Steering damper and triple clamps.

[mxbundy]

Would like to get some feed back on which steering damper you all use and why.
Does your KTM`s headshake or feel twitchy?
What about turning? Are you happy with thw way it turns?
I am asking this because I raced my bike in a very high speed desert Gran Prix this weekend and felt my bike was too twitchy.
My suspension guy said that some of that can be dialed out with the fork clickers. Havent had time to test this yet.
So what is your experiances with this? Do these bikes have some inherant instability? I am coming off several years of Yam. bikes and have never felt the need for a damper.
What about the clamps? I feel that I have a little bit of push, almost like the bars overpower the front wheel when intering a turn. Would the clamps help this. This bike will rail a berm better than my Yam. bikes though. If the 18 degree clamps tighten up the steering will it tend to "Saw" in the berms like my yamahas did?
What will the clamps do to the stability of the bike/ will it be more twitchy? or less?

thanks
mxbundy

 

[JPIVEY]

Hey bundy, I'm using the scotts damper, only because they were down the street from a pre-construction meeting I was at., But I will say that any damper, Scotts or GPR are worth every dime, scotts you not only adj the damper, but also the amount of sweep you want dampened and then your suspension will be allowed to work like it was meant to.

Which ever one you go with keep in mind that you will want to go with a 16 or 18 offset and the dealer should be able to set you up with the right unit or even the whole package ( offset clamp and damper )

 

[KaTooMer]

I agree, the KTM's are a bit twitchy at high speeds, and my Scotts damper solved this. It's got both slow and high speed damping circuits so you can dial it in to your liking. For clamps, I use Applied. I've never noticed any problems with turning...I've had my KTM for a little more than 3 years and before that spent 5 years on Suzuki RMX's. Can't feel a lot of difference.

 

[DanS]

The Scotts and GPR have some different features. Scotts has a sweep width adjustment, high and low speed circut adjusments, and no resistance coming back to center. GPR's sweep width is fixed at 15deg, has only one circut adjust with 24 positions, has some resistance back to center, and free lifetime service and upgrades. I have tried both and liked the GPR better. The slight resistance back to center kept the wheel steadier around corners when hitting rocks and roots since it didn't snap back to neutral so easy and the big adjustment knob is easy to adjust while riding.

Since your almost next door to GPR consider getting one. I got mine from them last year while at a race at Gorman. They installed it for free. I saw them at a race this January and they took it off, serviced it, upgraded it, and put it back on for free plus you can find it for $75-$100 cheaper than Scotts.

 

[JPIVEY]

The sweep angle on the scotts starts at 32 deg then goes 42,52 and then 74 at the widest sweep and like dan says, No resistance back to center

 

[PhastPhart]

All KTM's are twtichy. The steering dampner is a great additon for the high speed stuff we do. The sweep adjustment on the Scott's is nice but in the desert you really only need the damping in the center of the stroke. I have a Scotts (on its third bike now) on my 520 EXC and a GPR on my WR 400 and I really can't tell the difference.

Randy with GPR is at most of the desert races and the unit is less expensive than the Scotts. I'd go with the GPR. You will go a lot faster, longer with dampner than with an aftermarket exhaust.

Stop by the RUTS pits this weekend and I'll let you try mine.

Gregg 0110

 

[KTM-Lunatic]

I just put a GPR on my bike. With only one short ride I can tell a big difference in the handling of the bike. I should have bought one years ago

 

[fastlearner]

Do all dampeners require changing the top clamp? Is there one that can go on the stock clamp for my 02 300 EXC?

Thanks

 

[JPIVEY]

NO they do not, I have a stock top clamp but, you will get a new top bar clamp for mounting the unit.

 

[Unit74]

Bro-

Give a call to Chip at Munn Racing(KTMtalk). He can get you a GPR set up for alot less than your best found price. I did the price search and could not find a better deal.

If you are set on a Scotts, Baja Designs is your best bet on price and they are right in San Marcos, which is just west of Escondido. You could save on tax if you buy out of state but you gotta factor in shipping as well.

Either way, a dampner is a must and from what I have gotten from other riders, is that with a dampner, the offset clamps is just overkill.

Anyone wanna say otherwise?

 

[PhastPhart]

Fastlearner,

Are you asking about stock triple clamps or stock handlebar clamps?

Stock triple clamps are fine and the new top handlebar clamp will come as part of your installation kit.

You can buy a new triple clamp if you wish, but there is no need for one.

 

[Reon]

Guys, theres a new kid on the block manufacturing a integrated damper/triple clamp, go and have look at http://www.rttmotorsports.com/ and click on "triple clamp"

 

[fastlearner]

Thanks guys,
I'm new to the need for any steering dampening at all. My old XR600 was like its own 300lb dampener. Impossible for such a heavy bike to twitch if it wanted to.

 

[Shaw520]

I have had my Scotts damper for one year, and agree with everything said, if you have a damper, theres no need for the clamps.
Although the damper is most impressive at speed, it also helps during tight technical situations also.

 

[MrLuckey]

Originally posted by PhastPhart
You will go a lot faster, longer with dampner than with an aftermarket exhaust.

Hehehe - You haven't ever ridden with Bundy before have you? If he gets any damn faster we're all gonna have to PAY to watch him or ride with him. He was humbling a few damn good riders on KTM 520's at Reno with his little YZF250 and he probably outweighs the 250 by 30lbs. Don't take this wrong, not jabbing at ya, its just that Bundy doesn't need to go faster :)

 

[mxbundy]

Your #$%# killing me Eddie! :p

Thanks for the props.
Man I sure do like this pumpkin already.
I get my Lafferty pipe sometime next week.
Infact, a 400 KTM would be the next logical step up from that TTR! :p

See you guys in Sin City!

bundy

 

[mxbundy]

By the way guys THANKS for the info. I think I am gonna go for the GPR.
I have a little birdy working on a deal for me

bundy

 

[RetSenior]

Myself I would give up my damper before I give up my 16mm clamps. My best 2 cross country races were before a damper. The only reason I put one on is because every bike had one on but me and I thought there must be something to it.