Scott_in_FL
Novice Class
Posts: 95
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posted May 17, 2004 05:58 AM
Headshake on Deceleration???
This is only at race pace, coming down from triple digits. It's fine on the gas, but as soon as we let off and transition to hard braking, there is a bad headshake that is slow and rythmic, but very, very noticeable. The entire front of the motorcycle moves from side to side, hunting if you will.
It feels like an overtightened steering head, but we've checked that and it's fine. The Ohlins frame mount damper is on the lightest setting. We'll be taking it off and running it again to see if the damper is causing the problem.
D208GP's may also be an issue.
Anyone else notice this phenomenon?
TIA
P.S. the 10 is proving to be a very tricky bike to set up properly. To anyone making adjustments, I suggest making very small ISOLATED changes (1 click, 1/2 turn, etc.) and keep a notebook with all of your changes. Otherwise, you may end up in Neverland with a bike that is nearly unrideable. This bike can be great, and we're getting closer every day, but it takes loads of patience.
  
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted May 17, 2004 06:21 AM
208s are notoriously unstable so that may be an issue. Rennsports would be a better choice on a bike with stability issues. Lightest setting on the damper? Yeah, the damper might be an issue. Why don't you try turning it up before you remove it?
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Scott_in_FL
Novice Class
Posts: 95
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posted May 17, 2004 06:41 AM
Turning the damper up slows the side to side movement, but you can still feel that the bike is unsettled. In other words, the damper is masking an underlying problem. Once you go too far on the damper, the rear wants to come around when you give it a swift push on the bars at high speed (i.e. doglegs and chicanes). Imagine the underwear ruining experience when the rear steps out two feet after giving it a quick, hard toss into a 140mph bend!
Yep, we're slowly getting to the Dunlop tires. I hate to think this is the culprit since I have a garage full of the damn things now. But it may be the only explanation.
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted May 17, 2004 07:05 AM
Curses!!! I was going to switch to Rennsports but just got a deal on some 208s. Hope it doesn't end up being a tire problem. I never had problems with the 208s on the track before though.
____________
If you aren't an AMA member, you're part of the problem.
NESBA #209
http://www.bikepics.com/members/12rpilot/04zx10r/
 
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big daddy
Zone Head
Posts: 616
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posted May 17, 2004 07:08 AM
 Edited By: big daddy on 17 May 2004 08:10
Scott
The Dunpops may be the problem or maybe not but as you've commented the sweet setup window is very narrow for this bike and although i'm not racing it i have done some tweekage to it in stock trim just for couriosity sake. An aquaintance is racing his and is experiencing the very same aspects you are in that the window is narrow, however i can say he has not experienced the headshake on decel as you have.
BD
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sonic10
Novice Class
Posts: 82
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posted May 17, 2004 08:15 AM
Just 2 ref. Does any one have the stock settings?
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CanyonCarver
Expert Class
Posts: 121
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posted May 17, 2004 05:40 PM
Have you done any work to the forks? Could it be that the front end is compressing too much under braking, quickening the steering and making it want to swap ends easier? I know I'm grasping at straws, but thought I'd throw it out there.
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Evander
Expert Class
Posts: 130
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posted May 17, 2004 06:11 PM
Read the new issue of Motorcyclist. In their review of all the liter bikes they talk about the need for suspension settings changing with the rider and type of riding desired. Said anybody considering the 10R should brush up on at least the basics of setting up suspension.
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It's not the bike, it's the rider.
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dket
Expert Class
Posts: 189
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posted May 18, 2004 06:09 AM
Edited By: dket on 18 May 2004 07:10
I thought you were NOT supposed to have a bad headshake with a damper installed ??? What happened ? Now we don't actually need dampers ?
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salsa1
Needs a life
Posts: 5971
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posted May 18, 2004 07:36 AM
Edited By: salsa1 on 18 May 2004 09:09
Rather than argue see:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=837&Page=1
Spare me the childish testosterone pissing contest if possible; just a waste of time and energy needing to insult anyone to prove a point or what you prefer; me... I am a college graduate and show it with my superior self righteous existence hahahahaha. It's lonley at the top....
Seriously ...;if steering damper is a waste then look what it did for the ZX-10R in the above test comparison also posted elseware; read and it might change your opinion; if not then don't get one. that simple.
Portions of comparison for your enjoyment (or not)hehe:
1.With the GPR damper holding our hands almost literally, the ZX-10 was transformed from a wild mustang into an obedient thoroughbred, even when positioned in one of its lower settings. The difference was dramatic.
"I'm much more confident in this bike now," Becklin noted after his ride. "The bike is more stable and less twitchy. It holds its line through mid-corner and exit much better because of the damper, but it still turns in super quick."
2.(last page)
The Winnah!
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Okay, maybe picking the bike with the most power and lightest weight isn't especially creative, and fitting an aftermarket steering damper is a bit unfair. But there's a lot to be said about the fastest accelerating streetbike ever conceived. And judging by its quickest lap time, a 1:35.5, it doesn't appear to have any trouble getting around corners, either.
"The bike would carve through the corners with the best of them," Chamberlain noted. "Out on the straights, the ZX really shined. Its 155 horses at the rear wheel would easily eat up anything it came across."
Nothing inhales a road - any road - like the ZX-10R. And for that, the Kawasaki takes the 2004 Superbike Smackdown track title to go along with its win in the street category. There may be easier bikes to go fast on, but none more thrilling than the ZX. And that's what this class is all about.
Even with a steering damper. END.
Other tests printed have the ZX-10R wishing it had one should say something. I really like mine and my man hood is better than ever.
My wife knows so anyways.
Love ya.
Peace.
Have fun.
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