Not wanting to put a damper on things, but...

Travis · 01 Jun 09, 12:19 PM

I picked up my new (to me) Hyper S on Saturday and rode it all the from Aylesbury back to Nottingham via Market Harborough and the B6047. First impressions after having ridden a seriously tricked-up S in Italy for four days is that I'm going to have to get a damper put on.

The bike is everything that I expected; it goes like stink and handles really well, but is a little too 'flighty' for me mid-corner. I don't know whether it's because I've been riding Ducatis with dampers for the past ten years and have grown to expect that rock-solid stability. Anyway, it's another bunch'o'cash to shell out. Groan.

Any thoughts on the best place to get hold of one? I presume that it's an easy piece of kit to fit by a reasonably able person (me!). Spareshack.com has them for sale at £335 + VAT (£385)... anybody seen them cheaper anywhere?

Do I just live with it and accept that it takes far less effort to turn than my 748R?

I know that other threads have touched on this, but this is more about mid-corner stability than anything.

Adam

hyperetard · 01 Jun 09, 03:00 PM

twitchy bars is what supermoto is all about , don`t bother with a steering damper ....chance of a high side are zero ..ride is like is was supposed to be ridden

Sinex · 01 Jun 09, 03:37 PM

Don't touch the DP one, its, well, not that good, I went fort the Kyle Racing one, with an Ohlins Damper, brilliant piece of kit

flyer47 · 01 Jun 09, 05:39 PM

I have a Hyper and a 1098S. The Hyper is more "twitchy" mid-corner but it's light on the steering anyway due to the leverage of the bars. It does feel different to the 1098S but a light touch and it's a really beautifully handling bike.

I've not had any stability problems yet, but I'll be having the race cams and a full Termignoni system filled soon and I'll definitely have to have one fitted then.

Dukatzi · 01 Jun 09, 07:15 PM

FWIW - I have a 1100s - 2into1 Termi, racing cams - in the last six weeks I have done 2 track days at Mallory and did Silverstone GP today. I would say find yourself a suspension expert to set the bike up just for you (normally about £40ish) before you spend £100's on a damper.

At my first track day at Mallory Mick Grant was there, after he played with my bike and set it up I could not believe the difference. It felt like a new bike and it still breeds so much confidence. It is still a little twitchy at high speeds with a cross wind but with the right tyre pressures it always feels great in the corners.

Hope this helps and I might even be able to find Mick's number if you want

Tony

Travis · 02 Jun 09, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the reply Dukatzi; I have looked on the interweb for Mick Grant's contact details but can't find them. You have a really good point. It may be, that I'm so used to bikes that turn so slowly, that I almost don't like the way it handles at the moment. I had another blast last night, and have pretty much come to the cnclusion that a damper is the way to go.
Sinex, I see on the US forum that you bought the Kyle jobbie direct. How much did you pay in total, and did you try and go with the group discount that the forum mentions?

Adam

Sinex · 02 Jun 09, 08:50 AM

Pound Euro exchange was bad, but product and service was brilliant, speak to dan@kyleusa.com, my deal was Hypermotard Kyle Racing Steering Damper kit (Black production model) with Ohlins SD115 63mm damper $489 Plus trackable UPS Fast Expadite fully insured postage at $50

Travis · 02 Jun 09, 08:55 AM

That's circa £330, which is cheaper than the DP version. I'll email him see what he says. Looks like it's the way to go. Having ridden an HM with a damper, I can deffo say that I prefer it. Now onto tail-tidy, crash bungs and the radiator cover.

Sinex · 02 Jun 09, 09:41 AM

Tail tidy, evotech, no competioin, also get their rad cover, Bungs, R&G racing

Polarbear · 07 Jun 09, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinex

Tail tidy, evotech, no competioin, also get their rad cover, Bungs, R&G racing

+1 on the Evotech tail tidy. Really solid and well made piece of kit.

Travis · 29 Jun 09, 06:51 PM

So, I went for the Kyle Racing kit... it is an Ohlins damper with a custom-designed mounting kit. For me, and this is purely a personal thing, the bike is far, far improved. It is stable as anything... but this is how I like my Dukes.
Analyzing the 'why' a bit further, I found the turn-in pre-damper was too aggressive for my tastes... I was going into corners 'inputting' too much into the bike, and finding that it would turn far too quickly for my liking. I don't ride like this, and I was reluctant to effectively relearn.
I did think long and hard before I parted with my cash; am I just adding more bling to my bike for the sake of it? etc. Can't remember exactly how much it cost, but for me, it has been well worth it.
Overall, the quality of the mounting brackets is A1 and the actual damper is Ohlins' usual top-notch kit.
Conclusion? If you want more stability akin to Ducati sport bikes and like to avoid the front end going a bit 'vague' then get one of these.

Adam