Steering damper

[kolwer]

Would like to fit a steering damper to my 1150r. Any pointers, anybody tried one?

tx in advance

[Buckster]

Welcome to the board...not sure why you would need one when you have a telelever front end.

[Hottech]

Last trip to the dealership the salesman eagerly pointed out the steering dampers that were on the new 2009 1200Rs. I do not know what the advantage is but it looked impressive.

[sweatmark]

Not sure why you might need a steering damper for the R1150R. The Roadster's geometry is exceptionally stable, likely the reason there's no OE damper; note that R850/1100 and R1200R Roadsters are equipped thus, and I'd wager that the R1150R damper exclusion was not an oversight.

For bikes that needed a damper, like crotch rocket race replicas and my short-wheelbase Buell XB, there are specific circumstances that cause front end instability: hard acceleration coming out of a turn, post-wheelie landings, hard trail braking. I don't think the R1150R has enough power (compared to weight and wheelbase) to destabilize the Telelever front end.

If you do go ahead with the damper installation, then remember that you need to use the Telelever A-arm as mount for the fixed damper end, with other end affixed to the bridge connecting fork tubes. Here's a pic found via Google:

https://www.1tail.com/cartimages/l/75118.JPG

Let us know what you decide.

[kolwer]

Thanks for the prompt advice all!

[omg1010]

Yes but he has a R1150R which does not have any mountpoints for a steering damper. The R1200R and the R1100R has a steering damper and the mountpoints but the R1150R does not. Hence you can only go for some expensive aftermarket steering damper (there are very very few options for the R1150R) and please be prepared to open your wallet big time. I just found one from an italian company called Matris (http://www.matrisdampers.com/) - Code 3B2000 which here in Germany costs around 600 Euros (=840 USD).

Kind regards
Oliver