First track day/school. Is a steering damper recommended?

[DucHead]

I'm enrolled in the Cornerspeed class at Virginia International Raceway for July, and I've been purchasing equipment to prep the bike and to transport it to the track.

Given that it's my first track day and a class, how necessary is a steering damper?

I'm not looking forward to spending another $500, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Thanks,
   Dave

[Uncle Mofo]

I think 500 is cheap insurance

[DucHead]

I think 500 is cheap insurance

You just did a trackday, right?  Was it a school, or just a trackday?  Did you have prior track experience?

[Ducatista]

VIR has gotten much more shredded since I was there last October.  7 is just outright ugly now and the exit of 17a is also... exciting.  You might get some more significant headshake in those areas and a damper will definitely help your chassis settle out much more quickly and easily than without it. 

When you go, be sure to say hi to Hendrix, Broadstreet, and Liz for me!  (My name is Emily.)  I don't know the other instructors as well as these three, but you will learn SO MUCH.  Liz is so smooth and so easy to follow.  She'll get you to pick up pace quickly by giving you a tow around the track.  Steve Broadstreet is great at giving very doable instruction.  He'll watch you very closely and give you feedback on exactly what you're doing wrong.  William Hendrix is just poop your pants fast and can do some amazing things with his bikes.  All of the instructors are absolutely incredible and super easy to work with.  Oh, and don't cheat yourself out of your 2 up ride with Scott Harwell.  You will learn just how violently you can brake in a straight line.  Even with all that additional weight on the back and going in excess of 170 mph down the front straight, he keeps the throttle pinned open until 5.5. 

[DucHead]

thanks for all the great info Emily! 

[Uncle Mofo]

Sorry Pompetta I have been busy at work...
I just completed my second track day ever this past Sunday. So no previous experience .  I cranked my dampner to 12 and went at it, I also raised the rear and lowered the front of my S4Rs and had it resprung for my weight. Bike handles fantastic.  I don't know if I really need the dampner or not but I like it (bling) and cheap insurance. I saw a guy get a nice headshake coming out of a corner this past Sunday, and I heard other complaining of feeling the front end jerking around the track, on some bumpy patches. I did nor experience any of the above.   
   

[somegirl]

You might want to check out the steering damper review thread I started:
http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=1984.0

[Red5]

Given that it's my first track day and a class, how necessary is a steering damper?

I'm not looking forward to spending another $500, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Is it necessary?  No, not absolutely.  But it may help depending on the track's surface conditions, and how hard you brake into turns and power out of the corners.

I'm not familiar with the history of your bike.  But if you haven't properly set up your suspension yet, that would be the first thing I'll do before purchasing a damper.

Since it's your first trackday, I'd recommend holding off buying a damper until you decide you've got the addiction to go back.  Or unless you ride as hard on the track as you do on the streets.

Just my $ .02...