How to adjust your motorcycle’s steering damper?
13 May 2026
Adjusting a steering damper on your bike is primarily about finding the right balance between stability and ease of movement of the handlebars. A poor setting can make the bike feel either too “vague” or too stiff to steer.
Understanding the steering damper principle:
A steering damper acts on the speed of the handlebar movement:
- Low speed: slow handlebar movements (corners, changes of direction)
- High speed: rapid movements (headshake, impacts, cambers, sand, etc.)
Baseline setting (starting point)
If you don’t know where to start:
– Set the adjustment to the middle of the range
– Do a test run in normal conditions
– Then adjust gradually
Adjusting based on feel
➕ Too much headshake / instability at high speed
→ Slightly increase the high-speed setting (more stability during acceleration and on fast tracks)
➕ Steering feels too heavy / bike “resists”
→ Decrease the low-speed setting (the bike becomes more agile and easier to tip into corners)
➕ Bike too twitchy at high speeds
→ Increase the high speed damping
➕ Bike difficult to place in tight corners
→ Reduce the low speed damping
⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid when adjusting your steering damper
Never change everything at once:
- 1 to 2 clicks max at a time
- Test in the same conditions
- Note your settings if possible
- Too stiff = fatigue + bike refusing to turn
- Too soft = instability and headshake
- Adjusting “by chance” without a real test
Which steering damper for the Ténéré 700?
Our bikes are equipped with a steering damper: the SCOTT GYTR.
➡️ More stability at high speed
➡️ Better control in rough terrain
➡️ Reduction of unwanted handlebar movements
➡️ More comfort and confidence off-road
The GYTR Scott Steering Damper improves stability in fast and technical sections, while maintaining precise and natural steering.
A piece of equipment we particularly appreciate in rallies and on long days on the track.
Our suspension tuner for the Ténéré 700? OTS FACTORY
OTS Factory is the specialist in suspension tuning and optimization for motorcycle. For over 20 years, OTS Factory has provided its expertise to demanding riders, both in competition and for leisure.
Thanks to expertise recognized at the highest level, we offer professional fork and shock preparation services to improve performance, comfort, and riding precision.
At the head of the workshop, Fabien “Fedex” Vinel, an experienced head mechanic, guarantees a quality service tailored to each rider’s needs.
It is Fabien who handles the suspension tuning of our Ténéré 700s for our riders: Gautier Paulin, Alessandro Botturi, Kevin Gallas, and Pol Tarrés.
