Motosportz Steering Damper

[franhoser]

I'm getting mixed reviews on this product.



http://www.motosportz.com/HVA-SS/610damper_details.htm



Everything I've read online was about how great it is and people are happy with it and I've just talked to two Canadian retailers (avicious cycle and gnarly parts)and they both said that a few years ago they've had to discontinue and stopdealing with motosportz cause they had too many bad dampers and didn't want to deal with the returns.



I talked to Dave at Gnarly parts and he said that thiswasa few years ago and the damperis great product but had some manufacturing issues with it.



I'm kind of limited on the brand I can get cause Scott's doesn’t make one for the TE610. Dave said he's installed one but the steering head mount had to be modified somehow. There issues with clearance from the tank and steering head.



Has anybody used this brand of damperand what is your opinion (doesn’t have to the Husky model, just Motosportz).

 

[sueandal]

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sorry hoser dont know

but i do like gnarly ( i think booger likes too )

and a steering damper is a nice luxury ( i have had one for 3 weeks or so ).

good luck Al

 

[skidmark43]

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I have a Motosportz damper on myTE450.

Great product, I'm very pleased with it and would buy another.

Incidentally; it was one of the 'problem' dampers. The stock bar mounting system on the '07 450 is pretty odd, and it took Motosportz a couple of tries to get the damper mount to work properly. It also had a leaky seal after 8 months of use...

Every problem was welcomed by the manufacturer and solutions provided promptly at no charge.

A friend (wetdog) liked his motosportz damper on his '06 TE so much that he bought another for his '08 TXC.

Bill at 5th Gear has a longstanding relationship with Kelly, the owner (chief fabricator, and Husky rider) of Motosportz and supports their product line up very well.

 

[franhoser]

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Thanks Skidmark,

I spoke to Kelly from Motosportztoday and he did mention that 1 and half year ago they had failed seals in the damper which has since been rectified. They now have a double seal system for it and since have not issues with it. All the reviews I've read online for them wasgood and Kelly re-assured me that they haveno bs warranty policy. If it breaks, send it back and they will fix or replace it.

I ordered mine today and looking forward to it. I need it, the tendonitis in my wrist is killing me after the long rides.

 

[Aflica]

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I Have one on my Gasser , and i love it. I did have the seals go in mine and Yes , Kelly did replace the guts with the new seal system and did it all in a very timely fashion with no BS whatsoever for free. I have heard from other brand owners, that with other brands the seals do wear out in them and in fact some recommend rebuilding them at every year or so. All at an added expense to the owner. Kelly assured me that he would do lifetime oil changes and seals if needed , all i had to pay for was shipping to him. Would i but a Motosportz again ? YES !

Steve

 

[franhoser]

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Update:

I got delivery of the Dampers last week with a few other Husky goodies from Motosportz. Installed in about 15 minutes, not kidding. I was off to the Orca run on Friday and turned it on Saturdaybut found I had to turn it off immediately on the B route specially on the tight single track stuff cause it was counter productive travelling at low speeds and tight trails.I don't think it's designed for single track technical sections anyway.

I did have it on in a few sections where I got some speedand it's awesome.

Where it truly excels are the long lose sections like rocky sections, sand and all day rides. The main gravel road that was a loose leading to the campsite,I rode it on and off a few times and definitely was more stable when it was on. The other surprise I found is on the way home from the Orca run I accidently had it on the hwy and it was a bit windy and the front was stable and I was cruising in comfort 130km at section of the Malahat. I was getting blown around andI felt the gear in the back was too but the handlebar was straight as an arrow and no wobbles. Usually in those cases I have the death grip on the bars and hoping the wobbles don't blow me off the road. Now I know why they make dampers for street race bikes too.

Anyway, worth the money if you can afford it. Surprise road benefit in the wind too, especially on long trips.

I'm impressed but then again I get impressed with the 610 every time I ride it (it's been only two months now). All I can say it's probably the best dual sport bike in my opinion for the money you spend compared to other bikes and what you get stock.

 

[Aflica]

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I must respectfully disagree with your findings on the tight single track and the damper. I have had my Motosportz on for a little over a year now , and while i do find it works great on the quicker gnarly rocky bits , it shines well at the very slow speed rocky , rooty ,slippery tight single track. As i was involved in the layout , and ride all of the A , and B orca tracks on a very, very regular basis i do know fist hand the terrain you were riding. I run my damper just a little under half for 95% of the time. The only time i bump it up is on high speed logging road. I was without my damper this weekend as i lost the connecter last weekend while arrowing the A1 section, I then road sweeper on Saturday for that very section , and was surprised how much more fatigued i was after the ride with NO DAMPER . Maybe its has something to do with the different bike we ride or maybe its to do with riding style , but ive rode with it and without it, i'll take with it everytime on the slow , tight , twisty , rocky , slippery....ect ect , i do really belive it makes you ride longer , stronger. It did take some getting used to when i first got mine , but i gave it time and rode with it turned on at a little under half , and started to really appreciate that it was helping ALL the time with all the bumps and lumps. My 2 cents worth and everyone is different , and like i said at the begining , i respectfully dissagree with the slow part

Steve

 

[franhoser]

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steve you might be right. I've never had a damper and Sat was the first time I used it. I will try it againon tight stuff. I found it harder to turn the handlebars maybe that my problem I'm used to turning it too much. Maybe I have to learn all over again how to ride with one and get used to it.