just bought a 2014 gsxr 750. couple of buddies test drove the bike and suggested a steering damper. ?? is the stock one ok or do you guys recommend a damper? tried searching for some online only found gar for it?? any suggestions?
I don't think you can determine the need for a steering damper by test riding, unless you get a tank-slapper. In that case you can definitely say that the one installed isn't working. If the front end isn't wobbling, the steering damper should ideally be neutral, in terms of its effects on handling, as if it's not there. So unless your friends got the front end to wobble, which is unlikely, they have either felt a loose steering bearing, or just a different chassis to the one they were used to, which they interpreted as a problem.
Have your friends rode a bike with an electronic sd before? The stock map for sd for lower speeds is set to really soft setting and too stiff at higher speeds. You can flash the ECU to change sd map.
A wise man once taught me to never overlook the obvious.
The L bike steering damper isn't up on top of the triple for all to see. Do your friends even know that it's there?
Assuming that
a) your friends actually do know what they're talking about and aren't blowing smoke;
b) they have actually detected untoward behavior indicating inadequate performance of said steering damper, then: