Greg Field

You're right. Nemo was full of shit, but his writing style didn't make one's eyes bleed.

I'm beginning to suspect that Ratch is just another of Capt Nemo/Enzo's noms de web.

"They're coming to take you away, Ratch; they're coming to take you away . . ."

Again I note dryly how terrified all the riders (save Guzzimoto) of "stable" red frames are of riding without a steering damper. Those who have eyes to see will see the irony in this. The rest will look foolish to those with eyes to see. Or, they'll realize that the reason they're terrified to ride without a damper is because those bikes aren't all that stable. And the "proper" set up espoused by some here makes the bikes even less stable. Heretical, yes, but look at your own fear of your own bikes to see the proof.

Have I mentioned yet that yak fat is toxic to imobilizers?

A Scura shouldn't really need a damper. Early Sports are a different matter. I suppose it's safer with one, though, so rebuild it if you like.

Who now can doubt that Ratch has lost his mind?

Cafe SPorts come with an Ohlins damper. I've seen many Ohlins fail. They do not leak. They just suddenly stiffen up, but intermittently. It feels like you've got a front tire going flat. Then, it'll loosen up, and then stiffen up.

Q.E.D.

Typical problems are Ojlins steering dampers that intermittently stiffen up. If yours stiffens up, throw it away, as it's really not needed anyway. Ohlins shock that begine leaking. Fix it when it happens. Same with fork seals. Might want to replace the relays. Typical upgrades are aftermarket exhausts and moving the fairing back so it looks better and swings with the bars.

Perhaps you should put a Ghostbusters sticker on your damper. Or take the damned thing off entirely 'cause your bike is set up so well that it's entirely stable. I'll take off mine if you take off yours. Let's see some substantiation: man or mouse?

You got a good one, Guzzimoto, as most others have. I really do not mean to disparage the red frames. My friend Motomonster has a really sweet one. His seems great. Still, one of the first things he did was to upgrade the steering damper. He is no dummy and does not spend money foolishly. And what you say about riders is spot-on. Some riders bear all their upper-body weight with their torso musculature, transfering just fingertip pressure to the bars. Others let their weight sag to varying degrees onto the bars. Those latter folks act as their own steering damper. What works for one may not work for the other. Gussimoto: Ever tried an Aprilia SXV? It seems to be the type of bike you would love . . .

I agree, Guzzimoto; it's just that I've been lectured about how if they're "set up" right, the red frames are perfectly stable, when part of that "proper" set up decreases stability, as you have pointed out. After these folks have decreased the stability of an already marginally unstable machine, they of course feel the need to lecture about how anyone who doesn't keep a steering damper on their machine and keep it cranked to near max is an idiot. Square wheels again.

If they're so damned stable, why the hell would you need a steering damper? Billy Bob don't need one. Of course, what I'm pointing out is that y'all're admitting that they really aren't that stable. Many of them need a band-aid solution such as a steering damper to make them safe in the real world. But that's the sort of heretical truth that always gets the heretic roasted at the stake, what?

Ah, the legendary stability of a properly set up red frame. Nothing to fear. Really.

Put some Dellortos on that accursed beast.

I note that it's MOSTLY the red-frame guys who think you need one and have to have much damping cranked in. Who could've predicted that?

All of these Piaggio POSes will be rendered toss-aways by this crap technology within 10 years. Shit, if a satellite passes over your position they fart and pop every time unless you have applied a layer of tinfoil inside your helmet. Why would anyone steal one?

Clearly, your bloke has not heard of the wonders of yak fat. Give him Pete's phone number and the clear instructions to call during Pete's most lucid hours, say between 3:00 and 4:00 A.M. Bungendore Mean Time.

Congrats, Doc.

When I have my steering damper at max, the steering feels so impossibly heavy that it feels like the front tire is flat or that the steering head bearings are maladjusted.

It is still shut down, pending a judge's decision on whether a bunch of it can be moved.

CRGs along with heavier end weights. You'll be able to tell if that car behind you is a cop at 100 yards or more. If you never actually look back, the others will do fine.

The 450-watt upgrade is the same 350w alternator you already have. Why they call it a 450-watter I do not know. The magnets are in the rotor and should tickle your new stator well enough.

Very nice!