Scotts Damper: someone had to do it

Okay, I'd say about 75% of us out there already have this modification and we all have our opinions already. However, every now and then there is someone out there that might need help in making a decision. So this post is for that anonymous individual who might be in the market for a damper. The R1 sucks without the damper. True. Anytime you take a light bike, toss 140 or so Hp between the wheels, you are gonna have some headshake. The Scotts Damper can solve this. There are a few things that I like, and a few things I dont like about it. Like: 1- It has a top mount design so it looks trick 2- It is adjustable on the fly, believe me you will use this. 3- It really does do the job well Dislike: 1- It is a bit of a pain in the ass to take on and off, like when you are tightening the steering stem nut or something... All those little bitty allen screws take a minute to get out, and God forbid you drop one... 2- The Scotts mount doesnt really sit flush with the frame. I put a few rubber spacers that I fabricated myself in there. Not too hard to do, but I wish I didnt have to. All in all, the Scotts Damper is one of many out there that the R1 needs to perform better. I would list it in my top 3 first modifications to get for the bike. Alongside the Frame Sliders and Double Bubble windscreen (more to come on that one). Anyone that has ridden pretty hard on the street or especially at the track, knows that a stock R1 will headshake out of a corner or especially over the crest of a hill. After the Damper was installed, this was non-existant. On another note, after speeds reached 130mph+ the clip ons would shake a little. No more of this either. After having your damper installed you will wonder how you lived without it. I know Cyclemall and Tobefast have great prices on them. I suggest looking into buying one today! http://a3.cpimg.com/image/DB/9B/14099163-5f23-02000180-.jpg

Well said. It was rather easy for me to install. The total time spent was around 30 minutes.

Yeah, however... I dont think the damper mount is suppose to sit flush with the frame. It says you should have some gap in there and if it is more than like 1/16 of an inch then to use a rubber washer.... I do agree with the fact that they should provide those in the kit. Also... I did drop one of those little screws one time... the guys from scotts sent me out like 3 extras.... ask and you shall receive.

Originally posted by throttle-cntrl Yeah, however... I dont think the damper mount is suppose to sit flush with the frame. It says you should have some gap in there and if it is more than like 1/16 of an inch then to use a rubber washer.... I do agree with the fact that they should provide those in the kit. Also... I did drop one of those little screws one time... the guys from scotts sent me out like 3 extras.... ask and you shall receive. My kit came with two round clear rubber bumpers with sticky stuff on one side. Fits like a glove.

My kit came with two round clear rubber bumpers with sticky stuff on one side. Fits like a glove. Yea mine came with it too... However halfway through the hot summer that stuff turned to mush and had to be replaced. Hope yours doesnt.

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on HYPERPRO's 'active control' damper? Good or bad, it doesn't matter. I would just like some input from people who have them or know of people that use them.

Here is a review that my friend who has a 929RR wrote about his damper. The only problem he had was that it started leaking, but then he sent it back and they fixed it. Here is the reveiw: HyperPro Steering Damper, 2000 CBR929RR A steering damper was needed after I had experienced a few head shakes and that was not fun. I decided on the Hyper Pro steering damper after doing some research and I liked the way it installed the best. The installation was fairly easy but you will need to make sure you have a socket large enough to remove and reinstall the steering stem /top triple clamp nut. I would also suggest some thread lock on the bolt attaching the damper to the lower frame bracket and the 2 bolts attaching the lower frame bracket and tank to the frame. I had the screw that attaches the damper to the lower frame bracket come loose even after I had torqued it to the proper torque. The damper feels good when riding, it is speed sensitive so at slow speed or movement of the handlebars you do not feel the damper. I have tested the damper a few times and it does work when the bike tries to go into a head shake. I did a few small wheelies on a bumpy road and when I came down I could feel the bike want to head shake but the damper took care of this right at the time it started. In 2001 I did 3 track days at the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and the steering damper really proved its worth then. On some of the slower corners the front end would get really light and want to skip around when exiting on the power and sometimes the front end would try and start shaking. When the head shake would start you would feel the damper go to work and take care of it. This was definitely a great addition to the CBR and it does help.

Originally posted by r1-superstar Well said. It was rather easy for me to install. The total time spent was around 30 minutes. So what is all involved for the install? Tools required?

Lets see... If I remember correctly. You need the big socket to get the triple clamp but off with (36mm) and the rest should be in your tool kit. Dont forget the loctite blue for the screws, but that is included in the kit as well.

Originally posted by SMPLMN So what is all involved for the install? Tools required? 1) Read directions thoroughly. 2) Remove steering stem nut. (36mm or crecent wrench) 3) Loosen top tripple clamp bolts. 6mm allen 4) Remove the two small black plastic caps on the top tripple clamp. This will unveil the two allen bolts you need to loosen. The connect the top tripple clamp to the clip-ons. 5mm allen 5) Carefully slide the top tripple clamp off. Steps 3-5 should be performed so you can inspect/tighten steering stem bearings and nuts. 6) Install damper. Per instructions (Really Easy) 7) Don't forget to use Blue Lock-Tite

On my R1, the Scotts mounting hardware sits perfectly flush on the frame spars. The entire installation took about 10 minutes, not counting a few minutes to look the instructions and manual over. And an hour searching the hardware stores in town for the 36mm socket. Any excuse for a new tool, I say.

thats great that it sits perfectly flush, but wouldnt you want something in between so that you dont have the embedding or scratching effect on your frame over time? Just wondering. I guess not every frame is the same so some sit flush and others dont...:mad:

Scott's damper was installed on my bike within two days after picking it up from the dealer. I can't imagine riding without it.

So does anyone know wher I can get the best price for a scotts damper?

How much torque is needed when your putting steering stem nut back on? I think mine is off alitte, getting vibrations...:(

I'd like to check..if i have a triple tree carbon cover stick on, do i have to remove it before fixing my Scotts damper?

Originally posted by r1-superstar My kit came with two round clear rubber bumpers with sticky stuff on one side. Fits like a glove. This must have been after numerous complaints because my Scotts damper didn't come with this. Another pro: high degree of adjustability (i.e., sweep control) Another con: damper oil changes and bleeding

The oil change is recommended for off-road bikes which really put the damper through its paces. My Scott's is on its second bike (R1) and altough I really know, deep down, the fluid should be changed, I am having too much fun riding to do so right about now.

I lke the scotts they are the best

rode my 02" for about 1500miles. then I finally got the Scott"s dampner. OH MY GOD what a change I wouldn"t think of ever riding w/o it. Changed the bike completely, changed my confidence in all conditions, and took like 10mins. to install, not cheap though

again... Anybody know where the cheapest price is to buy one?

I think I got mine from HARD RACING........around $385.00

heres one on ebay with the mounting kit http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35592&item=2464142576

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 Dislike: 1- It is a bit of a pain in the ass to take on and off, like when you are tightening the steering stem nut or something... All those little bitty allen screws take a minute to get out, and God forbid you drop one... You don't really have to fully remove the small allen set screws, just back them out enough to clear the groove in the main (central) nut. I use one of those small allen keys that can be inserted at an angle, it really helps a lot when working in a cramped space. :D

Originally posted by R1STYLE So does anyone know wher I can get the best price for a scotts damper? Start a thread in the parts wanted section, I did and my damper is on the way to me now, got everything for $314 shipped:D

Got mine last week- LOVE IT probably the best money spent so far

I have always had the scotts, but now I have the 04 I can not use it. I sall that ohlins I has one that fits where the factory one was. I will let you all know how this works compared to the scotts.