Steering Damper

[pyroman1]

I'm thinking of getting a steering damper sometime soon and would like some recommendations. My old damper cracked a while ago and had to be removed.

I found this review (http://www.rc51.org/tests/dampers/) online, and was thinking of getting the Scotts for cost/capabilities/future ease of transfer to another bike. I like the Ohlins second, but it seems so expensive. I am a little concerned about the quotewarm-upquote that the Scotts requires.

Any other suggestions are welcome as well.
:occasion1

[buckwild750]

I went with the Ohlins adjustable damper at the recommendations of others. Works great, but I rarely mess with the settings.

[SloDown]

Griff was selling one I believe that he had on the 10 but I am not sure if it was able to fit the 6 and he kept it...Be cool just to ask. Or use your local P. A...lol

I will be getting one too when they make one for my baby

[Papa Jon]

Scotts is awesome...One big advantage is you can adjust while ridng...You can't do that will all dampers...

[buckwild750]

Scotts is awesome...One big advantage is you can adjust while ridng...You can't do that will all dampers...

True, I do have to stop to adjust mine. I have also "heard" that the top mounted dampers aren't as good.

[pyroman1]

Well, those are the two I am looking most closely at. I like the separate adjustments for low and high speed on the Scotts.

[pyroman1]

True, I do have to stop to adjust mine. I have also "heard" that the top mounted dampers aren't as good.
Top mounted? What does that mean?

[SloDown]

They have dampers that go below the triple clamp....

[buckwild750]

Top mounted? What does that mean?

Mine replaced the stock damper, which is pretty much under the triple tree. The top mounted is above the triple tree. (Also I'm a real amateur so don't take anything I say to heart lol)

[buckwild750]

I'm sure the PRO's will jump in and help you make a decision. I got my advice from wasn'tme back in the day on which one to buy.

[SloDown]

Stock Gixxers and Kawasakis for a few years now having been coming with dampers installed under the triple

[pyroman1]

OK, I know lots and lots about electronic shit, but not much about mechanical. I'm learning there, so is this the area below the handle bars? As opposed to say right on top in front of the tank?

[pyroman1]

OK, I think I saw that on Oz's bike last week at PA.

[buckwild750]

OK, I know lots and lots about electronic shit, but not much about mechanical. I'm learning there, so is this the area below the handle bars? As opposed to say right on top in front of the tank?

Correct

[buckwild750]

Check out this thread (http://www.tampasportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15863), maybe it will do some good. It has a pic of a top mounted damper

[pyroman1]

Would a damper mounted below the triple be more bike specific that one mounted above? Or is it simply the mounting bracket that would differ, just like with a top mounted?

[pyroman1]

Check out this thread (http://www.tampasportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15863), maybe it will do some good. It has a pic of a top mounted damper
That's what all of the dampers in the other link I posted to are. I don't think I've seen any bottom ones in my searches.

[Papa Jon]

Top mounted? What does that mean?Most are top mount nowadays...The used to be under the steering stabilizer back in the day...The new Gixxers and Kawis have factory installed dampers that are a little low...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3349/00ez2.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/377/24676339ak4.jpg

[pyroman1]

My old one looked like the one in the pic. Some Italian brand, I can't remember the name anymore.
Most are top mount nowadays...The used to be under the steering stabilizer back in the day...The new Gixxers and Kawis have factory installed dampers that are a little low...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3349/00ez2.jpg

[buckwild750]

Here is mine

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/buckpics1/DSCF0158-1.jpg

[pyroman1]

Yeah, that's got to be a pain to adjust.

[buckwild750]

It's not to bad. I don't know if you can get one like mine though.

[pyroman1]

Probably not. Ask anyone at PA, everything on my bike is different. :)

[pyroman1]

Which is cool, cause I don't like being the same as everyone else.

[buckwild750]

lol I think we have figured that out.

[moke]

I avoid the top mounted units mainly cause its harder to get the tank off quickly if needed.

