KX Riders
General => Riding Tips & Tricks => Topic started by: Albertan on September 07, 2009, 09:13:31 AM
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I'm going to install a Scott's steering damper, and I'm thinking the weld-on would be more rigid and effective than the bolt on version. Any comments from members who run one?
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Weld on is way more solid. I have two bikes with dampers. One is weld on one is bolt on. Weld on is the only way to go imo.
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Thanks, that's exactly the feedback I was looking for.
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My friend did my weld on. Weld a little and let it cool, weld a little more, don't over heat the seal and bearings. I don't think Scott's offer a bolt on for the KX500. No problems with the bolt on for the KX500AF (KX450F).
(Updated:9/16/09)
I need to say it was tig welded.
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Thanks for the photos; these are great. The welding advice is appreciated too.
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How does a bolt on held in place??? Only by the tank bolt Danger????
Dutch
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Yes, the tank bolt and it's a split ring that goes over the steering head bolt. The mount has a bolt in the split part in front. It then squeezes around the neck of the frame. The set up is very secure.
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Maybe I'll buy a scotts once. wanted to know how it bolt on.
Dutch
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I have a GPR unit on mine that was there when I bought it. Do these things need to be serviced? I see no leaks... It seems to have gotten softer since I bought it, but maybe I',m just used to it?
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I have a GPR unit on mine that was there when I bought it. Do these things need to be serviced? I see no leaks... It seems to have gotten softer since I bought it, but maybe I',m just used to it?
Are you saying you set it on a number and it feels like it's getting softer? I thought the stabilizers are good until they leak.
I change the setting to the type of terrain and or the speed I'm going.
In one of the motorcycle magazines I get they were giving people a hard time about calling them dampers.
I've always called them steering dampeners, I found there is no such word. Dampeners:The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. They should be called a steering stabilizer.
Scott, the brand I use, calls them steering stabilizers. But if you look around on their web site they call them dampers also.
It's kind of like a Crescent wrench, we all know what it is but there actually called adjustable pliers.
Main Entry: damp?er
Pronunciation: \ˈdam-pər\
Function: noun
Date: 1707
1 : a dulling or deadening influence <put a damper on the celebration>
2 : a device that damps: as a : a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft b : a small felted block to stop the vibration of a piano string c chiefly British : shock absorber
3 Australian : a simple usually unleavened bread of a kind made originally in the Australian bush
Main Entry: 3damp
Function: adjective
Date: 1590
1 a archaic : being confused, bewildered, or shocked : stupefied b : depressed, dull
2 : slightly or moderately wet : moist <a damp towel>; also : humid <damp weather>
synonyms see wet
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I guess you don't realy want to dampen the steering. You want to stabilize it.
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Someone told me that part of the outrageous purchase price is lifetime servicing of the unit for free. Also that it should be sent in every year...
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If your GPR doesnt work right send it in, they stand behind thier product, I wish all companies were as good as GPR. I think I have had mine for about eight years and did send mine back once, they upgraded it to the latest model and color. Yes for free and included more stickers. ( gotta love stickers )
John
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I have a weld-on and a bolt-on,on 2 differrent bikes,both work equally great.
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Pefect! Now I know what to do during christmas!
:-D
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A very cheap but effective steering dampener can be had from a GSXR 750 or 1000,cheap on ebay. Weld a tab just above steering stop on the front of the frame neck, drill a hole in it and mount the unit there then purchase a fork clamp from one of the road race suppliers or have one made. This is how I keep them from gettin the shakes at over 100+ in the quarter.CBX
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i think i would prefer the weld on
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Ive been thinking about buying a steering damper for my K5. How do you guys like it? Is it worth having? I have one on my street bike ZX14 and would never take it back off..lol Is it the same thing on the dirtbike? Thank You and sry for all the questions.. :-D
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iv been using a gpr bolt on on the kx 500 and never had any problems the only maintenance it needs is clean and grease the pin avery couple months
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iv been using a gpr bolt on on the kx 500 and never had any problems the only maintenance it needs is clean and grease the pin avery couple months
You know what works great on the pin :-) after you clean and grease it put some shrink tubing over the aluminum coller and mount. it makes it just about maintenance free.
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heat shrink is a great idea, shrunk or unshrunk?
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You shrink it of course :-D After you grease everything just cut a little piece of tube and shrink it over everything. poof sealed up tight.
