Definitely go for the steering damper before you start making the bike hotter. Remember, a hot bike doesn't mean it goes any faster than a stock standard bike. The ability to RIDE a bike is what makes you go faster. The steering damper will boost your confidence and ability to push the bike further and faster. All the mods in the world won't help you keep it pinned open across an unknown field of knee high grass, except a steering damper. The SCOTTS weld-on, KX125 installs in 30 minutes if you can weld yourself. I have ridden here in South Africa for many years and I hold my own with some pretty good riders, but you won't catch me on a boney without a steering damper, I could have saved many broken bones. It is easy to get passed the wife too, as it is a necessary safety thing and not a "go faster" guy thing.