What are you guys running for steering dampers?

[DaveZX6r]

So I've been looking into getting a steering damper for my bike and as it stands I'm leaning towards the scotts. As far as aesthetics go I'm more of a fan of the linear ohlins style dampers, but the features on the scotts dampers combined with their build quality, and the fact that they are so easily serviced is leaning me towards them. Thoughts?

[Jim]

ohlins linear

[DaveZX6r]

Thanks jim any reasoning behind that or just personal preference?

[tsorfas]

I have a Scott's on mine. Seems to work fine. I got nothing else to compare it to.

[Jim]

the rotary ones are a pain. everytime you have to do any work on the bike, you need to remove the damper. sure it's quick, but i'd rather have a linear damper that's out of the way.

hyperco linear ones leak. Sprint linear is ok. GPR rotary ones suck. i dont know anyone that uses Pitbull rotary.

so your choice would be Ohlins linear or Scotts rotary (which is Ohlinsi internals)

[The Snowman]

I run a Scotts on 2 different bikes. Easy to use and maintain. Plus, if you have multiple bikes, you can simply buy a second bracket and swap the damper out in less than 5 minutes.

[Jim]

my race bike came with a GPR and i wouldnt even put the bike in the garage until it was off the bike. i've had Ohlins linear on both street and race bikes.

[DaveZX6r]

the rotary ones are a pain. everytime you have to do any work on the bike, you need to remove the damper. sure it's quick, but i'd rather have a linear damper that's out of the way.

hyperco linear ones leak. Sprint linear is ok. GPR rotary ones suck. i dont know anyone that uses Pitbull rotary.

so your choice would be Ohlins linear or Scotts rotary (which is Ohlinsi internals)

Yeah I've done a lot of reasearch over the past few days Jim and thats basically the two dampers I am down to. And I had similar thoughts about having to pull the rotary to do work, but then dont' you have to pull your ohlins as well?
Also how do the ohlins hold up? And can you service them your self or do they need to be sent out?

THanks for all the responses guys this is all good info

[hondarider102]

Wirelessly posted

Depends on the bike, gixxwrs with Ohlins the damper is out of the way, any other bike you have to pull it just like the Scott's. I've had both and liked them both, felt the Scott's was more adjustable though

[DaveZX6r]

oh yeah gsxrs carry theirs under the triple dont they. I forgot about that. Yeah what ever I have I will probably need to make custom mounts for and will probably be mounted tank bolts to triple so either way I will need to pull it.

[csmutty]

Ohlins linear. Had a scotts on my motard and I took it off because it didnt really do anything.

[tropicoz]

I might look into one of these ohlins replacements. Coming out of 6 had my head shaking like mad last weekend, even after swapping for thicker oil in the OEM one.

[DaveZX6r]

Thanks for all your input guys. Jim thanks for your advice as well. I just called up scotts and they are going to get back to me next week about the possibility of modifying one to fit my bike for me

[DaveZX6r]

Ohlins linear. Had a scotts on my motard and I took it off because it didnt really do anything.

really? even after messing with the settings?

I might look into one of these ohlins replacements. Coming out of 6 had my head shaking like mad last weekend, even after swapping for thicker oil in the OEM one.

Tropicoz I know that racetech offers a revalve and oil swap for the stock ohlins dampers on the new 6rs, and its only like 100 bucks. That may be something to look into.

[The Snowman]

I put the Scotts on my SV because of head shake and it all but eliminated it.

[Jim]

The GSXR lower triple has a tab to bolt up the linear damper. So mine is completely out the area. I know the Kawi, Yamaha and Ducati ones mount up top, so it's the same PITA as a too mount rotary.

As far as rebuilding, I've only heard of one used for racing that's been rebuilt. I personally would ship mine out for rebuild, but I bet GMD has and can do it.

I'm also a fan of the adjustable options on the Ohlins linear. My GPR settings went from nothing --> too much.
The Ohlins have 20 clicks and most of us use setting 12 at the track. I think I use 10 or 11 on the street.

[DaveZX6r]

yeah gpr isn't even in the running. They are the same or more expensive than the scotts and i've heard of two many of them blowing seals or leaking not long after owning them. I actually just came across an ohlins from a zx10 on ebay and put a bid in. If I can get it for 100 bucks I can just fab some brackets and be done with it, and when I get a new bike go for the scotts or whatever. Now you just said that they don't ususally get rebuilt but I would assume the oil would need to be changed at some point just like fork oil no?

Eh shit ohlins are presurized, so much for self maintenance oh well. What ever Like I said even If I have to get it rebuilt its like 100 from racetech like i said. Itd still be quite cheap.

[Eric Baker]

Meh, I'm happy with my GPR. Only thing I've done in the ~4-5 years I've owned it is change the oil to a thicker weight. Plenty adjustable for me, though I don't race or wheelie, except over the top of 5.

[jasnmar]

A Goldwing

[jwm2k3]

Ive had a Scotts on both my RC51 and my CBR600 trackbike. Worked great. I prefer the piston style because they look sick and Im sure they work better than a rotary style. I had an Ohlins piston style on both my MV Agusta F4's. On my Brutale I added a piston style, but an Arrow brand. That one was awesome. My new Ducati 848evo has a piston style. I prefer that. So I guess iv had 2 rotary and 4 piston style. The ojes that work the best are the ones connected directly to the bikes frame.

[Lxpony]

ohlins linear on all 3 bikes....

[DaveZX6r]

which gpr do you have eric?

[Evadd]

nothing on my 600R (didn't need it - it was heavy and stable enough i didn't get too much headshake).
Scotts on my 03 R1, b/c that's what it had when i bought it. worked just fine.
stock damper on my 06 R1, and so far for me, it's definitely adequate.

[Eric Baker]

I have the original V1.

[nhbubba]

Steering what?