ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 11, 2013 02:41 AM
Tank slap on 2012-13
Any need for a steering damper on the 2012-13 models, my '07 needed it because of tank slap if front end came up, then down......and has anyone got one on the new models?
thanks
Ron
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Ron...
  
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Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
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posted September 11, 2013 04:27 AM
 Edited By: Seno on 11 Sep 2013 12:28
Ron,
Put a price on your life, an accident or your safety..... A damper seems quite inexpensive now in perspective. More often than not a damper is overlooked as a piece of necessary safety gear. Long time ago it almost got me & a passenger killed (not having one). I will never make that mistake again. The 14 is stable as hell, for the most part. A damper is cheap insurance
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2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 11, 2013 12:30 PM
Edited By: ronaldnnn on 11 Sep 2013 20:33
Thanks for the infor...my question was does the new 14r need a damper like the older models. I was wondering if the new gen. had corrected or nullified the problem of tank slap from "wheelies"..I've owned all of the fast Kawi's since the 72 750 triple thru the zx14 and been an avid rider for over 50 years...yes over 50 years, so am aware of the different problems with most of them. I don't think the majority of people that have the new models have dampers on them, maybe less that 25%...
Anyone add to this?
Ron
p.s. were you doing a wheelie with a passenger on back, and what year and model did you have?
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Ron...
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted September 11, 2013 03:21 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 11 Sep 2013 23:21
There is no "problem" in design with tank slap on landing wheelies. This is not a long wb, lazy-rake, KZ. You land the bike crossed up, and you will get a shimmy. If you land the wheelies easy, no problem...if you drop it suddenly, you change the rake and trail suddenly = shimmy. Simple.
I'd like to think I can ride decently. All of my bikes get a damper...even my 1989 V-Max will have one soon enough, lol.
Shane
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 11, 2013 03:49 PM
I had an 86 V-Max, never did do a wheelie with that...although it needed a front fork brace for regular handling...was a fast bike too. My 07 ZX14 was extremely fast with all the goodies, flies gone, gearing, exhaust, etc...and 2nd gear power wheelies were out of sight..
Kawi should have a factory damper on the new ZX14..I suppose it's about additional cost for them.
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Ron...
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted September 11, 2013 03:53 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 11 Sep 2013 23:53
quote:
I had an 86 V-Max, never did do a wheelie with that...although it needed a front fork brace for regular handling...was a fast bike too. My 07 ZX14 was extremely fast with all the goodies, flies gone, gearing, exhaust, etc...and 2nd gear power wheelies were out of sight..
Kawi should have a factory damper on the new ZX14..I suppose it's about additional cost for them.
My '89 'Max will slap like crazy unless I let it down really easy...
Shane
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 11, 2013 04:42 PM
Edited By: ronaldnnn on 12 Sep 2013 00:47
NIce Max...about the same color as my 86, or maybe mine was more burgundy....fact is I really liked that bike and would consider another..
As I recall the 85-86 models had 145hp, and then they were detuned to about 120...I also had Kerker pipes and velocity stacks and k&n filter on mine. Great bikes, especially for the 80's and early 90's.
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Ron...
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Bike junky
Parking Attendant
Bike Junky
Posts: 7
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posted September 16, 2013 02:59 PM
A new front tire fixed my 07 wobble, seems it was cupped from hard braking
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zx14dave
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 16, 2013 05:16 PM
Thanks for the input Dave, I think that was an issue with my 07 also...Ride Safe!
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Ron...
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 17, 2013 04:30 PM
if you spend time setting up your suspension correctly the 14 definitely doesnt need a damper, also tire pressure & condition of front tire plays a factor...
But, a damper helps keep front more stable...
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 17, 2013 04:57 PM
Right On!
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Ron...
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Bigbore4
Zone Head
Posts: 806
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posted September 19, 2013 02:14 AM
Some guys get a tank slapper confused with a bit of headshake.
Tankslapper on the street and you're finished.
