Ducati Monster Forum

i have a m800 and clip ons on the way and want to source a steering damper.

question is why do they list steering dampers as s*r only? what is the difference? i dont like the side/frame mount that they seem to always list for the m800 model and would love to know what the difference is between the models that prevents me from using the s*r top mount dampers.

ideally id like to have the 848 style mounting that attaches to the top of the fork.

Cheers Clint

I cant work out why anybody would wanna moisten their steering head.

If your bike is 2001 or earlier, there is a mount from MotoWheels which allows you to have a damper under the steering head, by the lower triple
  http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=1204%7CMonster&productID=5412&showDetail=1&categoryID=126 (http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=1204%7CMonster&productID=5412&showDetail=1&categoryID=126)|Monster%20Suspension&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=168%7CEuropean%20Motorcycle%20Parts

The S*R mounting kits relies on the specific measurements on those bikes - handle bar risers and ignition lock.
I'm sure it's possible to have a mount made for your bike, but it will cost you if you don't have the resources available.

Are you sure you need a damper? Sometimes there are other issues causing instability and dampers are put on to mask the results of these issues. Have you had your bike evaluated by a suspension specialist?

that is a cool little mount for the damper but my bike is 03.

i currently run a stock m800 front, and its not very stable in the front through corners, especially at speed, especially over bumps.. all it really does well is city riding but even then its rough over bumps [bang] especially after a little riding on my brothers new gsxr im really disappointed with my monsters handling. so now im in the process of a front end upgrade and looking at all the options/possibilities. steering damper was just one of the options im looking into, and with the clip ons i have in the mail as i type i think these problems are only going to get worse.

with the current adjustment free front end i dont think there is anything i could do short of raising or lowering the forks in the trees, if that would do anything i dont know but highly doubt. or re valving/spring the current marchzocksizlkfhda forks in it. so i figure replacement is the better option.

other item in the mail is a 5 spoke s2r/916 wheel to replace the 3 spoke, and im in the market for some 998/999 forks. but question remains as t owhat exactly is the difference with the s*r models. do they have a different rake? diff top triple? diff stem?

point taken and fixed  [clap]

New forks, maybe a new shock as well, will transform your bike.
It will handle sooo much better - it's difficult to quantify, but you WILL be happy.
You can get a damper after those mods, but I doubt you'll feel a need.

cheers man, do u know if this unit will fit the dss m800? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-Ducati-1098-Showa-Rear-Shock-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35ad4844bfQQitemZ230540461247QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2198wt_941 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-Ducati-1098-Showa-Rear-Shock-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35ad4844bfQQitemZ230540461247QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2198wt_941)

or am i best to go for the known fit like http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-S4R-Rear-Shock-Absorber-Showa-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4aa6fc67f2QQitemZ320629139442QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_956 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-S4R-Rear-Shock-Absorber-Showa-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4aa6fc67f2QQitemZ320629139442QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_956)

i will replace the spring with a correct rating for my bike and weight.

I hope someone else can help you, because I haven't paid attention when shocks/bikes have been discussed.
(if I had to answer, I'd guess none of the shocks will fit without mods of some kind)(look for one without the piggy back)
There is quite a bit of information though, so you will find it.
Search "general" and "acc & mods" and spend some time reading. (this reading will pay off)

when things are moist, they are easier to work with...  [thumbsup]

LSL makes a side-mount to fit your 03 800

your monster will never handle as well as a gsxr or r6 cbr etc.  these bikes are designed more to go around corners fast with lighter frames better suspension and better sorted out rider posistioning than monsters.  sorry its true, flame me if you must.  as you stated the bike is great in the city, thats what its designed for.  gsxr's/r6's etc are designed for higher speeds, thats why their technology starts at the track.  you can improve the bikes handling with suspension.  a damper only really helps in extreeme situations like racing and still most of the time they aren't needed.  I don't run one anymore on my race bike and never noticed a difference when i took it off and i run stock non adjustabe forks with different oil and springs. [bacon]

I think what you're trying to say is comparing a Monster to a Gixxer or R6 is wrong, one must compare an SBK to those bikes.

However, I've ridden very well sorted-out Monsters that had little issue maneuvering compared to a gizzer or R6

yes; compairing the handling of the 2 is wrong.  compairing an sv to a monster is more like what would be in the same ballpark, i'm sayin.  I consider my monster a well sorted handling one too but if i jump on a stock gsxr or r6 they still are quite a bit better stock, I know 1st hand; I've raced an R6.  When I would ride my monster back to back with the r6 it was like going from a nice bicycle to a lawn tractor.  design/function is my point.  And I bet the well sorted monster had more than a damper.   [bacon]

Gotta start somewhere!

But comparing a track bike to a stock monster is unfair.  My bike handles quite well.

yep gotta start some place.  i would start with revalving the stock stuff and skipping the damper.  thats me, what i did, and had good results; then added a damper and it really didn't make as big of a difference/ bang for the buck.  others results i guess will varry with riding style. A proper base suspension set up is worth more to me than pipes, wheels, etc.  again my opinion.[bacon]

i agree entirely, was more saying that i knew my monster wasnt setup as good as it could to start with but time on the gsxr highlighted that even more. not trying to equalise or even comparing as such, just opening my eyes. from a family of harleys, vintage jap and dirt bikes so this road bike handling thing was a bit of a shock.

i have a lot of room for improvement in my riding as well and could make a start sooner rather than later with a front end i have more confidence in.. hence the thought of a damper. but ill now use my three month riding ban (thank you officer) to put a 999 front on and a rear shock.

still undecided on the rear shock. looks like i could make an 848 showa work with a 748 adjustable link on my monster. 848 has quite a low piggy back reservoir and is bout 10.5mm shorter which the 748 rod should be able to cover, it'd just need a respring. not overly expensive to do so i might buy the parts and see what i can do if no one can tell me for certain it wont work.

Any one tried it? ive spent a good hr or so on search, but cant determine a firm answer.

Cheers Clint