hello from ohio. this is my first time ever on a forum, but i am looking for ideas for my bike. so far this sight has helped. But i have a problem with my 1000rr. my steering damper does not seem to be working, or i am not use to this new still of dampers. on my last bike i had an olens and i loved it. but so far i have hade some scarry moments. like tank slappers by just crossing a railroad tracks, that is not all that bad. i was only doing about 35 - 40 mph. it could be me but i have been riding for 9 years and have never had this happen to me. i have taken 2 different ridig classes and i fell that i can call my self a well experienced rider for i do ride a bit on the extream side. i also have been riding dirtbike and 4-wheelers for around 20yrs. so like i was saying. i just want to know if anyone else has had problems. and if so could you give me some ideas on how to fix my problem. i mean this new honda 1000rr is suppose to have this great steering damper. but i am about to rip it off and go back to an olens or something simular. thank you for anyones help.

 

It sounds like your used too the fixed damping of an adjustable ohlins unit, because the Honda version adjusts itself so theres less or no damping force at low speeds it might feel strange to you. If theres a fault the F1 light should come on, but it sounds like your used to a fixed item. There are a few people i know who just couldn`t get used to the way the Honda one has less Damping at low speeds, Do whats best for you if its doin your head in change it.

 

I promise you that at around 80mph it will work like a charm. There's a nice twisty little two lane by me -- only bad thing is a couple of bumps. I've bounced the front up a time or two in 2nd doing around 80mph and when it comes down it's solid as a rock. At 40mph I'd recommend just giving it more throttle if it tries to slap.

 

I'm not nearly as experienced but when I cross tracks I am in first gear and go like 5-10 MPH. Mainly because of how harsh the ride over the tracks will be.

I try to ride aggressive and so far I have not felt the need for a damper. After hearing testimonies from people who have added them I am close to buying one just so I can what the difference might be. My bike it no where as loose as my buddies ZX-10. At 10MPH it feels like the front end is going to fall off. How loose do the 1000RRs feel at slow speeds? I don’t see why but maybe the "looseness" I am talking about is inherent with all the 1000's, considering all of them come with a damper except the ZX-10. I am riding a 600RR so it might be like comparing apples to oranges.