Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: solman on July 21, 2009, 01:39:53 AM
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I am looking for a steering damper for an 03 Bandit 1200 naked. I was going to buy a holeshot, but they don't make them anymore. Any ideas? I know of the Scott's, but I am looking for an alternative.
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there was a store on ebay, located in australia that was selling just generic dampers. You'd have to get a bracket and stuff for it. They looked similar to holeshot or anyone else had. But of course i have no idea of quality.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTORCYCLE-STEERING-DAMPER-ROAD-RACE-SILVER-400-MM_W0QQitemZ350224337368QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item518aff49d8&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|293%3A1|294%3A30 (http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTORCYCLE-STEERING-DAMPER-ROAD-RACE-SILVER-400-MM_W0QQitemZ350224337368QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item518aff49d8&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|293%3A1|294%3A30) these come in different colors
and this one I saw today but I think it might be short for the bandit
http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-6-Steps-Adjustable-Steering-Side-Damper-Black_W0QQitemZ220454095494QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3354168a86&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1171|293%3A1|294%3A50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-6-Steps-Adjustable-Steering-Side-Damper-Black_W0QQitemZ220454095494QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3354168a86&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1171|293%3A1|294%3A50)
I honestly don't know if either of these would work. I asked years ago for someone with a holeshot damper to measure it for me so i had an idea of what size would work but don't remember getting a response.
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The damper is the easy part. The hard part id getting the mounting hardware.
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I am curious, why do you need a steering damper?
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I am curious, why do you need a steering damper?
Aggressive riding/track days and I have a busa rear shock which raised the rear end about 1 1/4" higher. I haven't had any shakes that could cause an accident, but why wait? I had a tank slapper on another bike which put me in the hospital with two major surgeries and lasting effects. I would prefer not to experience that again.
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I am curious, why do you need a steering damper?
Aggressive riding/track days and I have a busa rear shock which raised the rear end about 1 1/4" higher. I haven't had any shakes that could cause an accident, but why wait? I had a tank slapper on another bike which put me in the hospital with two major surgeries and lasting effects. I would prefer not to experience that again.
I've never had a tank slapper on my 98 B12. I have a Progressive Shock and Race Tek Gold Valve & Spring fork. Agree that confidence is everything. Glad you are riding again and recovered
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Thanks, I consider it as a cheap investment.
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for mounts I didn't think it took too much, looked to me like the holeshot one was just mounted with a fork bracket...
kind of like at the bottom of this page
http://www.importationsthibault.com/2008/moto08_page.php?langue=en&page=579&ac=1 (http://www.importationsthibault.com/2008/moto08_page.php?langue=en&page=579&ac=1)
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I got my steering damper. I found one on Ebay that I liked. I didn't realize that it was for a first gen bandit because of the naked picture. It took a little bit of work and some extra hardware, but I was able to make it work. I really wanted an Ohlins setup that I liked, but they don't make the kits anymore.
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Where does on find steering dampners for 2nd gens besides DW`s? Nothing against DW, just looking for options.
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Scotts offers their setup for Bandits. It does require minor welding though.
http://www.scottsperformance.com/Stabilizer_Models.php?Make=Suzuki
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I have seen Ohlins, but the kit is know longer offered. Scotts is nice, but requires welding. Holeshot used to offer one, but no longer produces them. Sprint on Ebay is offered, but is technically for a first gen naked. It can be modified for a second gen and that is what I did. The kits are next to impossible to find anymore. I know of one guy selling a holeshot steering damper for $125. It mounts a bit different than mine.
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The only wobble I have ever experienced on a Bandit was due to front tire cupping and it only happen at low speeds, e.g. 30mph/50Kph. In both cases the front tires were Bridgestone Batlaxes which seem to be prone to this.
That said and from what I have seen, messing with the geometry on a bike is fraught with peril. :yikes:
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I guess you can say that I have messed with the bike's geometry by installing a Busa shock. The extra length changed it some.
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I guess you can say that I have messed with the bike's geometry by installing a Busa shock. The extra length changed it some.
Have you considered lowering the front fork to raise the front of the bike?
Seems an easy way to level the chassis to OEM spec. :motorsmile:
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I guess you can say that I have messed with the bike's geometry by installing a Busa shock. The extra length changed it some.
Have you considered lowering the front fork to raise the front of the bike?
Seems an easy way to level the chassis to OEM spec. :motorsmile:
If you lower the front fork, it will make it worse or more twitchy. Whenever you lower your forks, you are also changing your rake and trail.