Steering Damper

[GlennMember]

G’day all!

I’m contemplating getting a steering damper, however I am not sure if i need one yet? So I thought I would ask any of you “Old Bulls” out there for some help. If so, which manufacturer of dampers should I be looking for and which if any to avoid?

I have been told that not all dampers work in both directions. Some only go one way (as the bars are turned away) and free bleed back to center. Is this type of damper OK?

Thanks Glenn

[Anonymous]

Hi Glenn, I was a sceptic about the whole steering damper thing on a dirtbike until I rode a bike (same model as mine) with one fitted and was highly impressed at the difference it made to the stability of the bike both at speed and over snotty, rocky, rutted out sections.

I actually don’t have one yet, but it will be the next thing that I buy for the bike without question. I have a KTM450 and am going to get the Roc Stompa damper with the underbar mounting kit. Sutto’s, one of our sponsors give a 10% discount on the unit making it very competitive.

I think most of the units are good (although don’t have experience using them all). Most of the main brands have been selling their products for a few years now and there are lots of them about on all different types of bikes. The main ones seem to be (from memory) Ohlins, Roc Stompa, MSC, WER and Scotts (who are rebranded Ohlins). KTM do their own (rebranded) damper which is more expensive than the rest and seems to offer no additional benefit….typical KTM really.

[GregMember]

Depends on many a thing Glen, I used to run WER dampers and they are zero resistance return, good thing can be a little fiddly to fit depends on the bike as far as the frame pivot goes but good thing.

Fitted a ROC Stompa to the DRZ project bike, good thing its over bar mount see the suzuki thread on the project bike (got it through Battyes see the links section and ask for fathead if you ring), I have a MSC under bar mount which lifts your bars nice and high but requires buying a different top triple tree. If you stand a lot these are the go, don’t get the damper punched through you chest as a over the bar mount could.

Crash has a Scott’s from the states under bar mount, he tried to buy a MSC but their sales support and service sucks big time so he got the Scott through Battyes from the states

Ballards sell WER’s, easy can be moved bike to bike as well, keep an eye on the bolts with the WER, Ollie had one come loose and cause a crash and Crash damaged his in a crash and this caused a crash once he got going at the next corner, man would love to have seen that! :laugh:

Buy a WER, for yourself my thought

TB

[GlennMember]

Thanks for the feedback on your experience with these Moto.

Did the steering feel any heavier?

[Anonymous]

It felt a little heavier, but I think that was more because I was trying to push the bars through corners to see if it felt any heavier if you know what I mean? With most, you can adjust the level of damping and can even easily turn them off completely (push/pull of a button).

I think that after a hour or so riding with one you wouldn’t even notice it’s there and would just leave it on. Turn it off if riding miles and miles of slow, tight single trail.

I’m confident I will be able to ride quicker up really rocky hills with one. My KTM front end also feels light at speed (a KTM thing) and can develop headshake when hammering down the firetrail at speed. A damper will cure this problem too

Another thing to note is that the underbar mount kit does cost a bit more than the overbar kit. In my opinion it looks better and is safer to mount under the bars though. As TB has said, it will raise your bars by 15-20mm though.

From memory, the Roc Stompa with underbar kit after discount at Sutto’s was around $670

[GlennMember]

TB/Moto

The underbar mounting kit does appear to have some advantages. Are these type of kits easily installed? Or is it a marathon project I should tackle with a full fridge of beer.

As for which one…well I suppose it is like asking which girl is hotter….you will always get a different answer!

[Anonymous]

If you look at how they are fitted, they do look a bit fiddly. The guy with the underbar Ohlins on his KTM said it took him an hour and he wasn’t rushing about it.

Best thing is to pick one you like and go for it

Also have a look here where I was asking the same questions a few months ago

[GregMember]

thumpn4fun wrote:

Quote:

TB/Moto

The underbar mounting kit does appear to have some advantages. Are these type of kits easily installed? Or is it a marathon project I should tackle with a full fridge of beer.

As for which one…well I suppose it is like asking which girl is hotter….you will always get a different answer!

Having ridden fitted and owned all the dampers that Moto mentioned I would have an under bar Zero return damper, no hassle to fit at all, great time to do steering head bearings etc, Chicken I fitted dampers to GHR customer Finke bikes in under 30 mins (scott brand)

As I said from experience a WER can be a little hassle sometimes depending on the bike being fitted too, the pivot mount sometimes needs welding, sometimes needs riveting.
I said a WER because its easy to source, but if you are keeping the bike a while get a under bar mount, Scott or ROC stompa your riding will love it as its the go for standing and sitting.

I have used a Scott, ROC, WER, and MSC you don’t notice a WER but do the others and after a little while you don’t notice any when you are riding

TB

[GregMember]

Just rereading some of the posts here, rest assured mate they are not fiddly to fit at all, very easy, the over bar mount ROC that I fitted to Chops bike took less that 15 mins and hasn’t fallen off :laugh: The WERs are, on my first XR was the worst becuase you had to drill the haed set and rivit it and that meant pulling the whole headset out! :angry:

TB

[DeanMember]

I have a WER which I really like I removed mine from the Yamaha but that was because I F#@$ed Up:blush: I didnt make the bracket long enough on the steering stem,so I had to wind the arm all the way out,it didnt have enough threads holding it all together and the first big rock that I hit at speed sent me flying through the air:silly: I also have a ROC STOMPER overbar unit on my 99 KTM 300 it also works quite well. Although I have to admit the WER is still my favourite, Only problem is it wont fit to my GasGas because of the gaurd shape and the radiator catch expansion tank:(

What bike are you fitting it to?

ollie

[GlennMember]

TB and Moto,

I really appreciate your comments.

TB as you suggested, I will also take the opportunity to replace the steering head bearings whilst front end is apart.

TB I see you have been to Finke Desert Race. Did you get a chance to ride the track to apatula.

Glenn

[GlennMember]

Ollie,

I’ve got a WR450.

[DeanMember]

thumpn4fun wrote:

Quote:

Ollie,

I’ve got a WR450.

Cool mate is it a steel or alloy frame?

ollie

[GregMember]

Yes I went to Finke but drove the GHR race truck not rode, oh and drank rum! :laugh:

I rate a Damper with doing your suspension and pivot pegz, the only thing I didnt like about the WER was it couldn’t be wound up as tight as the others for high speed work, because of the linkages and the way in dampens, but fine for everything else.

TB

[GlennMember]

Steel

[Author]

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