HOW-TO: Install an Öhlins Steering Damper on a Yamaha R3
Yes! I am replacing my beloved GPR stabilizer for the Öhlins SD001 steering damper! Many of you have asked if a steering damper is necessary on a small bike like the R3. My take is that I’d rather be safe than sorry, hence my decision to have a damper. Some race organizations also mandate that all bikes have a steering stabilizer.
The installation process was a lot simpler than I expected. The Graves damper mount kit (available here: https://www.gravesport.com/products/yamaha-r3-steering-damper-mount-kit.html) is definitely a must for this installation. It took me approximately 1.5 hours to install this unit. To complete the work, you will need to remove the front/upper fairing.
The Öhlins damper is very well designed and super light. I also like the fact that it is very easy to adjust the amount of dampening provided by this unit.
If you are living in North America, you can get the Öhlins SD001 unit from one of these (awesome) stores:
- STG – https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/ohlins-sd-001-68mm-universal-steering-damper/
- Kyle Racing – https://www.shop.kyleusa.com/SD001-Ohlins-Steering-Damper-SD001.htm
- Norton Motorsports – https://www.norton-motorsports.com/product/ohlins-68mm-steering-damper-yamaha-r3/
Marco Landry
Geek during the day, wine and cigar aficionado in the evening. You can find me on a race track in the summer time and wrenching on motorcycles during the winter months.
