Author Topic: Head Shake  (Read 1592 times)

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Offline bturton

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Head Shake
« on: October 10, 2011, 05:35:03 AM »
Visited a new MX track on the weekend and there was a wicked fast dog legged straight with big bad bomb holes all the way into the braking zone.
My 5Hundie would get into some serious head shake, especially while getting ready to brake.

I dropped the forks back down flush with the triple trees. That did not really help much.
So then I tightened up the stem bearings to the point I noticed some drag on the steering.
This helped somewhat but I could still get it to shake.

I thought these monsters had very good head shake manners?

Is there any thing else I could try short of adding a damper?I know the springs front a back are pretty soft and that will get corrected over the winter.

Thanks everyone!

Brad in Fort Mac

Offline Polar-Bus

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Re: Head Shake
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2011, 09:59:54 PM »
This topic gets some interesting varied opinions. Generally speaking KX500's exibit some nasty headshake (myself included). However in talks with some other veteran riders some claim to not have any headshake at all. My solution was to invest in a Scott's steering stabilizer. BEST money spent ! Huge difference in ridability in all conditions ! Worth every penny (and I frown on BS "bling" add-ons). The Scotts is NO BS, it works fantastic...

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,2334.0.html
01' KX500
'84 GPz1100
'87 GSX-R  750
'06 HD Fatboy
'73 Kawi H1
'03 CRG KX500 Shifter kart

Offline sandblaster

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Re: Head Shake
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2011, 03:29:04 AM »
I experienced major head shake while riding chopped out nasty whoops for the first two years I rode my K5.
So, I had my suspension rebuilt for my weight and riding conditions and the head shake I experienced all but went away except for at the very upper end of top speeds. Even then it isn't much and I have never rode any MX tracks where I was able to get my K5 in 5th gear riding wide open  :-D
While the steering stabilizers work great, you may be masking the real problem.
If you have not visited a suspension specialist (Or, you are not one yourself) you might want to talk with one first.
If after getting the suspension dialed in you are still having problems, then by all means get a stabilizer.
.02
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.