Ohlins Steering Dampeners don't work : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

BayRider · 06-24-2008, 06:49 PM

So everyone knows that the stock damper does not work for anything. I know that changing out the oil to a heavier weight should make it work better. I was wondering If anyone had made this change if so what weight oil should I use and how hard is it to do

thanks,

Vertigo117 · 06-24-2008, 09:04 PM

Yeah i'd be interested in that too... or would it be easier and cheaper to just get a new one?

Sakkie · 06-24-2008, 09:41 PM

we changed ours with w15 fork oil i know there is people going even thicker but the w 15 works just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just take your time to bleed all the air out!!!!!

dILLE · 06-25-2008, 10:48 PM

I had my steering damper modified at local Ohlins importer where it was fitted with standard (SD169) jet needle. 12-13 cliks from open to closed seems to work well on track. Allthough there was a small foot note that Ohlins is not responsible if mounting brackets in the frame will break loose.

Funny... I guess that if that happens there will be a few more loose parts too ;)

Titou · 06-26-2008, 02:44 AM

Hello guys,

ohlins & kayaba don't test shocks before sell it.
So, sometimes, there are air bubbles in oil and in fact the rear shock doesn't effective.

A new brand is coming in US and it's named EMC.

I have french article about it, so I don't know if you can read it, but you can see the note between ohlins & EMC and the price.

http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/02/30/68/emc10.jpg
http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/02/30/68/ohlins10.jpg

I have EMC on my 600 and my 1000 and I am very satisfied.
And the recondition is only all 25000 miles ;)

And for shocks regulatings you have to be softer before to be too soft ;)

Spliffyaid · 06-26-2008, 03:35 AM

If you do a search, there was a big post on this a while back.

Your options are, smaller needle, thicker oil or do what most people did and just buy a "proper" Ohlins damper

The OEM one doesnt offer the range of adjustment that one bought off the shelf does

madmax2295 · 06-26-2008, 08:48 AM

,

stock its crap

BayRider · 06-28-2008, 01:18 PM

Thanks for all the help guys

KawieKrazy · 07-02-2008, 07:51 AM

you know it really pisses me off that Kawasaki puts a steering damper on the bike that doesent do jack shit, I would think Ohlins would want their product to work as designed and not require alterations, the way I look at it Kawasaki is just giving business to GPR and Scotts. Okay, I'm done crying now.

Spliffyaid · 07-02-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KawieKrazy

you know it really pisses me off that Kawasaki puts a steering damper on the bike that doesent do jack shit, I would think Ohlins would want their product to work as designed and not require alterations, the way I look at it Kawasaki is just giving business to GPR and Scotts. Okay, I'm done crying now.

Oh, come on :) how many 10R's were made in 06/07? would Ohlins turn an order down like that?

Vertigo117 · 07-02-2008, 02:51 PM

I was just doing 145 on... well not a main road but not a back road either. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, and a little from 4th to 5th i still get mad headshake. The damper is on full...

MotoVegas · 07-02-2008, 03:39 PM

Damper not dampener.

And just get it revalved by Ohlins. I did. World of difference.

BayRider · 07-02-2008, 09:56 PM

thanks for the grammar correction. realized I miss spelled it, just didn't think anyone would have a problem understanding what I meant, and since a steering DAMPER dampens the amount of wheel shake, both damper and dampener would be perfectly acceptable. But thanks

Chopz · 07-03-2008, 06:10 PM

Actually the reason why the dampner does not have the resistance you would expect or want, is because Kawasaki didnt want to put a dampner on the bike stock that was to strong due to the fact that beginner riders ....and or.... riders with not enough experience lack the skill to ride on a fully dampened bike which could result in lawsuits for them. You can run 15w in it but that's not the greatest, if you send it to ohlins and have it re-vavled and gone through its just as good as any other dampner your going to get. just my .02, though i agree when i got my 08 i was upset that i had to do this.

BayRider · 07-03-2008, 06:17 PM

What did it cost to have Ohlins re-valve it and make it the way it should be? Does it make more sense to just buy a new one?

Vertigo117 · 07-04-2008, 12:09 AM

how much does re-valving cost?

Chopz · 07-05-2008, 10:01 PM

to be honest i could really say..... i have some friends in the company that take care of me. I could find out for you guys though. I can gaurentee that its cheaper that getting a new one though. let me get back to you guys about the pricing.

MotoVegas · 07-05-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayRider

thanks for the grammar correction. realized I miss spelled it, just didn't think anyone would have a problem understanding what I meant, and since a steering DAMPER dampens the amount of wheel shake, both damper and dampener would be perfectly acceptable. But thanks

Yikes, easy tiger. I didn't have problem with what you meant, I was just trying to give you a friendly fyi regarding terminology; don't take offense when none is intended. (btw, the term is "head-shake", not "wheel shake"

)

In any event, I did the re-valve through my local race shop about a year and a half ago. Ran me about $125-$150 if I recall. Cheaper than buying a brand new one, and gave me much more confidence in the device while on the track.

cgifly2 · 08-10-2008, 10:43 PM

You guys, if the stock dampner is not stopping the front end shake (BTW the stock dampners DO work) you problem is symptamatic of your suspension not being dialed in. Dampners are desighned to work in conjuction with properly tuned suspension. They are not suposed to be a cure all for bad suspension. So before you bad moulth the dampner spend a little time dialing in the suspension. Not only will you not have head shake but the whole rest of the ride will be better.
Skeet

hotdemongel · 08-11-2008, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgifly2

You guys, if the stock dampner is not stopping the front end shake (BTW the stock dampners DO work) you problem is symptamatic of your suspension not being dialed in. Dampners are desighned to work in conjuction with properly tuned suspension. They are not suposed to be a cure all for bad suspension. So before you bad moulth the dampner spend a little time dialing in the suspension. Not only will you not have head shake but the whole rest of the ride will be better.
Skeet

the stock damper IS crap...period. theres absolutely no argument for it being otherwise.its fine for MY road purposes (on the full 17-18? clicks but could be better, but really, how effective is a damper going to be when the big K weakens it(for whatever reasons) by using a kawasaki spec valve/needle(whatever) which is weaker than the stock ohlins unit. obviously its going to be less effective. if it wasnt weaker in its performance i wouldnt be riding around with it on the hardest setting now would i?