Steering damper

[SimonH]

Just heard from the Öhlins UK press person that they don't make a steering damper for the SX. Asked him if that means they're planning to, or might, or will never not no-how.

I don't think the bike wants a steering damper so much as *I* want a steering damper.

[Champ87]

Just heard from the Öhlins UK press person that they don't make a steering damper for the SX.

Obviously there are plenty of dampers that would work - the problem is how to fit them. First thought was "will the H2 ESD fit or could the brackets be used to fit a manual damper?" The answer appears to be "no". The top triple clamp of the H2 has a mounting point as part of the casting - not present on the H2 SX. You could probably find a suitable sturdy bracket but then there is a space problem. The H2 SX handlebar assemblies are fixed above the triple clamp which restricts the width available for a steering damper.

I doesn't look as if it would be that difficult to adapt something to the H2 SX but a straight bolt-on doesn't appear to be an option right now.

[kman0066]

It looks to me like that a GPR style damper would be perfect for this bike. But yeah, it's going to take awhile for them to develop one.

[SimonH]

Boooo... take your point about physical problems squeezing an H2 damper onto the SX; that's a shame.

But anyway, I'd love to know if the SX has a vacant connector block wired into the loom in the appropriate position – might hint at the point at which Kawasaki decided not to fit one.

Hasten to add I don't think the bike *needs* a steering damper in the conventional sense. Just that... stuck out here, I kinda do.

[cOoTeR]

Boooo... take your point about physical problems squeezing an H2 damper onto the SX; that's a shame.

But anyway, I'd love to know if the SX has a vacant connector block wired into the loom in the appropriate position – might hint at the point at which Kawasaki decided not to fit one.

Hasten to add I don't think the bike *needs* a steering damper in the conventional sense. Just that... stuck out here, I kinda do.

A lot of people here think the hole in the top triple tree behind the steering stem nut it where the damper was supposed to go. It's right infront of the tank bolts. I've been under the tank there isn't really any extra wires under there.

[Champ87]

Facts vs Thoughts:

I was surprised to find that the H2 Electronic Steering Damper is not linked to the bike ECU. The ESD has it's own ECU but I imagined it would also pull inputs from road speed sensors and IMU. I have no idea if it would work any better with those inputs - just noting.

[UFO]

But anyway, I'd love to know if the SX has a vacant connector block wired into the loom in the appropriate position – might hint at the point at which Kawasaki decided not to fit one.

When changing my oil I found what appeared to be some deadhead wires/cables/tubes in the upper left, hanging above the intake tube. I meant to take some picture. Not sure what it was, I didn't poke at them closely, just noticed.

[Champ87]

When changing my oil I found what appeared to be some deadhead wires/cables/tubes in the upper left, hanging above the intake tube. I meant to take some picture. Not sure what it was, I didn't poke at them closely, just noticed.

I'm guessing they might be what Kawasaki call "Joint Connectors". There are several of them at various locations around the bike for checking voltage/current to diagnose electrical problems or test components.

[kman0066]

Facts vs Thoughts:

I was surprised to find that the H2 Electronic Steering Damper is not linked to the bike ECU. The ESD has it's own ECU but I imagined it would also pull inputs from road speed sensors and IMU. I have no idea if it would work any better with those inputs - just noting.

Yep, all it should need is a connection to the CAN bus as well as power, ground, and a 12V switched source. The CAN bus line would have all the info it needs including speed and power modes which is generated and interpreted by the ECU and dash. The standalone ECU for the damper would then have the calculations based upon speed and power modes/TC mode to set the dampening amount. But that said, someone would have to build it specifically for our bike, and I doubt the market will be there for it in the H2 SX world. But Ohlins if given the desire, could very build a plug-n-play ESD for our bike and they could simply plug into the diagnostic port to get everything they need.

Same story goes for an electronic suspension. Just a matter of them deeming it a worthy market more than a capability thing.

[kman0066]

Facts vs Thoughts:

I was surprised to find that the H2 Electronic Steering Damper is not linked to the bike ECU. The ESD has it's own ECU but I imagined it would also pull inputs from road speed sensors and IMU. I have no idea if it would work any better with those inputs - just noting.

Hmm, I wonder if the same CAN bus signal is used between the H2 and H2 SX. If so, I bet one could easily make a plug to make it work on our bike. Although I bet once you get the costs all added up it's easier to just buy an aftermarket one. Also, still have to come up with a mount for it.