Thanks for this! First video I’ve seen that takes the time to explain what exactly the stabilizer is doing and break it down at a beginner ADV level… most seem to assume you already know. Ride safe… I haven’t had the wobble on my Tuareg yet, but I’m going to be on the lookout for it and go this route if I do.
I’ve run a steering damper on my 690 that was experiencing the same head shake at highway speeds. It was transformational in this regards. After installation, not an issue at high speeds, up to +160 km/h. In deep sand, gravel and rock deflections, it was amazing. The best money that I spent on upgrades. Next up is an A660. Let's see how that feels but me.thinks that a steering damper is a good thing regardless, as you only ever find out when you are on the limit. And then it's too late.
and... this is the reason that, after twice mounting motoz tires, i replaced removed the tires both times after less than 50 miles. i don't understand the love for motoz tires. both times that i tried to run motoz tires -two different bikes, the tires were scary -just as you described -lots of head shake and instability, and i promptly removed them because they felt unsafe and, both bikes already had steering stabilizers. too unnerving for me.
Im riding, the tuareg 660 for 14000km with anakee wild tires. I easely travel with 180kmh (ger) to my destination. There is no need for this stabilizer. I will help you for above 180kmh on the Autobahn.
Very nice video! Thanks for taking the time to tackle this topic. It’s a very underrated upgrade on most adventure bikes, and it’s a fantastic addition to the Tuareg! Also, I’m trailing you on subscribers. I may need to produce some new content. Cheers, Ran
This summer has been a real content drought, for me at least…trying to get motivated has been a challenge. Love your stuff! Hopefully you can find some time to film and edit up something for us ;)
Great video. I have a KTM 890 R and once I put the same Motoz combo, began to experience the same wobble, just got my GPR stabilizer! Now I need to test it. What setting number are you using for the highway and also rock gardens?
When I first started using it, I tried to have some settings to remember.... but I've since just switched to "Do I want/need more damping?". To elaborate, around town I'll keep it mild to medium. During higher speed travel, I'll dial up more damping. And then offroad on rocky, rutty, and sandy stuff (pretty much all offroad), I'll dial up more damping. Hope this helps!
Thanks! I have been looking for a dampener for the T660. I was going to go to knobbier Motoz on the front but was a little scared of the wobble. Frankly...that would scare the crap out of me! I have had no problems at all with wobble on the stock front tire for 3000+ miles under all conditions on and off road, but would prefer knobbies. Very informative video.
I honestly wasn’t having issues with the stock tires, so while I do believe there would be some benefit, the percentage of improvement wouldn’t be nearly as high (at least as far as on-road riding goes). Off-road, I think you’d still benefit from the stabilizer if you find yourself in sand or rock gardens a lot.
@@exploready I live in Washington where we have the 4th worst roads in the US (highest gas tax, too!) so freeway ruts and groves on the way to the fun stuff can get annoying. Most of my offroad stuff is forest services roads with dirt and/or gravel.
Thanks for posting this. I see that you have the HDB handguards - correct me if I am wrong. This means that the HDB’s are compatible with the GPR stabilizer. Did you need to make modifications to the HDB handguard setup to accommodate the slight rise of the handlebars? Any interference Of the handguards and windshield? I have Barkbuster handguards shipping to me as we speak. Has anybody had any problems with those and the GPR stabilizer, raising the bars to where the handguards hit the stock windscreen? Thank you.
I didn't need to make any modifications to accommodate the handguard/stabilizer combo. The GPR was a little bit of a pita to install, but it was such a game changer...highly recommend
Raced and road off road with lighter bikes. First off road sessions with T660 especially in loamy ir sandy turf....need stabilizer! Stabilizes are god sends for ultimate steering control when front end deflects.
Jim, tell me more about what appear to be black wind deflectors on the left and right of the lower edge of your windscreen. The GPR stablizers are great, I have one on my Husqvarna FE 450 and planning to add to my T660 soon. Thanks.
Hey Rich - I went out to double-check the front end of the bike, and it's almost all OE. I've only added a acrylic headlight protector, and then 1 strip on velcro to attach a Skydio 2 remote. I have plasti-dipped a few parts of the bike (black), so maybe that's what is looking like a wind deflector? Do you have a time-stamp in the vid where you're seeing them? Thanks! Ride Safe!
@@exploready .23 seconds in. I took a closer look and now see it is just that you have blacked out the lower edge of your stock screen. Thank you for the reply.
