For track riding try a different setting for each session and try to find your sweet spot and ask other seasoned riders how your bike feels and their recommendations. I noticed a massive difference in the stock damper which is non adjustable and the aftermarket.

pearler

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 28, 2015

7 Summits said:
Good initial testing. You should have he damper set to a position between too light (feels as if there is no damper there) and too strong (feels like you have to put a lot of effort into turning). You want to have a slight dampening pressure at speed. As you ride and play with it make notes of where the setting is before you go out on a ride with some nice twists and turns. For track riding try a different setting for each session and try to find your sweet spot and ask other seasoned riders how your bike feels and their recommendations. I noticed a massive difference in the stock damper which is non adjustable and the aftermarket.

Took it out today a few times around the block on the least stiffness setting and it felt way better. Stiffened it up by like 6-7 clicks and still good. Didnt get to try too much setting because it was too windy. Will keep trying different settings as soon as I can.

Thanks

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