Steering damper

[MrRiden]

Does anyone have the factory type installed? I've done quite a bit of looking and the OEM price is hard to beat. Capital Cycle lists a 'complete kit' for r65. These guys http://tinyurl.com/3xvd9e have it for under a C note but...Before I pull the trigger and order one I was wondering if anyone had a photo or two of a steering damper mounted on an r65.
rich

[scottyintex]

Yep.......I do believe in steering dampers. My R27 has that mechanical steering damper...........tighten it down and that bike will not twitch a bit. So when I moved up to the R65............the jump in horse power was of course the biggest change and very cool. But the steering was something of a disappointment and the second most noticeable difference. I went from a rock solid bike to one that was very sensitive. But the big steering damper that went on with sidecar............... changed all that. I am most interested in finding out what the change does for you.........and how you like it. Keep us posted!!Pictured is the solo damper

[MrRiden]

Wow, great photo. I also got the .TIF you sent me. Printing it now and then taking it for a crawl around the bike.
rich

[scottyintex]

This is a picture of a sidecar steering damper on my R65.

[airhead]

Being an ex VW fanatic, I recognise that damper!!

Have one on the 90/6, but the bike is still being rebuilt and I need a new hydraulic damper unit. They are readily available from BMW (expensive), or the exact same units from Motobins for half the price. They sometimes pop up on ebay, but watch out, the damper may have gone south if it's old. They can be fitted with only a small number of changes to hardware needed, like a head dome nut with a hole and ball knuckle on the frame. I'm not sure if the 65 lower triple tree has the two threaded holes necessary to mount the rack/pinion, but should be easy enough to do. There is a fixed friction type (pictured above), but it's use is a little limited and not adjustable as easily.
They were mainly meant to counter problem roads and temporary pillion or gear loadings, they weren't meant to make up for deficient suspension setups or tyre problems. These should be seen to at the root of the problem.

Bill......................;-)

[Justin B.]

Bill, there is at least one tapped hole on the underside of the lower tree, maybe it was intended for an accessory damper...  Personally, I use that hole to attach my "fork grounding" straps to.  I don't understand why anybody would want to "de-nimbalize" (hey, it's my word so I can specify the spelling!) an R65 as their quickness is their main "claim-to-fame".  

I could see where Scotty would benefit from this with his hack, but not a solo bike.  I agree with Bill 100%, if a solo bike is unstable then the root cause should be found and corrected instead of "hiding" the symptom...

[scottyintex]

As with most things in the motorcycle world.....sort of comes down to one’s personal taste............there really being no right or wrong. I can understand why some prefer the nimbleness ..........but for me it’s just a little too quick. I do want to say there is one down side to a damper. As Bill pointed out, it can tend to mask a tire, wheel or other problem. So, it is best to keep this in mind...........make sure tire pressure is correct.  On a smooth,  flat surface, at a slow speed,  take your hands off the handlebars and watch...feel for any kind of oscillation. If you do run a damper, be a bit more vigilant on tires and wheels.  A damper should be used to smooth out the ride, the road, the wind..........never to cover up a flaw. Dampers will smooth out the ride.  It will be most interesting to see what Rich has to say if he puts one on.........or to hear from someone else who has tried it.

[Ed Miller]

I wonder if a 100 front tire would feel much more stable than a 90?  I don't know which one you guys are using, but I've heard they both will fit.  I think I've always had the 100 size, and while my R65 is nimble it's very stable hands off as well.  I'm in the no-steering-damper camp.

[MrRiden]

Thanx Scotty, I'm seeing this the way you describe above. just to quell any concern, I'm not trying to compensate for any wiggle, wobble, twitch, oscillation, or bump in the night. I had a weaving in the past but I've just completed a wheel bearing replacement front & rear, have good tires & shocks, replaced the rotted 25yr old brake lines, greased & adjusted the swing arm bearings and all is well. I've not really got a complaint w/handling. I will be going over the steering bearings following Sues post and a check of fork alignment that I saw on another site all as precautionary maintance. Then I'm adding a damper to entertain my curiosity and maybe have something to post to the new FAQ's. What can I say, I love to tinker,
rich

[Semper Gumby]

I wonder if a 100 front tire would feel much more stable than a 90?  I don't know which one you guys are using, but I've heard they both will fit.  I think I've always had the 100 size, and while my R65 is nimble it's very stable hands off as well.  I'm in the no-steering-damper camp.

Yesh it would.  I have gone a step further and have the 110 width tire up front.  Had to modify the front mud guard position though.

TTFN,

[tagordon]

FWIW
I have the OEM damper on my bike. I normally ride surface streets & have not noticed any characteristics resulting from damper.
That said. I traveled freeway yesterday to get across town quik & avoid traffic / construction. I had appointment & no time to spare.
Once on freeway @ 80mph+ I noticed that the surface has been prepared for resurfacing. You know the grooves to give a bite for the new asphalt. I really hate that, as bike tracks those grooves & steering is miserable.
Well bike tracked where I put it. I could feel some tracking from the grooves by the tire. But it did not take any extra force to steer the bike. This most evident while in a sweeper for 90 degree change of direction while traveling 80mph+. Did not realize my speed as was just going same speed as everyone else. Looked at speedo & thought this is note worthy handling.
I believe my previous bike ( KLR ) would have been throwing me all over the road in these conditions.
I attribute this to the damper. Could be way wrong on this. Just my observation from first 80mph+ with undesireable road conditions. Oh, yes I have let the bike speed occasionally when it has wanted to. Just not for any length of time or miles.