G'Day All,
I read as much as I could on the forum regarding steering dampers for the ZX-14 and I'm still just not sure.
At the speeds and acceleration this bike is capable of, it seems wise.
And yet some say its good to have one and some say the ZX-14 just doesn't need it.
Then of course there is the question of which one!
They are not cheap so I wanted to find out as much as I could before taking the leap and buying one, or not...
Thanks in advance for any help...

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I personally haven't felt the need for one. It's possible that I've never pushed it hard enough to encounter a wobble, but until I reach that point, if there is such a point, I won't be blowing money on a damper. My theory is the 14's long wheelbase (and even longer swingarm on the 14R) is enough to keep it stable despite relatively steep front-end geometry. If I were riding a shorter-wheelbased, lighter machine, I could see it.

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The Hayabusa has a stock damper with an electronic sensor. Its as good if not more effective than any aftermarket damper. Here you see a situation where the busa could have used a little help. IDK if the damper was working or if it was properly maintained. Point is, a big sportbike still can use a damper.

Before I started doing wheelies on the 14, most I ever felt was a single quick whip in the steering while cornering if I ran over a bump or small pothole. It has always gone right back on track without the least bit of drama. I never felt my busa equipped with OEM damper do anything at all. Not a even a hiccup. I put a HyperPro Active damper on my 14 mostly out of novelty. I really love the way they look.

Just before storage this winter, I removed the damper from the 14 to install the BMC filter I have and did some test riding. It was almost immediately that I noticed the difference from having the damper installed. No scary oscillations but I got a few warning signs when touching down. Just a fast zip and it was tracking straight but with the HyperPro, there is NO steering whip at all. If you do wheelies, you really should have a damper on there.

I did my research like you are doing and had the same questions you have.

#1 Do you need it?
if you wheelie, you do. Seems to be a reliable back up to me.

#2 WHich one? Rotary or oil tube?
Could not determine which was best. Looking at them, I would say it appears the rotary would have less maximum power because it has much more leverage working against it. I asked that of an experienced ridet and he felt there was not enough difference to matter.

I chose oil tube because it looks cooler IMO. Had a trusted member suggest the HyperPro as the one he would try next so I went with it. The HyperPro Active damper reacts to sudden changes in steering input the same way an electronic damper does. I don't know how it works but it definitely seems to do it. When you are steering normally on the street or even track riding, you will not know it is there. Makes you wonder if it does anything atr all....but all I can say is I never feel a zing in the steering with the damper installed so it must be working.

Have heard of lots of people saying the GPR rotary damper leaks oil badly. The Scott's rotary is a very well liked choice. There is a Muzzy oil tube and a Brocks. Check carefully if you go with one of those. I think I heard one requires drilling. The HyperPro is totally bolt-on and go. Nice aspect of the HyperPro is that they make brackets to fit just about anything and the 14 bracket is all set for you. Bolts right on top of your left clip on.

If you go with an oil tube damper, you have to remove it to take off the tank fairing which means any time you need to check the air filter or open the bulkhead caps on the airbox. It is a PITA. I believe the Scotts rotary may install without interfering with the gas tank fairing.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/10/2013 @ 10:27 AM *

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I say HELL yes! I looked at all of them and went with the Scott's because of the quality. It's great! I've had it three years and I'm very glad I bought it. You can adjust it very easy and I do all the time. If I'm going fast I dial in tighter and if I'm going REAL fast like top speed I dial it even tighter. When we hit the Dragon I dial it way back so there is little resistance and all while never stopping or getting off the bike. Who ever says the 14 doesn't need it has never ridden with one on there. I was the same way until I got one. Now it's much nicer. Heck even on a windy day on the high way I lock it down and it feels much better. Scott's all the way!!!

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I agree with both guys. Yes and no but if you have the $$ which I think you do, I'd go for it. It's a little extra insurance. The Scott damper saved so many wheelies. Also when I'm leaned over at high speed, I'd hit small bumps and feel the bike waving: Beside stiffening the handlebars, a damper (at least the Scott Damper) correct fast head shakes so you front wheel can remain on track. The waving is nothing scary, it's like when you have good suspension, it lets you know what the bike is doing and it's better that running wide after you hit a bump. AND last but not least, the unit looks trick! Every time a Harley Rider look at my bike he/she ask me: What's that? Lol Somehow,it also gives the impression that your bike is meaner, faster and that you ride it on the limit. So it's perfect for posers as well lol
The bad part is that you have to drill holes with the Scott damper if you don't want to do that get Rook's or the GPR.

Here is mine

Make sure you get your suspension dialed in first. You don't want the damper to hide serious suspension problem, you want to enhance performance.

