Ohlins SD040 Steering Damper

Öhlins SD040 Steering Damper (68mm Stroke)

Experience the same front-end confidence as the world’s elite riders with the Ohlins SD040 Steering Damper is a linear steering stabilizer that uses a pressurized twin-tube system to eliminate the “dead spots” and inconsistent resistance often found in stock dampers. Whether you are fighting a crosswind on the highway or driving out of a corner at the track, the SD040 ensures your steering remains smooth, predictable, and stable.

Pressurized Twin-Tube Technology

The SD040 utilizes a sophisticated pressurized fluid design. By keeping the damping oil under constant pressure, Öhlins prevents the formation of air bubbles (cavitation). This results in a “zero-play” feel—there is no lag between the moment you move the bars and the moment the damping takes effect. This is critical for preventing the onset of high-velocity “tank-slappers.”

Precision Performance Tuning

With 16 clicks of tactile adjustment, the SD040 allows you to tune your motorcycle’s front-end personality in seconds.

• Low Resistance: Perfect for urban riding and low-speed technical maneuvers where you need the bike to feel light and flickable.
• High Resistance: Essential for track days or high-speed touring, providing a “heavy” and stable feel that resists sudden deflections from road imperfections.

Key Features & Benefits:

• 68mm Linear Stroke: Provides a wide range of motion suitable for sportbikes, nakeds, and high-performance custom builds.
• Integrated Seal Design: Features a specialized seal and scraper system that reduces friction (“stiction”) to almost zero, ensuring the damper never feels “notchy.”
• Fully Rebuildable: Unlike many competitors, the SD040 can be fully serviced and re-valved by any authorized Öhlins technician, making it a lifetime investment.
• Iconic Aesthetics: Finished in the signature Öhlins titanium-anodized body with gold accents, signaling a commitment to high-performance engineering.

Technical Specifications:

Peer Insight: The Ohlins SD040 Steering Damper is the most popular “bolt-on” upgrade for the first and second-generation BMW S1000RR. If you find your BMW’s front end feels a bit “nervous” under hard acceleration, the SD040 is the single most effective chassis upgrade you can make to settle the bike down. It is also the original equipment on Panigale, Aprilia RSV4 and Tuono V4.