To damp or not to damp, that is the question...

Crotchrockety

2012-10-13 08:47:00 UTC

Do you use a steering damper on your SD / SDR? If so what kind of damper do you use?

Lowrance

2012-10-13 09:15:00 UTC

Scott's

Keenaz

2012-10-13 09:46:00 UTC

Dont have one, not sure if it would help with my speed wobbles but I say they're for pussy's anyway

Lowrance

2012-10-13 10:14:00 UTC

Eeeaaaasssssyyyyy there tiger, them's fightin words.....

Viking

2012-10-13 10:59:00 UTC

Don’t have one either and like it that way. It does shimmy about a bit when you get into three figures but that just makes it a bit more entertaining on the road

Willh

2012-10-13 11:01:00 UTC

LSL. Coz it's crap and even on full doesn't have much damping. Just enough to stop it going into a full lock to lock slapper but enough to let it shake and wobble.

jambox

2012-10-13 11:07:00 UTC

Scotts.

What condition roads and how hard you ride them... having a blast on frost damaged Quebec roads, long periods of high speed highway, loose pack gravel on dirt road exploring...

MADDOG53

2012-10-13 11:51:00 UTC

Not voted, as I don't have one, but should really seeing as the road conditions are pretty crap and do make it shimmy quite a bit.

As for type, I prefer the linear ones.

omky756

2012-10-13 12:18:00 UTC

Scott's,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,worth every penny,,,,

MADDOG53

2012-10-13 14:44:00 UTC

I too run a Scotts..
Best on the market MHO
Why is it you guys that don't run
any damper wanna fight.??
WTF.???

Stupid Luke

2012-10-13 16:47:00 UTC

Post missing.

Lowrance

2012-10-13 18:20:00 UTC

Not joining this squabble. Us folks with the executive model got a WP steering damper as standard.

Lowrance

2012-10-13 20:25:00 UTC

I just replaced the standard WP one on my SDR with a Reactive Hyperpro one i got cheap off ebay.
This has more adjustment than the WP one and also works harder than set when needed.
Ive found it alot better but still get the odd wobble but no lock to lock stuff.
Suppose this is one of the downsides of finding extra performance with ya bike but hey ho who wants it to ride like a onda

DribbleDuke

2012-10-13 20:39:00 UTC

dont have one, want it to keep its character, its a mans bike don't you know

Linga

2012-10-13 21:46:00 UTC

Post missing.

DribbleDuke

2012-10-13 21:49:00 UTC

Post missing.

Hotbrakes

2012-10-13 22:38:00 UTC

no dampeninger no probs. I ride like a puzzie, though i am puzzled what a puzzie is.
Is a dampeninger the round knob on top of old bikes that looks like you could tighten it up?
There goes a rounded nob on a round knobbed bobjob.

SDNerd

2012-10-13 22:45:00 UTC

I've been told good thing about the Hyperpro and Wp but apparently the Hyperpro has more adjustment.
I'm running Wp on the SDR and LSL on the SD.
I think dampers are like tyres in the fact that if you are a beginner, you need the best because you quite often put the bike in a position for it to tumble. Also if you are experienced or racing you also need the best as you are again riding the bike beyond its limits.
If, however, you are a proficient rider and ride within your comfort zone and don't push yourself and bike, you will rarely need the extra grip of good tyres or the stability of a damper.

bic_bicknell

2012-10-13 23:04:00 UTC

never had one until I owned an sdr have'nt even checked to see what setting its on, is it working?

MrZ32

2012-10-13 23:15:00 UTC

Post missing.

Willh

2012-10-14 12:05:00 UTC

Post missing.

TLS_Russ

2012-10-14 12:18:00 UTC

Post missing.

