Scotts vs. GPR

[John_in_Long_Beach]

We had a post going a while back regarding this, so I don't want to re-hash old stuff but, I don't remember reading any valuable comparisons. Only "I have the "blank" dampener and am very happy with it".

Well it may be time for me to cut loose with $500- $600 and I would appreciate any input. Hopefully there are some people that have seen both or have compared them both.

How about things like.

1) The quality of the control arm that operates the unit. ( you know the item that bolts or is welded to the frame ). Who has a cleaner or better made one of these.

2) Does the mounting place for the bars allow for adjustability front and back.

3) Any reliability issues. Do these things really need to be rebuilt?

4) Quality of manufacturing?

5) Cost - it sounds like the GPR is about $50 bucks cheaper, is this correct.

6) Customer service. Everybody happy?

Or any other critical differences that may separate them?

The bottom line from reading the posts is that I will be happy with either one. I did not hear one negative complaint from either Scott's or GPR users.

I am just curious if there has been anybody that has had the opportunity to check out both.

Thanks

[YZ400Court]

Here is my take:

The gpr has a much stronger tower pin setup, MUCH stronger (at least in the weld on version). We broke one tower, and our friends broke two in the Nevada 2000 race. After the race the guy that owns the KX500 I was with bought all GPR's. The only reason for the switch is GPR will rebuild them for free if you see them at a race. You don't have to be a racer, just show up and they rebuild it.

The only real difference is the Scotts has better range of adjustments, maybe 40 clicks. GPR only 6 clicks. GPR allows you to go from full soft to full hard in one click, Scotts takes 40 clicks.

The only one that makes one that allows easy bar adjustment is WER. They mount to the front fender.

Scotts and GPR both require the correct top bar mount bracket for the handlebar setting. The pivot point in the stabilizer MUST be in exact alignment with the steering stem pivot point. Therefore to move the bars, you have to have different mounting holes in the top of the bar clamp.

For me they both do a great job, and I can tell no difference, but alas I'm no Destry Abbott or Johnny Campbell...thay might notice a difference.

Buy the cheaper one, take the extra $50 and buy something shiny to distract the wife while you mount the new damper.

Good luck, Here comes the barrage of differing opinions>>>

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Pretend it's flat and give it the gas.

[John_in_Long_Beach]

YZ400court,

Thanks for the feedback.

I am a little unclear on what you said about the handlebar adjustment fore and aft.

Adjusting the handlebars for or aft will cause the dampner to not line up with the tower pin. I get that. But I am not sure, what that means. Does it necessitate a different triple clamp and mounting bracket?

As for 6 clicks or 40 clicks. I can't see that that would matter. 6 should be enough fine tuning. Thanks for your reply.

[robman]

some of the guys I ride with have scotts and some have gpr, the guys with the scotts have had to rebuild them at least once and the gpr is still going with no problems ,so I got the gpr with doug henry bend pro tapers.

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00 wr400f fmf pipe ,uni-flow filter,no lid on breather,factory R&D accelerator pump cover, pro-taper bars with gpr stabilizer,acerbis pro rally hand guards.

[Blue_Boner]

The Scotts damper I have on my bike has pre-ran the Baja 1000 multiple times as well as many miles of normal riding with no rebuild. It still works great(saved my butt just last weekend). The oil has been changed once although it was clean when it was drained so I would hardly call that a rebuild. If I was buying a new damper I would go with the guys who invented the device not the guys who make a cheaper copy. Customer service at Scotts is second to none, just another reason to buy one.

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98 WR400 "Strokerized"

97 EXC400

94 RMX250

[YZ400Court]

John,

The bars on most triple clamps are 4 position abjustable. If you move the bar mounts forward, the stabilizer will also move forward, as it mounts to the top clamp over the bars. Scotts, and applied both make bar mounts, but they have to know what position your bars are in (1-4 1 being closest to you) to know what top bar clamp to give you. 4 bar positions give you 4 different top bar clamps. It is best to try a bike with the aftermarket triple clamp first to see what bar position you like, or you can get spare top bar clamps for $68.00 each. I've got spare scotts triple clamps for 98/99 and 2000 2001 rake. If you'd like to try one on your bike, e-mail me and I'll let you. Try before you buy is really best.

One more time, the damper arm pivot point must line up exactly with the steering stem pivot point. Move the bars and you move the damper arm pivot point.

