A Brief History of Scotts
Scotts started their business in a small Automotive shop in Glendale, California, doing repairs and setting up suspensions for local racers. Their popularity and performance gained momentum in a hurry and Scotts soon had to move to the current location in Montrose, California, in September, of 1974. Great service, technical know-how and commitment to customers gave them an edge over the competition. Starting with only 2 employees, they then expanded their line up to include accessories for all facets of off-road motorcycling. George Capodieci and Steve Zollinger joined the company in its early stages. George was interested in the suspension and machine shop end of the business and was soon to take over that division and was with them for 25 years. Steve fit right into the management position for the retail store and soon-to-be dealer network. Steve has been with Scotts over 25 years now also. Scott, the owner, became an active Baja 1000 racer between the years of 1987 - 1995. Winning the Ensenada to La Paz, Baja 1000 in 1992, on S.C.O.R.E.'s 25th Anniversary, was one of the highlights in his racing career. He tried his luck again in 2005 and finished 8th overall and first in Class 50. Many of the products Scotts manufactures now were developed during those racing years. Scotts Performance Poducts joined forces with Ohlins Racing in 1987 and together, they have developed the Premier Steering Stabilizer, acknowledged by Motocross Action as, "One of the 10 most influential products of all time!" We have now grown into the international market and coupled with our website, we supply products all over the world, maintaining our original goals and ideals. They are all still very involved with motorcycle riding and racing and the issues surrounding the sport.
What is a Scotts Steering Stabilizer?
It is a compact, fully adjustable, hydraulic shock absorbing stabilizer that mounts to your steering head area right above your handlebar mount. By helping to stabilize the front end of your motorcycle, the rear of the motorcycle will track straighter allowing the rest of your suspension to work the way it was designed to. In addition, the Scotts Steering Stabilizer eliminates that sudden thrust affect of having the handlebars pulled from your hands after unknowingly hitting sharp edged rocks, tree roots or rain ruts. It has also been proven to help minimize rider fatigue and the dreaded arm pumping situation that occurs while wrestling the front end of your bike. Dirt Rider Magazine said, "A Scotts Steering Stabilizer is the single greatest improvement you can make to your motorcycle". Once mounted, it eliminates the unwanted phenomenon known as “Head-shake” that is commonly found on off-road production motorcycles. This is more predominant now a-days due to the steeper head angles you find on production bikes. It helps keep your motorcycle going straight in the whoops and smooths out the rocky sections by preventing those handlebar wrenching jolts and more than likely will help keep you a healthier, happier rider.
How does it work?
Basically, it operates under the same principle as your front forks. Valving inside the unit reacts to the slightest of jolts that are transferred through the forks and crowns of your motorcycle. Internal circuitry and hydraulic valving absorbs the energy that would have been received through your handlebars. The link arm which connects the stabilizer to the frame, reacts instantaneously, absorbing any unwanted movement. Your suspension was designed to handle the vertical movement of your motorcycle. Scotts Steering Stabilizer completes your suspension package by controlling the unwanted horizontal movement that is continually transferred to your handlebars.
Where does the Stabilizer work best?
Anywhere there are forces trying to push or pull your front end left to right. If you ride on the track, Scotts Steering Stabilizer will soon become your best friend. You will find that it completely eliminates the head-shake and instability you get while riding at high speed and exiting corners. It helps keep your motorcycle straight uneven road surfaces as well. Sharp edged rocks and tree roots that send a shock all the way up to your jawbone are reduced to minor disturbances that allows your suspension to work the way it was intended to.
Why is a Scotts Stabilizer so much better than others?
One of the Scotts damper's most important features is that the Scotts Stabilizer only dampens as the handlebar turns away from center. The handlebar "free-valves" back to dead straight. That makes the bike want to go straight, all by itself. This is a huge advantage over other stabilizers. It also boasts a damping control this is adjustable on the fly. It only takes two seconds of one handed riding to change the damping, similar to the time it would take to pull the string on your roll-off lens. Even more importantly, the Scotts stabilizer has a "high-speed" damping adjustment, similar to the high speed adjustment in your shock. Since the stabilizer is literally a little shock absorber controlling the unwanted left to right motion of your bars, it only makes sense that you would want to have a circuit that absorbs the impacts that exceed the normal range of hits, similar to the high speed valving your shock. Most impacts and head-shake at the front wheel are high speed" movements, where on the other hand, turning is generally a low speed movement. If you don't like the feeling the stabilizer provides in turns or while flying a SX jump, you can adjust it out and still retain it’s ability to absorb high speed impacts. NO OTHER STABILIZER HAS THIS FEATURE. Why? Because it’s expensive to build and they own the patent on this concept. Not only is the damping rate and high speed circuit adjustable, but the arc of movement over which it operates is also adjustable, we call those sweep controls. So in summary, the Scotts Stabilizer has 3 fully adjustable circuits all of which are critical to any stabilizers ability to function correctly.
Will it fit on any motorcycle?
In theory, the Scotts Steering Stabilizer can be adapted to fit any motorcycle on the market including vintage bikes. Scotts has designed the unit to be a "bolt-on" item for all of the major brand on and off-road motorcycles. They also offer a weld-on version for those who prefer that feature. Scotts are the official stabilizer for Kawasaki Team Green, KTM America and Husaberg America. Honda off road and the Yamaha factory both Sotts dampers. They even have kits that will mount on Suzukis, Husqvarna, ATK's, Gas/Gas, Vertemati and TM's as well.
Is the Scotts damper easy to put on?
In most cases, if you can change a spark plug, you should be able to install a Scotts Steering Stabilizer. If you have any questions during installation, Scotts is there to help you. There is no welding (unless requested) and it mounts in minutes in most cases. The unit comes with a step by step instruction manual that makes installation very simple. Remember though, this is a very sophisticated unit that does more for your motorcycle than any other after market improvement. You need to make sure you install it correctly to gain the maximum potential.
Does it need constant servicing like some of the other dampers I've seen?
No Way. In fact when mounted correctly it almost needs no attention at all. Just like your forks and shocks though, you'll need to give it some "TLC" many hours of usage. It is designed so there are no wearable parts, however, Scotts Performance Products provides a complete service program should you need it. Simply UPS the unit to Scotts in between rides or races and will put it through a ten point inspection program that includes tolerance checks and oil re freshening. You'll have it back in time for your next race.
Scotts Steering Stabilizer Application Chart:
Click on the Bike Manufacturer to view product page
Aprilia
Aprilia RSV Mille (2000-2002) - RS-37-2238-35F
Aprilia RSV Mille R (2000-2002) - RS-37-2238-35F
Aprilia RXV 450/500 (2007-2010)* - DS-4551-10
Aprilia SXV 450/550 (2007-2010)* - DS-4551-10
BMW
BMW HP2 (2006-2010) - DS-SUB-6032-14
BMW G650X (2007-2010)* - DS-4554-10
BMW F800GS (2008-2010) - DS-SUB-6504-28
BMW 1200 GS/GSA (2008-2011) - DS-SUB-0020-00
Log
In 