Although Iv had both (gpr & ohlins) The ohlins is of better quality.Imo.

The cheapest way is too change the oil in your stock dampner to a heavier weight oil.

[griffinzx10]

Ohlins makes scotts dampers, or the other way around, basically it is the same company.

Scotts makes a great Damper, a lot of functionality and setting options. I Had a GPR on the ZX-10 and after 1 year I had to have it rebuilt due to leaking seals..

You have a 929, I think the only choice you have is top mount... I personally like the ROUND top mount dampers....

[Sytrept]

ohlins or scotts are the way to go for good stuff. when gpr first came out they had leaking issues..
dont know if thats still the case or not.

scotts and ohlins are universal, its just the mounting hardware is different.
so you could pick one up from any bike used from like the wera boards or
whatever and then buy the mounting hardware.

i got my ohlins for 300$

[LeMans]

Ohlins makes scotts dampers, or the other way around, basically it is the same company...
Different companies. The Scotts damper is a Ohlins design made by Scotts under license.

[LeMans]

scotts and ohlins are universal, its just the mounting hardware is different.


Ohlins dampers have different lenght/stroke. You need to have the correct one for the application (see link on page 4) and the correct mounting kit as well.
http://www.ohlins.com/Portals/0/documents/manuals/07261-01A.pdf

Scotts / Ohlins manual, note the logo on the damper.
http://www.ohlins.com/Portals/0/documents/manuals/07270-04.pdf

Both are fine dampers. For street riders the main disadvantage of having a top mounted damper is that it is so easy to access for thieves...

[DeltaNu1142]

I'm thinking of getting a steering damper sometime soon and would like some recommendations. My old damper cracked a while ago and had to be removed.
Without reading any of the other posts, I'll throw my endorsement behind the Scotts damper, FWIW. I had one on my R6, and no, I wasn't adjusting it on every ride, but when I wanted to I could, dead simple. I didn't experience any warming up issues, but I didn't take my bike on the track, either. I'd had tankslapping issues in the past, and I didn't have them with the damper on--the best damper is the one you forget you have? Maybe. Plus, it looks damn cool IMHO.

[moke]

Ohlins was bought back from Yamaha. My gpr did leak too but I had a very quick turnaround. Although I almost killed myself trying to do a uturn in the neighborhood, good thing it wsnt my street bike, Id have probly gone down.

[Sick50R]

scotts

[The_Jarhead]

Yeah GSX-R and quotesomequote Kaws have them the 6363 still doesn't.

The bad thing about some of the ones mounted above the tank is you need to remove it to lift the tank. But then again on the plus side it's easier to get to to adjust.

My street bike I just use the stock one it's fine and does the job well.
My track bike I have the ohlins ajustable

[moke]

I simply adjust mine before I go out? At the track you shouldnt need to change it once its set while your on the track? So for me the bigger advantage in this case is less work.
Which is not a top mount.

[Noleman]

I prefer a linear damper over a rotary one. A primary reason is that the linear system is more sensitive to minute highspeed deflections that induce tankslappers, while the rotary systems with a greater volume of fluid are more appropriate to the large, heavy deflections. Rotary will resist deflection away from centerline, and have no damping as the bars are returned to center, this is a feature which would SLIGHTLY hinder its ability to prevent a tankslapper on the road. I have a linear Ohlins Damper, but before I bought it I did a lot of research on the two styles. What I found was that the Linear style dampers are more effective on the road then the rotary styles. There was too much info to type it all out. One main thing I took into consideration is the fact that 99% of GP racers use linear style damers and if it works for them it sure as hell is going to work for me.

[moke]

Ever notice what most of the pros use, this is something that I cant figure out. Why do most use the older style mounting. Front attaches to one fork leg the other end is usually rivited into the frame, not good for crashing?

[snowman_audio]

I have a GPR and it is great no head shake or anything.