Steering Damper

[ator]

Anyone have any expierience with this damper? I have a chance to get one at a good deal, just wondering if anyone had any input.

http://www.twinshack.co.uk/prods/577.html

[duckracer]

I have the RSC on my Ducati 1098 race bike. Works great, better than my stock Ohlins. The older ones had leaky seals, but the new ones don't.

[alex.s]

Seems pointless when the 250 cant put out enough power outside of first gear to unload the front

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by alex.s

Seems pointless when the 250 cant put out enough power outside of first gear to unload the front

[ator]

Well, I can get it for $150 new in the package, just wondering if it's any good.

[icbm]

Originally Posted by alex.s

Seems pointless when the 250 cant put out enough power outside of first gear to unload the front

Don't need any power to get a killer tank slapper.......I believe in them no matter how powerful the bike is.......the tar strips or big cracks in the road do not care what bike you are on....

I've been riding for over 30 years. I've owned way too many bikes to count and I can tell you now that I wish most of my bikes had a steering damper back in the day.

[94fiveohvert]

Originally Posted by icbm

Don't need any power to get a killer tank slapper.......I believe in them no matter how powerful the bike is.......the tar strips or big cracks in the road do not care what bike you are on....

I've been riding for over 30 years. I've owned way too many bikes to count and I can tell you now that I wish most of my bikes had a steering damper back in the day.

This^ I had one the other day.. gotta love oklahoma roads. scary stuff, but i haven't had good luck finding decent dampers for a reasonable price.

[icbm]

Originally Posted by 94fiveohvert

This^ I had one the other day.. gotta love oklahoma roads. scary stuff, but i haven't had good luck finding decent dampers for a reasonable price.

I used a GSXR1K or Hayabusa steering damper. Bolted it on the fairing stay underneath and used a 37mm bracket from Ebay to the fork. The damper I got for $30 shipped and the bracket for $35 shipped. Other than a few more bucks for bolt, nut and lock washers.....about $75 invested.

[wellcraft]

Originally Posted by ator

Anyone have any expierience with this damper? I have a chance to get one at a good deal, just wondering if anyone had any input.

http://www.twinshack.co.uk/prods/577.html

I have the same damper and I love it. Got it like 1 1/2 years ago and no problem. I heard the old units had leaks, mine is great. If you need any details let me know.

[TS250]

Originally Posted by ator

Well, I can get it for $150 new in the package, just wondering if it's any good.

Where are you getting this price? I just got
this unit for two of my bikes and I paid $500.00 each.

[TS250]

Originally Posted by 94fiveohvert

This^ I had one the other day.. gotta love oklahoma roads. scary stuff, but i haven't had good luck finding decent dampers for a reasonable price.

I live in Ponca City OK. I hear you. That is the reason that I got some for my bikes.

[gadgetguy1288]

Originally Posted by icbm

I used a GSXR1K or Hayabusa steering damper. Bolted it on the fairing stay underneath and used a 37mm bracket from Ebay to the fork. The damper I got for $30 shipped and the bracket for $35 shipped. Other than a few more bucks for bolt, nut and lock washers.....about $75 invested.

Any chance you could post links and a diy on how you did this?

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by icbm

I used a GSXR1K or Hayabusa steering damper. Bolted it on the fairing stay underneath and used a 37mm bracket from Ebay to the fork. The damper I got for $30 shipped and the bracket for $35 shipped. Other than a few more bucks for bolt, nut and lock washers.....about $75 invested.

Sounds like a crazy insane good value. You should put kits together and resell them :P

[ator]

Originally Posted by TS250

Where are you getting this price? I just got
this unit for two of my bikes and I paid $500.00 each.

OUCH! Shop near me has one. Apparently a customer ordered it a couple years ago, never paid, never picked it up and they just want to get rid if it.

[icbm]

Originally Posted by gadgetguy1288

Any chance you could post links and a diy on how you did this?

I think someone on this board did this already. I got the idea from when I did the same thing on my ZRX1200R.

I'll be putting on the some new rebuilt forks here sometime soon. I can take pics then and do another DIY.

[Flying Pig]

Originally Posted by alex.s

Seems pointless when the 250 cant put out enough power outside of first gear to unload the front

I beg to differ.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by icbm

Don't need any power to get a killer tank slapper.......I believe in them no matter how powerful the bike is.......the tar strips or big cracks in the road do not care what bike you are on....

I've been riding for over 30 years. I've owned way too many bikes to count and I can tell you now that I wish most of my bikes had a steering damper back in the day.

Do you have pics of your setup?

[icbm]

Originally Posted by lgk

Do you have pics of your setup?

I have been messing with a bunch of stuff on it today. Jetting and some other stuff.
I have the whole front end off now. When I get the new forks back and I reassemble it I will take pics.

[matha028]

Originally Posted by Flying Pig

I beg to differ.

Link to original page on YouTube.

What caused that to happen?

[GlassAnkles]

Originally Posted by TS250

I live in Ponca City OK. I hear you. That is the reason that I got some for my bikes.

i drive through Oklahoma alot...wow you guys don't spend much on highway repairs, lol. It such a relief to the hit the Kansas border and cruise smoothly at 75mph

Im going GPR if i do the damper, probably add some tamper proof bolts so it doesn't get snagged

[TS250]

I did like the Gpr, but it seems a little bulky. Every bit helps. In my 250 I have been hanging to the side just to keep going straight. But boy it is fun.

[ator]

got it installed

[SMman]

That is not a Hyperpro damper. It looks like a knock off from China that I've seen on eBay. How do you like it? Quality construction?

[ator]

Originally Posted by SMman

That is not a Hyperpro damper. It looks like a knock off from China that I've seen on eBay. How do you like it? Quality construction?

No, it's not a Hyperpro. Actually, when I made the original post I had no idea of the actual brand. Still don't. It was at my local motorcycle shop. I was inquiring about some other parts for the Ninja 250 and the guy behind the counter says that they found this while doing inventory. I guess someone ordered it a few years ago, never paid for it and never came back. They offered it to me for $150, plus I had a coupon for 20% off (i bought my bike from them) so I only paid $127.20 including tax.

The package it came in was dirty and incomplete, with no instructions.

As far as quality, seems pretty good, solid.

Honestly, I wasn't looking for a damper, and I'm sure I wouldn't have bought it had it been more expensive.

[TS250]

I did install the units I had. They are very high quality. I do think that they are worth the price I paid. I have not been out on the road yet, but I do think that they will work beyond my expectations. By the way they are Hyperpro.

[SMman]

Any updates on how well these dampers are holding up? I see one on eBay for $105. I'm normally not a big fan of buying cheap parts but can't find a decent deal on a Hyperpro or even a mount so I can take my Hyperpro from my 636.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC-Steering...eb37e7&vxp=mtr

[SMman]

Can anyone comment on the durability of the damper mount? I have a Hyperpro RSC all lined up, just need a mount and am considering buying just the mount on eBay.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by alex.s

Seems pointless when the 250 cant put out enough power outside of first gear to unload the front

Originally Posted by http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/kenny-anderson-rip/

Anderson crashed during an AFM 500cc Twins race while riding a rented Kawasaki Ninja 250R March 3 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, in Buttonwillow, California. Earlier in the day he had won the 250cc Production race. Then in the 500cc Twins race, according to a Facebook post by his father, Anderson got into a "big tank slapper" going into the final turn and the front tire dug into the ground, sending the racer over the handlebars. Anderson suffered a head injury in the crash and had been comatose since.

I rest my case...

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by SMman

Can anyone comment on the durability of the damper mount? I have a Hyperpro RSC all lined up, just need a mount and am considering buying just the mount on eBay.

I never ended up getting one, but as long as it's durable and well machined aluminum, I wouldn't foresee any issues with the actual mount if something where to go bad.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by psych0hans

I rest my case...

that's a pretty ****ed up open wound you are stabbing with a salty finger there buddy. kenny was a very skilled kid. i'm sure the accident wasn't as simple as "he would be alive if he had a damper!"

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by alex.s

that's a pretty ****ed up open wound you are stabbing with a salty finger there buddy. kenny was a very skilled kid. i'm sure the accident wasn't as simple as "he would be alive if he had a damper!"

