a bit unstable at higher speeds

[streeetfihter]

I have an 08 z1000, this is my first naked, sometimes on windy days when i go over 150 km/h i feel as if the front wheel was getting into a slight wobble. Do u think a steering damper can help eliminate that?

[BeastIncarnate]

Might want to make sure the bearings on the front end - axle, steering, etc - are all good. It could very well be the combined forces of the wind knocking you around enough to create unintended steering inputs.

A steering damper might help, but I'd check the bearings first. If the previous owner (was there a previous owner?) did a lot of wheelies and such, it could have messed the bearings up.

[ZMan]

+1^^ Check the bearings first. Either way a damper can't hurt anyways!

[jrick56]

nice to know your name ,ben didn't notice it before. anyway i've logged over 45,000 miles on zrxes since 03. both of mine were unstable at about 120mph and above. didn't go over that only about 3 or 4 times. son had a vfr800 modded both would show 155 on speedo. i know they are off. i think that may be why they limit speeds on most naked bikes to btween 130 and 150mph. don't remember conversion. also my son check air in his new zx10r because it handled worse than his harley. 10lbs. front 30lbs rear. just sayin.

[BeastIncarnate]

It could definitely be an aerodynamic thing - air kicking you around or whackin' the bike around. I don't spend much time up that high ever, so I don't know if mine does it or not. I'll have to give it a try...

[streeetfihter]

Thanks to all.
I don't think this can be bearings since i bought the bike as factory new with 0 mileage, it was a demo bike or something. Bought it in may this year. I'll put the damper and replace those stock mirrors with smaller bar end ones, i'll see if there's any improvement.
Thanks again

[owensdad]

try sliding back on seat, is the dampening to hard?

[owensdad]

also streeet, if you are to tense because of the wind your ride will be a hard on.

[notabiker]

no doubt a street fighter is not going to cut the wind over 100 mph. i only do a quick blast up to that speed once in a while. so for me no problem. i did have my ZRX up to 135 one time and it was ok, ran out of room to go faster.

[streeetfihter]

I reached over 240km/h with my 93 Suzuki rf600 r, and it felt like cruising speed, but i was fully tucked in. I've also seen on u-tube, one guy doing 275 km/h on an 03 Z1000, thats why i was surprised when my bike got a bit twitchy at 150. But now i think its just part of the whole joy of riding a naked bike .