Advice needed - Hyperpro or KTM/WP damper

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a steering damper for my '08 SD and have two options from local dealers: Hyperpro RSC or WP unit from KTM PowerParts list. The first one will cost me $470 and the KTM part - $450 (both prices include mounting bracket).

Any suggestions on which one would be better? Thanks in advance for any reasonable advice!

PS we have a lot heavily bumpy roads here in Ukraine and damper is almost a must just like a safety device. I'm just learning wheelies as well, new to that fun actually

My advice is not to practice weelies on bumpy roads

that's a great advice! Though I didn't say I practice this extreme fun

Hi, both are probably good products keeping in mind reputation of producers. About Hyperpro I can tell that much it was hard learned first choice after trying new Wilbers and then new Ohlins rear damper on their BMW GS 1126 day trip with 170,000km - two up, full luggage and half of it offroad. Wilbers failed soon, Ohlins failed soon and they haven't had enough good words about Hyperpro which they finally installed. You can find overall blog here -

And thanks for the hint into Hyperpro direction, may consider it myself with possible price advantage over WP damper. Are you sure your 450$ is price WITH mounting kit? Quite a bit more expensive over here...

Ive had both and also Ohlins and GPR on various bikes.
My current bike SDR comes standard with the WP but i had a Hyper-pro Reactive one on a Aprilia Dorsaduro Factory and found it well made and really liked the motion of it only working when required "Reactive"as the bike was quite tall and it was easier for me to move around at low speeds and whilst not on the move.

Thanks for the link!

The prices are lower than retail, as I'm connected to motorbike industy and have quite big discounts from dealers

I have the Hyperpro Reactive damper and its a good bit of kit.

Im not sure that in reality its any better than any other damper, all i can tell you is that its served me for 2.5 years without any problems (thier original dampers were well known for leaking after only a few months useage)

The only thing i dont like about my Hyperpro is the mounting hardwear is bloody ugly IMO

Talking about taste, so it is simple choice then But then again, look at the thread: and find a picture from Hyperpro mounted. For my eyes mounting kit in silver is not so bad, and if it could be matched with same color damper it would look rather neutral and esthetic (black seems somehow wrong there). A fine extra bit installed on your bike, doing a hard work when you drive your bike on bumpy roads. Adding few clicks on your way NOT coming off your bike might also be a bonus over WP which is installed invisibly below in front of radiator.

Taste is of course personal preference - gold one is also an option from catalog

I don't need a damper on my SD but I had a hyper-pro reactive on my 916 back in the day (and yes, the way the bike was set up it WAS required) and it was very good.

I keep in mind that top mounted damper is more useful if you need to correct it's settings, but still don't have a clear idea how these two compare in functionality and performance

KTM dealer told me that WP damper has linear characteristics. Hyperpro RSC is progressive and that seems to be a key advantage for road use

Yes the Hyper-pro comes in the normal linear permanent feel or the progressive feel that only works when needed.
The progressive being a few £ dearer.

I've had the white power KTM damper and it was good - but no where near as good as the Scotts damper that I've had on for a few years now. The Scotts is the most sensitive adjustment I've ever experienced and it's better for adjusting on the move. It's so easy to back it off when you come into a town or traffic and then dial it up for the bumpies and fast roads. They are a lot more cash than a telescopic damper but seriously, they are better. I got mine from DRSWade's race bike and it's one of the best bit of kit I've put on. Look out for a used on on EBay.

As well as the scotts damper there is the GPR.
i had 1 of these on 2 of my ZX10Rs,you just need to get a compatable bracket and they can be fit on any bike.Take your damper to your next bike.
They must be good as most of the bikes racing the TT use them.

Ok, WP damper now out of the game

marksim,
How can you compare the performance of Scotts and Hyperpro RSC dampers from your personal experience?

thanks a lot for the info will stop on Hyperpro, because it's officially distributed in Ukraine, unlike Scotts