So I wanted to give a review of the Shindy steering damper now that I have about 1500 miles on the bike with it. Now I know there is some debate on these, so it is purely my opinion.
Installation:
Time: 2 hours, most being fine tuning the fitment.
Installation is pretty straightforward. First you mount the fork clamp and then the frame clamp. Getting the fork clamp on tight enough so it doesn't move but loose enough where the fine adjustments are there can be annoying but not difficult. When putting on the first frame clamp i snapped the upper bracket. Didn't realize it actually until i was just about done (more on the return process below). Second time i put everything together i tightened it all to about 60-70 in lbs using my in lb torque wrench. seems to be more than enough.
Instructions are somewhat vague but easy enough to follow. not the best english but what do you expect?
Some of the dimensions listed are a little off and there is no way to get it to work right using everything they list. i had to modify the distance that the clamp that goes on the damper body was from the end, but it was about 35mm so not that far off.
Once you get the two clamps on the damper just bolts right in. once again, takes a bit of playing, especially on this part. mainly because here is where you test and make sure the stoppers on the steering stem are stopping the forks, not the damper. Two sets of hands and eyes helps one to watch the stop one to watch the damper.
Also at this point, i'd re-mount the left scoop to check clearances.
Once everything is clear, tighten it to 60-70 in lbs
NOTE: you do have to cut a bit out of the left neck cover. i had a spare so i mangled that one up pretty good and once i decided i was keeping the damper, cut my good one. dremel made pretty quick work of it.
Also, I have a tboost/vboost switch and it wasn't in the way at all . the damper frame clamp sits very close to the faux cover.
Use:
There are 7 settings on the damper and it is easily changable on the fly. Unfortunately I don't think the lower 4 are all that helpful. I didn't even notice the damper when i went out at first and had it on the lowest setting.
Once riding for a bit i've found for normal driving I like it on the second from the highest setting. before, about 30% of the time if i let go in 2/3 gear from 55 mph it would go into a wobble. Now thats down to probably 5% and only if i hit something in the road or really nudge the bars.
On the highest setting, not even a hard punch to the bars sways it. This also makes u completely loose control at lower speeds. Definitely nice for the long higway jounts, but please remember to turn it down when you pull into a rest station. You look like its your 2nd day on the bike otherwise, as you have to keep overcorrecting your slow speed turns.
On the highway, when going over bumps or uneven pavement, especially when the bike wasn't perpendicular it would kind of jump for a split second. that mostly gone on the second highest setting. and only felt it once on the highest, but it was a very rough road.
I plan, soon, to un-attach the damper from the fork mount and do the bounce test and to keep doing so. I have removed the rubber washer and put a welding ring (cheap washer hah) between the top nut and lock tabbed nut thing. Doing the bounce test will ensure that I keep ontop of the steering head bearing tightness.
OVERALL:
PROs:
-Stopped most of wobble
-Easily adjustable on the fly
-Cheaper than most options
-I think it looks cool (opinion)
CONs:
-Easy to forget you are on the highest setting. no way to visually tell
-Broke frame clamp pretty easily on first clamp
-Still an accessory thats in the $200 - $250 range
Bottom line:
If you have checked and rechecked your bearings and all other possible things, this might help with the wobble. Would I do it again? YES.
Additional Thoughts:
There are two different models. One for the 41mm forks and one for the 43mm forks. I have attached pictures (not all my bike) and the instructions for anyone interested.
Where to buy:
Targa Acc - $205 - $240:
I bought from here. I got a retroactive price because i had been communicating with them months ago. I paid $205 with shipping. Awesome customer service. I broke the frame mount and called them. They split the cost of overnighting me the package (so it cost me $6) from Cali, and just had to place a hold on my CC as i was getting the new part before i sent back the bad one. Dealt with "Robert". He was top notch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V-Ma...0791747QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
I JUST LOOKD AND ARE HAVING 20% off sale on the later model. As far as I know they don't carry the earlier model version.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V-Ma...8774086QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Python Motorsports - $220:
http://www.pythonmotorsports.com/vmax/vmax_products/stabalizer85shindy.htm
http://www.pythonmotorsports.com/vmax/vmax_products/stabalizer93shindy.htm
Ebay - $210:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHIN...temZ330330352080QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100
Also saw them in a Dennis Kirk magazine once and can probably get from most parts unlimited dealers
I will update this for any edits or changes as well as time goes on.
