Steering Damper on a Street Tard

[Highpower]

Thinking of putting a Scotts damper on my 610. I put one on my KTM 300EXC dirt bike and it worked wonders. Since I'm getting so used to riding the KTM with the damper, my Husky feels loose and unstable in the front, particularly at high speed. Should I just suck it up and pay the $400+ and add one to the Husky too? I view these things as more of a safety item, since they eliminate head-shake. Anyone have one on their SM bike that could share likes/dislikes? Any noticeable handling improvement?

[jimi]

Let us know if you figure out how to mount it.

[bmxr]

I tend to think they are a mainly band-aid for a poorly set-up machine. But then again, there are plenty of people that like that heavy, slow feeling from the front end. Diffrnt strokes

[DesmoWorks]

Originally Posted by bmxr

I tend to think they are a mainly band-aid for a poorly set-up machine. But then again, there are plenty of people that like that heavy, slow feeling from the front end. Diffrnt strokes

You know, I used to think they were needed, but now I agree with you. The problem is that it takes time to learn how to set a bike up properly. You have to really want to learn and do a lot of reading and testing until it is correct.

Well, at least it took me a long time to figure out how to set up suspension and I still have trouble all the time with it, but it eventually gets worked out. Maybe I'm just slow

[Highpower]

Originally Posted by bmxr

I tend to think they are a mainly band-aid for a poorly set-up machine. But then again, there are plenty of people that like that heavy, slow feeling from the front end. Diffrnt strokes

Thanks for the input. It may not be a big benefit on a SM bike. But on an off-road machine it is more than a band-aid, since it can save your skin when you hit a tree root or rock at high speed. With the damper installed you can go at speeds that would normally be suicidal over rough root and rock laden terrain.

On my dirt machine I use the Scotts which has fast and slow damping. I have the slow damping turned way down, so the steering is no heavier than normal (at least not noticeably). The fast damping irons out the impulse forces that would cause head-shake or rip the bars out of your hands (in the case of off-road).

My SM feels great until I get up to 80mph then it feels real squirrelly. So I was hoping the damper may help up at those speeds. If someone can give me some pointers on bike setup that would make it feel tighter at high speed it would be great and would save me $450.

As far as install goes I would have to change the bars to Renthal tapers or something without the horizontal support ...

[bill900]

Depends on what you ride and where. If you are on really bumpy roads with a lot of pot holes and you ride at fairly good speeds, then a damper is AWESOME. When I am out on my Tuono and clipping along, it has saved me from pucker moments many times. My Ohlins is fully adjustable and works, flat out.

Same on a lighter bike. If your bike is prone to headshake, it helps alot. On the Sm610 I haven't felt a need for one. The bike feels pretty stable at speeds up to 90. But again, you don't stay at 90 for long periods of time.

It's like any other accessory, some like them some don't. I do for ripping around and really nasty rooty sections on my dirtbikes, and I swear by them on my street bikes that I ride somewhat aggressively.

[bmxr]

Originally Posted by Highpower

Thanks for the input. It may not be a big benefit on a SM bike. But on an off-road machine it is more than a band-aid, since it can save your skin when you hit a tree root or rock at high speed.

You didn't ask about using it off-road...

I wouldn't mind having one, but I would turn it off around town and on the kart track (110% NOT useful there) and only use it road racing...As it is, it's not near the top of my list of stuff I "need" yet...

[Highpower]

Originally Posted by bmxr

As it is, it's not near the top of my list of stuff I "need" yet...

LOL ... Understandable. I know how long that list can be .

I am just struggling where on that list I need to put it. I still have that 12.5:1 FBF Piston and gasket set sitting in my grarage. And I just discovered where to get a cam: http://www.zupin.de/pdf/katalog2006/...in%20TU1124%22

Some cold day this winter the two of them may come together.
But The damper will probably stay on the list at least right after these two ...

[bmxr]

FWIW I have raced and done track days with two KTM625SMC's and my current Husaberg FS650c, and I have never had a problem I couldn't dial out of the bike. The guys I ride with generally don't run them either (mostly KTM SMR's)and I haven't heard any stories about bad wobbles on the road. For true supermoto racing, I would not mind having one, but of course, some new CTi braces for my knees would then push the damper further down the list! :lol: