Dampers

[Dacon]

Getting ready to ride again this year, and a damper is pretty strong on my mind. Been looking at different ones, and was wondering if there was a big difference from each manufacturer? There looks like two distinctive types, the Ohlins looking like just a Hydraulic bar, and GPR/Scotts look like an 'head' unit on top of the triple. Is either type better than the other? They're all within $50 of each other, I just don't know the pros/cons.

[michaelplawson]

Google is your friend

[bigdyno]

I've never ridden with the rotary dampers and don't know haw they feel on the road. I have had both adjustable and non adjustable linear dampers, the adjustable ones are far better. I can't say any particular brand does a better job, the ohlins just have finer adjustment. But is it worth the extra cost? I don't think so. The rotary dampers were developed for the dirt and I think they should stay there. You may also have to start drilling holes to mount some of the rotary dampers.

[SpookyjacK]

Don't think you need a damper for the street. I've never pushed any bike so hard on the street to cause a "tankslapper".

A well setup chassis shouldn't need one on public roads...just my 2 cents

[CoolDaddyGroove]

Research dampers, dampeners, and damperers. Big difference.

[made Man]

Don't think you need a damper for the street. I've never pushed any bike so hard on the street to cause a "tankslapper".

A well setup chassis shouldn't need one on public roads...just my 2 cents

come down from a wheelie with your wheel crooked and you might want one

[solo soldier]

probably one of the best pieces to install on a bike if not equipt already.

Between turns 3 and 4 at Mission I can honestly say it saved me from eating some ground.

Wonky pavement out on back roads can do the same thing, mind you, it takes a bit of pushing the bike beyond what would be considered normal street riding.

I think though that it doesn't matter too much on which brand as long as it is quality, it might be a little tougher to find something that fits on older models.
Your question might be answered more correctly by visiting the WMRC forums.

[CHIA]

Dampers are really nice on some bikes, not as useful on others. My Vstrom holds a very good line
in the corners, and does not feel like it needs one at all. My older ZRX was a bit more of a beast
in that regard, and a damper absolutely improved confidence, and made the front end a lot less
"lively".

Some bikes, by design, are just much more inherently stable, and do not benefit, on regular day
to day riding, by adding one. For track, it's probably a good idea on many bikes, as extra insurance.

As far as the different types, no advice there. I used a HyperPro model, that mounted underneath:

[ParkJunkie]

come down from a wheelie with your wheel crooked and you might want one :d

qft...

[FrostyFire]

Research dampers, dampeners, and damperers. Big difference.

It's actually surprising to see it spelled correctly. One of my biggest pet peeves is people referring to it as a dampener.

[CHIA]

This video is pretty technical, but if you listen carefully, it may help with the decision:

[Coastmaster]

Dampers are really nice on some bikes, not as useful on others.

Truer words were never spoken.

Very nice install on that ZRX, by the way.

[Dacon]

Hmm, thanks for the comments, video is helpful as well.

[CHIA]

video is helpful as well.

Seriously??

[Dacon]

Seriously??

Well it killed close to 5 minutes of my morning, that's helpful There was nothing in it too technical, but most current bikes coming with one standard is a pretty big sell.