Does my TE 250 have to stear like this?

My boyfriend put a Scotts stearing damper on my bike for me. It wont stear/turn nearly as sharp anymore. I dont like it now. He said that he had to put "stops" an the triple clamp so the damper wont act as the stop. It confused me I must admit.

Anyway, does it have to be like this?

Thanks for any thoughts!

tell him to take it off.

No, it doesn't have to be like that. If the dampener is "bottoming out" before the steering blocks - then something is set up wrong.

Personally I would rather have the better (sharper) turning radius. The IMS tank for my TXC450 is so poorly made and fitted to the bike that it cuts the turning radius by more than a third. I only put it on when I have to (long dual sport rides with no chance of switchbacks, etc.), for that reason.

I have never felt the need for a steering dampener on either of my Husky's. They just don't feel "twitchy" to me - and I LIKE riding in rocks.

Did he put it on for a specific reason? That is - did you have a problem with deflection?

damper helps out with rooty rock areas and when going faster as soem bikes get head shake (ktm's for example are terrible for it )... husky isnt known for this drama.... so not sure why he fitted it if you arent fast over rough stuff where this helps ! also, you can turn it down so its not so restricitive.... good kit if used properly...

Hi there

You can damage your steeringdamper if it bottoming before trippleclamps. (screws) It should be adjusted.

Klas

Call Scott's, they will help you set it up perfect for the kind of riding you do right over the phone!!!

I have a damper on my Yamaha...never saw the need for one on a Husky......although I must admit a damper lets you hammer rocks and roots at "A" speeds with less fear of becoming a human projectile!

I put one on my WR250 after lowering the front end 1/4". I lowered the front to make it turn quicker, then it became a little nervous until I added the damper. Seems like everything is a compromise...

Yes it has been lowered 4". The front suspension is fine at slower speeds, but hits really hard on bigger stuff. The rear is very nice!

I had a damper on my old bike, and it helped. But it is sounding as though I dont really need it on my Husky.

I see, and understand now why the "stops" were needed. Its in Scotts directions even. The top triple clamp hits the post(?) when you turn really sharp. Is there a "thinner", or different shaped triple clamp? I would like to keep the damper, but the turning thing Im not so happy with.

You can have the top clamp machined to allow for the damper post and get you turning back.

Some aftermarket to clamps will clear the post. Might try BRP and see if theirs will.

I don't have a dampener- so I never even thought of this issue. This is enlightening- I guess it would be different with different set ups so you wouldn't know until you tried- then if you didn't like it- you'd be looking for a better set up... Dang that's frustrating...
I'd be kinda ticked if I finally spent the money and found I had to turn out my turning stops further than I could stand. Like WTF? I finally drank the coolaid and its freeken sugar free?:rant:

So Thanks for bringing this up- I hope you find a solution! Take a picture of your current setup- I bet someone will have a better solution for you- I have never heard of this complaint mentioned- so either its not spoken of (shh don't tell the non dampener guys we have an issue) or its not really all that common. I bet some posts and some mounts are just POS and some are the ones to have....

I know my post did not add anything whatsoever so for that I apologize, good luck though

Here are some pictures

The first picture I just wanted to show my Husky! I love it!

The third picture the bars are not turned. Very close!

The fourth picture they are turned all the way to the left. Then the "post" hits, just as the "stops" ,well, stop.

I bet that bike rides funky.
there are better ways to make a bike work for a short person.

When I bought my scotts there was a mention of certain year top triple clamps needing clearancing around that area in your pics. Compare pics

Gonna have to machine back your triple clamp to gain the needed clearance. A file would do it but it might take awhile.

the geometry on that bike is shocking ! its like a chopper ! front knobby and a road trail rear ? sorry but it looks all over the place ! i am 5 foot 7, i cut my seat as this kinda setup stuffs the bikes ride !

It looks like a trials bike...I like it!

Don't beat her set up too much- depending on how much she demands from the bike it may work for her just fine. I agree that the bike will not perform like it would if it had normal geometry- but she may not be pushing those limits. The confidence some people get from a lowered bike when they are newer, short, or less confident riders helps get them on the trail. However- once they start building skills/ confidence the bike has to go back to normal to accommodate the demands needed.

My buddy kills me because he has soooo little preload that he's riding a 510 husky chopper- but he says he can't get his leg over it otherwise- and will slowly add preload when he gains confidence- I figure that will come after bottoming out hard... or REALLY REALLY wanting to turn well. Oh yea... he's not short either.. I am short! I just don't let him get away with criticizing his bike's handling- cause it's not the bike its the set up.

I have NOT lowered my 09TE450 and I am 5'5".... I have a lowered 2002 Ktm (1") and it is very harsh- like they took the plushness away with that 1". Slow technichal yeap' feels like what I think a trials would- though fast rough it is harsh and uncomfortable.

TE 250 girl: Have your stock top tripple machined doun or find an aftermarket top tripple that will work better for you( as suggested by others)- Slowly and confidently learn to ride on the pegs and don't dab. If you are in a SLow section and loose momentum and cant get footing- just let it fall- 3/4 of the time we wouldn't save it anyway- That's what I do- and overtime you will not loose that momentum on tech sections because you will have committed a bit more- getting n the habit of dabbing (because you can) sometimes is counter productive and more likely to cause injuries. We short people gatta stick together sometimes- I am not judgen anyones skills just sharing shorty experience.