Steering Dampner or SRC fork brace??
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snaggleXR4
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- Aug 5, 2001
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Good question.
I've got a fork brace for my XR4, but haven't installed it yet. If $ is an object, get the brace first b/c it is cheaper. Enjoy the brace, save your money and get the damper. Or you could get the damper, and maybe you could forget about the brace. I ride in sand, not rocks, so I can't really tell you which is better, except that you would probably do well with both. Good luck.
I've got a fork brace for my XR4, but haven't installed it yet. If $ is an object, get the brace first b/c it is cheaper. Enjoy the brace, save your money and get the damper. Or you could get the damper, and maybe you could forget about the brace. I ride in sand, not rocks, so I can't really tell you which is better, except that you would probably do well with both. Good luck.
- Jan 1, 2001
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I've got the brace and no damper. I also did the complete MX-Tech suspension rebuild. It's like riding a different bike so I hadn't really thought about getting the damper.
By the way, somebody is selling new SRC braces on the electroning aution site;) for $125. I paid $200 so I guess I'm a dope.:confused:
By the way, somebody is selling new SRC braces on the electroning aution site;) for $125. I paid $200 so I guess I'm a dope.:confused:
Hey Tators,
I'm fixing to install a scotts steering damper on my xr 400 this week - I'll let you know how it does! from what i've heard these things are unbelievable!!
Your going to have to do some handle bar changing if you put on the damper (not enough clearance On factory bars) I'm probally going to the Pro Taper bars, i'm having to change the triple clamp to do so but i think it;s going to be worth it!!
Good Luck,
I'm fixing to install a scotts steering damper on my xr 400 this week - I'll let you know how it does! from what i've heard these things are unbelievable!!
Your going to have to do some handle bar changing if you put on the damper (not enough clearance On factory bars) I'm probally going to the Pro Taper bars, i'm having to change the triple clamp to do so but i think it;s going to be worth it!!
Good Luck,
- Thread starter
- #5
I've had a scotts dampner on a Dr350 I had SEVERAL years ago.....
and loved it...
I just got back into riding again.....
I just don't want to spend the $400 for a dampner then find out that the forks are "too" flexy for the dampner to be effective...
and loved it...
I just got back into riding again.....
I just don't want to spend the $400 for a dampner then find out that the forks are "too" flexy for the dampner to be effective...
snaggleXR4
Member
- Aug 5, 2001
- 309
- 0
Hey,
In that case, go for the damper. I can't imagine the XR forks being much better or worse in terms of flex than the DR. I still think you will want both in the long run, but if you liked it on the DR, you will like it on your XR. Good luck. Get the damper.
In that case, go for the damper. I can't imagine the XR forks being much better or worse in terms of flex than the DR. I still think you will want both in the long run, but if you liked it on the DR, you will like it on your XR. Good luck. Get the damper.
Rodzilla
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jul 21, 1999
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Tater,
What problem are you trying to cure? I have both the SS and the Fork brace.
The FB make the front end tighter (not a flexy) it makes the bike feel like it'll go where I point it. Great for tight woods and areas where there are narrow lines or lots of ruts. I think it's well worth the $$$. But check the mounting bolts, if that sucker drops your in for trouble.
The SS reduces headshake at speed and helps the front end from deflecting at speed. I love it for sand riding. If you Riding first gear trails or are a slower (like me) rider I'd say go with the FB first.
If you're a faster rider, then the SS.
Honestly I won't ride without BOTH!
Rod
What problem are you trying to cure? I have both the SS and the Fork brace.
The FB make the front end tighter (not a flexy) it makes the bike feel like it'll go where I point it. Great for tight woods and areas where there are narrow lines or lots of ruts. I think it's well worth the $$$. But check the mounting bolts, if that sucker drops your in for trouble.
The SS reduces headshake at speed and helps the front end from deflecting at speed. I love it for sand riding. If you Riding first gear trails or are a slower (like me) rider I'd say go with the FB first.