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I have both clamp on and weld on. I have not had a problem with ether, but I like the weld on better. It seems more permenant. I love my scotts, will put one on all my new bikes in the future. They are great in the rocks, and for high speed bar slap. They use oil, so they need to be maintaned, leek or not. Oil brakes down. I perferr the sub bar mount for two reasons, it rases the bars so it is more comfortable to stand ( I am not a tall rider, still more comfortable than stock). The other thing I like about it is you can still run a bar pad. You have to trim a bit out of the bottom side to fit over the stabilizer, but it does not compermise the "use" of the pad or the control of the stabilizer. After you put the cover on you can't tell it had been tuched.
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two bikes with stabilizers is impressive,.
I would like to try one out someday to see how they work
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Three bikes, but only two dampers. I switch one between the 300 and wrf depending on what flavor i'm feeling like. The 300 sees the most dirt, I have the sub mt(I will always buy sub mt from now on) so it is a few more steps to switch. I rode the wrf the other day, I really missed having the scotts. I don't really notice them on the bikes, but I sure notice when their off the bikes. You can really "choose" your lines, aposed to dealing with what the bike gives you. It seems like I have alot more control with the little gold box.
I leave the one I have on my supermoto mounted up due to anti-theft bolts. I was on a ride with a group of guys, we jumped on the frwy to get to the next bit of twisteys. When we stopped the guy on the "duck" asked me how I was able to kick back with one hand at 85mph with a cross wind on such a lite bike? (at almost 300lbs I don't think it's lite, but compared to a duck I suppose) He looked at my scotts and said "Oh never mind, do you think I could put one on this?"
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Steering stabilizers are a great investment for any off roader. Im not a huge fan of them for moto though. I've only owned gpr's but their product is good as is their customer service. Personally like the under the bar model like this one.
steering stabilizer (http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&webTypeId=125&navTitle=ATV+Parts&webCatId=24&keyword=STEERING+DAMPER&prodFamilyId=24032#vehicleSelect)
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+1 under bar mount.
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My girlfriend and I have been using WER dampers on our bikes for years. She's been using them since 2001 and Ive been using one since 94. They are easy to mount and work well. Its not a night and day differance (any brand damper), you may not even notice it at first. But ride with one for a while then take it off and you will probably notice it then.
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I use a GPR under bar mount bolt on, no issues with the clamping, but I noticed it is MUCH firmer when it is cold weather, and softer when it is Hot weather.
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I use a GPR under bar mount bolt on, no issues with the clamping, but I noticed it is MUCH firmer when it is cold weather, and softer when it is Hot weather.
When was the last time you serviced/had it serviced? I just sent two in to scotts, the one on my ktm is new enough to just require an oil change. (which can be done at home) Scotts serviced and updated parts in the older ones. It was $40 plus parts. I think it was around $130 for both and shipping. I would call GPR, see what they say. I think I heard they offer free services. Don't quote me, mite just be a roomer.
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to clear it up for anyone searching the topic gpr wont service for free but their prices are very reasonable. Ive had my gpr for 6 years and changed the oil 2 times at home with downloadable instructions on gpr's website. works great
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we use a Scotts with a weld on pin mount
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A very cheap but effective steering dampener can be had from a GSXR 750 or 1000,cheap on ebay. Weld a tab just above steering stop on the front of the frame neck, drill a hole in it and mount the unit there then purchase a fork clamp from one of the road race suppliers or have one made. This is how I keep them from gettin the shakes at over 100+ in the quarter.CBX
if im not mistaken a "street" stabilizer will explode on a dirt bike. i don't think they are built to take the same abuse as a dirt bike. so you may save money but i exploded a gsxr stabilizer (2007 klx 450, 2008 vegas to reno)
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A very cheap but effective steering dampener can be had from a GSXR 750 or 1000,cheap on ebay. Weld a tab just above steering stop on the front of the frame neck, drill a hole in it and mount the unit there then purchase a fork clamp from one of the road race suppliers or have one made. This is how I keep them from gettin the shakes at over 100+ in the quarter.CBX
if im not mistaken a "street" stabilizer will explode on a dirt bike. i don't think they are built to take the same abuse as a dirt bike. so you may save money but i exploded a gsxr stabilizer (2007 klx 450, 2008 vegas to reno)
Looking on the GPR website it looks like the GPR V1 steering dampers are the same for street or dirt. Just with a different fitting kit.
I'm no expert on them though and don't own one so its possible that I'm reading it wrong.