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Steering Stabilizers

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Posted by: nedjinski---------------------

Does anybody have an opinion about the Scotts vs. the GPR steering stabilizers? Quality-wise they're about the same but they dampen differently. Which is better?


Posted by: drBill---------------------

I like my GPR 2.0. One of the main reasons is that it's out of the way if I go down. Another is it's simplicity and ease of use. Finally, their lifetime service warranty made it a no brainer for me.


Posted by: Kawidude---------------------

I agree with drBill. Although I've never used a Scott's damper, I can tell you that I love my GPR 2.0. Again, it's nice that it's out of the way and easy to adjust with the single dial and easy to read numbers. Plus, it's anodized orange and matches my KTM!


Posted by: JTT---------------------

I looked at the GPR 2.0 ones on the website, but doesn't it place your bars at an awefully high position?? I mean I like high bars, but that looks a little extreme.

I too am pondering the steering stabilizer thing. I've never used one but everybody says they are "the deal". I've never had front end shakes of any consequence on my present bike and ride mostly tight woods. Would I even notice it??

Is there any real reason to use a damper like the Scotts or GPR (both primarily designed for desert use, I thought) for an application like mine? And what about the WER ones?


Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

JTT - steering dampers are great in the woods! IMO, it doesn't really matter which one you get, just get one. I have had WER and Scotts, both are excellent.

For woods riding, the damper will really help you maintain control on rocks and roots. Front end wash-outs when you are tired and riding lazy will be a thing of the past as you will now be able to save it. And on the high speed stretches you might not encounter often, they also help.

I am a big fan of dampers in the woods - I find I ride more confidently and crash less. My last woods ride without a damper 9 years ago I broke my collar bone in a crash. I am convinced I would have saved it and not crashed if the bike had a damper. So not only is it a performance device, it is a safety device. Well worth the money.


Posted by: High Desert XR400---------------------

I recently installed a GPR v2.0 on my bike and have to say that I was suprised I did notice how it quieted down the front end. Both at low speeds and at higher speeds.

I made the decision to go with the GPR because of the clean under the bar mount that puts it out of the way, as well as their lifetime warranty on service. Everyone that I spoke with regarding GPR's customer service had good things to say.

I got mine from Travis at Trackside Moto for $380 delivered to my door. Give him a call and I'm sure that he can set you up.

Track Side Moto --Your RFS specialist
661-297-1085
Email: Travis@TrackSideMoto.com


Posted by: drBill---------------------

The 2.0 does raise your bars. About as much as my bar risers did before I put it on. I'm 6' and the rise was welcome. Actually I'm going to go with a higher bend next time I buy bars. It raises it about 3/4-1". After you've ridden with one, it's hard not to have it again. I trade off with other guys with KLX's and really miss it when it's not there. If you ride tight woods 1st and 2nd gear stuff most of the time, you may not need one. Fast sand washes or wide open fast desert whoops, the things are life savers - literally. Feels almost like you're riding on pavement it's so stable.



Quote:
Originally Posted by JTT
I looked at the GPR 2.0 ones on the website, but doesn't it place your bars at an awefully high position?? I mean I like high bars, but that looks a little extreme.

I too am pondering the steering stabilizer thing. I've never used one but everybody says they are "the deal". I've never had front end shakes of any consequence on my present bike and ride mostly tight woods. Would I even notice it??

Is there any real reason to use a damper like the Scotts or GPR (both primarily designed for desert use, I thought) for an application like mine? And what about the WER ones?



Posted by: JTT---------------------

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. Guess I'll have to break down and try one....might even be able to sell the "safety" approach to the misses :thumb:

I do think I like the WER fender mounting setup though. I'm 6'1" but my present bar rise is plenty high for me. I think another inch would be far too much. The Scotts type mount scares the bejeebies out of me as I can see myself impaled on it.


Posted by: drBill---------------------

Jtt, just get a lower bend of bars and you should be OK.



Quote:
Originally Posted by JTT
Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. Guess I'll have to break down and try one....might even be able to sell the "safety" approach to the misses :thumb:

I do think I like the WER fender mounting setup though. I'm 6'1" but my present bar rise is plenty high for me. I think another inch would be far too much. The Scotts type mount scares the bejeebies out of me as I can see myself impaled on it.



Posted by: TomM---------------------

I have had a Scotts stabilizer for years and would not own a bike without a stabilizer. The Scotts worked well but I had some problems with it. The tower came off a couple of times in races, the tower flexed too much, and the stabilizer was never really as tight as I would have liked, and did not eliminate all of the head shake. I have ridden bikes with the GPR stabilizer and found it to be adjustable as tight as I wanted but the tower was still as flexible as the Scotts.

The RTT solves the tower problem by being about half as long as the Scotts or GPR. It aslo snaps into place and is much less likely to come loose.

