So I just rode my friends BMW S1000RR and his Ducati 848 Evo this past weekend. Had a blast and I really wished the Duke was as stable as a super sport. Obviously I won't get the aerodynamics of his bikes but both of his have steering dampeners and very planted suspension. Should I pursue getting a steering dampener or getting my suspension set up by a pro? Are either mod that noticeable? His bikes felt more stable at 140 than mine does at 100. After I rode those and got back on the Duke it felt more like a BMX bike than ever...both pro's and con's.
Best stabilizing mod?
35 posts · Started by 990 WFO · 02 Jun 2012
Post 2 by ktmguy,
#2And your problem is???
Don't want to sound sarcastic but these are totally different bikes.
The SD has different geometry and is build for other purposes, it is also a naked bike. Due to the wind on the rider and the way it is build it will always feel more alive.
I never had a problem with the chassis feeling lively. Bikes like the 848 and the S1000rr feel different because they are, they are also newer with more modern suspension.
If you want the planted boring feeling you must buy one of these. As far as I'm concerned both these bikes are only fun on the track and yes I have ridden both.
As mentioned on the forum a steering damper helps and dialing the suspension in made the biggest difference for me.
Don't want to sound sarcastic but these are totally different bikes.
The SD has different geometry and is build for other purposes, it is also a naked bike. Due to the wind on the rider and the way it is build it will always feel more alive.
I never had a problem with the chassis feeling lively. Bikes like the 848 and the S1000rr feel different because they are, they are also newer with more modern suspension.
If you want the planted boring feeling you must buy one of these. As far as I'm concerned both these bikes are only fun on the track and yes I have ridden both.
As mentioned on the forum a steering damper helps and dialing the suspension in made the biggest difference for me.
Post 3 by Ducati Pete,
#3Make sure you avoid a "death grip" on the bars.
Set your suspension up carefully.
Set your suspension up carefully.
Post 4 by SDNerd,
#4Ridden my SD at 140+ (mph, about all she'll do in top gear) - was stone stable without a steering damper.
Is this your first bike? Is your SD new?
What some people perceive as insatiability, isn't. Often what's being experienced is an artifact of something else (e.g. death-gripping as suggested, or even something as simple as incorrect tyre pressures).
Maybe if you described in more detail what you're experiencing and what the conditions are when this 'instability' occurs.
As for the suspension setup by a pro, and damper: Start with the suspension. Will be worth every penny. If you want to quell some headshake on WFO low-gear use, and add some damping (stability) to your banzai corner entries while trailbraking - then sure, a steering damper is a nice addition. For most, a steering damper on the SD (not SDR) is gratuitous bling.
Duc sportbikes are well known for what people describe as their turning "stability" - and that's because they tend to use pretty conservative geometry on their bike designs. For some, that's a confidence inspiring feeling. For others, it requires more effort to turn-in, isn't as "flickable", and isn't as easy to put wherever you want just by thinking about it. The S1000RR, isn't exactly radical in this department either. About as close to a Japanese I4 Superbike as europe has ever produced IMO.
Search the forum some, you will learn what others have done to inject more trail on their SDs.
Is this your first bike? Is your SD new?
What some people perceive as insatiability, isn't. Often what's being experienced is an artifact of something else (e.g. death-gripping as suggested, or even something as simple as incorrect tyre pressures).
Maybe if you described in more detail what you're experiencing and what the conditions are when this 'instability' occurs.
As for the suspension setup by a pro, and damper: Start with the suspension. Will be worth every penny. If you want to quell some headshake on WFO low-gear use, and add some damping (stability) to your banzai corner entries while trailbraking - then sure, a steering damper is a nice addition. For most, a steering damper on the SD (not SDR) is gratuitous bling.
Duc sportbikes are well known for what people describe as their turning "stability" - and that's because they tend to use pretty conservative geometry on their bike designs. For some, that's a confidence inspiring feeling. For others, it requires more effort to turn-in, isn't as "flickable", and isn't as easy to put wherever you want just by thinking about it. The S1000RR, isn't exactly radical in this department either. About as close to a Japanese I4 Superbike as europe has ever produced IMO.
Search the forum some, you will learn what others have done to inject more trail on their SDs.
Post 5 by 990 WFO,
#5I like the livelier feel to the Duke, but at the same time it doesn't feel stable at 100+. The engine definitely wants to keep going butthe chassis just isn't communicating the same. I know it'll never feel like a super sport since yeah they're very different bikes. But it definitely opened my eyes to how frisky the Duke feels at high speeds. I like it but I'd like it toned down a touch.
Post 6 by TLS_Russ,
#6God........... Relax.. I keep it pinned to 140+ without thinking about it, 144, 147, 150, then its on the brakes usually, at those speeds the bike is not going to spit you off in a straight line....... you need to relax, let the bike do its thing look where you are going and where you want to go stop thinking about the fooking bike
No steering damper and an 05 SD
No steering damper and an 05 SD
Post 7 by SDNerd,
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Post 8 by MADDOG53,
#8Scotts damper fitted to mine and IMO every bike should have one,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Post 9 by TLS_Russ,
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Post 10 by Stratkat,
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Post 11 by MADDOG53,
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Post 12 by MADDOG53,
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Post 13 by TLS_Russ,
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Post 14 by Colonel_Klinck,
#14Mine does love a high speed wobble sometimes after 120/30. Doesn't always happen and happens less on track. I've tried just about everything to get rid of it bar checking frame is straight and buying new forks. Head bearings, wheels, swingarm, shock are all not original and it still does it. I have a LSL steering dampener and it does shit fook all to stop it. Kinda learnt to live with it as its not as bad at the moment. Tyres make a massive difference. Power Pures were terrible for it. Racetec and the Pirelli slicks are much better. Wets have been fine but not often getting near or past 130 with those fitted.
