Rookie Mistake: Scotts Damper and Bar protection.

[mebgardner]

Ah boy, this one cost me, in pain ...

 

I mounted up a new scotts stabilizer to my '13 WR450F (which, I love both BTW, the cycle *and* the stabilizer, two great pieces of equipment).

 

Well, the cycle comes standard with a tapered handlebar (tapered fat to thin), and a bar protector (what looks like styrofoam, covered with a thick plastic graphics mount cover).

 

I took the bar protection cover off, mounted the stabilizer, and then went "huh, does not look like I can get the pro back on, guess I'll leave it off..."

 

*Big Mistake*.

 

I tend to not ride well, yet, in the attack position. I'm crouched too far down, too low, over the top of the bar. I like the position, but I paid the price for it now.

 

I smacked a big rock, and the cycle popped up into my chest. Boy Howdy, that bar clamp hurts...  I mighta cracked a rib, I'm not sure. It's a week 'n a half later and it still hurts, but there absolutely no bruising, so I'm waiting it out.

 

I need to figure out how to retrofit some bar protection up there, over the new stabilizer.

 

Dammit.

 

I'm writing so: Dont you make the same mistake.

 

 

[FORMA MOTO]

You need to use a Submount kit for installing the Scotts damper, and then a lower rise bar

 

 

 

 

Example, but with high bar and risers

 

:

Edited November 6, 2014 by Kah Ran Nee

[Hans Schmid]

Do you wear a chest protector?

[mebgardner]

Do you wear a chest protector?

 

Yes, I always wear *lots* of pro, including an upper body garment that has hard plastic chest, back, and elbow pro manufactured into it.

 

G(12?, their best) boots, pants covering a crotch pro and knee / shin pro, 1st grade helmet, gloves, overshirt, all of it.

 

But, the chest pro did not help this time. That bar smacked me good, across a narrow cross section (the mount).

[mebgardner]

Thanks, Krannie.  That's exactly what I needed, great ideas.

 

Really, thanks for the help.

[mebgardner]

Hey Krannie:

 

Takin' a bit of a risk, aren't ya?  I mean, you're much better at this game than I am, but I see those vertical wings sticking up waiting to bite you.  I think they're the handguard braces...

 

Just my .02

[Gabex35]

I have a sub mount Scott's on my 2014 and I've been concerned about not using a protection piece. I think I'm going to change to renthal bars for more rise and the cross bar padding.

[FORMA MOTO]

Hey Krannie:

 

Takin' a bit of a risk, aren't ya?  I mean, you're much better at this game than I am, but I see those vertical wings sticking up waiting to bite you.  I think they're the handguard braces...

 

Just my .02

 

If my body were in a position where those brace could do some damage, that would be the least of my problems....

[mebgardner]

Krannie:

 

How big / long are those bar risers? Who makes them? Did you have to install any longer cables because of the risers?

 

I also see the scotts oversize accessory knob on the hi speed circuit.

 

I now know why I left the pad off: I have an ignition key mounted just in front of the bar. The protector interferes with the key... I could not start the cycle with the pro in place.

 

I have the scotts "sub" mount. I did not yet have to resort to longer cables with the stock scotts sub mount install.

[FORMA MOTO]

That is the BRP/Scotts Elastomeric Submount, with the stock KTM risers on top with longer bolts, instead of the BRP top clamp.

The bars are stock KTM bend (meh...)

My ignition key is attached to the right fork leg clamp

Cable as re-routed, and the throttle tube assembly is rotated toward the rider to make the cables longer

[mebgardner]

My ignition key is attached to the right fork leg clamp

 

I tried that at first, but the key kept getting bashed when the cycle tipped over to the right side.  So I moved it to it's current location.

 

I've decided to put the Yam OEM bar pro back on for now. I'll cut out for the key and the stab controls. I'll sort out the final layout while I figure out the interaction of the risers, cable length and access to controls to the new bar pro. <whew!>

 

For now, I'm getting those bar clamps covered!

[beezer]

Why do you need a keyed ignition on a dirt bike?

[mebgardner]

I sometimes walk away from the cycle for short periods (I like to explore, not just ride). I feel better knowing that OK yeah, it can be taken, but not ridden away.

 

Besides, the kit came with the key ?

[tek9tim]

Yes, I always wear *lots* of pro, including an upper body garment that has hard plastic chest, back, and elbow pro manufactured into it.

 

G(12?, their best) boots, pants covering a crotch pro and knee / shin pro, 1st grade helmet, gloves, overshirt, all of it.

 

But, the chest pro did not help this time. That bar smacked me good, across a narrow cross section (the mount).

 

I haven't seen one of the protective shirts that is as beefy as the average chest protector. Most fall into the "roost protector" category, meaning they work for roost but not impacts. Those shirts are the dual sports of protective gear. They do a lot of things, but they don't do them as well as each separate piece of purpose built protective gear would do. I've taken some mean hits with a chest protector on (much harder than it takes to crack ribs, done that on my snowmobile without a chest protector) and had no pain. 

[mebgardner]

I haven't seen one of the protective shirts that is as beefy as the average chest protector. Most fall into the "roost protector" category, meaning they work for roost but not impacts. Those shirts are the dual sports of protective gear. They do a lot of things, but they don't do them as well as each separate piece of purpose built protective gear would do. I've taken some mean hits with a chest protector on (much harder than it takes to crack ribs, done that on my snowmobile without a chest protector) and had no pain. 

 

Dirt Rider, June 2014. Editors Choice: Leatt pro Lite. Weight 2.2 lbs, $139.