Hi Monster Pals. Recently I changed a few things on the front end to improve my ride position on my S2R1000. I installed the Cyclecat triple, risers and bars. I also added the DP Top Mount dampers. I collected the bike yesterday and during my ride back home, I noticed that the front is much "quicker" now (less drag). I do not know if the settings have been changed much, whether or not the front is lowered or raised to fit the triple, clamps and bars. I find it too quick for me.

Since I have the damper installed, will it help to set the damper to harder mode so to control the front a bit more? 

you should not use a damper to fix a problem it should be there for steadiness and assist in fine control in harsh situations.

My opinion only of course.

a pic would help on seeing if the tubes were raised.  But if just the upper tripple was replaced it most likely was not.

Hi. Unfortunately I do not have any pix yet of the new set up. I will try to post one soonest. Meanwhile, the clip ons were attached above the triple therefore I have about an 1.5 inches of tubes raised above the triple to allow installation of the clip ons. Could that be the reason. Is there a mitigation other than placing the clip ons below the triple as doing so will bring me too far forward. HELP!!!

I agree with 55Spy; you should not use the steering damper to address this issue.  It just masks the problem.  Given all that may have changed, I would start off with the damper at the lowest setting

Things to check:
Check tire pressures to see if they are where they were.  A couple psi makes a large different
Are you sure the triple has been lowered for the clip-ons?  I thought CycleCat products attachs the clip on to the triple a la S4 style
Are you putting more pressure on the bars than before now that the riding position is more aggressive (I presume since you went with clip-ons)
If you don't think you like (or won't get use to) the quicker turning rate, you could lower the rear a bit to compensate, but you will loose some ground clearance....or (and I'm contradicting myself here) you could set the damper higher. If you go this route, just know that the damper's main job is to reduce headshake not change turn in rate.

...I guess you can also compensate with a morerounded/progressive tire too...

Quote from: nats on July 02, 2008, 06:28:01 AM
Meanwhile, the clip ons were attached above the triple therefore I have about an 1.5 inches of tubes raised above the triple to allow installation of the clip ons. Could that be the reason.

Yep, that's the problem. Really only three options. 1 Get clipons with risers so that you can mount them below top clamp and adjust your bars where you want. 2 Lower the rear a little. 3 put clipons below clamp and adjust clamp where it needs to be and just get used to it.

I would do 3.

And what the others said...a steering damper is NOT designed to fix geometry issues.

Thank you so much guys, for helping me identify the cause of the problem here. I seem to be using everything for the wrong reasons. It started with the stock position, which was too low and wide at the handlebar for me. I'm only 155cm and therefore have constraints with my reach - both arms length and height.

I mitigated the height issue with a lowering link and a corbin low profile seat. 2" taken off and I could get a foot down which is sufficient for me. I went for a long haul (about 300 km) through twisties and straights and discovered that the ergo was not right. I could handle the bike but I wasn't comfortable. Coincidentally I have a set of Cyclecat top triple + risers (DBR53) + clip on bars so I had those installed. I have the bars above the triple therefore I don't think the change made the ride more agressive. The bars are now higher than stock (thanks to the risers) and more pull back than stock (thanks to the adjustability). I think it got say 10-15% more upright, which is what I wanted.

I will take your advise and try several things as suggested i.e. check the tire pressure, lower the rear slightly and just get used to the new set up. And yes, I shall remember, never use the damper to address ergo issues.

Alternatively - change the front set up to stock triple, add risers, get a higher and more pulled back bars 

Thanks........

1.5inches above the top triple? im only at 10mm, and im afraid of running my fender into my oil cooler. I basically have option 1. clip ons with rise mounted under the triple. I use to have my shocks with the equivalent of 2 inches above the triple, and damn did that thing drop into corners. completely unstable at high speed too.

+1.....your forks are too high in the triples.   Clipons need to be below the top triple.  You can find a better combo of riser and bar position to suit your comfort needs.

If it is true that you have DBR53 (not DBR13) and the corresponding triple DTC7, you should be able to put the forks in the stock position in the new triple. The clip ons attach to adapters which bolt on to the DTC7. The clip ons dont attach to the forks directly so you can put the new triple in the same spot the old triple was without extending fork tubes through the triple so the clip ons have room to attach to. This way you can keep the geometry of the bike the same

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Nats still need pics to really help.  There might be a way to keep the clip ons over the top they can be flush with the top of the tubes if you don't have the full system aa4111 posted, guys have even sunk the tubes a mm or so under the top lip.
If you do have those risers I don't know how the tubes are so high anyways.

Hi Guys. OK, will get the pictures available tomorrow..

Meanwhile, yes, I have the exact set up as mentioned by aa4111. If this brings the front set up to close to stock, then the rear is lower than stock due to the lowering link i.e. then rightly, the front end shouldn't be too quick, right? In fact, if I inteprete your comments correctly, the effect should be the reverse instead. Strange...

Maybe it's just me...... 

I'm planning for a ride tomorrow. I'll discover the difference and revert...with pixs this time.

ps: By the way, I've just upgraded to this bike from 620 and mileage is just about 500 km to date and my guess is that it might have a lot to do with my familiarity with the ride rather than anything else.

Forgive my naiveness...

Hi Guys. Here are some pics of the handlebar. Maybe this can tell a better story...

without a microscope to see your pics I'd say it looks set up correctly

I disagree, it looks as if the clamps on the clip-on is on top of the triple. It should be below it so the fork can be dropped some to slow the front end down.

A link to a full size photo would help more

Yes, the bars come with a set of clamps that get attached above the triple. Reason I had to put it above is to gain some height as I wanted the bars to be higher than stock. Here's another larger close up pic..hope it helps: