Need steering damper advice

[Joe]

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

[somegirl]

You might want to check out my review thread.

[BellissiMoto]

You might want to check out my review thread.

+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.

[uclabiker06]

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. 

[c_rex]

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.

[arai_speed]

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. 

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

On my bike now:

[uclabiker06]

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

Ok, but why Arrow brackets.?

["One-K-Duc"]

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

[arai_speed]

Ok, but why Arrow brackets.?

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

[DucSteve]

and where would one go to buy these dampers?

[geoffduc]

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

[uclabiker06]

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

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

and where would one go to buy these dampers?

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

[Joe]

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

[uclabiker06]

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

[hypurone]

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!! 

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