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  #1  
Old 22 Jan 2009
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Steering Dampers
I've posted this before (with no response) but has anyone fitted a steering damper to a GSPD?
There are some excellent looking ones for a host of dirt bikes but can they be made to fit? The reason is to improve the bikes awful performance in sand.
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Old 22 Jan 2009
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Tim,
Not having ridden the said motorcycle in sand, what is wrong with it ? I would be suprised if a damper would help.
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Old 22 Jan 2009
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BMW dirt riding tutorial
it's scary but is the best method. Momentum is your ally!
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Old 23 Jan 2009
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I have tried a R100 with steering-damper. Personally I didn’t see much difference but the bike had awful suspension so I’m not sure how valid the test was.

As Mollydog said you should look far ahead and keep speed up.
You should allow the bike to move freely under you. It will get where you are looking so don’t worry when the handlebar is moving in odd directions.

Keep suspension-setting soft. Rear suspension is also important because if it is to stiff your front wheel will be pushed down in the sand when the rear hits something.

My impression is that driving technique is far more important then a steering-damper. To look far ahead can’t be stressed enough.
On the other hand it wouldn’t hurt to install one, so if you fancy modifications…








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Old 23 Jan 2009
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If you don’t reach the top first time…..



…. gain more speed:
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Old 23 Jan 2009
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Sorry but I feel I need to say this, it makes the posts much more enjoyable when the pics are there. Before anybody says anything i'm not trying to be a pain in the arse or add " oh nice pics" etc because we all hate that and it just cloggs up a thead.

Sorry again
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Old 20 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Add a fork brace as well to those spindling little fork tubes.
Patrick
The 100GS's are fitted with forks that I would not really call spindling little fork tubes. The stanchion diameter is 40mm and travel is 225mm.
You might be referring to the 80G/S forks which were borrowed from the road models and were 36mm forks. Besides the fact though, a fork brace will always add stiffness and be a bonus if fitted.

Steering dampers does have a negative influence when doing slow technical riding even when set on the softest adjustment. Riding sand a damper will help nothing and might even make things more tricky when you need to counter steer when the front start to wash out in the sand.
The only time that a damper will really be an aid is when you ride fast on rutted tracks where you cross the ruts at right angles or when you have many deep cross tracks in the sand. Hitting this or aggressive washboard at high speed can tent to shake the steering clear of your grip and in these circumstances a steering damper is invaluable and reduces rider fatigue.

Sand riding is all about technique and practice and a steering damper is not going to help making you a good sand rider.
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Old 20 Feb 2009
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If you still would like to fit a damper I would recommend a Scott or Ohlins and if I can help with the design of the dampar mount and tower.
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Old 20 Feb 2009
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Here's a link to a replacement top triple clamp for para GS's that include the ability to add a steering damper... and it's inexpensive as well! $150

Guy's stuff is first class, and he provides great service as well.

New Style Top Triple for Airhead GS - ADVrider

This guy also makes replacment odomoter reset buttons and re-mans BMW driveshafts with circlipped ujoints and three choices of urathane dampers...

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Old 20 Feb 2009
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I disagree regards dampers and sand riding.
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Last edited by mollydog; 22 Mar 2009 at 00:23.
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  #11  
Old 30 Nov 2009
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Damper experience
Well, I've had the damper for some time now. I've found on sealed roads it imparts a definite feeling of stability, but on dirt I'm not too sure if there's any benefit. While recently riding on wet dirt (greasy) I had the damping on max and when I got into one of those awful snaking series of S shaped heart stopping moments, I found the extra damping was almost too much. It restricted (obviously) the speed at which I could correct the steering. I did have a road tire on the front though. My riding colleagues were much faster than I (of advanced years) so maybe it just comes down to technique? Maybe I haven't watched enough Charlie and Ewan?
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