Anyone have experience or opinion on a stabilizer on a 6th gen?
The bike is rock steady but has been know to exceed triple digits along open sections of the Pacific Coast Hwy. Wouldn't want to get the shakes up there.
I've never had a stabilizer on any of my bikes so do not have a reference.
They seem to appear on upscale rides. Is that to corral high torque on the lighter weights bikes?
Anyone have experience or opinion on a stabilizer on a 6th gen?
The bike is rock steady but has been know to exceed triple digits along open sections of the Pacific Coast Hwy. Wouldn't want to get the shakes up there.
I've never had a stabilizer on any of my bikes so do not have a reference.
They seem to apear on upscale rides. Is that to corral high torque on the lighter weights bikes?
Usable tool or spendy farkle?
Thanks,
For the VFR, it's a spendy farkle. I don't think the front end of the VFR is aggressive enough to warrant a dampener. Yes, the bike will headshake at around 35 mph if you take your hands off the bars when your decelerating, but that's usually a symptom of a worn front tire and/or aging steering head bearings. New tires and tapered steering stem bearings seem to be the cure.
Bikes like the CBR 600RR and 1000RR have much more aggressive front ends (steeper rake, shorter trail, shorter wheel base, etc). These bikes excel at cornering and maneuverability, but they lose some of their stability. With the more aggressive setup, the CBRs have a tendency to headshake if you come down on the front wheel wrong or are blazing at triple speeds. This is why they come stock with dampeners nowadays.
But, if you just want piece of mind, then by all means get the dampener.
I don't think the VFR needs a steering damper. I've encountered a bit of headshake here and there... at the track while transitioning from one section of pavement to another, while grabbing aggressive upshifts, and while setting down an accidental wheelie with the front wheel turned. It might oscillate 3-4 times, but it damps out quickly. It's enough to give you a start, but I think the more relaxed geometry of the VFR will prevent it from going into a full-on tankslapper. However, if you want a damper for your own peace of mind, it certainly won't hurt anything...
I have a Scotts on my 954RR and personally think it is some of the best money I've spent but the 954 has more of a tendency to have a nervous front end. I haven't put one on my VFR yet but plan to. What I like about my Scotts is it's very easy to adjust on the fly, you can put in just a little or make it pretty stiff, for the most part I leave it on the same setting. I thought that I would only use it when I was riding hard in the twisties but have found that I like it all the time It takes out a little bit of the vibration (or shake) when you hit a pot hole, It's very subtle and at first I didn't think it made a difference in this area but then I would turn it off and ride over the pothole I noticed the difference. Some will say you don't need it on the street or that it's dangerous on the street well you don't have to turn it up all the way and its about preference and I for one prefer to ride with one.
The previous owner put a Scotts on my 6th gen. I've noticed a difference with it turned off when I cross over the rut between lanes on the freeway. In NJ those grooves can be big enough to eat a tire if you aren't paying attention. I doubt I would have ever bought one on my own, but I am glad it is there.
Ran one on my 6th gen also. I consider it protections that is there if you need it, esp if you hit some debris, have a rapid deflation event (flat,blow outetc.), serious road washboard or other pavement repairs.
Any bike can shake her head under the right conditions. I have had a lock to lock on 3 of my 4 Goldwings, on my 90 VFR & one on the RC45 when I hit a log. Under most conditions you may not need it on a 6th gen VFR. But if you ever do need it.......
I guess we can consider steering dampers on VFRs as harmless but very expensive farkles! I think I'll buy one myself if only they didn't cost sooo much money....and if they ever make it for the 4th gen.......did anyone see flying pigs out there?!
I really like how it makes the bike feel and would have one on even if there was no chance of headshake. And yes it does cost some money. As far as mods go it is not the most expensive thing that can be done. I say get one. For me its worth it.