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As far as setting I wouldn't go higher than 3 (left dial) for track and street riding. For a top speed run, I'll probably go at least half of max. So what's next Yannih? I see Velocity Stacks and RE-Flashes in the near future. lol

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I started off looking at this one my buddy uses and almost bought it. After trying the HyperPro on another 14 made my choice. Mounting System Solid. Best prices if your looking. MotoMummy, click

This sealed it for me.

Description
The worlds only active damper.
Hyperpro's RSC "Active" valving means that as steering speed increases, the damping automatically increases. Our "Active" technology is far beyond what any conventional aftermarket damper offers, and is a Hyperpro exclusive.

It can Happen ?

* Last updated by: Romans on 1/12/2013 @ 5:21 AM *

I see Velocity Stacks and RE-Flashes in the near future. lol

I will putting my short stacks up for sale at some point. I can't find anything as I just moved. Wifey playing hide and seek with all my bike parts lol.

I will putting my short stacks up for sale at some point. I can't find anything as I just moved. Wifey playing hide and seek with all my bike parts lol.

PM me first. I want them lol

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Save the damper for the unsophisticated BUSA.....LOL!!!!!

I'm not an LSR guy or a drag racer, I ride on public roads. Show me a vid of a wobbling ZX-14 that's not being thrashed to within an inch of it's life.

Racing and street riding are two completely different animals and sometimes the connection between the two is very tenuous if not non-existent. What works on the track doesn't necessarily translate to what works on the street. And riding on the street as if you are on the track isn't a prescription for a long life.

Did any of you guys who run dampers experience a wobble without one?

* Last updated by: Danno on 1/13/2013 @ 5:24 AM *

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Danno I really didn’t but when you accelerate real hard I mean hard the front end come up in 3rd about 3” or so and it makes you feel a lot better when it’s happening. Not to mention it makes the bike feel for stable for some reason. When you on the highway and its windy out there I tighten it up and it feels way better….. If you hit a pot hole or anything it makes a difference. Riding on the track is different than riding on the street but they do help. Now if a guy rides like and old man never really riding the bike under him then he should save his money.

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Did any of you guys who run dampers experience a wobble without one?

As mentioned at the beginning of the thread, I definitely noticed a difference when riding hard after I removed the damper. I'm not saying anything ever happened that did not immediately fix itself without the damper. With the damper, those little zips never happen.

If your bike is only a commuter, I would not bother with a damper. IMHO, anyone will probably be alright on a 14 without a damper even if they wheelie. "Probably" isn't good enough for me when I am pushing my skills. If you are feeling the steering pull back on track after the front touches down, that is the your warning sign that you might need a damper, perhaps the very next time you wheelie. I look at it as a neat piece of equipment that provides a much greater margin of safety for the way I often ride.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/13/2013 @ 8:07 AM *

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No commuting here. I rarely slap a leg over if I'm not doing at least 200 miles or so.

With the TRE, mine comes right up when you wind first gear, and of course, will power wheelie in the first three if you shift hard. Still, can't see the expense of a damper just for wheelie landing control, I'm trying to keep that sort of behavior to a minimum since the state law (41000 fine for wheelies!) changed January 1.

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This is a dicey subject here;)With that drag video...it's very hard to see what's actually causing that wobble.Same as the Busa guy...although it's 'almost' clear his front got out of line with his rear....on his landing looks like to me.Now...could that occur while carving?Probably.Straight line acelleration on a good road...with a stable riding condition....probably not.This bike is heavy.Even with the HP and torque...it's balanced very well.I've 'heard' the 'key' to stopping a slapper is to 'lighten the grip' on the bars so the wheel can track.(when getting one).I've had one...on my old 12R......damper 'may' have changed that...IDK...there was no time to even process in my mind that it was happening...and it was over...just like that.Had it continued any further..I'm very sure I would have highsided and the bike crashed really bad.But it stopped itself just when....my hands were coming off the bar ends...(from the slapping).Is there a connection there?IDK....Niether of my 14's have ever displayed any actions like they 'may' be getting ready to slap.....and I've pushed pretty hard in some not so excellent curves on the inside line.Slipped barely a couple of times...the front...but so fast it didn't have time to really get out of line(too much).I don't think the 14 needs one...but I guess it couldn't hurt for some added piece of mind.

I have my own opinion about WHY the Busa comes stock with one...just as the zx10 does and some others.I rode my friend's 08 Busa....with the damper.In the hard corners...rolling hard...I didn't feel comfortable with that frontend feeling as it was.Just didn't feel planted like my 14...but that could be just bias.Needless to say...after three or four fast deep corners...I wanted my bike back.The Busa could easily handle those corners...but it didn't feel like it was 'safe' to me anyway.No criticism to the Busa...but,I wonder what would have happened WITHOUT that damper on there(the Busa that is).

