Replacing Steering damper.....

[masha]

The Steering Damper on my R1100S(BCR) is end of life (basically testing it during last service discovered it doesn't do anything anymore!).

Does anyone know roughly how much the OEM one is to replace.
Also does anyone know suitable models of Ohlin's units that can be used
(reason I ask is I have a spare I got with my Honda SP-1, and I'm just wondering if anyone has fitted an Ohlin's steering damper in place of the BMW unit)?

Thanks
Matthew

[slparry]

Given the R1100S's are very stable anyway, and the "cooking" version doesn't have a steering dampener I'm not even sure I could justify replacing it?

[SAS Tom]

Wouldn't bother either. You obviously didn't notice it not working! Keep the cash for petrol!

[masha]

My thoughts exactly - as its a 'token' part anyway due to bike's stability as you rightly say - I really couldn't tell this damper probably hasn't been doing anything for years!

Moreover, its probably best to leave my Ohlin's unit on the Honda VTR SP - (as the mk1. was renowned for 'tank slapping', but not as much as Suzuki's TL twin - that was even worse). To some extent Honda sorted out such issues on the SP-2; which was bit softer following some geometry changes making it more suitable for the road!

No such hassles on the BMW R1100S BCR - just back from 1500 miles around Wales this summer on it - and it was good as gold (after replacing battery recently). Heavy bike but its a great all rounder and still gets some attention when parked up on tour.

[ianbcr]

[quote="masha"]
Moreover, its probably best to leave my Ohlin's unit on the Honda VTR SP - (as the mk1. was renowned for 'tank slapping', but not as much as Suzuki's TL twin - that was even worse).[/quote]

i have`nt had a steering damper on my tlr for years, never had a tank slapper. think that came from the bike journoes.

[masha]

That's good to know Ian re. your TL - many such stories come from the reviews and journo's "back in the day" I had a VTR1000F first and never had a problem with that. VTR SP-1 is a different animal of course, and its nice to have a 'sensible' sports-tourer to enjoy in the BCR. I had to have just 'one' bike it would be the BCR - its a good all-rounder albeit a little bit heavy - but I love it on A-roads - very satisfying without being 'mad' like modern sports bikes. I did try an HP2-sport and still tempted one day to sell my sports Honda/Ducati for one of those one day. I've yet to try an S1000R or 'HP4' - I'm sure they are both brilliant BMW's - but more power than I'll ever be able to handle or use personally.

[slparry]

That's good to know Ian re. your TL - many such stories come from the reviews and journo's "back in the day" I had a VTR1000F first and never had a problem with that. VTR SP-1 is a different animal of course, and its nice to have a 'sensible' sports-tourer to enjoy in the BCR. I had to have just 'one' bike it would be the BCR - its a good all-rounder albeit a little bit heavy - but I love it on A-roads - very satisfying without being 'mad' like modern sports bikes. I did try an HP2-sport and still tempted one day to sell my sports Honda/Ducati for one of those one day. I've yet to try an S1000R or 'HP4' - I'm sure they are both brilliant BMW's - but more power than I'll ever be able to handle or use personally.

Having had an S1000RR for a weekend while the K was in for yet more warranty work at one point I can vouch they're madder than a box of frogs, the fastest, finest handling, stunning bike I've ridden in 40 years of riding. However, they massage the ego into making you think you're a riding God, and of course the problem with that is that very perfection means if things go wrong they're going to go wrong at 30 to 40 mph more than you're normal pace and it's all going to get messy very quickly

There'd still be space for one in my "lottery fleet" tho'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbpVCawjDxU

PS ... that isn't me

[masha]

Indeed S1100 is a mad machine - but what a great achievement for their first attempt at a superbike - amazing stuff. Interesting clip rider could either be considered a total maniac, or a very good rider (a large dose of both in my opinion) - shows 180mph at 4m30s (which is about 100mph faster then I'm travelling on my BCR when I'm enjoying myself!). Yes, I don't think its for me - but it will be very tempting when they are 'used fireblade' money in 5 years time. My claim to fame this year was "I sat on an HP4" at Goodwood this summer - and that is probably as close as I'll get to riding one personally. That 2014 R90 retro-replica - is probably more my thing following a lotto win, but I can't help but appreciate most bikes for their achievements no matter how mad they are.

[slparry]

Indeed S1100 is a mad machine - but what a great achievement for their first attempt at a superbike - amazing stuff. Interesting clip rider could either be considered a total maniac, or a very good rider (a large dose of both in my opinion) - shows 180mph at 4m30s (which is about 100mph faster then I'm travelling on my BCR when I'm enjoying myself!). Yes, I don't think its for me - but it will be very tempting when they are 'used fireblade' money in 5 years time. My claim to fame this year was "I sat on an HP4" at Goodwood this summer - and that is probably as close as I'll get to riding one personally. That 2014 R90 retro-replica - is probably more my thing following a lotto win, but I can't help but appreciate most bikes for their achievements no matter how mad they are.

I think it's awesome they gave the Japanese a bloody nose first time out, and at what they've traditionally been best at

[masha]

Nice to see isn't it - and full mark's to BMW for out-pacing the competition (Fireblade, GSXR, R1, ZX etc) on their first attempt. It just goes to show the 'European's CAN still compete far-east if they want to

Look at the new Ducati superbike too - how do they get nearly 200hp out of a twin? By way of comparison; the Japanese did a great job of the SP-1 V twin motor back in 1998 but that's only about 125hp in comparison (although I suppose things have moved on a bit now in 15 years), but they won't be making any more racing twins in the far-east anytime soon.

I can hardly believe that just about every bike manufacturer is offering 180hp+ supersports machines for the road these days. What happened to BMW's statement in the past along the lines of "noone needs more than 100hp in a motorcycle". I'm inclined to agree with that, but things develop fast in the motoring world don't they.

Enjoy your riding though whatever you ride: and I'll keep motoring on my humble 100hp BCR (and will keep the 125hp SP-1 for when I'm feeling brave), and will leave the 180hp street machines to the guys that really know what they are doing!

[slparry]

I wish one day someone would explain to me how Ducati can get 200hp from a twin, yet BMW cannot get the boxer twins past 130 or so hp? Surely a twins a twin isn't it?

[Blackal]

I wish one day someone would explain to me how Ducati can get 200hp from a twin, yet BMW cannot get the boxer twins past 130 or so hp? Surely a twins a twin isn't it?

Err - no......

BMW


DUCATI


Seriously - it's prob all down to balance, and ability to rev.

Al

[slparry]

snigger

[boxerscott]

Back to Topic, My original 11s steering damper started to let by its fluid. So I removed it and found the bike a lot easier to turn in and out of garage, I reckoned therefore that slow manoeuvres on the road would require less steering input, so never bothered to replace it. Wish I had though as I am convinced that I would have destroyed my bike less after a catastrophic "launch" into oblivion on a track day. I bought a sh one for little money and fitted it to the bike when I rebuilt it. I suggest this as an option to consider.

[masha]

Thanks for that BoxerScott - I will continue to check for a working replacement to fit at my next service for piece of mind.

Also the Blackal "twin is a twin comparison" was amusing - spot the highly-strung, heavily stylised Italian that screams on top of her voice at 12,000rpm (compared to the rugedised, dependable German half sister that won't go as fast, but is much more practical and easier to live with long term