I suppose it would be a bit boring. Took a few rides to “trust” that the GPR would, in fact, work as advertised, but after that it’s pretty mundane. Keep in mind that even with the damper, I’m still not riding 105+mph anywhere.
I don’t generally air down at all. In the case I had run into wobble, I was either running 1-up and suspension set for one-up, or one-up with luggage, and suspension set for that scenario. Running recommended pressures for each scenario.
At the time, the GPR was the only solution available (there’s a mount available now that will allow you to run a Scott’s). With that said, I have no regrets with the GPR…but would imagine just about any damper would really have a beneficial effect.
Adam- great questions! I was prepared for the install after watching @lazypilot ‘s video a few times. The install took me 3-4 hours with a lot of that time spent removing the OE bar risers. The install itself is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to have a range of torque wrenches handy.
I almost bought one of these before I left for my CDT Trip. Makes me wonder if it wouldve saved me in that gnarly section when my front tire redirected. Still considering getting one. One wallet emptying thing at a time! 😂
I think there's a lot that goes into that equation. When I switched back to the OE tires, with the bike loaded the same way, it behaved much better and rode like expected. So, the knobbies were the variable in my case that was causing my discomfort. I really like the adjustability of the stabilizer. I wish other components (like suspension) were as easy to adjust. Ride safe!
I wonder if your steering head is not torqued down to the proper spec.. That being said a damper cant hurt on the over all big picture if it smooths out the inputs. I have run them on my road bikes to have a positive effect at high speeds.
Are you considering adding a steering stabilizer to your bike?
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Thanks for this! First video I’ve seen that takes the time to explain what exactly the stabilizer is doing and break it down at a beginner ADV level… most seem to assume you already know. Ride safe… I haven’t had the wobble on my Tuareg yet, but I’m going to be on the lookout for it and go this route if I do.
Rgrluke - Thanks! Enjoy your Tuareg and ride safe!
Put serious knobby tires on and you will feel it.
I’ve run a steering damper on my 690 that was experiencing the same head shake at highway speeds. It was transformational in this regards. After installation, not an issue at high speeds, up to +160 km/h. In deep sand, gravel and rock deflections, it was amazing. The best money that I spent on upgrades.
Next up is an A660. Let's see how that feels but me.thinks that a steering damper is a good thing regardless, as you only ever find out when you are on the limit. And then it's too late.
A stabilizer is good, but not always needed, just depends on rake angle, speeds, front wheel sizes, terrain your riding.
Many things to consider.
and... this is the reason that, after twice mounting motoz tires, i replaced removed the tires both times after less than 50 miles. i don't understand the love for motoz tires. both times that i tried to run motoz tires -two different bikes, the tires were scary -just as you described -lots of head shake and instability, and i promptly removed them because they felt unsafe and, both bikes already had steering stabilizers. too unnerving for me.
Im riding, the tuareg 660 for 14000km with anakee wild tires. I easely travel with 180kmh (ger) to my destination. There is no need for this stabilizer. I will help you for above 180kmh on the Autobahn.
Very nice video! Thanks for taking the time to tackle this topic. It’s a very underrated upgrade on most adventure bikes, and it’s a fantastic addition to the Tuareg!
Also, I’m trailing you on subscribers. I may need to produce some new content.
Cheers, Ran
This summer has been a real content drought, for me at least…trying to get motivated has been a challenge.
Love your stuff! Hopefully you can find some time to film and edit up something for us ;)
Great video. I have a KTM 890 R and once I put the same Motoz combo, began to experience the same wobble, just got my GPR stabilizer! Now I need to test it. What setting number are you using for the highway and also rock gardens?
When I first started using it, I tried to have some settings to remember.... but I've since just switched to "Do I want/need more damping?".
To elaborate, around town I'll keep it mild to medium. During higher speed travel, I'll dial up more damping. And then offroad on rocky, rutty, and sandy stuff (pretty much all offroad), I'll dial up more damping.
Hope this helps!
Thanks! I have been looking for a dampener for the T660. I was going to go to knobbier Motoz on the front but was a little scared of the wobble. Frankly...that would scare the crap out of me! I have had no problems at all with wobble on the stock front tire for 3000+ miles under all conditions on and off road, but would prefer knobbies. Very informative video.
Glad I could help! I really like the MotoZ tires, but the wobble wasn't fun ;)
Ride safe!
@Exploready - the link for the stabilizer doesn't work for me, goes to a generic page
Great review! Do you think you would have the same opinion on this product running the stock Pirelli tires?
