Choosing one or the other:

[Old Soldier]

I am asking for the collective wisdom, due to the glorious economy I can only afford either a Scott's steering stabilizer or a fork brace, but not both. I drive 50 miles a day on lousy unmaintained gravel roads. I am thinking the steering stabilizer would be more beneficial. What are your thoughts?
With best regards,
Kevin

[V-Tom]

I have never had a stabilizer so I can't speak about them.

My understanding is that if you ae pushing the bike to high speeds (over 100 mph) then it iws only a matter of time before you will have a tank slapper and have wished for a stabilizer.

However, I think that if you aren't pushing the bike to those speeds then you are likely fairly safe in that respect. (People who have the stailiziers please feel free to chip in and correct me!)

I think you will benefit from a fork brace almost every moment you ride the bike. It will make the suspension work better all the time whether you are on rough roads or ripping down twisties. It will make the bike respond better to your steering inputs. It will help the way you and the bike interact when in gusty conditions (especially when combined with raising the forks/lowering the front of the bike). It will make hard braking feel more stable. The bike will ride better. When you ride by men will cheer and clap and woman will swoon.

I'd get the fork brace.

..Tom

[Jimding]

The steering damper will tend to inhibit any rotational oscillations that make it up to the top triple-clamp, but flexy forks will allow such oscillations at the front wheel despite the damper. So to really quell any front-end demons, you're gonna need both. But I'd go for the damper first. You'll likely still notice some front-end instability, but you won't have to deal with tank-slappers in the mean time.

[greywolf]

The brace will keep the front end more solid and give better feedback and feel. The damper could save you life. It will not allow the bike's aerodynamics/geometry or the road's surface faults to take the bars out of your hands.

[silverstrom]

Unless you plan on riding at sustained high speeds or take the bike to track days, a forkbrace is your best option. You'll like the way a forkbrace improves front end handling.


SS

[garandman]

For your use and given Sophie's Choice, I pick fork brace. It will give you a little more precise steering.