The RTT has a handlebar mounted thumb adjuster. A rider in the LA to B to V dual sport ride was airlifted to a hospital and confined to intensive care for a few days because he got off while adjusting his stabilizer. The thumb adjuster solves this problem.

The RTT has an available bar clamp that Bark Buster type hand guards can be bolted to. The Fastway hand guards are made for it.

The RTT also works better than the Scotts I previously owned. The Scotts took out most of the head shake, but not all of it. With the RTT, there is absolutely no head shake at any speed.

It can be seen at: http://www.rttmotorsports.com/Default.html

No, I do not work for RTT, I just like the product.

Tom M


Posted by: Jeff Gilbert---------------------

I've got the Scotts and would never own another bike without a damper. I haven't tried the other brands yet but I am satisfied with what I have. I was nervous when I 1st installed the Scotts because it was looking at me and all I could think about the 1st few moto's I did was impailing myself. That fear went away after I had it a while. I have slammed into my bars since installing the damper, there were two worst times that come to mind. Once was during a mx race when my foot missed the peg in a rythym section. I thought I could save it and hung on superman style over the 2nd jump. When the front wheel hit the ground all crossed up and me laying accross the seat, my right eyebrow slammed into the front brake perch. The 2nd incident was at AX last year, I plowed the front wheel into the face of a triple which slammed my chest into the handlebars. The impact caused my chest protector fastner to act as a cheese grater on my stomach. Neither time did the Scotts become an issue, it wsa the bars each time. I never even pay attention to it sitting there anymore.


Posted by: Lonewolf---------------------

how about in motocross how will the stabilizer help you there? also are they hard to dial in, how do you know what to set the stabilzer to for certain trail/track conditions? sorry about my dumb questions but i am intersted in them and know very little about them and how they work.


Posted by: Jeff Gilbert---------------------

I think it works well in motocross, it'll for sure help the front end going straight through whoops, eliminates all headshake and basically the bike goes where it is pointed. Ajusting is something I rarely do, once I found the setting I liked I pretty much left it there. If it's really bad, ie; braking/acceleration bumps, I might kick it up a notch or 2.


Posted by: Lonewolf---------------------

thanks jeff, sound like something i will definitlely investing in someday.


Posted by: whyzee---------------------

You guys that have the GPR 2.0, did the unit come with the top clamp? If so, would it unbolt so as to mount on to my Emig top clamp?
Every picture I have seen of the unit shows the same type of top fork clamp.
I really like the look of the unit and the under bar mount but don't want to change my top clamp.
The shorter frame post leads me to think the unit would be stronger (i.e. looks like the post is about 1 1/4" vs. about 3" for Scott's post)


Posted by: drBill---------------------

Yes, all things considered, the post should be shorter than a Scotts type mounted stabilizer - either GPR or Scotts. The top clamp would have to match up to the bolt pattern of the GPR. I don't know if the Emig would or not. That's a GPR question most likely. Bill



Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee
You guys that have the GPR 2.0, did the unit come with the top clamp? If so, would it unbolt so as to mount on to my Emig top clamp?
Every picture I have seen of the unit shows the same type of top fork clamp.
I really like the look of the unit and the under bar mount but don't want to change my top clamp.
The shorter frame post leads me to think the unit would be stronger (i.e. looks like the post is about 1 1/4" vs. about 3" for Scott's post)



Posted by: RAHRAH---------------------

hey jtt my friends got a wer that he rode for one enduro. he was a kid on a 125 and said it was too much effort to turn. give me some smack and ill try and talk him out of it. it should be less than 250 for sure.

my preference is the scotts but I could see were the rtt would be sweet.


Posted by: JTT---------------------

Hey RAHRAH, what bike did it come off? I am interested. If it's not too much trouble check it out for me and see what he wants for it. I'm pretty broke right now with just buying new ice tires, but being "overextended" is nothing new here


Posted by: GREENBEAN---------------------

I have the Scotts Damper. Woo Hoo it is cool I liked it a lot at the dunes... In the woods I am just slamming in to the roots to "Test it"... It works! gives me confidence to hold a turn with out jumping around or having to correct my angle while turning. Oh also I have the lower on top of the fender mount too cause I feel safer not worrying about slamming into it and it is cheaper than the top bar mount when you add triple clamps and bars into the works.


Posted by: jho410---------------------

Your question about the WER unit was never answered. I've run the same unit on my last 5 bikes and love it. It sits on the fender and is out of the way which is good if you run a computer. However, it is not as adjustable as some of the other units. That's not a problem for me because I set it once and then ride.


Posted by: bobkx---------------------

I 've had a Scotts for 2+ years, never any problems and works like a champ. Suggest that you have the tower welded on, not just clamped. My son has a GPR and frnakly he has not been very pleased with it. Seals have blown twice and we had to send it back. They repaired and sent to us but the hassle factor is pretty high. Last time they said they were going to replace it (it was sticky too) but they just repaired.

If you have a choice, I'd go for Scotts.



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