If you're a faster rider, then the SS.
Honestly I won't ride without BOTH!
Rod
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I have a '99 XR400. I ran the ohlins version of the steering damper for about 6 months. I did not like it. If you are going to be riding wide fast and open type terrain, then it is worth it. But I found for woods riding that I lost that critical feel of how the front wheel was working. As for the steering brace there are some negatives. The front fender has to be cut and then braced, and the fork seals seem to have sealing problems. The forks also have to be fully extended in the tripple clamps. This will alter the geometry. You might not like it. But the steering brace is cheap, compared to new forks.
Because I am such a great fan of air cooled bikes, I still own the XR and last year had Ohilns CR250 forks fitted to the XR. The geometry was identical to the XR. To give you some idea what the XR is like if you go "all the way", is that with the ohlins the bike is quite neutral. The forks are very smooth and as you ride you really do not notice much of anything. You can afford to just concentrate on your riding.
On the rear suspension, I feel the XR400 has the best of any dirt bike I have ridden. The standard shocks need revalving for much faster rebound. You can then use for motorcross and wood and without any adjustments.
TR
00 YZ125 (race bike)
99 XR400
Because I am such a great fan of air cooled bikes, I still own the XR and last year had Ohilns CR250 forks fitted to the XR. The geometry was identical to the XR. To give you some idea what the XR is like if you go "all the way", is that with the ohlins the bike is quite neutral. The forks are very smooth and as you ride you really do not notice much of anything. You can afford to just concentrate on your riding.
On the rear suspension, I feel the XR400 has the best of any dirt bike I have ridden. The standard shocks need revalving for much faster rebound. You can then use for motorcross and wood and without any adjustments.
TR
00 YZ125 (race bike)
99 XR400
motormichael
~SPONSOR~
- Sep 26, 2001
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Damper or brace?
I have used the Brace on an XR 600 and it did make the front end feel much more rigid. I have never had a steering damper.It seems to me though, that these two products do different jobs. The brace reduces the twisting of the fork legs which inturn sends more feedback and harshness to the rider.The front wheel, forks, bars being more solidly connected. The damper takes the shock out of a hard hit from say a rut,hidden rock or wash out.It absorbs the energy between the rider and the bars and forks. My thoughts are that this is done to reduce rider fatigue but also would reduce feedback from the front wheel to the rider. One sends more feedback because of its rigidity and the other sends less feedback back reduces fatigue. Let me know what you guys think.
I have used the Brace on an XR 600 and it did make the front end feel much more rigid. I have never had a steering damper.It seems to me though, that these two products do different jobs. The brace reduces the twisting of the fork legs which inturn sends more feedback and harshness to the rider.The front wheel, forks, bars being more solidly connected. The damper takes the shock out of a hard hit from say a rut,hidden rock or wash out.It absorbs the energy between the rider and the bars and forks. My thoughts are that this is done to reduce rider fatigue but also would reduce feedback from the front wheel to the rider. One sends more feedback because of its rigidity and the other sends less feedback back reduces fatigue. Let me know what you guys think.
mtngoat
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jun 12, 2000
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Good "feedback" analysis, but I didn't think my brace impacted "harsness" (the fork absorbs it) and "feedback" on a dirtbike comes from a lot of other areas. The prevailing distinction I noticed on the brace is rigidity and realted steering control.
My damper noticeably inhibits steering movement on the low speed circuit, when adjusted below 8 clicks. I've decided I just don't like the low speed damping because of the "heavy" steering that seems to accompany it, particuarly in fast tight woods riding. However, the protection from the high speed circuit makes it worthwhile to me. I'm sure it's saved my can a few times.
My damper noticeably inhibits steering movement on the low speed circuit, when adjusted below 8 clicks. I've decided I just don't like the low speed damping because of the "heavy" steering that seems to accompany it, particuarly in fast tight woods riding. However, the protection from the high speed circuit makes it worthwhile to me. I'm sure it's saved my can a few times.
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