I honestly wasn’t having issues with the stock tires, so while I do believe there would be some benefit, the percentage of improvement wouldn’t be nearly as high (at least as far as on-road riding goes).
Off-road, I think you’d still benefit from the stabilizer if you find yourself in sand or rock gardens a lot.
@@exploready I live in Washington where we have the 4th worst roads in the US (highest gas tax, too!) so freeway ruts and groves on the way to the fun stuff can get annoying. Most of my offroad stuff is forest services roads with dirt and/or gravel.
Thanks for posting this. I see that you have the HDB handguards - correct me if I am wrong. This means that the HDB’s are compatible with the GPR stabilizer. Did you need to make modifications to the HDB handguard setup to accommodate the slight rise of the handlebars? Any interference Of the handguards and windshield? I have Barkbuster handguards shipping to me as we speak. Has anybody had any problems with those and the GPR stabilizer, raising the bars to where the handguards hit the stock windscreen? Thank you.
I didn't need to make any modifications to accommodate the handguard/stabilizer combo. The GPR was a little bit of a pita to install, but it was such a game changer...highly recommend
Raced and road off road with lighter bikes. First off road sessions with T660 especially in loamy ir sandy turf....need stabilizer! Stabilizes are god sends for ultimate steering control when front end deflects.
I bought the blue one, it's awesome! easy instal with limited tools, even for a guy like me who hates mechanical stuff!!!
Right on! Def my favorite mod.
Jim, tell me more about what appear to be black wind deflectors on the left and right of the lower edge of your windscreen. The GPR stablizers are great, I have one on my Husqvarna FE 450 and planning to add to my T660 soon. Thanks.
Hey Rich - I went out to double-check the front end of the bike, and it's almost all OE. I've only added a acrylic headlight protector, and then 1 strip on velcro to attach a Skydio 2 remote. I have plasti-dipped a few parts of the bike (black), so maybe that's what is looking like a wind deflector? Do you have a time-stamp in the vid where you're seeing them?
Thanks! Ride Safe!
@@exploready .23 seconds in. I took a closer look and now see it is just that you have blacked out the lower edge of your stock screen. Thank you for the reply.
@@richardsieben815 If it's during the intro bumper, it may be the Harley Pan America.
Cool Video, thank you. Beautiful riding area too! Luv my GPR Stabilizer! Have one on my 450L
Shame you didn't make a video of the troublesome speed on the highway post steering damper install, only off road video.
I suppose it would be a bit boring. Took a few rides to “trust” that the GPR would, in fact, work as advertised, but after that it’s pretty mundane.
Keep in mind that even with the damper, I’m still not riding 105+mph anywhere.
Was wondering if you had deflated your tires any for off-roading when you got the wobble?
I don’t generally air down at all. In the case I had run into wobble, I was either running 1-up and suspension set for one-up, or one-up with luggage, and suspension set for that scenario.
Running recommended pressures for each scenario.
Why'd you pick this vs a Scotts dampener? I've always run Scott's and like them
At the time, the GPR was the only solution available (there’s a mount available now that will allow you to run a Scott’s). With that said, I have no regrets with the GPR…but would imagine just about any damper would really have a beneficial effect.
How long did the installation take? And how difficult was it?
Adam- great questions!
I was prepared for the install after watching @lazypilot ‘s video a few times.
The install took me 3-4 hours with a lot of that time spent removing the OE bar risers.
The install itself is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to have a range of torque wrenches handy.
@@exploready Thanks Jim!
I almost bought one of these before I left for my CDT Trip. Makes me wonder if it wouldve saved me in that gnarly section when my front tire redirected. Still considering getting one. One wallet emptying thing at a time! 😂
Probably ok if I don’t use knobbies I’m guessing
I think there's a lot that goes into that equation. When I switched back to the OE tires, with the bike loaded the same way, it behaved much better and rode like expected. So, the knobbies were the variable in my case that was causing my discomfort.
I really like the adjustability of the stabilizer. I wish other components (like suspension) were as easy to adjust.
Ride safe!
Exactly what happened
I wonder if your steering head is not torqued down to the proper spec.. That being said a damper cant hurt on the over all big picture if it smooths out the inputs. I have run them on my road bikes to have a positive effect at high speeds.
When I initially switched from the MotoZ tires back to the OE Pirellis, the issue was gone.
I chalked it up to tread pattern/grooves/speed.
First!
Nice! You did it!