Willh

2012-10-14 12:35:00 UTC

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MrZ32

2012-10-14 12:42:00 UTC

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TLS_Russ

2012-10-14 12:50:00 UTC

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Stratkat

2012-10-14 14:40:00 UTC

i hesitate to write this, but... ive had multiple headshake incidents years ago with one off as a result. ive owned several bikes with dampers, im sure some bikes need them. i dont like the resistance they generate, they numbed the bike. now ill also admit my bikes that had them were always factory dampers not aftermarket units.

i am saying that after 5 years of ownership and 30k miles, in all conditions, worn tyres on occasion, slides, really nasty roads, landing wheelies wrong, powering out of turns cranked over that dont fully wheelie but have the front tyre skimming the pavement and dancing away... never has the SD thrown me off or gotten so outta shape that its scared the hell out of me. im just saying (calm down Lowrence...) that in my experience thats the last thing id buy for this bike. if you guys feel a need for them fine, i just dont see it myself, maybe im just a lucky SOB.

thats all im gonna say... unless provoked... just sayin...

Willh

2012-10-14 15:14:00 UTC

Post missing.

Mr_Trecolareco

2012-10-14 18:27:00 UTC

Answer 4: No. But I want one

nampus

2012-10-14 19:32:00 UTC

or number 5: i want one, but can't afford one

Lowrance

2012-10-14 19:53:00 UTC

I gots the one that came with the SDR

Diamonddog

2012-10-15 08:53:00 UTC

Post missing.

stalker

2012-10-15 09:14:00 UTC

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Willh

2012-10-15 09:25:00 UTC

NO DAMPER .. man up puzzies .

TLS_Russ

2012-10-15 10:00:00 UTC

Post missing.

MADDOG53

2012-10-15 10:22:00 UTC

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Jermo

2012-10-15 11:52:00 UTC

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MADDOG53

2012-10-15 17:10:00 UTC

I have the powerparts WP model, was on the bike when I bought it. On track I noticed advantage of giving it a bit extra damping, especially on the edge of grip in longer corners but on the streets this extra damping made turning in feel a bit awkward. Just 2 or 3 clicks apart so for me it's in the right range. Gives me some extra confidence knowing it might save me from a wobble or slapper if I might screw up for whatever reason.

Willh

2012-10-15 18:55:00 UTC

Enough of this thread,,,,if you've never tried one you don't know what your missing,,,so you all should not,,, can not,, be a judge,,,nuf said,,,,going to the naked pic's thread now,,,bye,,,,adious amigo's,,,

jmann

2012-10-15 23:41:00 UTC

Post missing.

Linga

2012-10-16 02:49:00 UTC

Never had a tank slapper but have been riding with plenty of guys when they have had them.

Invariably the outcome has been expensive in terms of the bike if not their bodies.

From an economic point of view it makes sense.

I've also found that shagging is a lot easier if one doesn't have to worry about the pain of broken ribs,
no skin on palms of hands, no skin on arse, broken pattella's, broken wrist, missing finger Etc. So
in another sense having a damper is like investing in a prophylactic (condom) - not a big deal if you use
one but maybe a real big deal if you don't

Stratkat

2012-10-16 03:54:00 UTC

Post missing.

Linga

2012-10-16 13:07:00 UTC

Post missing.

TLS_Russ

2012-10-16 17:09:00 UTC

I would get the suspension balanced to your weight before investing in a damper. You might find you don't need one after all, but it's nice to have the peace of mind knowing that with a damper tank slappers will not happen. Ducati Streetfighter includes a damper, but the price of the bike is also more expensive.

omky756

2012-10-17 06:40:00 UTC

Post missing.

Lowrance

2012-10-17 08:33:00 UTC

Those fooking BMWs are bloody fast! Appears his GPR damper was set too low for track use.

Never been a fan of the GPRs since trying one on my desert racebike back in 1999. Having said that, I hear they have gotten much better.

Crotchrockety

2012-10-17 13:12:00 UTC

In his comments, he says the GPR failed and he replaced it with an Ohlins. Anyway, it looked to me, based upon where he went down, that he hit the curb that breaks up the back straight. And, as far as Russ' point that a well tuned suspension will not do this, check out his front forks at around 2:55. At the very least he had Ohlins NIX cartridges (and likely a TTX rear shock) installed. Those are some of the best bits one can buy.

