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This is
going to be a long one.....but
well worth the reading.....
Steering
dampers are a great item, but they are built for all bikes for a purpose -
to reduce "bump steer" - which is what happens when you hit an
obstacle. They are great to have, but only a bandaid to the DS steering
issue.
The
DS's sensitive steering is from too little caster, as Tech Editor says.
Too little caster makes the steering more sensitive, and is compounded by
improper suspension and toe settings, as well as tires that suck. First
you must set up the front and rear shocks for your weight, then correctly
set the toe-out, and then if the budget allows get rid of the Dominators -
all four - and get some real tires. Ohtsus, Holeshots, Razors, Bandits,
etc.
Suspension
-
REAR SAG should be 30% of shock travel (3.5"-4"). Lift rear
bumper up until shock is fully extended, measure to floor, YOU get on the
bike and measure again. Difference should be no more than 4", I like
3.5". Adjust preload on spring to achieve this. This will also keep
the chain off the chain roller more often.
FRONT
SAG should be about 20% of travel (2.5"-3"). Stretch out the
shocks, measure from bumper to floor. YOU get on the bike, jump up and
down and rock her back and forth a bit, sit down and have somebody measure
again. Difference should be around 2.5"-3".
TOE
- After the suspension is set, its time for toe. Toe must be measured with
YOU on the seat. Have somebody measure across the front of the tires -
center to center, then across the back of the tires - center to center.
Measurements should be taken level with the spindles front and back. The
difference is toe. Tie rods should adjusted to achieve TOE-OUT of no more
than 1/8" (front measurement 1/8" more than rear measurement),
and no less than neutral (equal).
After
doing these things, you will feel a great improvement. Keep in mind that
toe changes as suspension travels, so if you change the suspension set-up
at any time, toe will need re-addressed. This is why you set up the
suspension first.
Getting
new tires will help even more - a rounder and softer front tire will
improve things, and the larger the diameter of the front tire, the greater
the increase in caster. At the same time, the larger the rear tire, the
less caster you'll have. The guys that go with 22" rears are probably
in more need of the a-arm fix, but definitely try the above set-up before
you drop the dough.
After
all the above you will undoubtedly love your bike much more. If its not
quite enough for you taste or rider weight, then you'll need upper A-Arms.
Stock caster is 5 degrees, ideally you would set the new arms from 7-9
degrees, but after doing the above steps for free, you may decide its good
enough.
Additional
notes by: Fourlix (Alex)
Many
things will help, but nothing totally cures the twitchy steering except
for a pair of aftermarket upper a-arms which increase caster to anywhere
from 6 to 9 degrees. Bigger front tires help, steering stabilizers help,
lowering the rear will help, dialing in your suspension, especially toe,
will help. But nothing will fix the problem like fixing the problem, which
is too little caster. Just do it. |
