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R18 first edition steering damper

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Orac
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Orac

Orac

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Joined
Feb 1, 2024
Messages
14
Location
Berri
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BMW R18 first edition
Hello I’m a new member my first discussion, I have installed bar risers and they put the bars exactly where I need them but now it has effected the steering of the bike , it’s ok but the stability is compromised, so rather than take the riser off I would like to try out a steering damper , but after much research and talking directly to BMW Australia they don’t make them to fit the first edition, and from what I can read on this site the consensus appears to be the BMW ones are not that great anyway. So after all that my question is is there a steering damper available for the first edition , and mabie a aftermarket one that is effective. And yes the roads I go down are rough and I am fitting a large windshield for long trips and I live a very windy place - all red cards for bike wobble . Cheers Orac
 
Morning Orac. Mine is an early one. I’ve never had opportunity to compare side by side but from photographs I can see the way the front brake lines are routed on mine, to the ‘later’ bikes such as say…..the 100year anniversary model, is quite different. The brake lines are attached to the underside of my bottom yoke, and are very ‘neat’ hidden from sight behind the forks, on later bikes they attach to the frame under the headstock and splay out a lot more. No idea why, must be a reason. Maybe the early bikes cannot take a damper? Maybe that’s the reason. It’s never once crossed my mind though that it needs one, arrow straight no matter what. Maybe a steering damper is a standard fixing on the Classic because that comes with the big screen? Someone on here will know. Good luck with your quest.
 
Rufus said:
Morning Orac. Mine is an early one. I’ve never had opportunity to compare side by side but from photographs I can see the way the front brake lines are routed on mine, to the ‘later’ bikes such as say…..the 100year anniversary model, is quite different. The brake lines are attached to the underside of my bottom yoke, and are very ‘neat’ hidden from sight behind the forks, on later bikes they attach to the frame under the headstock and splay out a lot more. No idea why, must be a reason. Maybe the early bikes cannot take a damper? Maybe that’s the reason. It’s never once crossed my mind though that it needs one, arrow straight no matter what. Maybe a steering damper is a standard fixing on the Classic because that comes with the big screen? Someone on here will know. Good luck with your quest.
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Thank you Rufus, information is king, I’m sure someone has given it go maybe I will get lucky and won’t be the first to modify a first edition with a damper. Cheers orac.
 
This is an image of the oem steering dampener bits.... I'm assuming you have a 2020 FE that came without cruise control (was normal in Aussie) anyway YSS do generic kits ( maybe talk to suspensions R Us in Melbourne).... I included the drawing so. you could see if part 6 and 7 might mount on your bike etc. Fwiw.... I live just down the creek from you. My march 21 build FE came with cruise and as such had a dampener.
I can take a photo to show where/how mine fits tomorrow.

e408c0b76dc35c4471ceeb3050fcc869.png


Heres a link to the part numbers... it's US based but should help..... https://www.shopbmwmotorcycles.com/v-2021-bmw-motorrad-r-18--base--r/steering--steering-damper
 
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Noelpolar you are a legend, I will fully check this out it’s been like searching for the lost ark of BMW. And Cracker detail thank you . Cheers Orac.
 
Thank you Noalploar, I will check that carefully may be just changing my lines , Cheers Orac
 
I think the classic has it for the fatter tire out front. I have a FE so idk either and was interested in this but find that I roll real straight.
 
Laennecr thank you I will look at the specs . this forums members are brilliant the BMW ownership experience is unlike anything I’ve experienced before what a community and yes what a bike
 
Rufus said:
Morning Orac. Mine is an early one. I’ve never had opportunity to compare side by side but from photographs I can see the way the front brake lines are routed on mine, to the ‘later’ bikes such as say…..the 100year anniversary model, is quite different. The brake lines are attached to the underside of my bottom yoke, and are very ‘neat’ hidden from sight behind the forks, on later bikes they attach to the frame under the headstock and splay out a lot more. No idea why, must be a reason. Maybe the early bikes cannot take a damper? Maybe that’s the reason. It’s never once crossed my mind though that it needs one, arrow straight no matter what. Maybe a steering damper is a standard fixing on the Classic because that comes with the big screen? Someone on here will know. Good luck with your quest.
Click to expand...
Rufus I never got back to say thank you for your reply a can barely use my phone , now I now how to reply, I will , you are correct I’m an old rider and this bike is so stable it does not need one really , unless you a new rider then yes it would help . So again thank you for the time you put into your reply it did help.
 
Orac said:
Rufus I never got back to say thank you for your reply a can barely use my phone , now I now how to reply, I will , you are correct I’m an old rider and this bike is so stable it does not need one really , unless you a new rider then yes it would help . So again thank you for the time you put into your reply it did help.
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No problem, that’s very kind of you 👍
 
Orac said:
Hello I’m a new member my first discussion, I have installed bar risers and they put the bars exactly where I need them but now it has effected the steering of the bike , it’s ok but the stability is compromised, so rather than take the riser off I would like to try out a steering damper , but after much research and talking directly to BMW Australia they don’t make them to fit the first edition, and from what I can read on this site the consensus appears to be the BMW ones are not that great anyway. So after all that my question is is there a steering damper available for the first edition , and mabie a aftermarket one that is effective. And yes the roads I go down are rough and I am fitting a large windshield for long trips and I live a very windy place - all red cards for bike wobble . Cheers Orac
Click to expand...
It already has a dampner. Sounds like you didnt fit the risers properly.
 
Jgraf0107 said:
It already has a dampner. Sounds like you didnt fit the risers properly.
Click to expand...
Hello Jgaf, thank you for the interest in my quest for a damper. The first edition has no damper , it does not I tell no fibs, and I fitted the risers properly. I have a damper solution but now I’ve ridden the bike a lot with the risers it’s ok without a damper and getting an after market solution is very expensive and not needed.
 
3! One for all occasions brilliant. I’ve seen a first edition with a damper but the cost of a triple clamp with the brackets is a lot , I just had a thought get on from a wreckers , does the damper help the handling smooth it out ?
 
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