1. 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
    TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

Steering Damper Questions

Discussion in '4 Stroke' started by Pete, Dec 15, 2009.

  1. Dirty Bikes Husqvarna
    A Class

    Dirtybikes.ca is my site....A Vicious Cycle is a company that is listed in the "Sponsors" section. VC sells a wide variety of products of which MZ dampers is/was(?) one of them. VC is where I sourced my MZ damper from.

    Also, I am a Gemini and I like long sunset walks on the beach, chocolate and dirt bikes.

    Is there anything else I need to tell ppl before I can comment on a steering damper?

    :banghead:
  2. Coffee CH Owner

    Location:
    Between homes - in ft Wayne IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2006 TE250, 2013 TR650 Terra - sold
    This thread has some unwarranted negativity in it and I would greatly appreciate it if it was removed from the thread. I'll handle the details as needed.

    EDIT: what I mean is: It is now what you say, it is how you say it. Good, honest, less than positive feedback is most welcome. However it would be greatly appreciated if it could be worded in a nice(ish) way. There are real people and companies involved that are reading these threads.
  3. PALMER84ONE Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Silverado, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    08 TE450 THE ROCKET
    Other Motorcycles:
    12 RS520, CRF150F/230F, YZ250
    A debate is good, and opinions are a plenty. If someone doesn't like something it is ok IMO to post that if the thread starter is asking "what's the best"?. It's like who makes the best radiator guards or braces. Who makes the best handle bars, pegs etc.. Aftermarket parts are not a strong point of the husqvarna. I think the jmetteer and Dirty Bikes need to just let it go! :awww: There are debates in all walks of life, but lets not make accusations that are not warranted. Now lets all get back to the original program.

    I talked to George today and we both should have time to do the Up-tite Damper mount with Scotts Damper on Sunday or Monday on my 08 TE450 with snug IMS tank. I am hopping to try the Motosportz Damper with the post mount also. if anyone has a GPR we can se if that works also. The Up-tite post mount is also going to work for the 610 with top triple modification. It all looks good. :cool:
  4. cptseawolf Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Ontario
    lol...this is hilarious...

    DirtyBikes.ca has a local shop as a sponsor...which actually sponsors other sites as well. A Vicious Cycle sells Scotts Dampers...and actually sold Motosportz dampers as well.

    If DirtyBikes is biased because a 3rd party that helps his site sells a both the product he doesnt like and the product he does......what does that say about this site that has Motosportz as a sponsor...

    is everyone here biased? certainly seems so....

    my 2 cents...take it or leave it
  5. Pete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Victoria, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE300
    I think you should be very careful, it may create a feeling that you are moderating heavily. Most sensible people will make an informed decision based on their interpretation of the discussion. The bulk of responses are very positive (over many years and forums) towards the vendor and the product.

    What might happen if you decide to over moderate and protect the vendor from any and all negative feedback is it might create an air of protectionism kinda like an "in crowd" and of course i am not "in" that crowd so i wouldnt feel comfortable spending money with kelly, if it was over moderated. It would make me feel like the forum might be sanitized to protect me from negative comments. Not a good thing at all!

    Just let people have their say, let the vendor defend themselves and let his service and products speak for themselves. Which we al know has been the case for several years.

    Despite a couple of comments, possibly from people who are better riders who notice subtleties that i wont, i still feel convinced to buy one. Once i can be sure my bars will work, or something very similar will work and the height doesnt change too much.
  6. HuskyT Moderator

    Location:
    Corona, California
    I'm using a Scotts Top Mount with Protaper CR Hi's set in Scotts FatBar Damper mounts.

    I like the look and feel of the Scotts and find it very easy to adjust. I like the fact that I can reach down very easily and adjust the top mount quickly in a race with mud and crap all over my hand. I just find it simple and easy to use. Easy to adjust sweep and rate of damping . 24 clicks on rate with a Scotts. Service from Scotts has been outstanding for me.

    I have no experience with Kelly's damper.

    Going to the original question, you will benefit from having damper whether it be a GPR, Motosportz or Scotts.

    I was at Cahuilla MX last weekend ... large flowing MX track with a lot of high speed uphill/downhill... a CRF 450 busted out a bowling ball size clod of clay and I pounded it on a sweeper going left. I was in fourth gear pinned. I literally felt my bars lock up on impact and keep me in a staight line. I have a small flat spot on my front rim from the impact. If I wouldn't have had the damper on the impact probably would have made me high side.... I nearly went over the bars as is.... I felt like kissing my damper!

    Regardless of "medium" , beginner or pro skill level a damper is a good investment.

    T
  7. Pete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Victoria, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE300
    Thanks for that. Now i am really keen :)
  8. 420skirider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Phila, Pa
    I have to disagree with you on this one. It's not the differing opinion that is being moderated, it's the attitude and language of the dispute that is in question. Anyone here can always speak their mind, but there is nothing wrong with trying to maintain some level of decorum.
    BTW, my vote is for the Scott's damper. I've run one on both of my bikes and think it is worth the expense. It works great in the tight stuff when you're bashing trees and definitely helps with stability in the high speed whoops .
  9. Pete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Victoria, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE300

    How you tried both the motorsportz and the scotts?
  10. Jrmobb Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Simi Valley,ca
    I know this post is over done but I feel i gotta mention this.

    A friend borrowed my bike 09 te510 with a motosportz damper and after the ride he was talking like yea yea, the damper is cool but i had to put it on full stiff, he said quote" I like stiff handling and im strong so i like the damper stiff"

    After his ride i looked as the damper is was on all the way soft lol, he thought it ment stiff and he loved it even on soft he said it saved him multiple times.

    motosportz is Top quality, dont doubt is because the price, Just think of the price as a blessing and the reason to buy it!
  11. Dirty Bikes Husqvarna
    A Class

    I totally agree and bullying by the manufacturer and his friend is not a high level of decorum.

