Steering Damper

Rapidrsvr · Post by **Rapidrsvr** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:29 am

After a few rides on my new BCR last year I was more than a little disappointed in the handling, always felt like front tyre was flat. Parked it over the winter and have discovered the steering damper had all but seized up. I have removed it and have ridden out a few times last week, much better. Does anyone have any views on using the bike without it ?

big rob · Post by **big rob** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:45 am

You've done the right thing by removing it as it's a bit of useless/worthless 'bling' that serves no purpose on the 1100S

Only the BCR's & 'Sport' editions (yellow spring) were fitted with the dampers, the standard 1100S came without a steering damper.

Rob

oyster · Post by **oyster** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:45 am

I learned that tyre pressures are quite critical on this bike. I choose to ride solo with pillion rated tyre pressure, on all types of tyre. Never needed a steering damper.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:00 am

despite the listed pressures I use the pressures recommended by the tyre manufacturers, which in the case of most nowadays is

2.5 bar fr
2.9 bar rr
solo or pillion

when I first picked my BCR up the previous owner obviously hadn't checked the pressures in ages as it was at 10 psi at the front ... combined with the steering dampener it made the first few miles tortuous.

I don't notice the dampener much nowadays apart from when at really slow speed.

Phil K · Post by **Phil K** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:32 am

2.5 bar fr
2.9 bar rr
solo or pillion

That's 36 and 42 for those of us still in imperial (PSI)

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:35 am

I'm old fashioned
36 front
42 rear

Remember tyre pressure stated in the manual were written before we had the tyres we have today

conkerman · Post by **conkerman** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:45 pm

Everything modern gets 36 : 42 for me.

Hayden · Post by **Hayden** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:09 pm

big rob wrote:You've done the right thing by removing it as it's a bit of useless/worthless 'bling' that serves no purpose on the 1100S

Only the BCR's & 'Sport' editions (yellow spring) were fitted with the dampers, the standard 1100S came without a steering damper.

Rob

What Rob said.

Having `enjoyed` a couple of track days on R11`s I never for one moment wished I had a steering damper fitted, just not nessersary on this bike, much to its credit I might add.

Tyre pressures are much to personal taste, having said that, of all the bikes I have owned the R11 front suspension seemed to respond more noticably than others, a few pounds lower on a CBR for example is not that noticable, but leads to a definate `leaden` feel on an R11, be carefull of running wide if you insist on running less than 30psi up front.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:46 pm

Dai wiskers wrote:I'm old fashioned
36 front
42 rear

Remember tyre pressure stated in the manual were written before we had the tyres we have today

I got used to using Bar from doing scuba diving

Rapidrsvr · Post by **Rapidrsvr** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:35 pm

Thank for the re assurance, have ridden many bikes over the years with steering dampers, only really found them any use on fast bumpy tracks. Like most 36f 42r seems to work on the BCR well, thanks guys.

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:37 pm

slparry wrote:
Dai wiskers wrote:I'm old fashioned
36 front
42 rear

Remember tyre pressure stated in the manual were written before we had the tyres we have today
I got used to using Bar from doing scuba diving

Never thought you could get your tyres pumped up in the bar

Al · Post by Al » Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:40 pm

why not usually a lot of hot air in bars,

Al.

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:55 am

So just me at 29 psi in the front?
Run wide? No chance!
Honestly don't know how you can ride it with 36.

Rapidrsvr · Post by **Rapidrsvr** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:52 am

Mmmm Neil, maybe on a summer track day, not had the BCR on track yet, did loads a few years back on the Aprilia but promised myself after four years off bikes that this one is for roads only! Lets wait and see.