Ohlins SD154 Steering Damper on a 2000 M900S

[Q]

So, I wanted to add a steering damper to the Monster. Since it's a MY 2000 with the older style frame, there are limited options, most of which are somewhat expensive. I happened to run across an Ohlins SD154 off a 2007 S4R from another DMF member that was low on miles and in great shape. It's the infamous "purse snatcher" model that is mounted with the rod sticking out front past the headlight. Pretty damn ugly, but I thought it had possibilities. So I found a way to mount it back wards (and rotated 90*) so it looks more normal and doesn't interfere with any other bike pieces. Because the recommended frame tube (the horizontal tube) is of a smaller dimension on the earlier framed Monsters like mine, I had to use the larger lower parallel tube. It needed to be shimmed up on both mounting points which required slightly longer bolts, but that was about it. Actually worked out well I think.

[rule62]

I've got my SD-154 mounted on the other side of my '04 M620 in the traditional "purse snatcher" set up. I like it on the clutch side. It just seems easier to adjust there. Not that I would adjust it while I was riding.. I'm just sayin'.  Looks good.  I had mine set up backwards, like the way you have it pictured, for a while. It just seemed to stick out at an odd angle during full-lock slow-mo maneuvering. It also poked me in the knee once, so I flipped it around like the instructions indicated.

[118811]

I've got my SD-154 mounted on the other side of my '04 M620 in the traditional "purse snatcher" set up. I like it on the clutch side. It just seems easier to adjust there. Not that I would adjust it while I was riding.. I'm just sayin'.  Looks good.  I had mine set up backwards, like the way you have it pictured, for a while. It just seemed to stick out at an odd angle during full-lock slow-mo maneuvering. It also poked me in the knee once, so I flipped it around like the instructions indicated.

On my 98 M900 I have a Ducat Performance dampner set so it doesn't extend past the front fork.
I have never hit it w ith knee....when I am in a full turn I have my leg draped towards the ground.
Regarding left or rightside set up ...I chose the left to even out the "bling"!!!!
I have the dry clutch kit & the Ohlins shock res on the right.
Plus if you do want to adjust on the fly...you don't have to let go of the throttle!!!!
 

[showerfan]

not the right post, i know, but what advantages does the ohlins shock give you over the oem? is it just way better?

[showerfan]

my bike is in the shop right now getting it's 12k service plus rizoma rear sets, cycle cat clip-on, and thermo-tec wrapped headers -- so i have little else to do other than looking for more mods...

[Q]

not the right post, i know, but what advantages does the ohlins shock give you over the oem? is it just way better?

The Ohlins SD154 is the steering damper. The 2000 900S did not come with an OEM steering damper, so I added this one. There are other options available for aftermarket steering dampers, but I've been very pleased with this setup. However, the M900S did come with a Ohlins rear shock as OEM. Gernerally speaking, Ohlins is known for making higher quality suspension products, forks, and shocks, etc. They (again, generally speaking) offer superior performance and adjustability, which is why some many race teams use Ohlins bits. I also think, to some extent, they developed a kind of cult following, but they do make nice stuff.

[showerfan]

ah yes, the S. i think my m900 city -- one year earlier -- did not come with ohlins anything.  it has the yellow shock spring, but not the reservoir so...

at least it's blue -- about the only thing i am keeping from the city setup. 

[showerfan]

hey @Q, what do you think about the Streetfighter as opposed to the old Monster? i am hoping to demo one this week, may be the answer to all of my long-legged needs.

[118811]

not the right post, i know, but what advantages does the ohlins shock give you over the oem? is it just way better?

Another benefit of the previous owner...
I can't comment on stock suspension.

[MadDuck]

not the right post, i know, but what advantages does the ohlins shock give you over the oem? is it just way better?

The Ohlins has better fine tuning and thus a greater range of adjustment.

[Q]

hey @Q, what do you think about the Streetfighter as opposed to the old Monster? i am hoping to demo one this week, may be the answer to all of my long-legged needs.

I love my SFS, but it's not without its problems in stock form. It is an incredably fun bike to ride. For a naked bike, it's very comfortable with surprising good aerodynamics in terms of rider comfort at speed. It has a brutal amount of power for a street bike and begs to be ridden (too) fast. The brakes are amazing. It was a ton of fun at the track also. I love the look of it.

That being said, most 1098 Streetfighters have horrible fuel injection/tuning issues as delivered. You can, and probably will, spend some pretty decent money trying to get the motor to stop surging and run smoothly below 4500 RPM. Once done (there are several different paths you can take to fix it) it's works well. The plastic SF fuel tanks are suffering the same expansion blues as other models. I'm on my second tank and it's been treated with the Caswell coating. So far, so good.   

I'm not at all familiar with the 848 powered SF. If you are seriously interested in the SF, I would suggest reading through some of the Streetfighter forum section on Ducati.ms and taking a couple of test rides. Be careful with the front brakes if you don't have any experience with a 1098, 1198, or 1098 SF....you don't need more than two fingers.                   

[showerfan]

yeah, i think i would go with the 848 SF model -- even the dealer told me the 1100 version is too ridiculous for street riding

[dufukincati]

Matris M4R on a 1997 M900.

[showerfan]

placement looks awesome on that -- out of the way. doesn't matter if i run clip-ons, does it?

[dufukincati]

My father has mounted an ohlins damper in the same location with clip-ons installed and we've experienced no problems.

http://motowheels.com/i-6922775-mw-billet-steering-damper-mount-monster.html

He used this kit. I like the kit that came with the Matris damper a little better.