TLS_Russ

2012-10-17 14:02:00 UTC

The fail was the guy riding obviously, he dont even know what a highside is for fooks sake............... sorry I could not see his perfectly setup ohlins shock and forks in the video my eyes must be going, I could not see him hit a kerb either..... or maybe my imagination is not as good as some....... what is clear though is the bike went into a slapper and the damper did not save it,blaming the damper and saying it was faulty, hmm I think GPR gave him his answer there, seemed to be working earlier in the video though.... END OF STORY!

That it wont be I am sure........arguing black is white some should take up as a profession

DribbleDuke

2012-10-17 16:52:00 UTC

What is left is that we are all right.
White Power is a black art.
Grey is what puzzies reach when they learn to damp thier enthusiasm.

Linga

2012-10-17 22:18:00 UTC

I'm prety sure that I said I had the final word on this...
I called it first so why won't you let me be last?

DribbleDuke

2012-10-18 02:14:00 UTC

You cannot post a question in a last word comment.
Last word, You got it?

Linga

2012-10-18 03:31:00 UTC

Word

Colonel_Klinck

2012-10-18 06:37:00 UTC

Post missing.

Linga

2012-10-18 07:21:00 UTC

Don't make me start a poll on who got the last word...

MrZ32

2012-10-18 07:30:00 UTC

ME?

Linga

2012-10-18 07:36:00 UTC

No question marks!!
Don't you understand anything?

MrZ32

2012-10-18 11:15:00 UTC

ok... me!

stalker

2012-10-18 21:33:00 UTC

me , last word

MADDOG53

2012-10-18 21:54:00 UTC

omky756

2012-10-19 03:59:00 UTC

Burp

SuperHoon

2012-10-19 09:49:00 UTC

i dont run a steering damper and ride hard on the streets. 4 sets of tyres in 5,000km is a good indication of pace on my last race i had a big wiggle, front end going lock to lock in 5th gear flat out but just held it wide open and it came good.

i like my bikes to move around and slide, i think its from my off road background and movement from the front end isnt an issue.

i have seen some guys have big tankslappers on these bikes but most appear to be a rider error from hanging on too tight (the poor guy who crashed at that drag race thing, looks like he was hanging too tight when he changed gears and involuntarily made a steering input when the bike became unloaded/loaded again and that started the tankslapper).

if it helps you then fine but i see them as a band aid solution to a badly setup bike or bad riding technique.

each to their own.

DribbleDuke

2012-10-19 14:27:00 UTC

There is proPer fast and puzzie fast and the puzzie fast folks don't know the difference.

MADDOG53

2012-10-20 13:04:00 UTC

Think I'm gonna sell mine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

stalker

2012-10-20 17:13:00 UTC

Post missing.

MADDOG53

2012-10-20 17:18:00 UTC

Only thing I'm just kidding never again,,

DribbleDuke

2012-10-20 17:22:00 UTC

Ride to the conditions!

Fast on a well smooth road/track. And I doubt you'll need a damper on these bikes.

If you go along Shit Street/Back roads with Traffic/Humps/Bumps/Catseyes/Degradation of surface. And you still like going fast(Subjective).

Then I suggest, a damper would be essential.

stalker

2012-11-25 19:38:00 UTC

what about a thumb print on your head ?

have you got one of them ?

Ducati Pete

2012-11-25 19:41:00 UTC

Post missing.

stalker

2012-11-25 19:44:00 UTC

MADDOG53

2012-11-25 20:09:00 UTC

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nampus

2012-11-25 21:13:00 UTC

They might work perfectly, but i think this is the ugliest option there is.
The sdr wp unit under the yoke wins in the looks department.
No clue which works better since i ride without a damper.

jambox

2012-11-25 23:47:00 UTC

Post missing.

MADDOG53

2012-11-26 15:17:00 UTC

Post missing.