Steering Damper, To Have or Not to Have?

Calboy

Calboy

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2021 First Edition, no steering damper.
Some people say that BMW put a steering damper in place on the Classic and the TC is because of the cruise control and the tendency of some riders to take the right hand off the handlebars.
I can take my right hand off the handlebars at any speed and under different road conditions, in the absence of a steering damper, and nothing bad happens.
How many of you, FG R18 riders, would consider mounting one? And what will the reason be for doing so?
 
my 2021FE is quite predictable and exhibits no instability at speeds, as the steering geometry suggests it would be. relaxed fork angle, and steering column offset behind the fork tubes. the 2022TC moved the steering tube out, steepened the fork angle, and offset the steering column in front of the fork tubes.. i believe this would create a nimbler, easier steering bike. the fork mounted faring may also play into the decision to add the damper, but the steering geometry would seem to suggest it'd be suitable in any case.
 
I strongly believe that one must ride the same bike with and without a steering damper in order to notice any difference in handling.
After posting this thread I went to the BMW dealership and talked to a friend that happens to ride a FG R18, with and without the damper, and he didn't notice any difference whatsoever.
A man of many bikes and years riding all types of motorcycles.
 
perhaps it'd require some washboard or even cobblestone surfaces to create a situation where an effect would be more evident without the damper.. i agree same bike with and without is best comparison.. in a spot where some pertinent instability can be predictably experienced.
 
But of course. It's all about riding on rough surfaces. I don't think that riding on asphalt would have a big impact and improve handling and smoothness to an extent that it would be instantly noticeable. Even by a super experienced rider.
I have a little bit over 600,000 miles on 42 different bikes in about 36 years of riding, yet, when I talk to professionals I am amazed by how quick a conversation can turn to some esoteric knowledge, from brakes to suspension and everything in between. I have a few answers to the complex questions raised by the world of motorcycling in general. So I am not afraid to ask them.
 
the steering demper is on the R18 FE only in combination with Cruise Control, with a cruise control on you will have your steering wheel a bit looser in your hands is their opinion and that is why the steering damper has been placed.
 
Having ridden the FE and purchased the Classic with steering damper I can't say I have noticed any difference. If anything the FE seemed slightly more responsive but that could have been down to the extra miles it had on the clock. (Mine is still a bit tight with only 300 miles). I was told the steering damper was required because of the windscreen but as said previously, perhaps it was because of the cruise control.
 
If I had a damper, I'd likely conclude that it's a superior configuration. Why? Inherently more stable, less chance of death wobble, and ability to add windscreen without question. But since I don't, I'm pleased that there's less clutter, less conspicuous brake line placement, and equal ride quality.
 
My FE didn't come with one. I looked into adding one and the price was more than I wanted to pay. I believe the Classic has it because the front tire is larger. I've never experienced any type of handling issues because of the lack of damper. If the engineers did their job right, your suspension is in proper working order, AND you set up the preload for your weight and any additional weight, you shouldn't have any issues.
 
I just installed the Walzwerk bars on my R18 base. Immediately I noticed oscillation at about 2800 to 3100 rpm that would result in serious problems if hands aren’t on the bars. I think bar end weight changes etc are fairly extreme on this bike. If you go away from oem be prepared. I’ll be getting the damper very soon to offset my vanity.
 
I have been on a few sections of roads where very rough pavement combined with enough of a curve and speed where the bike just couldn't keep up with all that was being asked of her and I was happy to have the extra help from the steering damper. I don't believe it would have been catastrophic without the damper, but it certainly helped.

I usually ride at "70-80%" so I have plenty of wiggle room if Bambi, gravel, tree limbs or such may be lurking out of sight around the many blind curves that make our mountain roads so fun to ride, but like abs or other aids they are unimportant until they are.

Cheers
 
I have 2021fe and the bike is very stable in all speeds and surfaces. I believe there is no need to install steering damper unless we want to relax on highways and go easy on handle bars
 
Fwiw.... I have had one small "head shake" on my 21 FE..... mine has a steering dampener.... I was on the power exiting a corner... not the best road surface.... nothing worrying but did have me think that one in a hundred off us might be saved by a steering dampener one day.

I'd always have one.... I'm worth it.... and I consider them a BMW's corporate insurance add on.
 
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Don't recall where I heard it else post on web though it was said the one bmw uses is not of added value. Granted, one would think if it is there it must serve some purpose/benefit. I cannot help but think back to when bmw had rides go out and test ride some new bmw models. A guy, well known that i believe might have been a motorcycle journalist, died during that event if I recall correctly. Bmw then added the steering dampener to the bike, guessing due to tank slap issue. Sadly I don't know if his wife was ever compensation for her/families lose.
 
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