Trust me, I'm as grieved about this as the next person, but the fact of the matter is, it CAN happen... No I'm not going to run and buy a steering dampener now(that's probably because I'm a cheap ass sob) but I just wanted to highlight the possibility of it. I definitely don't mean to ruffle any feathers or add to anyone's grief.

[NathanUc]

A damper will not correct ALL tank slappers. I might be wrong, but I don't even believe they prohibit the bike from going into a tank slapper. They simply assist in correcting the bike. If you're getting thrown into a massive tank slapper, the damper might not be able to correct the bike in time anyways.

I think we can all agree that for the average rider, the is no down side to installing a damper. It CAN help in some situations even if rare/minor.

[ator]

Originally Posted by SMman

Can anyone comment on the durability of the damper mount? I have a Hyperpro RSC all lined up, just need a mount and am considering buying just the mount on eBay.

Seems to be holding up quite well for me

[Aufitt]

Originally Posted by Flying Pig

I beg to differ.

Link to original page on YouTube.

The last thing a Ninja 250 needs is a steering dampener, let alone a $150 Chinese one.
I'd be fixing tyres/forks/headset bearings/setup/rider training first.

[MagicMike]

Noob here, but what are they supposed to do exactly?

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by MagicMike

Noob here, but what are they supposed to do exactly?

Originally Posted by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering_damper

On motorcycles

Sport bikes have a short wheelbase and an aggressive steering geometry to provide the ability to make very quick changes in direction. This has the harmful side-effect of making the bike less stable, more prone to feedback from uneven road surfaces, and more difficult to control.[1] In addition, their light weight and powerful engine can cause frequent wheelies. If the front wheel significantly deviates from the direction of travel when it touches down, it may cause an unwanted wobble. Steering dampers are factory installed on some high-end sport motorcycles and fitted to most contemporary racing bikes to counter these behaviours. Steering dampers are also mounted to off-road motorcycles such as motocross bikes.[2] A damper helps keep the bike tracking straight over difficult terrain such as ruts, rocks, and sand, and also smooths out jolts through the handlebars at the end of jumps. They also reduce arm fatigue by reducing the effort to control the handlebars.

On motorcycles, one end of the damper is mounted to the steering yoke or triple tree, the other to the frame. Two main types are linear and rotary. Linear dampers resemble a telescoping shock absorber and operate in a similar manner. They can be aligned either longitudinally and to one side of the steering, or transversely across the bike. Rotary dampers resemble small boxes and operate via a rotating pivot. They are mounted coaxially with the steering axis and are typically located on top of the steering head. An electronically variable damper uses a rotary damper with hydraulic fluid that flows freely at low speeds, allowing easy turning, while restricting flow at higher speeds when more damping is necessary, as determined by the engine control unit.[1]

For motorcycles with sidecars, especially for motorcycles which have been retrofitted with a sidecar and where the front wheel geometry, or trail, has not been adjusted for use with a sidecar, a steering damper is beneficial. This prevents low speed wobble which may occur in the lower speed range of about 13 to 20 mph. In older motorcycles adjustable friction dampers had been routinely installed. Hydraulically operated steering dampers may be retrofitted. The installation and operation of a steering damper must be inspected by an expert or examiner and must be entered in the vehicle papers.[3]

[walk_n_wind]

I mounted a used GSXR damper on my 2009 since I'm readying a bike for racing (and WERA requires them). But it's quite stiff.

http://pen-moto.tumblr.com/image/43247567143

@icbm - you said earlier in this thread that you went this approach as well. Did you drain/replace the fluid with something thinner? I'm wondering if it's a good idea to ride with what I have...

[r6boater]

Originally Posted by gadgetguy1288

Any chance you could post links and a diy on how you did this?

For Draik's I used a GSXR unit and a fork tube clamp from Pingel. I drilled a hole through the factory fairing stay to put the bolt though to hole the damper body.

This set up does limit the travel of the bars but it a moot point on a race bike until you are trying to pull into the pit spot. It's worth the trouble for the money saved by doign it this way. Honestly I wouldn't recommend it for street use though.

[walk_n_wind]

@r6boater - did you leave the original fluid in the damper?

[r6boater]

Originally Posted by walk_n_wind

@r6boater - did you leave the original fluid in the damper?

No, it's a very very light weight "fluid"...