OK, I think I am finally going to have to bite the bullet and spend some money on this damned machine.

I was a little puzzled by the R6's ability to wag its head in dramatic fashion, especially since it felt so rock-solid compared to my SV.

I just got in from the hairiest moment of my motorcycling days...my foot-planting low-side save on my SV was nothing compared to this. I decided to let the bike stretch its legs over a bridge in DC...big mistake.

After a full-throttle shift at redline from 2nd to 3rd (at least I think it was...could have been 3rd to 4th, but I don't even want to think about that...), the bike punished me with the worst headshake I have ever experienced without going down.

I relaxed, and let it work itself out. But that didn't happen for another 10 seconds or so. I'd say the bike shook its head, to beat that metaphor to death, at least 12 times before settling down. I thought I was going to highside and fly into the Potomac River.

Anyway...how expensive are these steering dampers, and can I install it myself? I'm not a big gearhead, but I did install my windscreen on my SV fairly successfully.

Anyone know how fast an R6 is going at the top of second gear? And third, while we're at it?

 

same thing happened to me on my r6. going up an onramp racing with some buddies, redline each gear, top of second, hit a lil bump in the road, came down right away and a lil tilted and rode it like a championship bull. my friend behind me thought i was gonna get bucked off for sure. there's no faster way to have your ***** shoot up into your throat.

the gpr stablizers are around 4 hundo. there's this guy on one of the r6 message boards that makes brackets to retrofit an r1 stock stabilizer too...

glad you're ok tho mang.

 

i believe i saw the GPR for about 350 on ebay and 340 on http://store.58cycle.com

 

not hating or anything and im glad you are ok but i dont like r6's any more.i rode my friends r6,ill never ride another. i guarentee that wouldnt happen on a honda(600rr)

 

I picked my scotts up for $360 if I remember correctly.

It makes a huge difference, I hit the same bump midcorner every time I ride my favorite road. I'm always wide open on the throttle at about 80mph and leaned over a little. Before the scotts I would get nasty head shake like you described but now it's just one jolt of the bars. If it saves your *** once it's well worth the money

 

Where did you get the Scotts for $360? I am in need of a damper as well. Either going to get a GPR or a Scotts, not sure which one though.

I have heard good things about GPR. Their facility will install it for free and they have lifetime servicing + their facility is only 1 hour away from me, but I have to replace my fairing stay with theirs..........and it's a little thinner compared to stock.

Scotts has a reputation that speaks for itself....but no lifetime servicing, plus I think you have to ship it to them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought I was going to highside and fly into the Potomac River.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm sorry but that's just funny... not that you could have died but the way you said it. At least you had the wherewithal to let it sort itself out.

Hijack: Someone I know just got an R6 and I've got a buddy coming down from Philly August 20th. Put a long *** ride on your calendar now.

 

Where did you get the Scotts for $360? I am in need of a damper as well. Either going to get a GPR or a Scotts, not sure which one though.

I have heard good things about GPR. Their facility will install it for free and they have lifetime servicing + their facility is only 1 hour away from me, but I have to replace my fairing stay with theirs..........and it's a little thinner compared to stock.

Scotts has a reputation that speaks for itself...............but I can get a GPR for a little cheaper.

Prob end up getting a Scotts though.

Your R6 has a 120/70 front tire right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm sorry but that's just funny... not that you could have died but the way you said it. At least you had the wherewithal to let it sort itself out.

Hijack: Someone I know just got an R6 and I've got a buddy coming down from Philly August 20th. Put a long *** ride on your calendar now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Will do.

On a side note, did I do the right thing when the bike got out of shape - ie. totally relaxing and not putting any input on the bars? From an MSF point of view, I guess? Obviously I'm still alive and the bike is OK, but sometimes you can get lucky while doing the wrong thing, like I did when I put my foot down to save a lowside on my SV.

Oh, and here's something else. I got onto Rte. 50 West right after that incident, and promptly missed my exit when I squeezed my brake handle and NOTHING HAPPENED. After a pump or two, it returned to normal, but is that normal? Holy chit was I scared.

 

Ahh this is why I love my GSXR, I know the stock damper isn't the best but it is better than not having one, and i would have died at least twice if i didn't have one...My buddy has a used ohlins on his 02 R6 he is intrested in selling but Im not sure where your located?? I don't know if he wants to ship overseas , glad to hear you didn't get hurt though man. I won't even ride without a damper now...

