Do I Need A Steering Dampner?

First off, I am a (new to me), owner of a 2002 Honda VFR 800ABS (Silver) with 10,800km Interceptor. I pick it up on Thursday. I am really excited and can't wait to ride it. I haven't ridden for a looooooooong time, and I know it will take me awhile to get used to the bike. My question to all of you experts and non experts is do I need to put a steering dampner on this bike? I have looked at a lot of pictures and have not seen any dampners on any of the VFRS, so I figure I don't. But....I know I will get good info from you guys if I do. By the way, I live in Barrie Ontario, Canada and if there is anyone who is on this site and wants to ride let me know. Thanks in Advance for your replies.

Skip it unless your making a track bike of it.

Steering damps can get you in a lot of trouble on the street. IMO

:flag_ohio:

Congratulations on the new bike!

No need for a damper. Head shake is not likely to occur even during aggressive riding.

If you haven't ridden in a while, be careful during very slow speed maneuvering on the VFR. I've owned several large sport touring bikes in the past and none of them has caught me off guard like this bike has. At a stand-still or very low speed it feels top heavy and once you lean it to a certain degree it can be a challenge to keep upright. At speed, the bike handles brilliantly.

Welcome to the silver club and congrats on the bike. There is a running secret that silver bikes are the quickest. Ohh back on topic, do without the dampner. :beer:

You don't need a steering damper, either. Not on this bike. :rolleyes:

(sorry, dampener and even dampner are pet peeves of mine)

Nope, you don't need it, but I've found mine to be handy in a couple instances.

I don't see how it could hurt anything, unles you have it set to "rock hard" or something...

[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Aug 27 2008, 08:47 AM, said:

You don't need a steering damper, either. Not on this bike. :rolleyes:

(sorry, dampener and even dampner are pet peeves of mine)
lol, glad I'm not the only one.

damp�er
�noun
5. Machinery. a shock absorber.


damp�en
�verb (used with object)
1. to make damp; moisten: to dampen a sponge.


Anyway, no a steering damper is not needed on the VFR. Having one won't hurt anything and gives some people peace of mind, which makes it worthwhile to them.

Makes a "tough looking farkle" though regardless.............. :rolleyes:

Thanks for all of your replies! Its great to get so many replies so quickly. I can see that this is an excellent forum. I won't be going with a steering damper, as I can see I don't need it. The bike is in getting the wiring harness recall done, and the dealer is waiting for the harness to come. I took it in on Friday of last week and I am still waiting. I called today and they said they still don't have it. How long would it take to get this wiring harness? I am getting a little P.O.d. They are also certifying the bike and putting new tires on. They said they are still waiting for tires???? The guy I bought the bike off it said that this dealer is very good. So far I am not impressed.

Can you get the bike back until they actually have the parts?

[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Aug 27 2008, 12:06 PM, said:

Can you get the bike back until they actually have the parts?
I am waiting for the service guy to call me back....................I think he could tell that I was getting a little P.O.'d. Tomorrow the bike will have been there for a week and by the sounds of it they have'nt done a thing. In Ontario for me to re register the bike in my name it has to be certified. It needs new tires to certify...........waiting for the call. :pissed:

[image: View Post]Centralontrider, on Aug 27 2008, 12:04 PM, said:

[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Aug 27 2008, 12:06 PM, said:

Can you get the bike back until they actually have the parts?
I am waiting for the service guy to call me back....................I think he could tell that I was getting a little P.O.'d. Tomorrow the bike will have been there for a week and by the sounds of it they have'nt done a thing. In Ontario for me to re register the bike in my name it has to be certified. It needs new tires to certify...........waiting for the call. :pissed:

LOL...Where I live if the horn works and light shine you pass!

i think silver is the top secret fast bike too...Then again a moped seems fast to me :goofy:

[image: View Post]tourceptor86, on Aug 27 2008, 05:37 AM, said:

Skip it unless your making a track bike of it.

Steering damps can get you in a lot of trouble on the street. IMO

:flag_ohio:

What trouble would it get you into on the street? I agree there is no "need" for one on the street. I've only had one tank slapper on my VFR, it was totally my fault, but I would have really liked to have one that day!

I too thought about a damper for my bike...Its my first bike...Just thought the added saftey might be nice. I plan to go to the track with it in November...

does make coolio farkle though :fing02:

If ya run Dunlop tires, you might want one :biggrin:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Aug 28 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

If ya run Dunlop tires, you might want one :biggrin:

I've run Dunlops the past two times...........no problems here.

IHilker has one on his '02, but he's more on the "Sport" end of sport touring.

Fortunately for you the silver one isn't fast enough to warrant a steering damper. Now if you had purchased a red one... :wheel: :goofy:

I bought mine for a reason, and for that reason I like it.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/SEBSPEED2003/F4i/CBR2007007.jpg

[image: View Post]ECX585, on Aug 28 2008, 10:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Aug 28 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

If ya run Dunlop tires, you might want one :biggrin:

I've run Dunlops the past two times...........no problems here.
Don't tell us your Dunlops did not cup, cause that's like impossible with VFRs man!
Front tire cupping usually induces some front end shake......at least my "DuMlops" did!