    Although I do apologize for calling the MZ damper a piece of shit. It is not. I was pissed and reacted. Sorry.

    But I do stand by my original post.

    The only thing wrong with my original post was my spelling of "consistent" :lol:

    Pete I think you will find is that you usually get what you pay for and thus there is value in all three dampers mentioned. (Motorsportz, GPR and Scotts). I wouldn't let one opinion sway you (negative or positive). I suggest you take what ppl say from a wide variety of forums in our little bike world and go from there. Good luck with your fact finding search
  12. gandalf Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    South Jersey
    I agree with 420skirider and I don't agree this is a case of a manufacturer and a friend bullying anyone. There's an adult way to discuss what the pros/cons are of a product and this site encourages that kind of discussion so it doesn't turn into the typical 14yr old childish jabber.

    From the front page:
    A very warm welcome one and all.

    The goal of this site is to give a place for Husqvarna enthusiasts to have a place with a relaxed atmosphere to discuss whatever you want within reason – stories, trip reports, talk about the bikes, and whatever else may be on your mind. Non-Husqvarna owners are also welcome.

    This is a High-Class forum – post accordingly. Attitude, helpfulness, spelling, punctuation, all count.

    This especially means that if you are going to say something negative about a business or individual then you need to be clear, articulate, and have full disclosure.

    If you have something less than positive to say pretend it is your grandmother that you are giving the negative feedback to, and please word it accordingly.
  13. Dirty Bikes Husqvarna
    A Class

    So it is appropriate for the manufacturer to contact everyone that says anything negative about there product via PM and accuse them of bashing their product? It is ok for the manufacturer's friend to accuse that person of being biased because the friend did a 5 second witch hunt?

    I agree my language was not called for but we would not have gone there had others just read my post and said "well I guess not everyone likes this product" and moved on. Just like every other product...not everyone likes all products and my explanation, although not long and detailed, was more then satisfactory.
  14. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    you are the only one i contacted. The reason i did is it seemed at the time it was a knee jerk reaction to my other stupid post about Canadian dealers. I have apologized profusely both in PM and publicly. I had a frustrating week, made some stupid late night posts and realized i did and said i am sorry.
  15. Dirty Bikes Husqvarna
    A Class

    I know and we are good. :thumbsup:

    I was just trying to justify/explain my bitchiness.:p
  16. Pete Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Victoria, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TE300
    OK! So the damper is fine for most, but maybe not everyone. While this thread has been running i have been reading everything here and on TT i can find about it.

    Most people say its fine, and a few prefer other products, no one really thinks its totally crap (assuming people who do havent been over zealously moderated).

    I guess i would normally be a bit shy towards the medium sized brands with lower price points, but seeing as motosportz seems to always offer to help or repair and offer genuinely great service - i feel a LOT more comfortble! :) I am gonna buy one when they are available in jan.

    Woohoo, cant want.
  17. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    Thanks Pete. We have been doing them for a little over three years and have for sure refined them. Upgraded older units for free for our customers. I have been in this or the MTB industry doing design and manufacturing for 10 years. We are past the new company stage and offer as much or more unique product for huskys than anyone. We love the brand. I appreciate you considering us. :notworthy:
  18. Coffee CH Owner

    Location:
    Between homes - in ft Wayne IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2006 TE250, 2013 TR650 Terra - sold
    There is no moderation going on. No filtering. No protecting of sponsors.

    What I type is what I truly believe. If I thought Kellys dampener was and incredible hunk of junk I would certainly say that. Well actually I would probably say something like "it did not work well for me because of _____, and it could be others share that opinion, and here are some interesting links you should read LINK LINK LINK, but if you get a chance to try it, please let us know your thoughts"

    But I'll stand by my previous post, seems like a great product to me, it worked especially well in the sand because I could ride with out falling down. But I have no experience with any other brands.


    I added this bit to my previous post, the wording is probably not perfect but I hope you get the idea:

    EDIT: what I mean is: It is now what you say, it is how you say it. Good, honest, less than positive feedback is most welcome. However it would be greatly appreciated if it could be worded in a nice(ish) way. There are real people and companies involved that are reading these threads.
  19. Coffee CH Owner

    Location:
    Between homes - in ft Wayne IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2006 TE250, 2013 TR650 Terra - sold
    Thank you! :thumbsup:

    You said perfectly what I was getting at.

    As you should. It was crystal clear to me you had put some thought into how you worded it. Ideally say what you disliked about the product in your first post, instead of your 2nd post would have been better, but that is a minor point.

    I think many are having a frustrating week. Not only are there a bunch of rapid changes in the industry, severe weather in many places, there is also the seasonal issues of this time of year. And it is flu season...


    There is no moderating going on. What people type is what people type.

    I've earned a modicum of respect in these circles and people (as far as I know) trust what I say to be accurate and honest.
  20. krieg Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Matthews, NC
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Many in the past
    Other Motorcycles:
    '12 Triumph Scrambler
    :applause: Right on! OVER moderating is when entire threads disappear at the drop of a hat with no explanation. OVER moderating is when anyone who disagrees with the moderators is suddenly banned. OVER moderating is when posts in opposition to the sponsors vanish without explanation.

    I've been on more forums in the past 12 years than I care to divulge. I KNOW what over-moderation is, because I've been the victim of it many times.

    Anyone who thinks Cafe Husky is "over-moderated" is either new to the internet forum world... or a moron.

    You GO Dean! This place is a haven for Husky enthusiasts.