I've heard that this has been discussed quite a bit in the past, but seems pretty important. Scott, do you think that monsters are more susceptable to tank slappers than other nakeds ? Any idea why ? Was it hard to adjust to steering after putting on a damper ?Several of us Monster riders have experienced them with no previous hints that they were about to occur and no way to recover once they happened. It usually results in a trip to the hospital (in the case of Thomas Alberti), or at least a visit to the emergency room (in my case), and a totalled bike.
I now highly recommend the addition of a steering damper for all Monsters.
Cody,
I get out way too much sometimes, but never pass up a chance to use lots and lots of big impressive words.
110mph over a crest will do it...Truthfully I haven't ridden my monster hard enough to know what it takes to shake the head...
Apparently Monsters are a bit more likely to have tank slappers because of the steep steering angle.I've heard that this has been discussed quite a bit in the past, but seems pretty important. Scott, do you think that monsters are more susceptable to tank slappers than other nakeds? Any idea why? Was it hard to adjust to steering after putting on a damper?
If race bikes are examples of badly set up bikes, then apparently there's not much point discussing those highly refined steps all of us riders need to take before putting on a steering damper. If we want the aggressive steering that comes with the bike (and I haven't heard it being a negative point with anyone yet), then it would be foolish not to at least compensate for it, using the appropriate means, which is the steering damper. If some riders mistake a safety feature for bling that still doesn't undermine its usefulness. The reality is that Monsters are prone to tank slappers. Unfortunately, inducing tank slappers for the purpose of deriving the correct suspension settings is not feasible. Unless you can demonstrate that steering dampers cause more harm than good, or that there is a chassis formula that escaped Ducati's attention, then the point is moot.A steering damper is a kluge for a badly set up chassis and/or suspension [...] Race bikes are set up close to the oscillation threshhold that some have headshake coming out of corners when the forks extend.
As on another thread, I refer readers to the November '03 issue of "Bike." The issue featured an article on tank slappers. The article supports Don's statement above (regarding modern sportbikes).The reality is that Monsters are prone to tank slappers. - sivan
(I've owned fourteen motorcycles and every one of them would headshake under some conditions.)
Respectfully submitted,
Don
Ok! I was "blessed" to experience one dandy tank slapper this weekend on ACH without a steering damper, thought for sure I was going to crash, but the motorcycle gods looked favorably on me and my fabu monster recovered, quite nicely. Still it was enough to scare the you know what out of me and the folks in the car behind me!! A lovely Arrow Steering Damper has now been ordered. Will let you know if it makes a difference! I have also heard from many different sources that Monsters are "prone" to tank slappers. And yes, my suspension is set up very well, just one of those flukes that happens.That's part of the problem here: if you have a steering damper and never have a tank slapper, you can't really know whether you WOULD have had one without the damper!
If you DO get a slapper, you'll say "damn, I should have dialed in some more damping."