Steering damper service

[FONC]

The steering damper on my 99 busa developed a slight rattle so on inspection i found the small rubber washers on the mounting bolt to be worn. I have removed the damper and i would like to replace the oil and after reading posts on "how to" my question is what weight fork oil do you reccomend ?. Suzuki dealer suggested 2.5 wt fork oil but also added he has never serviced one as most people remove them and fit an after market model. Finally can the bike be ridden safely minus the steering damper?. Looking forward to your advice , happy easter FONC.[/font]

[fasterfaster]

Ride without it .............. may slap a little. 40 to 50 weight oil go up if you like it stiffer, down if you like it softer. 2.5 W oil you may as well leave it off the bike.

[Greeny_SA]

Ride without it .............. may slap a little. 40 to 50 weight oil go up if you like it stiffer, down if you like it softer. 2.5 W oil you may as well leave it off the bike.

20W/50 In mine, works great .

[Throwdown!]

I took mine off 20,000km ago - (about 5 months), and it now lives on the shelf. Safe enough depending on what type of riding you do.

[Ward P]

Taken the dampenner off ????? others put aftermarket one on!!
It's obviously there for a reason. you may not need it for 99% of the time, but I'm sure Mr Suzuki didn't put it on for show.
I wouldn't take the chance of doing without it - bit like decent tyres - and brakes - you can ride on shit and it probably wont make any difference, unless you really need them.

[BikerBoy]

Isn't taking the damper off as good as saying "I can't wait for a tank slapper to happen"?.
It doesn't matter what style of riding your doing, the Busa was designed with it for a purpose.
Watch out for those bumps in the corners!!!!

[Throwdown!]

Having the best on your bike is often a matter of it being your trophy rather than needing the performance. I just don't think most of us need a steering dampner.

I do a stack of miles, but they're all on Australia's best roads where I can't go over 120km at best. If I can't keep the thing upright under those conditions solely because of the lack of a dampner, then I shouldn't be riding in the first place. Don't some people with a dampner still come off? It's one thing to have the stuff on your bike, but you have to know how to use it - nothing beats training, bike knowledge and experience.

I took it off when diagnosing a noise from the front end - just too lazy to put it back on when it's not really needed, but I'm sure I will one day.

[jamesallan]

I recently performed a fairly aggresive gear change between 3rd & 4th, let say there was some air time involved and I am grateful that I left my steering damper on. It could have been ugly otherwise.

[Throwdown!]

And you probably needed it, but that's your riding style demanding it, isn't it?

[BikerBoy]

[GRUNTMAX]

NEVER MIND !
Throw that stock steering damper away. Get a real one for your Gen1.

http://www.australian-hayabusa-club.com/...ing+Damper

After all, that's where your Radar Screamer goes for your Bel STi.

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PM if you require.

[ROD]

Having the best on your bike is often a matter of it being your trophy rather than needing the performance. I just don't think most of us need a steering dampner.

I do a stack of miles, but they're all on Australia's best roads where I can't go over 120km at best. If I can't keep the thing upright under those conditions solely because of the lack of a dampner, then I shouldn't be riding in the first place. Don't some people with a dampner still come off? It's one thing to have the stuff on your bike, but you have to know how to use it - nothing beats training, bike knowledge and experience.

I took it off when diagnosing a noise from the front end - just too lazy to put it back on when it's not really needed, but I'm sure I will one day.

How would you go with insurance if you had a off , Could they come out and say if steering dampner was on might have avoided accident .
we all no insurance company will try not to pay if they can help it

Just a thought

[Throwdown!]

Sensible thought, Rod, and well worth checking.

I don't have insurance - the bike is either under me riding to and from work, or parked in the secured basement car park at work or even more secure basement at home. When I fancy a year of wilder riding I get third party in case I hit a Porche or something. The bike is only worth 6-7000 at best.

Bikerboy:
What site is that from? That's the best explanation I've ever read.

[jamesallan]

And you probably needed it, but that's your riding style demanding it, isn't it?

Yep I think you are on the money.

Thanks

[fasterfaster]

Was overtaking a few cars on an open road one day ............ a car turned left out of a drive and into the lane I occupied whilst overtaking ............ as I went down a gear and applied power the front wheel struck a pot hole and the bars went from lock to lock. No hard riding simply a set of circumstances that created a situation.
But hang on thats an accident I believe ? A set of incidents always leads up to the end result of an accident. The bike insurance wouldn't be my concern ........... when the third party mob hit you with 30% contributing and at fault and hit you up for your 30% of the 100K medical bill .................. thats something I'd like to dampen.
A dampener is simply a shock absorber for the steering ......... could think of no reason to remove it but could write a list of reasons as to why not to.