Well. I've had a REALLY bad slapper accident.. I couldn't walk for 3 weeks (fell off @ 130km/h.. just like that :D)

I have bought myself the Öhlins damper. it's a good brand. I got an adjustable one, I can harden it so I'll NEVER get a slapper.. but that also means I can hardly handle the bike in traffic.

The scott dampers are very popular in the US. I haven't seen many of them over here.

I bought mine second hand. You can too! These things really don't get "used" like tires does. I got mine for $150. A good deal!

I use the Scotts damper and love it. It can be set very loose for normal riding and still give you the protection against a slapper,see this post for detailed examples
http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=757
look at my post,that should cover it:D

Hi, I believe it is not so much the make of the damper, but the style of fitting that's important ! I use a Sprint damper and like it a lot. The issue is the fitting style and the question is whether you are the "type" that will fiddle with the carbs and work on the bike a lot.

My damper is the top-mount style and it's an utter pain ! Everytime you want to lift the tank, you have to undo the steering bolt and when putting it back, you get the torque-wrench out .... all of this with the soft alumimum nut.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you consider not only the make (is there really a bad one out there today ?), but also a fitting style that goes on the side- frame to fork - or one inside the fairing in front of the forks. You'll also find that the side-mount kits are generally cheaper !!!

The only big advantage of the top-mount is that I adjust it as I ride. All the way up for top-end runs and then looser during the twisty bits to get feedback. It is really on the top-end on less-than-perfect roads that it gives a lot of confidence.

The Scotts is a top mount and you do have to remove it to get under the tank but you do not have to remove the steering head nut. All the mounting hardware on the triple clamp stays in place. I can see Sandmans point,with other dampers you would have to remove the nut and that would suck after awhile

I know about getting "take off" tires from the track. They are pretty cheap and look very cool with the burned and melted edges, but they are not street tires. You'll find that a good set of street tires will be stickier and better handling on the roads that you ride. That is unless you have tire warmers in your garage.