Beck
95 VFR - now on Michelin PR2CTs

[image: View Post]Beck, on Aug 28 2008, 03:30 PM, said:

[image: View Post]ECX585, on Aug 28 2008, 10:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Aug 28 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

If ya run Dunlop tires, you might want one :biggrin:

I've run Dunlops the past two times...........no problems here.
Don't tell us your Dunlops did not cup, cause that's like impossible with VFRs man!
Front tire cupping usually induces some front end shake......at least my "DuMlops" did!

Beck
95 VFR - now on Michelin PR2CTs
:offtopic: just passing 3,000 miles on my Dunlop RoadSmarts, no cupping, but I'm wearing out the edges before the middle... I guess I should ride the slab more often... :goofy:

[image: View Post]Beck, on Aug 28 2008, 06:30 PM, said:

[image: View Post]ECX585, on Aug 28 2008, 10:00 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kb2wji, on Aug 28 2008, 04:33 PM, said:

If ya run Dunlop tires, you might want one :biggrin:

I've run Dunlops the past two times...........no problems here.
Don't tell us your Dunlops did not cup, cause that's like impossible with VFRs man!
Front tire cupping usually induces some front end shake......at least my "DuMlops" did!

Beck
95 VFR - now on Michelin PR2CTs

I used to have problems with cupping on my Michelins, but since I installed F3 cartridges in my 4th gen I havn't had any once learned how they should be adjusted. The VFR has way to little rebound with the stock fork valving that seems to cause it.

I do not think a damper is a must but I really like mine and the bike does not feel complete without it. I think it makes the bike feel much better. I have no idea about how they are dangerous on the street like someone said earlier. That in my opinion is false. Head shake happens and I have had it a few times on my vfr before I got the damper. Nothing serious but it does happen. That however is not the only reason to get a damper. Try and find a bike with one and give it a try. Once you get used to it I bet you would like it.

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on Aug 27 2008, 04:18 AM, said:

Makes a "tough looking farkle" though regardless.............. :rolleyes:
:+1:
ABATT - All Bling, All The Time......

[image: View Post]Iannn, on Aug 28 2008, 09:21 PM, said:

I do not think a damper is a must but I really like mine and the bike does not feel complete without it. I think it makes the bike feel much better. I have no idea about how they are dangerous on the street like someone said earlier. That in my opinion is false. Head shake happens and I have had it a few times on my vfr before I got the damper.

You've had your VFR roughly one month and you've experienced head shake a few times?
2nd year for my 02 model and havent had it happen yet...not even once.

Maybe other problems?

[image: View Post]Yosh70, on Aug 29 2008, 02:23 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Iannn, on Aug 28 2008, 09:21 PM, said:

I do not think a damper is a must but I really like mine and the bike does not feel complete without it. I think it makes the bike feel much better. I have no idea about how they are dangerous on the street like someone said earlier. That in my opinion is false. Head shake happens and I have had it a few times on my vfr before I got the damper.

You've had your VFR roughly one month and you've experienced head shake a few times?
2nd year for my 02 model and havent had it happen yet...not even once.

Maybe other problems?


Really depends on roads too, so the want/need will vary by locale. In my case, some of my favorite roads have small rollings hills/humps/crests, most in or near turns. When I'm out in rare form railing away on the gas I crest these little hills with some lean angle, loft the front wheel for a bit as I come over, and when it touches back down I get the occasional headshake, some more violent than others. I had one that scared me a bit before I got the damper, but no more. Now I just get the occasional wobble and that's it. :fing02:

Ive yet to experience head shake on my bike. now on my CR450f I have had it a few times!

[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Aug 27 2008, 08:47 AM, said:

You don't need a steering damper, either. Not on this bike. :rolleyes:

(sorry, dampener and even dampner are pet peeves of mine)

I prefer dashpots.

[image: View Post]cigarbuf, on Aug 27 2008, 06:31 AM, said:

No need for a damper. Head shake is not likely to occur even during aggressive riding.

I would strongly disagree with you on that as others have in the posts that followed yours. Experience violent headshake once and you'll never forget it. That said, I still don't have a damper on mine. "No need".....very arguable. :fing02:

They are required on all motorcycles at Bonneville Speed Week.

Quote

They said they are still waiting for tires????

Since your in Barrie tell the dealer to go get you a set from Royal Distributing they have sizes to fit VFRs in stock all the time and are far cheaper than Parts Canada where most dealers order their tires with. So your dealer will save a little money, and make a bit more profit off the deal.

Oh ya and if you can don't let them stick the stock OEM tire on the bike, grab a Bridgeston BX14 or something, they are a much better tire but still in the same price range (less I think) than the stock tire.