Steering Damper?

How many of you guys run steering dampers? Any suggestions? I have an '80 KZ1000 LTD. What kind of options are there besides the one that they have on Z1 enterprises? (which is currently out of stock).

I run one all the time. Had a few tank slappers and decided I didn't like them too much so put on a dampner. If you want to do some fabricating, you can make most anything work for a custom look but the ones I run (which I think came on H-2's) and I think are the ones Z1 sells are the easiest to install and use for these bikes. Just a bolt on. They show up on E-Bay now and then. Just be sure that it has the knob on the end so you can adjust it. Some don't!

That was the first accessory I installed on my (then) new Z1 36 years ago. It was an original Kawasaki product and the bike came with the bracket on the frame and hole in the lower triple tree for it. Been on there ever since and still works. Can't tell any difference as far as the feel of handling but if I take it off and pull it in and out it's really stiff. It has several adjustments and I keep it on the stronger side. I have never experienced a handling problem, but then I hadn't ridden the bike very much before I put it on. Can't remeber what it cost but I would recommend it. My most spectacular crash was due to a real tank slapper at 70 mph on a borrowed Honda 305 Dream back in the mid 60s while stationed in Texas before I shipped out overseas. I survived and wasn't even wearing a helmet, luckily was thrown to the dirt shoulder and rolled rather than slid, but it certainly made me aware of unexpected potential high speed handling problems.

only time i ever had a tank slapper was after a certain shmuck shop in omaha ne did some frontend work on my 1st 80 1000ltd,put fear of god into me at 100mph but didnt go down.clamped down on bars and stayed off the brakes,closed my eyes and prayed all at same time! :woohoo: thats why i get worried when i see guys on here talking about dropping frontend way down and keeping rear of bike jacked up to speed upsteering,takes all your high speed handling and stability and throws it right out the window! :S

PLUMMEN wrote:

thats why i get worried when i see guys on here talking about dropping frontend way down and keeping rear of bike jacked up to speed upsteering,takes all your high speed handling and stability and throws it right out the window! :S

Absolutely! I'll second that!

KZ's don't need steering dampers for street use.

Check your swing arm bushings.

KZCSI

i use them on my drag bikes and also on some of my faster street bikes don't even notice that they are there. the only reason i have them on the race bikes is because of the rules of the series i run the only reason it's on my street bike is that it looks neat and it is super simple to innstall.

looks neat and super simple to install,sounds like something straight out of jc whitney catalog! :woohoo: im gonna go hide now! :laugh:

i don't ride fast enough to ever get in trouble anymore.

I have nothing against steering dampers, BUT if you have a wobble or other stability issue you should definitely find the source of the problem and not simply try to mask it. Swing arm bushings, steering stem bearings, tire problems, bad shocks, improper fork fluid/level, loose fasteners, etc. can all contribute to instability. These should be carefully examined and any weaknesses corrected. I can't speak for all KZ's, but the KZ650's are as stabile as a desk at 120mph when the above items are as should be. Ed

exactly

650ed wrote:

I have nothing against steering dampers, BUT if you have a wobble or other stability issue you should definitely find the source of the problem and not simply try to mask it. Swing arm bushings, steering stem bearings, tire problems, bad shocks, improper fork fluid/level, loose fasteners, etc. can all contribute to instability. These should be carefully examined and any weaknesses corrected. I can't speak for all KZ's, but the KZ650's are as stabile as a desk at 120mph when the above items are as should be. Ed

I don't have any wobble problems I was just wondering if they really made a difference handling wise, and it was good to hear some guys experience with tank slappin, hope I never have that happen