Posts
625
Joined
9/9/2014
Location
NJ
US
Edited Date/Time
9/15/2017 4:53pm
I've had an ongoing issue with headshake and I'm running out of ideas. The bike is a 14 Crf250r and I've tried three different revavles from 2 places. I was wondering if it could be me and not the bike. It ussually happens when coming into braking bumps after a faster straight away. It's gotten to the point where I'm so uncomfortable trying to push to the next level that I'm losing interest in riding. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
The Shop
I bought a Scotts damper years ago, SIGNIFICANTLY reduced my headshake. Occasionally it'll still wiggle, but no more lock to lock shit every other straight.
The Honda damper is useless for headshake. Get a Scotts
Also, it's a Honda, they do that jk
Now when I think about it, I think my crf250 was built for a faster rider. My crf450 and yz125 was valved for me, the crf250 wasnt.
Do you have a strange size or worn out front or rear tire? Is the tire pressure correct? The proper size, carcass stiffness and pressure are important.
Do you have a bigger fuel tank installed? The change in weight distribution and CG height can cause issues. Is your rear axle adjusted towards the back of the swing arm? The change in wheelbase affects weight distribution and jacking. Similarly, a strange sized rear/front sprocket can do weird things.
Do you have a bent or unbalanced front wheel? Puncture proof additives can cause balance issues as well.
Do you have a damaged frame (bent, kinked, cracked, etc).
As far as riding style goes, the goal would be to minimize the diving of the front forks (loss of trail) due to the forward transfer of weight. A couple ways have already been suggested: Keep your weight back and low, don't lean on the handlebars (grip with the knees), don't use as much brake (particularly the front).
Maybe a combination of: not enough sag on the rear shock / not enough rebound damping and fork springs too soft / too light on fork compression damping.
Or a case of all of the above?
Pit Row
I do this on all my bikes to where the front end doesnt move on its own on the stand, and its pretty much gotten rid of the headshake. I had a 13 crf250 that had I got a lot of headshake on until I did this little trick
Also to much rebound dampening will hold it down in the stroke causing a harsh feeling.
Gork height also causes it, you could try lowering them puting more weight on the front.
I'd start at adjusting the comprehension.
BTW, Stability vs Cornering that's always the battle.
Not sure if you have tried this or not.
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