As for GPR being copied technology, so is Scotts. They both borrow the technology from the aviation industry. Yes the guys building planes needed this way before we did. Nobody in the motorcycle industry invented this, they just applied it to make our life better.

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Pretend it's flat and give it the gas.

[This message has been edited by YZ400Court (edited 04-30-2001).]

[2-DADS_RACING]

IF YOU GO WITH THE SCOTTS DAMPER KIT I SELL IT FOR $550.00 COMPLETE. LET ME KNOW!!!

THANKS MARK

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2-DADS RACING

TOLL FREE 866-782-4600

OUTSIDE USA 818-782-4600

[Dan_Lorenze]

John, With either one you'll be very happy. Both units will require some kind of fluid change at some point. I've seen the whole GPR/Protaper/clamp sell for $499.00 as a kit, I think that the Scotts kit sells for a hundy more, to me thats alot of money . I have the Scotts unit but if I had to do it over again I'de go with the GPR for reasons that I've already posted on the last posting. I would get the stem that mounts on the headset as they seem to be more stout, and my oil-filler cap mount seems to slip every once in a while. Best of luck ...

Dan

[John_in_Long_Beach]

Dan,

Thanks for the helpful tips. Where would you recommend getting the GPR setup. I would assume that different "combos" will have different triple clamps. Thanks.

[Unkle_Moose]

John in Long Beach. For the GPR Kit go to www.dh1racing.com or call Dave Hamel at 775-351-1901 I am going to order one for my 01-WR426 has soon has my wife works somemore overtime ? Good Luck Ride Safe And Ride Often

[John_in_Long_Beach]

Why should I order one from DH1 racing? and not somebody else?

[Unkle_Moose]

John In Long Beach. You could buy from any GPR Dealer if you know of any. I only know of DH1Racing. I have purchased some other items from them and they had prompt shipping and great to deal with. They also support the local racers.Give em' a call.

[Guest Guest]

Has anyone tried the WER stabilizer on there bike? And if so how does it compare? ~Hit-man~

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00' yz426f LATER DAYS!!!

[Harry_in_Oz]

I have a WER, it cost $300us. It only damps away from center like the Scotts. I suspect that damping in all directions can wear you down in the tight stuff. The mount is very strong, the only one to survive in some Oz desert races. I couldn't afford the range of bar mounts that the bar top dampers require. I do find that I change the settings for different conditions and I have to do that at check points. It may not be a common problem but mine leaks at the higher settings, I'v had the seal changed under warranty. Unless GP are making the type that only damps away from center I recommend that you buy the Scotts if money is not an issue and you don't mind the top mount.

[YZ400Court]

The latest GPR models also only dampen away from center.

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Pretend it's flat and give it the gas.

[sausage450r]

YZ400court,

Thanks for the feedback.

I am a little unclear on what you said about the handlebar adjustment fore and aft.

Adjusting the handlebars for or aft will cause the dampner to not line up with the tower pin. I get that. But I am not sure, what that means. Does it necessitate a different triple clamp and mounting bracket?

As for 6 clicks or 40 clicks. I can't see that that would matter. 6 should be enough fine tuning. Thanks for your reply.

your click thing is actually inaccurate. GPR only clicks on 1 and 8 (6 if you have an older version). though it clicks on 1 and 8 you dont have to set it to a # you can put it anywhere between one and 8 for a different setting. the reason the scotts clicks is because you are screwing that knob in and out and a bb is clicking on a recession under the knob each spin. the GPR knob is shaped like a cam lobe. 1 being the smallest side of the lobe and 8 being the tallest letting less oil through the ports which makes it stiffer. so between 1 and 8 on a gpr there are endless settings. numbers are only there for reference.

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Dude this thread is 8 years old ?

[KennyMc]

Dude this thread is 8 years old ?

Oh, come on Aaron, he's kinda new and using the search function which is a good thing:thumbsup:?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Oh, come on Aaron, he's kinda new and using the search function which is a good thing:thumbsup:?

ok ok you caught me...catch 22 ??

[desdave]

I have always used GPR, but both are used about equally in the so. cal. dez races. No reliability issues with either. Both have a number of mounting options. For me the plus with GPR is that you can deal directly with the people that make it. They come out to the races and will service for free. Also, if you have an issue you send it to them and they take care of it. With Scott you are dealing exclusively with retailers or distributors. Can't miss with either one though, and they will both do the job.