Where is the steering damper?
Where is the steering damper?
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.
"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.
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Stock with airfilter 164whp 84ft.lbs
De-restricted + tuned 213whp 97ft.lbs
Full vandemon exhaust with tune 221whp 99ft.lbs
On Race Fuel 233whp 103ft.lbs
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Re: Where is the steering damper?
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.


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- JonTheChron
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Re: Where is the steering damper?
You're right... I just checked the specs and for the first time I noticed the Ohlins ESD.
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2018 H2 SX SE (1st in Canada)
2011 Ninja 1000 (sold)
2009 Ninja 250R (sold)
Re: Where is the steering damper?
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.
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Stock with airfilter 164whp 84ft.lbs
De-restricted + tuned 213whp 97ft.lbs
Full vandemon exhaust with tune 221whp 99ft.lbs
On Race Fuel 233whp 103ft.lbs
Re: Where is the steering damper?
Per one of the French review I just read:
The H2 SX SE does not have a steering damper
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Re: Where is the steering damper?
According to finnish kawasaki importer as well - there is not any steering damper.
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H2SX SE with panniers and Vandemon H2R (+Akrapovic)
Ex: ZZR-1400 -12
Ex: Suzuki Hayabusa -08
Ex: Kawasaki Z750 -04
- JonTheChron
- Chirp-Chirp!
- Posts: 554
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:00 pm
- Location: Quebec
- Bike(s): H2 SX SE '18
- x 3
- x 2
Re: Where is the steering damper?
I confirmed with the Kawasaki Canada and Kawasaki Japan Rep yesterday and the H2SX SE does not have a Ohlins damper.
Last edited by JonTheChron on Tue Feb 13, 2018 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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2018 H2 SX SE (1st in Canada)
2011 Ninja 1000 (sold)
2009 Ninja 250R (sold)
Re: Where is the steering damper?
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.
Ok, vented a little, I feel better.
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- UFO
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- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:36 am
- Location: PNW, USA
- Bike(s): '18 H2SX SE
- x 1
- x 24
Re: Where is the steering damper?
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.
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.

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Re: Where is the steering damper?
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.
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