I personally don't know why you need it.  It was necessary on my old dirt bikes, but then you never knew what you'd hit with the front wheel either.  And the forks would twist with those high plastic fenders too.  On the Savage, I'm not convinced...

Besides, I tend to feel that the front fender, with its double walled and reinforced construction should serve as a good enough brace for normal street riding.  Not only do those 4 bolts hold the fender in place, but I tend to think they also hold the sliders together.

Anyone have a problem with loose fender bolts?  Anyone found their fender bent or warped due to twisting forks?

Of course, if you spend ~$90 for a brace, it's gotta be good.  Nothing like a little "peace of mind", but I already got that.  Oh yeah!  

The 2 bikes I had fork braces on were transformed, get one.

Clive W  

As far as the question of "necessary" goes...I guess that depends on your definition of "necessary."  For instance, my wife thinks a new diamond ring is "necessary", therefore, for me it is.  

Best money you'll ever spend on the bike, I have the TKAT and it improved the front end of the savage tremendously.

Consensus seems to be that they are "a good thing" - altho' I've never heard of a need to fit an extra brace to any other bike I've had.
Shame that as far as I can ones for Savage tell not sold anywhere in UK!

As already stated, it is not needed.  I have one on mine and I am very happy with the difference it makes in the bike's handling.  If I had another LS650 I would purchase a fork brace for it also.

Since I was playing right on the edge of disaster, scraping pegs, losing it in a turn or two, never went down, but did go offroad a time or two, I can assure you, the brace makes a real difference in the handling. It isn't because of the learning curve, tho an experienced rider, no brace, should out handle a newbie with a brace. IF you are really a calm , sedate rider & you arent just loaded with $$, save the pennies. IF you loike to play in the corners, get a brace, it will change the way it handles. You might see a difference in how it feels, just riding gently, but you WILL feel it if you play hard.