Rear Rubber Damper On Off-Road Bikes

**Chris_York** · #1 8 May 2002

I'm considering buying an off-road bike like a XR400 or 600 and using as an overland bike, but I've been told that the rear hub should have a rubber damper for riding on pavement as transmission damage will result. Does anyone know or have experience regarding this?

**wbagwell** · #2 9 May 2002

I have never heard of anything like that occuring - and I'm not sure exactly what the 'rubber damper' you're referring to is. I'm not aware that dirt bike transmissions are any more prone to failure than those found on other types of bikes, especially on XRs, which are among the most reliable dirt bikes out there.

The only thing I know of that will reduce transmission life on these bikes is riding them hard at low RPMs, which would happen more typically on tight trails, not on the road.

Wright

**Grant Johnson** · #3 9 May 2002

The "rubber damper" is also known as a "cush hub" on Japanese bikes. Normally the sprocket is mounted to an aluminum plate, which for lack of a better word has big fins on it, which fit into a rubber doughnut, which fits into the wheel, which also has fins on it to match. The effect is sprocket - rubber - wheel.

Makes for smoother gear changes and throttle transitions.

Assuming you aren't a totally ham-fisted abusive slackwit

not having one is unlikely to cause a problem. Many modern bikes don't have them, and lots of people have spent a lot of miles on pavement with XR's and others without, and not had any problem.

Only your friendly local dealer can tell you for sure if they have had any problems with that model when used on pavement. Also does the manufacturer use that system on street versions? If so, don't sweat it.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Chris_York** · #4 9 May 2002

Yes Grant, that's what I was talking about. I had one on my Transalp just as you described. I'm looking at an ATK 605 DS and their SuperMotard doesn't have one either, so I guess I'm okay.