Installation:
Time: 2 hours, most being fine tuning the fitment.
Installation is pretty straightforward. First you mount the fork clamp and then the frame clamp. Getting the fork clamp on tight enough so it doesn't move but loose enough where the fine adjustments are there can be annoying but not difficult. When putting on the first frame clamp i snapped the upper bracket. Didn't realize it actually until i was just about done (more on the return process below). Second time i put everything together i tightened it all to about 60-70 in lbs using my in lb torque wrench. seems to be more than enough.
Instructions are somewhat vague but easy enough to follow. not the best english but what do you expect?
Some of the dimensions listed are a little off and there is no way to get it to work right using everything they list. i had to modify the distance that the clamp that goes on the damper body was from the end, but it was about 35mm so not that far off.
Once you get the two clamps on the damper just bolts right in. once again, takes a bit of playing, especially on this part. mainly because here is where you test and make sure the stoppers on the steering stem are stopping the forks, not the damper. Two sets of hands and eyes helps one to watch the stop one to watch the damper.
Also at this point, i'd re-mount the left scoop to check clearances.
Once everything is clear, tighten it to 60-70 in lbs
NOTE: you do have to cut a bit out of the left neck cover. i had a spare so i mangled that one up pretty good and once i decided i was keeping the damper, cut my good one. dremel made pretty quick work of it.
Also, I have a tboost/vboost switch and it wasn't in the way at all . the damper frame clamp sits very close to the faux cover.
Use:
There are 7 settings on the damper and it is easily changable on the fly. Unfortunately I don't think the lower 4 are all that helpful. I didn't even notice the damper when i went out at first and had it on the lowest setting.
Once riding for a bit i've found for normal driving I like it on the second from the highest setting. before, about 30% of the time if i let go in 2/3 gear from 55 mph it would go into a wobble. Now thats down to probably 5% and only if i hit something in the road or really nudge the bars.
On the highest setting, not even a hard punch to the bars sways it. This also makes u completely loose control at lower speeds. Definitely nice for the long higway jounts, but please remember to turn it down when you pull into a rest station. You look like its your 2nd day on the bike otherwise, as you have to keep overcorrecting your slow speed turns.
On the highway, when going over bumps or uneven pavement, especially when the bike wasn't perpendicular it would kind of jump for a split second. that mostly gone on the second highest setting. and only felt it once on the highest, but it was a very rough road.
I plan, soon, to un-attach the damper from the fork mount and do the bounce test and to keep doing so. I have removed the rubber washer and put a welding ring (cheap washer hah) between the top nut and lock tabbed nut thing. Doing the bounce test will ensure that I keep ontop of the steering head bearing tightness.
OVERALL:
PROs:
-Stopped most of wobble
-Easily adjustable on the fly
-Cheaper than most options
-I think it looks cool (opinion)
CONs:
-Easy to forget you are on the highest setting. no way to visually tell
-Broke frame clamp pretty easily on first clamp
-Still an accessory thats in the $200 - $250 range
Bottom line:
If you have checked and rechecked your bearings and all other possible things, this might help with the wobble. Would I do it again? YES.
Additional Thoughts:
There are two different models. One for the 41mm forks and one for the 43mm forks. I have attached pictures (not all my bike) and the instructions for anyone interested.
Where to buy:
Targa Acc - $205 - $240:
I bought from here. I got a retroactive price because i had been communicating with them months ago. I paid $205 with shipping. Awesome customer service. I broke the frame mount and called them. They split the cost of overnighting me the package (so it cost me $6) from Cali, and just had to place a hold on my CC as i was getting the new part before i sent back the bad one. Dealt with "Robert". He was top notch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V-Ma...0791747QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
I JUST LOOKD AND ARE HAVING 20% off sale on the later model. As far as I know they don't carry the earlier model version.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V-Ma...8774086QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Python Motorsports - $220:
http://www.pythonmotorsports.com/vmax/vmax_products/stabalizer85shindy.htm
http://www.pythonmotorsports.com/vmax/vmax_products/stabalizer93shindy.htm
Ebay - $210:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHIN...temZ330330352080QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100
Also saw them in a Dennis Kirk magazine once and can probably get from most parts unlimited dealers
I will update this for any edits or changes as well as time goes on.
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