Clipons Above the Triple (Remix)

[1.21GW]

I installed Tomasellini clip-ons on my '01 M900S above the triple.  Don't bother asking why since I can't even remember my reasoning.  I've read all the entries on this site about above the triple clip-ons and general opinion is "no" if you have to move the fork anything more than a few mm.  I had to move mine 11mm (from 280mm stock to 291mm currently).  General consensus is it will really mess with handling.

Weather is cold now and I'm not a winter rider, so I took the bike to my sister's in the burbs for storage.  Not knowing how the bike would ride, I took it easy on my way there.  Definitely handed a bit different, but nothing remarkable and no high speed wobble or anything like that.  But then I got off the highway and onto backroad twisties.  Didn't want to push it, again, because of the new set up.   But wow did it affect turns!  It was soooo much more fun than stock setup.  A little countersteer and it smoothly fell into the curve.  Conclusion, mod = +0HP, +0 torque, +0 dB, +25% fun!

So my original plan was to re-install below triple during the winter and thus get forks back to stock length for spring.  But now I kinda want to stay with the new setup because it makes riding more fun.

Am I crazy?  What am I not considering?

[Raux]

11mm is fine and in many cases you'll see it recommended about that amount for that year Monster.

what many are talking about is moving a tremendous amount +20mm or more.

[Syscrush]

A useful rule of thumb is that a 1" change at the front or the back will alter rake by close to 1°.  Up in front or down in back = more rake.  Down in front or up in back = less rake.

You can estimate how the bike will behave after a rake change by looking up other bikes that have similar rake.

This is only a rough estimate because it leaves out trail, changes to CG, etc. but I still think it's useful for giving you a ballpark idea.  I think your M900 has 23.5° rake and an 11mm change would have it still over 23° - there are lots of bikes out there with that kind of rake and no steering damper so I'd be cautiously optimistic about it handling OK.

[1.21GW]

Thanks!

Syscrush (or anyone): tell me more about the steering damper.  Are you talking about one of these:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=61044.0

I've seen them referenced but am not sure exactly what the effect(s) would be.  Searches on this site haven't quite explained (e.g., what is a 'tankslapper'??).  I'm suspension ignorant but with the showa adjustable forks and ohlins rear shock I have the ability to make changes, just don't know what and why.  I'll be taking the Parks ARC this spring which I think includes a suspension discussion, so hopefully I'll get a better understanding of my bike setup then.  Anyway, consensus is that many experienced members would like a steering damper, though few think it's worth the money.  What does it essentially do?

[Raux]

TANKSLAPPER! MAM 6/28/10

[Mhanis]

I'd call that a tankslapper with a #2 on the side!!!

[Raux]

I' had a tank with a 99 Monster.
@70 mph, ended up being thrown over the bars and landing on my head and elbow and breaking my collarbone.

lack of steering damper, poor weight distribution, bad road, etc. all ended up contributing.

I've overcompensated with the new bike 09 Monster, with clipons below the triple and lowered front, so much that it's super twitchy under hard braking, perfect for the track, but a bit much for the roads IMO.
I'll likely raise the front a bit before next season.

[1.21GW]

Ok, so I see what a tankslapper is.  Thanks Ruax!    Def don't want that.  But how does it occur?  How is it prevented?  What is going on/wrong?

[kopfjäger]

Ok, so I see what a tankslapper is.  Thanks Ruax!    Def don't want that.  But how does it occur?  How is it prevented?  What is going on/wrong?

What are the common causes of head shake / tank slapper?

[Syscrush]

The basic idea of a steering damper is that it connects the front end to the frame through a damper that provides little/no resistance to steering inputs at slow handlebar speed, but lots of resistance to fast changes of direction of the front end.

So, you should be able to steer as normal without noticing that the damper is there, but if the front end starts flapping around quickly, the damper damps that oscillation by resisting the fast side-to-side movements of the front.

[1.21GW]

Got it!  Makes sense.

Also: crap!  Another thing goes on my 'must have' list.