Öhlins Steering dampers

An Öhlins steering damper slows down sudden movements of the handlebars: it stops an oscillation of the front end, when you accelerate over a bump or put the front wheel back down after lifting it, from turning into a tank slapper. Because it is hydraulic, it mainly resists fast movements, and when you turn slowly, in manoeuvres, you barely notice it. It is one of the best-known parts from Öhlins and a familiar sight on racing superbikes.

When it is worth fitting

It makes more sense the more powerful the bike and the shorter its wheelbase: superbikes, high-powered nakeds and bikes that go to track days. On bumpy roads or over expansion joints, where the front wheel goes light under acceleration, it is welcome too. Many sports bikes come with one as standard, and on those the Öhlins is the replacement or an upgrade on the original.

Model-specific, universal or SD20

• Model-specific, with the brackets for a given model and year range: SD 021 (ZX-10R and ZX-6R), SD 042 (ZX-6R from 2013), SD 043 (YZF-R1M), SD 075 (S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR from 2023), SD 063 (R nineT), SD 008 (Aprilia RS 660 and 2024 Ducati Monster) and SD 068 (several Ducati models).
• Universal: SD 007, SD 010 and the linear SD 191 AM. They need a mounting kit for your bike, with a bracket on the frame and a clamp on the yoke or fork, so confirm one exists for it before choosing.
• SD20 series: universal (SD20 003 and 004) and model-specific for the Honda NSF 250R, Zontes 703T and CFMOTO 675 NK and SR-R.

Adjustment and fitting

Damping is set with a clicker: start soft for the road and go firmer one click at a time if you ride on track. With the damper fitted, turn the bars from lock to lock: the travel must be complete, with nothing rubbing against the tank, cables or fairing. Tighten the bolts to the torque given by the manufacturer and check them again after the first few rides.

Common questions

Does it make the steering heavier?

Properly set, you will hardly notice it in town. Set it too firm and the bike becomes hard to tip into slow corners and loses feel. It will not cure badly set suspension or worn tyres either: if the bike is moving around, check those first.

Were you after a rear shock?

Plenty of riders land here looking for Öhlins shocks for the rear: you will find them among the Öhlins rear shocks, and what goes inside the fork among the fork cartridges.