 

As I stated in my 'snapped some photos' thread... I just put the GPR on my bike. I'm thinking I'm really going to like it. The install was a snap... Definately a quality piece of hardware. The last pic in my thread has a nice shot of it. Where do you live around here? I'm sitting at my desk less then a minute from where you almost ate it... looking out at the woodrow wilson.

*edit... you weren't on the woodrow wilson, I just re-read your post... Still, I'm pretty close though, if you want help with the install, lemme know. It was a snap. I might be able to get you a deal on something too... a good friend of mine is the parts manager at Blueridge Powersport (in Harrisonburg, VA) and get's me all my parts and gear at a lil over his cost. Lemme know man.

 

my 03 gixxer had a stock damper too, saved my *** many times but there were still those few times where it still slapped my *** around.

 

I had the same problem on my old(new at the time) 1987 fzr1000... she would get the most dramatic tank slapper head shakes at full throttle in top gear, at 130-150, I would roll off(obviously) and the shake would go away at 120-125, then I would pick it up again and right around the 130 barrier i would would get the oscillation again. I traced it down to improper suspension settings and possible a bad tire choice. a damper will make a big difference!
Peace
Schu

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Schubeedoobee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I traced it down to improper suspension settings and possible a bad tire choice. a damper will make a big difference!
Peace
Schu</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmmm...perhaps the bike isn't optimized for someone of my weight? I weigh about 145.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by atisvt99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Lemme know man.</TD></TR></TABLE>

PM Sent

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Hmmm...perhaps the bike isn't optimized for someone of my weight? I weigh about 145.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Look here....

http://www.skidmark.net/r6_settings.htm

 

I've been reading and thinking about the choice of getting a damper for my ZX-6R for some time now. All info points to suspension settings as being the biggest reason for head shake. But, grip on the bars, tight on the tank, and pressure on the pegs helps in those situations like hitting a bump in the road.

I don't have a damper yet, but plan to get one by next season. The biggest thing I've learned is that proper technique is the best way to prevent head shakes. If your WOT on the road and hit some bad spot on the road, it's down to luck & technique. It seems like a damper, which does give some cheap insurance, creates more of a sense of false security for either bad suspension setup/riding technique.

Recap: Damper = cheap insurance, but does not eliminate ALL headshake in certain situations

 

Got mine from slava at flatout. It may have been a Groupbuy price though. My memory sucks but give him a call and I'm sure he'll give you a price that's hard to beat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
On a side note, did I do the right thing when the bike got out of shape - ie. totally relaxing and not putting any input on the bars? </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's the correct thing to do. If you try and muscle the bars it will transfer the shake from just the front to the entire bike through your body.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh, and here's something else. I got onto Rte. 50 West right after that incident, and promptly missed my exit when I squeezed my brake handle and NOTHING HAPPENED. After a pump or two, it returned to normal, but is that normal? Holy chit was I scared.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's normal, the shake pushes the pads away from the rotors so the first squeeze isn't going to do ****. I always give the lever a few squeezes right after if I'm on the street and when on track I try to remember to brake a bit early for the next corner

 

&lt;Ohlins

I rode my friend's R6 on Sunday. My Ohlins is set to 7 clicks from full and when I got on his no damper R6, it felt like a toy. I felt like I could toss it around any which way I wanted. I did notice a lot of resistance coming from the wheel spinning.

 

You should always be loose on the bars and holding the grips like youre holding an egg or something fragile. Usually when you get some headshake a little throttle will correct the problem. The worst headshake is when you're coming out of a turn, now thats some scary stuff.
Most 600's top 2nd around 100.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Got mine from slava at flatout. </TD></TR></TABLE>

EDIT:I just ordered mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backlash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

EDIT:I just ordered mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

From slava? He hook you up on the price?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">From slava? He hook you up on the price?</TD></TR></TABLE>
From Slava, best price I have been able to find too. Plus Scotts is located in CA, so if it's in stock it should only take a couple days to get to me

 

[QUOTE=Ross R]
I'm not a big gearhead, but I did install my windscreen on my SV fairly successfully.QUOTE] i thought this was really funny for some reason

 

what year R6 do you got?