Steering damper for a RM250

[03rm250]

Just woundering if it possible to rig up a steering damper on a rm250, i find that that front is a bit wobbly, Would 1 of these help at all.

Any options and comments welcome

Cheers Daniel

[onearmedbandit]

Not many, if any (thanks Scribe) dirt bikes have a steering dampener. I'd suggest you get your forks looked at first, as steering dampeners to a large degree are only a band-aid anyway.

[Robert Taylor]

Not many, if any (thanks Scribe) dirt bikes have a steering dampener. I'd suggest you get your forks looked at first, as steering dampeners to a large degree are only a band-aid anyway.

Incorrect in the case of a dirtbike. A high quality pedigree brand rotary steering damper ( not the low quality Chinese ripoffs with pretty anodising ) will allow a dirtbike to be ridden with more stability and speed over rutted ground. The action of the damping considerably softens / lessens the effect of the handlebars otherwise being ripped out of the riders hands when riding over ruts or challenging obstacles.
As I recall we have one ex stock for an RM at present. ( Ohlins )

[onearmedbandit]

Incorrect in the case of a dirtbike. A high quality pedigree brand rotary steering damper ( not the low quality Chinese ripoffs with pretty anodising ) will allow a dirtbike to be ridden with more stability and speed over rutted ground. The action of the damping considerably softens / lessens the effect of the handlebars otherwise being ripped out of the riders hands when riding over ruts or challenging obstacles.
As I recall we have one ex stock for an RM at present. ( Ohlins )

There. Shows what I know.

[Henk]

Have used WER and Ohlins dampers on dirt bikes, they work well and although expensive are worth the effort on a twitchy bike.
In fact they are worth the effort on a non twitchy bike since you can hit stuff that would usually result in massive headshake and keep going without any drama.

[Scotty Dog]

Hi mate
If you can get your hands on a steering damper at a good price then id say get one. They arn't bad. But in my experiance they are only masking a problem... a ill handling bike! First thing i would look at to save you money on bolt on Bull sh#t, Check your fork height in the clamps. If they are sticking through the clamps too far your bike will be unstable. Set your rider sag (shock) to 100mm.
I dont know what you weigh but its very possible your forks are way to soft which dosnt inspire confindence at all. Get your suspension dialed in first. The yanks love dampiners, The factory mechanics in europe call them bandaids! good for covering up a problem, not fixing it! I,ve worked with both, i know which guys I'd listen too. racepaceservices.co.nz

[Robert Taylor]

Ive worked in and out of MX for many years ( decades) and have tuned engines and suspension for many title winners of NZ junior and senior MX. I totally agree that a steering damper should not be fitted alone to mask suspension setup issues.
But wing type steering dampers ( good ones, not the Chinese rip off rubbish on the market with the metallurgy of weetbix packets) do allow riders to more aggressively ride over rutted ground that in many cases would rip the handlebars out of your hands. The damper ''dampens'' what would otherwise be nasty handlebar deflections.
There is no BS to this, when you sit down and look at the dynamics of what happens it makes sense. At least two ex top runners in world 500MX can confirm that, one having been a World champion.
There is also an argument to suggest that a well calibrated MX steering damper may help reduce arm pump.
Its the cost that puts many people off and Im sure many MX riders cannot think clearly because many wear their caps the wrong way!!!!