Help! - Steering damper for 98 ZX9R

[Biggles08]

I decided that I need to invest in a steering damper for my bike. It constantly gets the "shakes" as I power out of fast sweepers and I would like to minimize his as much as possible. Trouble is they are few and far between for this model bike. I have searched the Internet and have found a product called "Daytona" which seems to be the go. Has anyone any comment on my issue or this product? I'm thinking of importing one from USA / Japan but would like to know who the distributor is in New Zealand to see if they can organize one for me.

Thanks!:ride:

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I decided that I need to invest in a steering damper for my bike. It constantly gets the "shakes" as I power out of fast sweepers and I would like to minimize his as much as possible. Trouble is they are few and far between for this model bike. I have searched the Internet and have found a product called "Daytona" which seems to be the go. Has anyone any comment on my issue or this product? I'm thinking of importing one from USA / Japan but would like to know who the distributor is in New Zealand to see if they can organize one for me.

Thanks!:ride:

You shouldn't ride so fast Biggles. But if you insist riding like a crazy fool, well go and buy a bloody steering damper then. Found this on the net but it's damn expensive

http://www.1tail.com/sa/p/scotts_Damper_Kit_Kawasaki_ZX9R_1998-1999.htm

Remember ride slow, ride safe :innocent:

[skelstar]

You signed up with www.zx-9r.net yet? Am sure theres a thread in there about SD's.

[onearmedbandit]

A steering damper is just a band aid fix. Get your rear shock and forks checked, and also tyres. Get these things in check and you may find you don't need a damper.

My 2c.

[Pussy]

Try Robert Taylor....NorthWest Motorcycles....phone 06 278 4160

[Mattyc]

A steering damper is just a band aid fix. Get your rear shock and forks checked, and also tyres. Get these things in check and you may find you don't need a damper.

My 2c.

quite possible, i have a 95 zx9r thats had a couple of mods, i run pilot power on the front and a avon on the back. i was thinking about a damper until I got new tyres.., and their (95) geometry is a bit kaka from what i head


But yes, slow and safe is the way... as hard as it is to restrain yourself when you have 130hp on tap

[Robert Taylor]

One of the previous posts was half right, a steering damper shouldnt be fitted to mask fundamental problems with suspension and geometry. Having said that there are a number of bikes that are fundamentally nervous and can have a propensity to wobble.

But there is another compelling argument that steering dampers should be fitted as a secondary safety device. If for example you run wide off a turn and into the ''greenery'' an effective steering damper may save the handlebars being wrenched from your hands by a deflecting influence. That may keep you upright. Or at a trackday another rider/ bike clips you whilst passing, sending you off the track.

The cheap steering damper you have found on the net is not pressurised and will cavitate. It will have a small air bubble deliberately left inside it on assembly ( it will homogenise in use ), this to allow for oil expansion in hot conditions. Parts availability is ''more than challenging''.

If you buy offshore that is another nail in the slow decline/ bastardisation of NZ business, especially in specialist fields. The very same NZ business sector that provides ordinary everyday Kiwis employment, brings in foreign exchange and shoulders the heaviest parts of the tax burden. And the very same often scathingly referred to ''sector'' that always pays commercial clearance charges and gst on all goods and clearances, for all imported goods. NOT a level playing field. I make no apologies for saying that, this is doing long term damage to what is a small and vulnerable country.

The only true high quality steering dampers available ( i.e Ohlins and WP ) have a pressurisation chamber and expansion tank to compensate for heat expansion, negating the cheap and cheerful air bubble. Positive pressure means no cavitation and consistent performance, as it should be!

But, supply and demand being what it is such manufacturers can only economically produce complete, specific steering damper kits for more recent model high volume sales sportbikes. Moreover, I dislike the top mount transverse action ''fashion fad'' steering dampers, even though Ohlins list a few. Arguably such a mounting position is more crashproof for those racers who have a propensity for crashing often, but it is also one more appendage that gets in the way when you have to remove the tank. Moreover you are asking a small, squat steering damper to provide a lot of damping force within a very very short stroke. Some of the bodged up ''Kiwi can do it'' installations I have seen reinforce what I have just said. The need for precision, top quality components and absolutely no cavitation magnifies enormously with transverse installation.

If a damper is sidemounted it will stroke over a much larger distance for the same relative arc radius of handlebar movement. Those familiar with fluid dynamics will know that it is much easier to accurately and reliably modulate more mass oil flow than a tiny amount. A proffessionally mounted Ohlins SD140 sidemount damper will work extremely well with a 20 click wide response range of adjustment. The only difference between what you can buy and the Ohlins steering damper used by Casey Stoner is material, his are made of magnesium. Long term reliability and the ability to be serviced is why 90% or more of WSBK, MotoGp, 250GP, 125GP teams etc use Ohlins steering dampers. The safety benefits are just as applicable to ordinary everyday road riders as they are to racers.

Ohlins spend their time in making sure that material choice, function, adjustability, long term reliability etc is all top notch. Anodising colours are subtle and tasteful rather than looking like a gawdy, cheap tart on a street corner. In line with the expectations of Ohlins their distributors are not merely resellers of product. We provide FULL AND PROPER LOCAL BACKUP SERVICE, when needed several years down the track. We have the full service kit, parts and experience. How many can sincerely say that ?

