Ducati Monster Forum

I'm looking for a top mount damper for an '07 S4Rs.

What do you look for in a quality damper?
Is gas or oil filled a better choice?  Does temperature affect one more than the other?
What brands do you recommend?

Thanks

You might want to check out my review thread (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1984.0).

+1

I have had 5 monsters, and can identify with many of the posters in that thread.

You will note some similarities too;

Any damper is a huge improvement over no damper at all, and The more adjustable ones seem to be ranked better.

Personally my favorites are Bitubo, and Matris, but the HyperPro ones are very nice as well (just not Italian).

I do not however, find the Ohlins to be fit to ride upon my bike.

For top mount dampers your choices are
1)Bitubo (my favorite)
2)Ducati Performance
3)Arrow
4)Matris
5)Scotts

I don't know if all of them will fit but I don't think there are any other options for top mounts. 

I went with a DP on my S4RS and am very happy.  Price being a motivator I think you'll be happy with anything that fits properly and doesn't cause any headaches on install.  fwiw- some lend themselves to being rebuilt better than others being oil/seals rather than gas charged.  they do help quite a bit with the bumps as well as downshift hop on the RS so anything will be grand.

6) Ohlins Top mout (arrow brackets, Ohlins damper)

On my bike now:

(http://www.mysimplelife.com/monster/ohlins1.jpg)

(http://www.mysimplelife.com/monster/ohlins2.jpg)

Ok, but why Arrow brackets.?

Any recommendations for a side/frame moun versus top??

Because the Arrow bottom mounting bracket have a perfect fit with the Ohlins Damper.  I'll post up part numbers tonight.

and where would one go to buy these dampers?

i've gone down the same route as c-rex and found the fit and quality 1st class of the DP steering damper but be very carefull when you lift the fuel tank,just my 2pence [beer]

They both do the same thing.  Its just a matter of aesthetics.  I think the side mount ones are a tad cheaper generally speaking. 


Just check out some of the links under DMF Sponsors.  Desmoworks sells the Bitubo and Arrow I think. 

It sounds like the consensus is to defiantly get one, but which one to get is more personal preference.

I was hoping that there was one that stood out above the rest, but it sounds like most people are happy with whatever they use.

I found the Matris M3 for$499.99 and the Bitubo for $514.00.

I’ll probably go with one of these.

Thanks

I think that everyone would agree that for those prices you should definitely get the Bitubo.  Its way more blingability than the Matris.

Nay Nay! The Matris M4 is the shiznit! The only one I've seen with a TiN coated piston rod!!  :o

The unit is gas pressurized as well and has taken everything I could throw at it without a quiver, including wet cattle guards!! No pun intended...

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/hypurone/Monster%20S4RS/P1010047.jpg (http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/hypurone/Monster%20S4RS/P1010047.jpg)

the M4 is pretty badass... not sure if its really worth the extra $$$ but sure looks tite

Its a steering damper not a piece of jewlery and to be honest your the only one thats really going to notice.  8)   if your riding style is less agressive and you dont plan on taking it to the track you'll probably never need or miss one.  All are pretty good and I'd challenge most to tell the difference between any when properly adjusted. I bought an Arrow Ti Comp top mount $365 and have been very happy, mounted in 20 mins.  Does a good job of calming things down,  especially on the track comming out of turns hard on gas, no more shivering.  On the road it takes away any rear end squiggle that sometime happens with poor steering inputs  [bang] because it forces more counter steering over head-tube steering and thats a good thing. [thumbsup]   Personally I'd recomend a top mount.  Not enough room under the triple for undermount and the side moults just look fragile and finincky. If you do go with a top mount expect to disconnect it whenever you want to lift the tank.  I'm not sure about  the others but the top mount Arrow, Ohlins and probably the Matris wont clear the gas tank, not sure about the DP or Bitubo?

Get a good one and you cant go wrong.

I had a DP damper.....It failed in under a year, every seal failed. BUT with that being said if you have a dealer install it you get a 2 year warranty.

It was a great part till it failed, so I can't complain as far as that goes.

The top mounts look good, but how does it go if you have risers fitted for your handle bars?

You'd need to raise the height of the bracket that mounts to the key/emobilizer. The Arrow came with spacers and longer bolts.  Making new spacers would be easy. The question would be if the longer bolts are available.

Speedymoto bolts run an extra 20mm to accomodate their own risers.  You can always get longer bolts and cut them down too.  Places like Tacoma Screw should be able to help you with the approximate length as long as you have the proper thread and pitch.

where did you get that top mount from?

Dept of Suspension. but I hear that Jason stopped being the US importer. It seems Matris was becoming something of a PITA to him and he really didn't have the time to deal with their ever increasing demands. At this point I'm not sure of who a US importer is.  :P You may be able to go direct?

I called Jason and confirmed that he is no longer dealing with them. But he said there is another company handling the dampers. He said to email Matris at info@matrisdampers.com. I am gonna send something to that email and see what response I get.

Please do not forget to post the part numbers

Thanks!!!!!!!!

I posted them on the "Review" thread...but here they are:

Arrow Part #: 11052DA
Ohlins: SD 163 Damper

I'll need to post individual part numbers for the Ohlins kit as an SD 163 search just returns the entire kit (which you don't need).

man, i was hoping you orderd it from someone else.  Ive tried contacting matris before and they never responded...

Yup. so far, no response to my email.  [puke]

ok, got a response... 758 for the m4 with the top mount brackets!!  :o :o

Check out the other thread I started in A&M. There is some new contact info there and a rumor that PJ's Parts is picking up Matris.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=10657.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=10657.0)

It is a M3, Matris Damper I took off my 620. I drilled some holes on the stock bracket and mounted it right into it. It sit's lower than other dampers and clears the tank. I have it set to #8. I think if your Suspension is setup correct you don't need to go super hard with your Damper.

I bought it directly from Matris. So far this Damper rocks!
 [thumbsup]

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2478406369_9798978924.jpg?v=0)