Why steering dampers

These are linear dampers, and they can be mounted in several different ways. Some are installed on the head tube itself, while others are mounted mid-way along the forks. And some linear steering dampers are installed on the frame. Instead of using a piston, rotary steering dampers force oil through a series of passages to control motion.

As far as price goes, that depends on what kind of features you want on your steering damper. Dirt and motocross bikes use them, too, Cycle World reports. There are even dampers designed for cruisers, as well as scramblers and standards, Cycle World and TEC report.

So, should you put one on your bike? It also absorbs vibrations from the road, increasing your long-distance comfort, RideApart reports. Almost every retailer carries a brand of steering stabilizer.

The things you want to watch out for are cheap imitations and imports. Because you are attaching a device designed to restrict lateral movement of your steering, you don't want to have a part that isn't designed and built properly.

You want to look for a stabilizer that offers multiple circuits for controlling both low and high speed damping forces. With only a single damping control the device is either too hard to use at low speeds, to compensate for higher speeds, or conversely too soft at high speeds.

Ohlins makes many OEM units, supplies race teams all over the world and builds some of the most desirable suspension systems for motorcycles. Scott's Performance Products also makes a world class damper. Having won the Baja 17 times, they have a track record of performing at the very highest level. Both of these manufacturers offer multiple control circuits to provide a wide range of adjustment. Hyperpro is another company with a top shelf steering damper.

They use what they bill as "Reactive Safety Control" effectively creating a progressive damping that is always unobtrusive at low speeds but effectively "dampens" the hard hits that you need it to. Besides that, riders too can suffer from fatigue of continuous twisting motions due to uneven surfaces. Ride more comfortably with a steering damper. Similar to shock absorbers and other conventional oil-controlled dampers, the resistance in motion is only present with acute force.

You try to forcefully turn your handlebar in a quick motion, you will feel resistance. Regular turning is not affected. However, if you are taking a sharp corner and there is a kick-back, the steering damper will help prevent that and keep your wheel in place. Consider it an upgrade to your handling, with no repercussions. Most higher end motorcycles come with a steering damper, especially the newer ones.

In fact, some track races make it a safety requirement to have a steering damper installed on your motorcycle. So, think about it.

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