"affordable" steering damper.

D

D_Moen

Member

May 7, 2007

57

0

• Sep 25, 2007

• #1

Hi All,

I recently rode a friends damper equiped bike. The improvement in handling in the rocks and roots around here was amazing. The bike had a "Scotts" damper, which was nice, but a little spendy for me. Are there any lower priced alternatives?

 

truespode

Moderator / Wheelie King

Jun 30, 1999

7,984

251

• Sep 25, 2007

• #2

The WER is a bit less expensive and a good unit.

Personally, I won't use anything other than the Scotts. I hate riding without it.

Ivan

 

D

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member

May 3, 2000

5,348

3

• Sep 25, 2007

• #3

I think the GPR is less expensive than the Scotts. I've had WER and Scotts and both work great.

Dampers are awesome. They will help you save many crashes, so it's almost like saftey equipment. As you learn that you will be able to save it, your confidence improves and you ride faster.

 

RM_guy

Moderator

Damn Yankees

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 21, 2000

7,045

208

North East USA

• Sep 25, 2007

• #4

dirt bike dave said:

...and you ride faster.

Click to expand...

...and get more pinch flats in the rough rocky sections. I found myself riding a gear higher in rocky stuff with a damper. It's quite amazing how well they work.

 

M

mideastrider

~SPONSOR~

Jul 8, 2006

827

1

• Sep 25, 2007

• #5

I've used all three. The WER is the lease expensive and its a good unit. You don't have to buy the expensive mounts and clamps for the WER thats a big part of the savings. I am hooked on GPR though, mainly because I've had excellent customer service with them.

 

S

SpeedyManiac

Member

Aug 8, 2000

2,374

0

• Sep 25, 2007

• #6

I'm really happy with my Scotts unit. Yes, it's expensive, but it's worth it. To deal with pinch flats, I now run Tire Balls.

 

CR Swade

~SPONSOR~

Jan 18, 2001

1,764

5

• Sep 26, 2007

• #7

I've used Scotts, GPR and now this: Roc Stompa Dampers

Very nice damper which also allows you to bypass all damping on the fly by pulling the adjuster knob

IMO, the GPR is ok, but not the quality of the Scotts or Roc Stompa

 

D

D_Moen

Member

May 7, 2007

57

0

• Sep 26, 2007

• Thread starter
• #8

Thanks all for your input. I'll start dropping hints at the dinner table!

 

U

uh_oh

Member

Sep 25, 2007

132

0

• Sep 26, 2007

• #9

SpeedyManiac said:

I'm really happy with my Scotts unit. Yes, it's expensive, but it's worth it. To deal with pinch flats, I now run Tire Balls.

Click to expand...

what are tire balls? where can i get some? thanks Ive been wanting a dampner for quite some time, but i dont make enough money at work. :ahhh:

 

Patman

Pantless Wonder

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Dec 26, 1999

19,765

1

• Sep 26, 2007

• #10

uh_oh said:

what are tire balls? where can i get some? thanks Ive been wanting a dampner for quite some time, but i dont make enough money at work. :ahhh:

Click to expand...

Go with a bib mousse instead, just as much of a PITA to install but no air.

http://www.tireballs.com/

 

S

SpeedyManiac

Member

Aug 8, 2000

2,374

0

• Sep 26, 2007

• #11

Mousses wear out (count on replacing them twice per season at a minimum). Tire Balls don't and they aren't difficult to install. I pinched a ball in half with a tire iron and it didn't pop. Plus they make the bike handle unbelievably well. Worth the money IMHO.

 

D

D_Moen

Member

May 7, 2007

57

0

• Sep 26, 2007

• Thread starter
• #12

Hey Speedy! Good pasta out your way!

 

S

SpeedyManiac

Member

Aug 8, 2000

2,374

0

• Sep 27, 2007

• #13

Another Colander fan I see!

 

CR Swade

~SPONSOR~

Jan 18, 2001

1,764

5

• Sep 27, 2007

• #14

Tire Balls all the way

 

oldguy

Always Broken

Dec 26, 1999

9,411

0

• Sep 27, 2007

• #15

How about the new CRF450 with a damper factory installed as a standard feature? That is almost enough to make me turn Spider red next season

 

CR Swade

~SPONSOR~

Jan 18, 2001

1,764

5

• Sep 27, 2007

• #16

I saw that too...I would think the constant damping, instead of free return to center may get tiring??

 

RM_guy

Moderator

Damn Yankees

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 21, 2000

7,045

208

North East USA

• Sep 28, 2007

• #17

CR Swade said:

I saw that too...I would think the constant damping, instead of free return to center may get tiring??

Click to expand...

I don't find that at all. The Scott's has an adjustment the releases the dampening past a certain angle but going to center doesn't really need it. I have the dampening turned down on my Scott's and let the high speed kick in to take the real hard hits. It's like the high speed setting on your shock.

I don't know how I lived with out one before:ohmy:

 

CR Swade

~SPONSOR~

Jan 18, 2001

1,764

5

• Sep 28, 2007

• #18

RM_guy said:

I don't find that at all. The Scott's has an adjustment the releases the dampening past a certain angle but going to center doesn't really need it. I have the dampening turned down on my Scott's and let the high speed kick in to take the real hard hits. It's like the high speed setting on your shock.

I don't know how I lived with out one before:ohmy:

Click to expand...

The stocker on the CRF is straight damping away and back, or so it appears.

I use dampers also, but prefer no damping back to center

 

CR Swade

~SPONSOR~

Jan 18, 2001

1,764

5

• Sep 28, 2007

• #19

Oh yeah, I also forgot...DAMPNER, how you like that Rich. I know that makes him feel all warm and cuddly

 

M

mideastrider

~SPONSOR~

Jul 8, 2006

827

1

• Sep 28, 2007

• #20

CR Swade said:

The stocker on the CRF is straight damping away and back, or so it appears.

According to honda damping forces increase greatly under extension (when turning left or right) and offers much less resistance under compression (when returning to straight ahead position). It seems a simple design compared to the other dampers on the market but its probably a good peice.
It will be interesting to see how they work out.

Click to expand...

 

H

HubertGarfunkleIII

Member

Mar 16, 2007

471

0

• Sep 29, 2007

• #21

what exaclty does a steering damper do?