im trying to decide which steering damper is better, the Scotts Steering Stabilizer or the Ohlins Steering Damper, the thing is i have no idea so i was hoping you guys could help, thanks

Both are really good, im just a fan of scotts

They are two completely different set-ups. The Scotts is a rotary damper, and the phlins is a stick damper.

Generally the rotary dampers are better if you plan on having a nice high-side get-off. Because they are tucked away between the steering head and the tank they are protected from getting mashed up. This is good. However, the arm on a rotary damper is only an inch long and has maybe a two inch sweep. This means that you're hoping the internal valving is precise enough to make and maintain corrections at a fractional amount of movement.

Meanwhile, the stick type damper has a completely different set of advantages and disadvantages. First off, a big con in some peoples eyes, the damper is out in the open. Usually it bolts from the frame rail, right by those plastic triangle cut-outs, to the fork tube just below the upper clamp. If you flip the bike chances are good your damper will be toast. The upside is because it's force is acting on the steering head much further away from the pivot point it has mush greater control on the front end.

Picture trying to balance a tray of dishes by either holding the center or grabbing the two sides. It's much easy to control from the outside because the range is soo much greater. This is the difference between a rotary and stick style damper. Which you choose is your own descision.

Also I'm partial to the stick style. Basically because it is technology that has been around for decades. It is easy on the pocket, it is easy to repair, and usually has greater effectiveness.

well thanks for the help guys, that helped me out on my decision a bit, i think ill go with the ohlins but i still got a while to decide, but is the internal valving in the scotts precise?

I'd opt for a company called Sprint, although I'm not sure if you can get them over the pond. They are reasonably priced and I've only heard good things about them.
With regards to the accuracy of the valving, what type of riding are you doing. If it's just roads it shouldn't matter too much but obviously more precise damping would be required for the track.

I think Ohlins do a stick style one that sits up by the top of the tank (I know they do it for the R1) and headstock so I doubt it would get damaged in a spill - besides, the damper is meant to help prevent those hairy moments.

I sell the Sprint dampers here in the USA. They sell for $349 to your door.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/Hammythecanman/Sprintbox.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/Hammythecanman/SprintR6BW.jpg

fancy sending me a free one for the shout out??!

im trying to decide which steering damper is better, the Scotts Steering Stabilizer or the Ohlins Steering Damper, the thing is i have no idea so i was hoping you guys could help, thanks


I have an ohlins steering damper on my 6 and it gives the bike a 'tighter feel'. but in all honesty, they all do the same thing and the average street rider would be hard pressed to tell them apart.

Whatever 1 you buy, you'll be happy with. :wink:

Ohlins saved my #@s on my 6. Can't say ANYTHING else but Ohlins.

is there a neccesity for a steering damper?

and what exactly is a tank slapper. Is that bad? It sounds bad! Is that an accident wating to happen?

A tankslapper is when you get an oscillation in the front end, which will cause the bars to shake from left to right to left very rapidly. All the while you are still going in a straight line. Well until it starts to whip the whole bike back and forth and toss you.

I've had this happen a few times a the track, and once on the road. Usually it's when your front end is light while being on the gas and the go over a ripple or expansion joint in the pavement. This is just enough to upset the gyroscopic effect of the front wheel. Now if you're good, you can loft the front wheel into a wheelie and regain the front end. (Thinking of wheelies, you can also get a tankslapper if you land a wheelie and teh front wheelie isn't straight) Or try to bleed speed, because you'll be able to fight the frontback when it's going slower.

If you get it back, you'll have to grab your brakes a bunch of times before they'll work because the side to side motion of the rotors push the pads back in the calipers.

If you don;t get the front back you'll probably be tossed and wad the bike.

Some say you have to have a stabilizer for the R6 since it has such a nervous front end. I've ridden and raced mine for years and never had one. Although there have been times where I could have used the extra room to push the bike harder, I've never been so beyond the envelope of the bikes ability to need one.

Never mind, pippep at the post, so to speak!!

(Said pretty much the same, at the same time, so I've deleted it)

So heres a question for ya.

Does the stearing damper affect your ability to quickly change directions? im assuming it will, but is it enough to have to put more strength into each opposing direction?