Almost every pro mentions keeping a light grip on the bars...gives the suspension and steering a natural built in ability to track correctly.You stop that from happening....who knows...a simple slip could end up being a hospital stay...IDK.The front's gonna wiggle a bit...it has to....under the needed circumstances that is.If it can't move as it should...what then...something's got to give.....tire grip and patch come to mind here;)The front's gonna try to realign with the rear...if it can't do that quickly.....uh oh.I've had my 14's up and landing with wiggle....it's gonna do that if yer holding on with a death grip and not relaxing with the bike.It's always going to try and stay upright.The spinning mass of the wheels won't let it fall over(normally)..until the speed drops to a certain point.Or the rear gets out of line with the front track.Which starts the slap process...either wheel...doesn't matter.

It's just built in to us to grab harder in that kind of emergency...which may be counterproductive to allowing the bike to stabilize itself.If it's inherently 'unstable'....then anything can make it worse.Does a damper STOP that process...maybe...probably on some bikes...but I think the 14's are probably the most stable bike out there considering all the different riding conditions and pilots.

You watch those pro guys getting a slapper....and actually highsiding....they're moving so quickly...the bike can't possibly have enough time to balance itself.Even though it's trying.A wiggle is one thing...a stop to stop slap is something very different.I don't think ANYONE stops that....if it corrects itself....yer fortunate.I know I couldn't stop mine...just wasn't gonna happen.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/14/2013 @ 12:25 PM *

^ Well said!

It´s better to let a bike to do it´s own things than fighting back with rigid wrists. You simply can not ease any hard slapper with bare hands - you are just worsening it.

Generally speaking, you can safely land a wheelie with tilted front tyre if you dont fight back.

I'm trying to keep that sort of behavior to a minimum since the state law (41000 fine for wheelies!) changed January 1.

OMG! It would be cost effective to station a cop outside my door! Looks like most places they can nail you for reckless driving which is automatic jail time even if you are in a parking lot. Parking lots are public places and the laws apply there as well as public roads. but comon sense woul;d tell you you don't want to do a wheelie in front of a cop anywhere in public.

.I didn't feel comfortable with that frontend feeling as it was.Just didn't feel planted like my 14...but that could be just bias.

my busa steering feels neutral in a corner where the 14 requires a little force to hold the steering on its line. If I ride one for a while and not the other, I need to get reacclimated to riding the one that was not being ridden. I guess I'd pick the busa steering over the Gen1 14 if I could only have one.

,I wonder what would have happened WITHOUT that damper on there(the Busa that is).

Good point. You don't know what it does if you never rode it without a damper.

Generally speaking, you can safely land a wheelie with tilted front tyre if you dont fight back.

That makes for a little extra excitement.

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You mentioned 'took a little more force"(with your 14)...yup...that's kinda what I meant...the Busa didn't feel(to me) like it was in the groove.The 14 felt steady..with yes...a shade amount of more force.I like that actually....

I won't be practicing wheelies,front tire tilted or whatever for a long time I think I'll be surprised if I even get into triple digits this time around!!!!!;)

j/k

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/14/2013 @ 2:35 PM *

.a shade amount of more force.I like that actually....

Yeah if that is what you get used to, it is normal. i don't notice the 14 takes a bit more muscle to hold steady as she goes until I get on the busa after a long time away from her.

No, I don't think you will go too fast on your new bike.

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If Romans respects a product.I wouldn't hesitate to buy it,and I'm pretty certain his 14 can test the merits of a damper

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Had a chance this last weekend to beat on the ZX pretty hard and with the quick shifter and full throttle applications, she was definitely shaking her head every time the front tire would touch down, mind you I was not wheeling... but the front tire was skimming just above the tarmac, I came away thinking about a damper. Now I just have to research which one.
It's funny all my other sport bikes have them and just never thought about needing one until now.

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"If Romans respects a product.I wouldn't hesitate to buy it,and I'm pretty certain his 14 can test the merits of a damper"

"shaking her head every time the front tire would touch down, mind you I was not wheeling... but the front tire was skimming"
Well...there ya are!Dampener it is!

...well...maybe;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/16/2013 @ 7:22 PM *

I never once had even the hint of a head shake on my ZX14.

And I pushed it hard, my new tires were always scuffed front and rear all the way to the edge within a week or two. I even got the front to push once or twice.

No shake. If it was gonna shake, it would have.

Now, my H1 and H2, and my GPZ1100 all had head shake, and I put dampers on the H1 when we gusseted the heck out of the frame, and the H2 had one when I got it, and on my GPZ1100 the first day the shop was open after it darn near threw me off in a corner.

My Connie has no hint of a shake, either, and my footpegs are beveled on the outside bottom from taking corners with so much lean. I.E. fast.

I know the ZX10R will shake a little if you take the damper off (why would you? LOL) but its got steeper fork angles etc.

Guys run ZX14s on the track all the time without dampers, except some tracks won't let you run without one.

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I don't ever want to say"Shit, if only I'd installed a damper"

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Its too late when you discover you need a damper.

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