BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Am considering fitting a steering damper to my 03 Rockster. All my previous Beemers have had one and I am used to the feel of it.

Does anyone have experience , either Positive or Negative and where do I get one from. Is there a kit available off the shelf for the Rockster

Martyn
83r100rt

I'm not convinced that the R1150R bikes need a damper. Never experienced the slightest headshake during Roadster and Rockster riding since 2003. These heavy bikes don't have enough power to lift the front wheel via throttle alone, and the steering geometry feels very conservative. I haven't ridden an R1150R during track day, but would not hesitate to do so without steering damper, based on highway experience thus far.

sweatmark wrote:I'm not convinced that the R1150R bikes need a damper. Never experienced the slightest headshake during Roadster and Rockster riding since 2003. These heavy bikes don't have enough power to lift the front wheel via throttle alone, and the steering geometry feels very conservative. I haven't ridden an R1150R during track day, but would not hesitate to do so without steering damper, based on highway experience thus far.

Hate to say it.... but my experience disagrees with you on that bit...

(I do NOT recommend trying it though btw - it's not good for the splines....)

I agree with sweatmark....with the telelever front end, there is no need for a steering damper.

My personal index for steering damper requirement is the Turn 5/5a/6 sequence on back side of Portland International Raceway (= 7-8-9 when Festival chicane is used). At apex of 5a, you're hard on the gas with a couple upshifts through Turn 6, which sweeps off camber and tries to sweep you off track. A high-power and/or short wheelbase bike will experience headshake when the front wheel gets light under these conditions, and this is a place where steering damper can save your bacon. My Buell XB rattles the bars every lap if its damper isn't set stiff.

I cannot imagine my Rockster ever doing the same thing without another 20 PS and Dani Pedrosa on board.

Yes, you can wheelie a bit on the R1150R, and a bad landing can be "saved" with a steering damper. But I don't see a big return on investment for damper on Rockster.

Thanks, that about answers my question. I will not bother then and save my money