Evil_keeps_me_young
Registered
i changed the oil in the stock dampener with 85W...which is WAY to much!!! it's bordering on dangerous... i was wondering what kind of oil is like 50W or 40W is that still gear lube? any ideas? brands? thanks
Damper oil question...
- Thread starter Evil_keeps_me_young
- Start date
Evil_keeps_me_young
Registered
i took her out sat and it was like 50 degrees any kind of turning and it was like fighting to get it to turn...
Evil_keeps_me_young
Registered
IMO you would be wise to use a lighter oil in your damper. I believe the oil in your busa damper is 7w? By replacing the OEM oil with 80/90w you have more than 10 times the resistance. You'll find a number of fellas here that use 80/90w but I'm very suspicious none of them really understand how the damper functions when it's services are truely needed?
There are certain instances where the 80/90w oil is an advantage. One of which is doing nose wheelies. Nose wheelies (Stoppies) you want that damper so stiff you can hardly turn the bars but for most applications the damper needs to work more freely to save your buns if you do get into trouble aka Highside!
IMO a stock damper filled with 80/90w oil is actually less effective and apt to lock up when the bike gets loose than a stock damper. While I'm not recommending any particular oil in your damper, I will say you'd be wise to use a lighter weight oil than 90w.
Here is a recent quote from Mike1180 which I agree with: You know at some point we have to retreat to a point where we give Suzuki some kind of credit for knowing what they are talking about, as they did build this machine.
There are certain instances where the 80/90w oil is an advantage. One of which is doing nose wheelies. Nose wheelies (Stoppies) you want that damper so stiff you can hardly turn the bars but for most applications the damper needs to work more freely to save your buns if you do get into trouble aka Highside!
IMO a stock damper filled with 80/90w oil is actually less effective and apt to lock up when the bike gets loose than a stock damper. While I'm not recommending any particular oil in your damper, I will say you'd be wise to use a lighter weight oil than 90w.
Here is a recent quote from Mike1180 which I agree with: You know at some point we have to retreat to a point where we give Suzuki some kind of credit for knowing what they are talking about, as they did build this machine.
mike1180
Banned
Wow this is getting scary when we agree with each other on a regular basis.
All kidding aside, if you believe that why would you go to the Ohlins damper?
Why is it better?
A steering damper will not dampen strong head shake under throttle, during corner exit?
Is not a tank slapper just really violent head shake?
Please explain the difference to me. Thanks!
cheers
ken
mike1180
Banned
I am no expert, but watching crashes like this:
- [Motorcycle Accident]TT-Tankslapper-19sec[/url]
I can't help but think that a heavier oil in his damper may have helped him out of that in some measure.
The violent back and forth fluctuation would have been slowed somewhat, wouldn't it?
I can't help but think that a heavier oil in his damper may have helped him out of that in some measure.
The violent back and forth fluctuation would have been slowed somewhat, wouldn't it?
Last edited by a moderator:
How do you know he didn't have heavy oil in his damper which may have contributed to the crash?
Last edited by a moderator:
mike1180
Banned
I don't.
That is why I am asking.
I am not an expert, but how could that contribute, instead of helping slow it down?
It seems the lighter the oil, the easier it is to move from side to side (and therefore the quicker side to side when a tank slap).
Does the ohlins damper make the steering heavier or lighter?
I really want to understand this, and not just spar with you (well on this thread at least LOL )
Seriously does it not work the way I describe it?
i used penzoil 40w works great. i had 30w but it was just a little too light. 40w seems perfect to me.
mike1180
Banned
Hey I was surfing around and found this article on dampers.
It explains it quite well and I learned a lot from it:
Steering Dampers - "a whackin' and a wobblin' "
Quite interesting.
I will have to try it with some different oil weights when I get back to riding in the spring.
It explains it quite well and I learned a lot from it:
Steering Dampers - "a whackin' and a wobblin' "
Quite interesting.
I will have to try it with some different oil weights when I get back to riding in the spring.
i watched this wreck on speed channel and they said what happend was the rear shock broke as he exited the turn, no damper would have saved this guy from this particular wreck...if you rewatch the video you can see the rear end of the bike id bottomed out
Last edited by a moderator:
critterdoc
Banned
Why mess with the damper at all?
Seems just about perfect to me for normal riding.
Seems just about perfect to me for normal riding.
Hayabusa Fury
Registered
Did the damper stop the tank slap on this before the unbelievable save?
Or was it the rider getting bucked off the bike that reduced the weight enough to stop the tank slap? Because the bike seems too auto-correct the initial tank slap
Last edited by a moderator:
mike1180
Banned
What was the weight of the ( ? oil ?) that he had to remove from inside his leathers after that?
Last edited:
I don't.
That is why I am asking.
I am not an expert, but how could that contribute, instead of helping slow it down?
It seems the lighter the oil, the easier it is to move from side to side (and therefore the quicker side to side when a tank slap).
Does the ohlins damper make the steering heavier or lighter?
I really want to understand this, and not just spar with you (well on this thread at least LOL )
Seriously does it not work the way I describe it?
You are correct Mike. More damping in good in most cases, up to a certain point. The front wheel has to be able to work in order to calm the bike once the wheels loose alignment with each other. The shake begins when the two wheels try to correct the alignment. If the damper is to stiff, the front wheel looses it's ability to auto correct and get the wheels back into alignment. If the shake becomes violent and the front wheel can't center itself due to excessive damping it can compound the problem. Think of it as if you over steer your car during a slide. We have all been guilty of that.
An adjustible steering damper is equally ineffective if it is not set properly. You can crank an Ohlins Adjustible damper down to tight as well as fill your stock damper with oil that is to heavy with the same results.
It's late and I'm beginning to babble! I have to hit the hay! Good Night all!
Similar threads
