Head shake tank slapper on track

SuperDuc29 · Aug 13, 2015

Chaotic said:
I know the OP has alot of experience, so this is just a generic comment on the subject.

Headshake will be more prevalent on a bike that is so light, and spend so much time with the front wheel barely touching the ground. But with that being said, the fix is definitely in the suspension/geometry. The damper is just a backup. Most people use a damper as a bandaid for poor setup.

Something to REALLY keep in mind...

Headshake can push the brake pads back into the calipers. Which means when you reach your braking zone and grab the brakes, the lever will go all the way back to the bars and you wont have anything. It will take 2-3 pumps to return the pad into position against the rotors.

And if you are running a good pace, which means braking at the last possible moment, that can easily send you off the track. There has been more than one career ended because of that exact scenario. There are a few places i race at that have crests and i always get headshake. Before i reach the braking zone, i always reach up with one finger and do a slight pump for a brake check to make sure i have brakes.

Always keep that in mind when you get bad headshake. Make sure you check your brakes before you get way too deep into the braking zone (or go to the brakes a little earlier to be safe).

No kidding! I've gone off the track a couple of times into the dirt but staying up and getting back on the track minus superb brakes; it got very mushy with the front end bouncing around all over the place and got air in it.

kope999R · Aug 14, 2015

as said before here, go very easy on the SD... they re just there not to let a non aligned frontwheel not to get out of control when coming down ... as the pani has no damping in a frame, every head wobble blocked by the SD will go straight into the bike, making things worse by a margin...

to the effect on the brakes: there is no reason to overregulerly clean the pistons... some smudge keeps them in place: closer to disks ..

and the bike will wobble if you pin it... some more pl on the back could prevent it from going pumping transferring into the front...

i remember having that on hockenheim... upped spring rate in the back by 5kg , never had it again..

outhouse · Aug 14, 2015

AntiHero said:
. Getting it set up properly by someone who knows what they're doing

is all you need.

Agreed. I have zero complaints at any speed, and 145 is very often.

170 and rough pavement, and it was perfect.

outhouse · Aug 14, 2015

Chaotic said:
There are a few places i race at that have crests and i always get headshake.

I have no problem with the headshake coming out of corners, and crest like that, its sort of to be expected to the point I don't even notice it now.

My 848 would shake bad on the gas hitting uneven pavement just before hitting 3rd around 100, the pani is stable through the same section, and better tire wear. That unexpected shake is what bothers me.

Thanks for the brake advise, priceless info

Montfort · Aug 19, 2015

Sonnythebull said:
I'm getting a proper suspension guy to do it this week.

I'm experiencing a lot of the same. Who are you getting to do the set up?
I also was at Mosport with the DOCC that weekend but didn't see you.
Again for two days last week with Pro 6.
Sent you a pm.
Regards, Dave

Jr51 · Sep 28, 2015

wobble on 1199

i am probably nearly an expert on the head shake, weave or whatever you wanna call it when leaned over accelerating hard ..,mine even stayed wobbling a fair bit after i straightened up flying down the straight.. i have mine figured out .., finally.. after nearly all summer of tinkering on everything.. like everything.., with little improvement.. until i changed the rear ohlins spring from the 90nm that came stock on mine to 85nm.. im 180 lbs approx plus gear.. really thought it was a waste of time while putting it in., but it worked for me.. before, i tried preload, damping, rebound, front, rear, sag, tried a thousand combos.. tire pressure, different tires, everything.. the steer damper i had at 3 clicks out, but that compounded the wobble i had to a near death situation in a 130mph corner.., i will never ever go under 5 clicks ever again.. i have that set that 6 clicks out now.. anyway, i changed the spring and got immediately much faster with no wobble.. hope this helps for someone else.. ps, i ride tracks only.., on this bike..

Head shake tank slapper on track

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