Triumphrat

setts · 01-29-2007, 03:52 AM

I fitted a Norman Hyde steering damper some time ago but with family commitments and the holidays I didn't really have time to evaluate it but I did this week end. 300 kms of winding mountain passes on Saturday and a track day on Sunday.... My initial concerns were that it had limited damper adjustments only 7 (0 +6 in fact), and the fact that it had to be fitted on the RHS rather than the more customary LHS. But what a fantastic mod! I ran the same mountain sections a couple of times with different damper settings and although I didn't time them and wasn't watching the clock I was far more confident with fairly firm damper settings. The same experience on the track. Again no lap times (my wife was busy....) but the bike felt way better and my confidence level was high. The range of adjustments is sufficient. After optimising the damper track set up I didn't need to make further adjustments as I suppose can be expected with road tyres and road brakes- so the RHS mount was not an issue. So if you have the suspension and brakes to handle high speed corners you won't be disappointed with a steering damper. The NH damper is not a competition Ohlins type damper, is sensibly priced and fits the Thruxton look, and is perfectly adequate for the Thruxton. But of course a damper won't fix any existing design based handling problems. My suggestion would be to get real suspension that actually works first (preload, damping and rebound control) and then get your suspension settings sorted. (BTW Hagon Nitros rear, custom front springs, Traxxion damper rod kit, 15mm lowered front suspension, standard length rear shocks, stock Metzlers on their last legs!)

Thrux-ton-up · 01-29-2007, 07:56 AM

I have never felt the need for a steering damper on my bike - the only twichieness I've experienced is from a badly cupped 501 on the front and even that was nothing to get worked up about. I have been thinking of one this round of mods and may look into it closer after reading about your experience. I ride with a lot of modified bonnie/thrux riders and no one has a steering damper, with 29 degrees of rake they steer like a cement mixer anyway. But if it ads a little more stability in high speed sweepers that would not be a bad thing.

John

lightning · 01-29-2007, 09:17 AM

I have been looking into doing one over the trees. I havent found a dampener cheap enough to experiment with yet.

OldSkoolFool · 01-29-2007, 11:40 AM

I noticed since lowering the front end on my bike about 3/4 an inch while the rear is stock, the steering is MUCH more sensitive almost to the point of being twichy. What is the actual purpose of a steering damper (and don't tell me to dampen the steering). Is it's main purpose to reduce twichieness, make things a little smoother?

Setts: How much was the NH damper?

Here's one for $85:

Click Here

boboso · 01-29-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

On 2007-01-29 09:40, OldSkoolFool wrote:
Here's one for $85:

I believe that price is for the brackets only, the NH damper is approx. $239

OldSkoolFool · 01-29-2007, 09:22 PM

Oops, guess I didn't read it too well, "This picture is a close up of the damper and slider. The kit contains the post, mounting bolt and a fork clamp." Thanks Boboso

setts · 01-30-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

On 2007-01-29 09:40, OldSkoolFool wrote:
I noticed since lowering the front end on my bike about 3/4 an inch while the rear is stock, the steering is MUCH more sensitive almost to the point of being twichy. What is the actual purpose of a steering damper (and don't tell me to dampen the steering). Is it's main purpose to reduce twichieness, make things a little smoother?

Setts: How much was the NH damper?

Here's one for $85:

Click Here

My bike has the 10mm longer Nitros on the back and was 15mm lower in front. Because I'm happy with the damper I'm going to try 25mm now. The stock rake is 27 degrees. Haven't calculated mine now but I guess it's around 25 degrees with those mods. Sports bikes are around 23 degrees even less. (I've noticed a number of mainly US riders fit the shorter Bonnie rear shocks which would increase rake and reduce turn in - no need for damper here...). Theoretically a damper shouldn't be necessary with my set up but for me it felt better. No real objective testing just seat of the pants and ultimately it's what you feel that counts. Thruxtonone has fabricated a custom damper "over the trees" (I think it was from a R6) Robnobrakes likes his NH damper as well. Different strokes.

Surf-Jumper · 02-02-2007, 06:26 PM

I am looking for a steering damper for my TBS. I am raising the forks through the tree and adding clip-ons. I assume that a damper is probably a must.

Someone once sent me a link to one that mounted to the top of the engine with a bracket, but I do not have that link anymore.

Anyone with a solution, please advise.

Thanks.