Where is the steering damper?

[cOoTeR]

The specs list the bike as having an electronic steering damper.
"Kawasaki Corner Management Function (KCMF), Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Kawasaki Engine Brake Control, Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) (upshift & downshift), Öhlins Electronic Steering Damper, Cruise Control, LED Corning Lights"

But I haven't seen one in any of the pictures. Is it mounted between the triple trees like on some bikes? I've never seen an electronic one mounted there before.

[UFO]

Hmmm, is that a spec they've recently added? Because I don't recall ever seeing it before. I suspect it's hidden under the front fairing somewhere, kind of like this picture, if it has one. None of the recent videos show one either.

[JonTheChron]

You're right... I just checked the specs and for the first time I noticed the Ohlins ESD.

[cOoTeR]

I thought I saw it as part of the electronic aids as soon as the bike showed up on Kawasaki's website. Then watching the videos today I didn't see it so I went back to the Kawasaki website to make sure the bike came with one. It's listed in the specs. I always assumed it'd be mounted like on the H2 but never looked and didn't think about the bar risers being in the way.

[Edon708]

Per one of the French review I just read:

The H2 SX SE does not have a steering damper

[Vmatti]

According to finnish kawasaki importer as well - there is not any steering damper.

[JonTheChron]

I confirmed with the Kawasaki Canada and Kawasaki Japan Rep yesterday and the H2SX SE does not have a Ohlins damper.

[kman0066]

WTH, now Im starting to doubt anything in the specs about this bike. What else are they saying is included but isn't. Little upset about that one. It's a $22k bike with 200hp (real?), and they cheap out on the damper...probably a good thing for them my deposit is non-refundable. Probably smarter to have waited until it showed up. That'll be another $500 to spend, and not until the aftermarket has time to make something anyways. That'd be fine on a cheap bike, but paying a premium for a premium bike, I more expect to not have to go shopping for more parts after I buy it.

Ok, vented a little, I feel better.

[UFO]

I believe they added that to the spec list (on the U.S. site) at some point. It was not there before, because I went over the specs from many different sources.

A steering damper was never mentioned in any spec. But you're right, it seems an odd thing to not include on a premium bike capable of 180+ mph.

[kman0066]

It was one of the things I looked for. I saw they removed the newer suspension from the H2 and replaced it with cheaper stuff, but figured that was ok since it's a sport-touring. A steering damper on a bike this fast, is a safety feature.