Almost tank slappers, it is me or the bike?

[L3nny]

This has happened to me 3 times on the blade now. I have exited a bend in 3rd, full throttle and gone over a bump. This had caused the hadlebars to violently shake. I ease off the power and all is good but I am worried one day this is going to end badly.

Is the suspension set up wrongly or am I just not riding it properly?

Would a damper help?

[davepreston]

yes a damper would help massively

[phil24_7]

The rear suspension is working too hard. Get the suspension set up for your weight and it'll help a great deal, the shock may even be past it's best or in need of a service. Sure a damper will help/stop it, but the blade doesn't usually suffer with head shake so you'll only be masking the real issue.

I'd personally get your local suspension guru to take a look at it and set the bike up specifically for you and the riding you do.

Regards

[fizzwheel]

I have exited a bend in 3rd, full throttle and gone over a bump. This had caused the hadlebars to violently shake.

I've had similar on my GSXR, and that has a damper fitted. OK it was more of a wobble than a shake, but the cause I would think is the same.

I.e theres alot of weight transfer to the rear of the bike on hard acceleration like that so the front goes light, you clip a bump, up the front wheel comes, and then that sends it into a wobble.

I'd say suspension set up, plus what you are doing with the bike is the cause. If Mr Honda didnt think your bike needed a damper, more than likely it probably doesnt...

Oh and I moved this thread to Bike Talk, a little more relevant here than in Idle Banter IMHO.

[L3nny]

The front does seem to get very light under acceleration but I have read on other sites that this is a common issue with the 929 and they reccomend a damper but before I splash out I want to make sure this is the problem as they are expensive.

[JamesMio]

I had something very similar on mine last year, opened up just as I hit a bump - front end came up, shook it's head a bit and settled back down again.

Never had it since, and I just put it down to a combination of me being a bit too eager on the throttle, and the suspension being set up like a pogo stick when I first got it.

[fizzwheel]

The front does seem to get very light under acceleration

So does my GSXR, its what a sportsbike with that level of BHP does. Try short shifting into 4th and using the torque to fire you out the corner rather than than firing it out on the revs in 3rd. Should help keep the front end down. I also find the leaning a little on the bars to keep some of my weight forward helps to.

I wander if your rear shock isnt setup right, or is past its best. Better to fix the cause of the problem than try and mask it with an aftermarket damper IMHO.

[phil24_7]

A set up should only set ya back around £40, will make the bike feel like a new machine and may also iron out the head shake issue. It's a sound investment.

[phil24_7]

It appears myself and fizz are singing from the same hymn sheet.

A set up is cheap, easy and is worth every penny, even if it isn't the root cause of the head shake (though I would recon it's a major part)

[L3nny]

Cheers Fizz, I am planning on taking it to a suspension specialist when I have the time. Do you think it needs firming or softening up.

After it happened today I left the bike in 6th all the time. Which still accelerates more than quickly enough but it's more fun keeping it in the power band.

[phil24_7]

I would also say that my SV has started doing this at the end of the summer, it was also around this time that I noticed the rear end feeling a little soft and spongy. I need to recondition/replace/re-set-up my shock as it has obviously deteriorated over the last 2 years.

[phil24_7]

I would say it is too soft, or the oil may be past it's best and isn't providing enough damping.

[fizzwheel]

Do you think it needs firming or softening up.

No idea. I am no expert on that kinda of thing. More than likely you have compression / rebound damping to play with on there as well.

Best left to somebody who knows what they are doing to advise you I think. As Phil says £40 or so isnt alot of money and it will make a difference getting it done. Its also alot cheaper than a damper is ;)

[L3nny]

Any reccomendations on places to go? I put a similar thread in the Madlanders section but there doesn't seem to be any near me.

[phil24_7]

We lowly southerners would have a clue who to take it to, but there are many orgers up that way, so someone must know a good suspension guru.

[rotax81]

whats been said by most of the others.
the 929 shouldnt need a damper.
just make sure all the suspension settings are as standard and no one has dropped the forks through or raised the rear too much.
even dropping the forks just 5mm can make a big difference.

once the standatd damping settings are set, raise the spring rate on the forks a bit and be prepared to alter the settings a click or two to suit your style.
make sure the wheels are lined up and dont go by the marks on the swingarm.
check the head bearings are not shot or loose.

if all that fails you certainly have a suspension issue.

[phil24_7]

I would go back into the madlanders section and ask for some more recommends from people who have had their suspension set up. I have never been charged more than £45 and I have never been disappointed.

I would stay away from the track day suspension people as they set bikes up for track. They aren't concerned about static sag and the like, only making it handle well on track, so I couldn't vouch for their road based set-ups. (their track day work is without fault though)

[L3nny]

Where do you go Phil? I don't mind travelling to get it done properly.

[phil24_7]

I get mine done at Peak Performance in Exeter, which I would say is probably a little too far!!

I recon there has to be 1 or 2 decent places in or around Birmingham, if not Bristol will have 1 or 2 in the vicinity.

I've brought your madlanders thread back to life, hopefully someone will be able to help.

[L3nny]

Yes that is a bit far, Cheers. Will keep an eye out.

[yorkie_chris]

Do it yourself. Start by finding out what all your settings are and what the standard ones are.