Hey everyone, I'm considering grabbing the ohlins steering damper for my 2014 Monster but I'm having trouble justifying the cost. I'm basically asking to be convinced; has anyone else made the switch on their Monster that can comment on the difference/improvement? Thanks
I would have the suspension set up properly first. You shouldn't need a damper with properly set up suspension.
Firstly check all your suspension settings to make sure you havent got assymetric settings. ie the settings are identical each side of the front forks. If you havn't had it professionally set up and I'm guessing you havn't as it wouldn't squirm if you had, my advice is to go back to factory settings for a good start point. Set up your static sag using the rear preload on the spring. Find a stretch of road you like with corners. Ride her hard so you reproduce the squirming out of corners then reduce the rear compression a little at a time trying it each time till it stops squirming. Make a note of all your current settings so that you can go back to where you are now if it gets worse etc. If you are not happy with suspension tweeking pay a professional to set it up for you. It will be the best £50 or so you will ever spend on the bike and much cheaper than paying £600 for a damper you don't need.
I have a 2015 Monster 1200S, and I have to agree with the advise about getting your suspension tuned-up and adjusted, as I have a similar situation, in Touring -Mode it seems the steering is loose, and over-steer can happen, so I will be getting a suspension tune-up, however I have to say yes to the "Ohlins Steering-Damper" System on these 1200S models, it is almost a shame they were not added, but is important to have because, any sport type bike without it is going to have a less stable steering system without, if it didn't help the Monsters steering Ducati would not have added it to the R. It's worth the money, and could save your life preventing a "Death Wobble", etc. I am definitely going to add to my 2015 1200S, it's one of the best upgrade's we can do. Don't cut corners on your safety. I am also looking for information about a "quick shifter" kit for our bikes if anyone know about this.