A little bit of headshake keeps you alert
Every bike I've had has benefited from a damper, especially the dirt bikes I used to run in cross country.
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 19, 2013 02:25 AM
You're right, it was a headshaker and not a tankslapper, although it felt like it was going to throw me off once or maybe twice before...could have been a cupped front tire, or maybe I came down not to very straight. Anyway, when I put on a damper it solved the problem. Now with the new updated or improved suspension on the 2012's & 13's...probably has helped quite a bit hopefully.
I've owned many bikes, from Harley's to Nortons, Triumph, V-Max, Kawi's and others, of all of them, the ZX14 was by far the best.
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Ron...
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cliffrandall
Zone Head
Posts: 757
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posted September 19, 2013 05:32 AM
Edited By: cliffrandall on 19 Sep 2013 13:33
Built an '85 Max when they first came out. It was a 'burn-out' king with the stock 150 donut out back, but only to 100mph in a straight line - the front end wobble was a serious problem that even a steering dampner couldn't fully harness.......I still loved it.
Cliff
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 19, 2013 10:47 AM
Great looking bike...and they are/were quick in a straight line!
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Ron...
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted September 19, 2013 01:06 PM
Edited By: Shane661 on 19 Sep 2013 21:13
The curious thing is that mine is rock solid at top speed, 9400 rpm indicated in 5th. It only gets squirrely when I land the wheelies, which is to be expected....
Back to the dampers, I highly suggest them. As has been said..."You don't need one until you need it. And then you REALLY need it!"
I'm not getting caught up in the semantics of slapper vs shake...since that is really just a matter of where your steering stops are, lol. 
Shane
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Gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 19, 2013 05:05 PM
The most solid bike I ever owned was my ZX11D. That thing didn't have a damper and didn't need one. It was so solid you could run toped out with one hand on the bars and the other on the tank or where ever you wanted to place it.
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There's no such thing as a motor with no more power to give only people with no more intelligence to get it
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cliffrandall
Zone Head
Posts: 757
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posted September 19, 2013 05:13 PM
Edited By: cliffrandall on 20 Sep 2013 01:14
I use a Scott's on my 14, if you like to 'wack it' in the first 3 gears, like I do, that front end gets very light and twitchy as it dances and crosses up - much better with the dampener. I also love it at 70mph on the hwy, makes the bike feel much more solid and planted.
Cliff
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 20, 2013 04:01 AM
Yes, almost forgot about that it does help a lot on the highway and can adjust it accordingly ...Thanks Ron
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Ron...
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Gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 20, 2013 03:17 PM
I always kinda liked it when they dance a little I guess different strokes are what make things different for everyone in the world..
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There's no such thing as a motor with no more power to give only people with no more intelligence to get it
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted September 21, 2013 05:04 PM
I put one on mine mostly because it was required for LSR, but never saw a need for it prior.
For you Vmax guys, this is my cousins
[URL=http://s108.photobucket.com/user/mattz14/media/Seansbike.jpg.html] [/URL]
10.103 @ Milan Dragway 135 I believe. B&M, Holley, and spray
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Later days, better lays
07 BLACK ZX14 Getting customized waiting for the white stuff to go away
06 BLACK ZX14 GONE Recall was a little late.
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 21, 2013 06:53 PM
WOW...love that tough looking "Max!
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Ron...
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ronaldnnn
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted September 21, 2013 06:55 PM
WOW...love that tough looking "Max!
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Ron...
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted September 22, 2013 07:13 AM
There are a couple videos on you tube under "Sean's vmax"
http://youtu.be/R0WjoI4QX_w
The short one sounds amazing. This bike is amazing. Gixxer front end.
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Later days, better lays
07 BLACK ZX14 Getting customized waiting for the white stuff to go away
06 BLACK ZX14 GONE Recall was a little late.
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cliffrandall
Zone Head
Posts: 757
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posted September 22, 2013 11:41 AM
Great looking Max, it's absolutely unreal some of the stuff guys have done to these bikes over the years. Congrats to all power freaks.
Cliff
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