Post 15 by stalker,
#15just relax
Post 16 by BASH69,
#16
Post 17 by Stratkat,
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Post 18 by The Gin Reaper,
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Post 19 by Stupid Luke,
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Post 20 by MrZ32,
#20mine will go into a bad wobble from front to back if i wear my old gortex jacket I use it for work travel
Post 21 by TLS_Russ,
#21first make sure that your riding is correct
but you should check that all the suspension items are set up correctly, fork oil height, all clickers correctly set (rebound, compression), all bolts torqued up correctly.
one of the other things that can make a bike unstable in the front is if you dont have enough compression dampening happening in the rear (bike will wallow and cause the bars to shake).
last of all, if you are still having problems, go to a chassis specialist and have them make sure that the chassis is holding the correct geometry.
after being hit by a car, my bike kept on trying to kill me.. turns out that the chassis was twisted pushed in 10mm and 5mm to the left. Chassis straightened out and the bike is a dream again.
in fact, if you take it to someone good, they can make it better than factory (tighter tolerances)
but you should check that all the suspension items are set up correctly, fork oil height, all clickers correctly set (rebound, compression), all bolts torqued up correctly.
one of the other things that can make a bike unstable in the front is if you dont have enough compression dampening happening in the rear (bike will wallow and cause the bars to shake).
last of all, if you are still having problems, go to a chassis specialist and have them make sure that the chassis is holding the correct geometry.
after being hit by a car, my bike kept on trying to kill me.. turns out that the chassis was twisted pushed in 10mm and 5mm to the left. Chassis straightened out and the bike is a dream again.
in fact, if you take it to someone good, they can make it better than factory (tighter tolerances)
Post 22 by SDNerd,
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Post 23 by TLS_Russ,
#23SInce the original Pirellis, my SD has seen nothing but Michelins. ZERO instability issues. I ride on PilotPower2s and PilotRoad2s mostly, and PowerOneRace/PowerCups at the track.
Point: This is not a tyre brand issue.
Those fooking Pures ... Pure shit. Were not the most stable buns on the bike I chewwed them up with. In little more than 1/2 day + about 50 street miles.
Point: This is not a tyre brand issue.
Those fooking Pures ... Pure shit. Were not the most stable buns on the bike I chewwed them up with. In little more than 1/2 day + about 50 street miles.
Post 24 by SDNerd,
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Post 25 by Stratkat,
#25i think if you remove the secondary flies it tends to make the bike much more stable and less flighty, but make sure you plug the holes!
Post 26 by Jermo,
#26- Suspension setup
- Less tight on the bar
- Right tyre pressure
- Less tight on the bar
- Right tyre pressure
Post 27 by Stratkat,
#27When I had my duke I never once felt unstable .Being a big guy and with my race suit on and gear I was close to 275 lbs. I could only get it to 140 that was it.
I would check your tyres are they cupped? whats the tyre pressure
how is your susp set up ?have you had it dialed in for your weight?
what is your riding position when doing these speeds?
The duke is a fine Machine and will go fast and carry those speeds with no problem.
when you compair it to a BMW 1000 r Thats like comparing it to my RC8R That bike can hold speed much faster in fact with all the mods I just did these last two weeks I don't know how fast it will go.
I know I can do 130 with one hand on my hip it's that stable. with the new ti pipe and map who knows I won't find out till I do Miller or abc in fontata
I have put the light wheels and dropped a bunch of weight have a map that FMF did for my bike with there pipe on a dyno so I think the high 190's is possible.
so if you want to go faster than 140 get an RC8R they are unreal I will do a roll on race with anybike now,If I get beat it won't be by much most likey it will be the rider
Off the line I can't keep the front end down thru all the gears.
Even tho the duke has not changed it is still a bike that can be ridden fast and hard I have seen guys on the forum at Chuckwalla go by full sportbikes like they were nothing and that is is in the a and b group.
Unless there is something wrong with your bike which is possible.
The duke can hang on tracks that don't have 200 mph straights You just have to get them back in the turns.
I would check your tyres are they cupped? whats the tyre pressure
how is your susp set up ?have you had it dialed in for your weight?
what is your riding position when doing these speeds?
The duke is a fine Machine and will go fast and carry those speeds with no problem.
when you compair it to a BMW 1000 r Thats like comparing it to my RC8R That bike can hold speed much faster in fact with all the mods I just did these last two weeks I don't know how fast it will go.
I know I can do 130 with one hand on my hip it's that stable. with the new ti pipe and map who knows I won't find out till I do Miller or abc in fontata
I have put the light wheels and dropped a bunch of weight have a map that FMF did for my bike with there pipe on a dyno so I think the high 190's is possible.
so if you want to go faster than 140 get an RC8R they are unreal I will do a roll on race with anybike now,If I get beat it won't be by much most likey it will be the rider
Off the line I can't keep the front end down thru all the gears.
Even tho the duke has not changed it is still a bike that can be ridden fast and hard I have seen guys on the forum at Chuckwalla go by full sportbikes like they were nothing and that is is in the a and b group.
Unless there is something wrong with your bike which is possible.
The duke can hang on tracks that don't have 200 mph straights You just have to get them back in the turns.
Post 28 by TLS_Russ,
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Post 29 by Stratkat,
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Post 30 by Jermo,
#30why? whats the difference between the track and the road?
Post 31 by TLS_Russ,
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Post 32 by SDNerd,
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Post 33 by omky756,
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Post 34 by steeeve66,
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Post 35 by bagsey,
#35I've the regular KTM steering damper fitted to mine and it's made a huge difference - worth every penny my missus spent buying it for my birthday...
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