In Auckland we have a couple of people who we can trust implicitly to fit sidemount steering dampers. If you have questions further to my diatribe above please pm me or for a faster response e-mail to robert@northwest.co.nz

[onearmedbandit]

One of the previous posts was half right, a steering damper shouldnt be fitted to mask fundamental problems with suspension and geometry. Having said that there are a number of bikes that are fundamentally nervous and can have a propensity to wobble.



Yeah, I should've been a bit more indepth with my reply. But with people like yourself here Robert you'll soon correct any minor flaws in our statements. Out of curiosity what bikes in your experience tend to be fundamentally nervous?

[Biggles08]

One of the previous posts was half right, a steering damper shouldnt be fitted to mask fundamental problems with suspension and geometry. Having said that there are a number of bikes that are fundamentally nervous and can have a propensity to wobble.

But there is another compelling argument that steering dampers should be fitted as a secondary safety device. If for example you run wide off a turn and into the ''greenery'' an effective steering damper may save the handlebars being wrenched from your hands by a deflecting influence. That may keep you upright. Or at a trackday another rider/ bike clips you whilst passing, sending you off the track.

The cheap steering damper you have found on the net is not pressurised and will cavitate. It will have a small air bubble deliberately left inside it on assembly ( it will homogenise in use ), this to allow for oil expansion in hot conditions. Parts availability is ''more than challenging''.

If you buy offshore that is another nail in the slow decline/ bastardisation of NZ business, especially in specialist fields. The very same NZ business sector that provides ordinary everyday Kiwis employment, brings in foreign exchange and shoulders the heaviest parts of the tax burden. And the very same often scathingly referred to ''sector'' that always pays commercial clearance charges and gst on all goods and clearances, for all imported goods. NOT a level playing field. I make no apologies for saying that, this is doing long term damage to what is a small and vulnerable country.

The only true high quality steering dampers available ( i.e Ohlins and WP ) have a pressurisation chamber and expansion tank to compensate for heat expansion, negating the cheap and cheerful air bubble. Positive pressure means no cavitation and consistent performance, as it should be!

But, supply and demand being what it is such manufacturers can only economically produce complete, specific steering damper kits for more recent model high volume sales sportbikes. Moreover, I dislike the top mount transverse action ''fashion fad'' steering dampers, even though Ohlins list a few. Arguably such a mounting position is more crashproof for those racers who have a propensity for crashing often, but it is also one more appendage that gets in the way when you have to remove the tank. Moreover you are asking a small, squat steering damper to provide a lot of damping force within a very very short stroke. Some of the bodged up ''Kiwi can do it'' installations I have seen reinforce what I have just said. The need for precision, top quality components and absolutely no cavitation magnifies enormously with transverse installation.

If a damper is sidemounted it will stroke over a much larger distance for the same relative arc radius of handlebar movement. Those familiar with fluid dynamics will know that it is much easier to accurately and reliably modulate more mass oil flow than a tiny amount. A proffessionally mounted Ohlins SD140 sidemount damper will work extremely well with a 20 click wide response range of adjustment. The only difference between what you can buy and the Ohlins steering damper used by Casey Stoner is material, his are made of magnesium. Long term reliability and the ability to be serviced is why 90% or more of WSBK, MotoGp, 250GP, 125GP teams etc use Ohlins steering dampers. The safety benefits are just as applicable to ordinary everyday road riders as they are to racers.

Ohlins spend their time in making sure that material choice, function, adjustability, long term reliability etc is all top notch. Anodising colours are subtle and tasteful rather than looking like a gawdy, cheap tart on a street corner. In line with the expectations of Ohlins their distributors are not merely resellers of product. We provide FULL AND PROPER LOCAL BACKUP SERVICE, when needed several years down the track. We have the full service kit, parts and experience. How many can sincerely say that ?

In Auckland we have a couple of people who we can trust implicitly to fit sidemount steering dampers. If you have questions further to my diatribe above please pm me or for a faster response e-mail to robert@northwest.co.nz

WOW...what a response!!! I'll send you an email so you can quote for me. Just for the record however, I have been around a few shops in Auckland and have people searching for information for me regarding this bike and so far they have come up empty handed...this is why I was looking offshore. Thanks heaps for your reply...I'll email you.:yes:

[Biggles08]

A steering damper is just a band aid fix. Get your rear shock and forks checked, and also tyres. Get these things in check and you may find you don't need a damper.

My 2c.

I have done all of that onearmedbandit....I'm running diablos/corsa combo tyres which I'm realy happy with and I have had my suspension set for my weight/riding style. From what I hear from many people who have owned a 98 ZX9R these are one of those bikes:scooter: renowned for being skittery.

[Biggles08]

You shouldn't ride so fast Biggles. But if you insist riding like a crazy fool, well go and buy a bloody steering damper then. Found this on the net but it's damn expensive

http://www.1tail.com/sa/p/scotts_Damper_Kit_Kawasaki_ZX9R_1998-1999.htm

Remember ride slow, ride safe :innocent:

I'm only trying to keep up with you...you animal!:Punk:

[onearmedbandit]

Fair enough. I just wasn't sure from your original post. Robert supplied me with an Ohlins damper to replace my std one, excellent product and great service. I must add the I have been more impressed with Robert's after sales service.