Triumphrat

Brooksie · 11-07-2007

I am learning about this bike very rapidly. I did a lot of research on it before buying it today but really enjoy looking at DYI improvements. One of the things I wanted to ask you guys is have you had any need to replace the oft maligned OEM steering dampner? What do you think of this type:http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/prod...4b022ce19cdfc3
I also wanted to get some feedback on lowering kits and came across this thread. I am going to ride the bike stock for awhile. I am 5'10" and don't really have an issue with the height. What performance benefit would lowering this bike have? Isn't it engineered geometry that makes it handle so well stock?
http://www.triumphrat.net/daytona675...eering+dampner
Are these items something that a fairly good wrench (me) can handle? Give me some feedback when you get a chance.

TripleThreat · 11-07-2007

The Pit Bull, Scotts and GPR Damper are all pretty similar in design and seem to get nice reviews, I have a Matris M3 and really like it.

http://www.matrisdampers.com/

I would not recommend lowering the rear suspension, all the people I have talked to who have attempted this reported poor handling to be the result. You are correct in that the geometry of the bike is what helps it handle so well. The best mod I have made to my bike in terms of suspension at this point (I still have all stock suspension components until sometime this winter) was to loosen up the forks in the triple trees and pull them down until the very top of the fork caps was even with the top of the top triple tree. Of course it goes without saying that you will then want to tighten them back up in the triple trees...

The 675 from the factory is set with about 4mm of the anodized fork tube sticking up above the top of the top triple tree. With it set this way, the bike is very flickable. However, the front end suffers from a little bit of a vague feel under hard cornering (like on the track) and has a tendancy to tuck the front end with little warning. By lowering the forks in the triple tree you are effectively giving the bike a little more trail in the steering geometry, thus slowing down the steering a tiny bit. This gives the front of the bike more feedback to the rider and less likely to tuck without warning. It remains very flickable, just picks up some predictability.

Congrats on the new purchase and welcome to the fray!

TripleThreat

Will · 11-08-2007

So far, I have felt no need for a different damper. But I am old and slow!

Brooksie · 11-08-2007

Thanks for the info Trip & Will. Hey how old or slow can you be? I'm 51 and I think I just got a lot quicker!

TripleThreat · 11-08-2007

I'm 41 and working on getting quicker all the time...

As for the need for the Damper, it really depends on the sufaces on which you ride. If GingerMan or Grattan are on your list of tracks to visit, you definately need one... If your tracks are as smooth as Barber, you could probably ride without a damper... (not really, but that place is great! A must visit for every track day enthusiast).

TripleThreat

Will · 11-08-2007

I will be 48 next season, so there you go. Pacific is really rough in places. I get some good headshakes in a couple spots, but keeping a light touch on the bars keeps them under control. As a point of comparison, I ride in the NESBA intermediate group, as TripleThreat does. Or did you get bumped up, Jeff?

Brooksie · 11-08-2007

I haven't done track days yet, but one never know! The road surfaces here are varied and in the spring, most rural twisty roads are usually worse for wear. Would you guys suggest an upgrade in the near future on the steering dampner? Thanks!!

TripleThreat · 11-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

Or did you get bumped up, Jeff?

Nope, not yet... Still riding the lower end of Advanced Pace, but at the front of the "I" group. Might have gotten bumped during my last weekend of the year had it not been for the lowside on Saturday and the subsequent time necessary on Sunday morning to get comfortable on the bike again and get back up to pace.

Next Season that will be my goal...

Brooksie, sounds like you will be able to hold off on the damper for a while. You probably won't need it until you start doing track days. Where abouts in Indiana are you located and where do you ride most often? If you are interested in tagging along to a track day event next season, let me know...

Jeff

Will · 11-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleThreat

Nope, not yet... Still riding the lower end of Advanced Pace, but at the front of the "I" group. Might have gotten bumped during my last weekend of the year had it not been for the lowside on Saturday and the subsequent time necessary on Sunday morning to get comfortable on the bike again and get back up to pace.

Sounds like we are on almost the exact same path. I sure hope a trip to Miller works out this coming year.

Brooksie · 11-09-2007

Trip-I'm in NW Indiana, right by Chicago. Let's keep in touch as next season comes and I'll see you there!