The Precision Pro steering damper delivers fade-free performance in all conditions, thanks to extra fluid in the oversized reservoir, so it doesn’t need adjustment to compensate for heat buildup.
WHAT IT IS:
The Precision Racing Products (PRP) Pro steering stabilizer is an impact dampener that absorbs impacts and forces between your ATV’s tires and the handlebars. The original Precision stabilizer was developed directly for ATVs in 2005, and it took the race market by storm. The Pro model is the eventual upgrade to a great product that is designed to accommodate for thermal expansion, as well as improve performance and consistency in hotter weather.
THE HISTORY:
Steering dampeners have been used on racing ATVs since the beginning; it just wasn’t until 2005 that they got technical. ATV racing great Gary Denton sold thousands upon thousands of Denton stabilizers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I know, because I actually worked in sales for him at Denton Racing.
The Denton stabilizer was a semi-crude, very early attempt at what Precision is doing now, yet it still offered a ton of improvements to an ATV’s handling. The Denton stabilizer was a stick-style dampener with seven compression adjustments that came originally on older Kawasaki street bikes. Gary saw them on the street bikes, sourced a reasonable stock replacement model, and built some simple aluminum mounting brackets. Popularity grew quickly, and I’m sure that the re-directed ATV allocation outsold the actual street bike models 20 to 1.
In 2005, every ATV pro was running a stabilizer, whether it be a Denton, PEP or a dirt bike stabilizer that had been reengineered to fit an ATV. The Precision stabilizer made its debut at the Glen Helen opening round of the ATV Nationals. The new Precision stabilizer was designed specifically for ATVs and featured two unique adjustments; the Precision racer could adjust inside sweep separate from the outside-sweep tension.
Tim Farr won that first National with the Precision stabilizer, and nearly the rest of the ATV Pro class jumped on the bandwagon throughout that year. At the end of the 2005 season, Precision had its first National title, but more important, seven out of the top nine pro racers had all made the switch to Precision. Precision has become—and stayed—the stabilizer of choice for the pros, winning nearly every pro title in ATV racing since its 2005 inception.
FEATURES:
The PRP stabilizer is a small, round-shaped dampener that mounts neatly behind and is protected by your ATV’s bumper. The stabilizer fits stock and aftermarket steering stems and does not affect the positioning of your handlebars. There are two adjustments on the Precision: center-sweep tension and outside-sweep tension. This dual-sweep adjustment ability allows the dampener to be tuned to track conditions, improving traction and steering above and beyond the simple impact damping provided by previous stabilizers.
The new Pro model comes with new housing that features a built-in reservoir. This new reservoir is designed to compensate for thermal fluid expansion and preventing fade when riding in extremely hot temperatures. As temperatures rise, the internal pressure inside the original Precision stabilizer rises drastically (up to 1500 psi), with an average operating pressure of around 50 psi. The new Pro model’s reservoir offers a place for heating oil to expand versus creating massive amounts of pressure.
CONSTRUCTION:
PRP uses top-of-the-line machinery to manufacture the Pro steering stabilizer. Precise tolerances and quality billet aluminum help make for a flawless product. PRP’s state-of-the-art facility is located in Northern California, and all their products are made in the USA.
INSTALLATION:
The steering stabilizer is very simple to mount. The same dampener can be bounced between multiple ATVs with no more than different mounting brackets. All Precision stabilizers mount safely behind the bumper and don’t affect handlebar height. I have personally mounted the dampener on multiple TRX450Rs, LT450Rs, YFZs, YFZ-Rs, Raptor 700s, Raptor 250s and a KFX450s. Every mounting kit has been very straightforward, with little more than four bolts and a set screw for installation. The Honda dampener can literally be mounted in two minutes.
PERFORMANCE:
The Precision stabilizer does an amazing job of intercepting any impacts at each wheel from ever making it to the rider’s handlebar or wrist. This impact damping reduces fatigue, allowing the rider to perform better longer. Impact deflection also improves control by removing negative deflection that would normally have you chasing the machine back to its intended path.
The secondary function of the Precision stabilizer is that its adjustments allow you to tune for cornering traction. Adjusting the stiffness of the outer part of your steering sweep can keep the rear end hooked up or allow it to break loose for ease of sliding. This traction adjustability is pertinent enough that even flat-track racers who will never face rough terrain use the Precision for cornering improvement.
The Pro and Standard models function exactly the same in average temperatures, but you will definitely notice a consistency improvement in the Pro model when outside temps start to push the 90-plus mark. As a prime example, when we race the Baja 500 every June, temps start out in the morning at around 60 degrees, climbing to over 100–105 by the middle of the day. Our team agreed upon the settings used to be drastically different throughout the day as temps changed, but now with the Pro, we can leave it set, and its function remains very close to the same all day long.
THE VERDICT:
There is a reason that 90 percent of Pro ATV racers use the Precision stabilizer—it’s because it works. As a bolt-on-and-forget-about-it dampener, it does a great job of deflecting impact, but it’s not until you start playing with the adjustments that one will realize and enjoy the true capabilities of this dampener. The included cheat sheet, with starting-point adjustments for different track conditions, is very helpful. While it’s merely a starting point, we followed it and were pleasantly surprised at how well our quad handled the different terrains.
Running a Precision stabilizer is a no-brainer. If you already have a standard one, they work great in most situations and will probably be more than sufficient. If you ride extreme temperatures or are purchasing one for the first time, get the Pro model. It does an excellent job of keeping the damping consistent, and it is truly a one-time purchase that you will carry with you for many, many years.
Mounting brackets let the Precision Pro fit most sport ATVs, and it has been a valuable addition to the handling of every machine we’ve used it on. It’s like insurance for your wrists and forearms.