Steering damper

[Petrus]

Have my ducks in a row.

On the fírst First Edition, the brake lines to the front wheel had a junction under the lower fork yoke.
The R18 in base verison does not need a steering damper and it being a compromise anyway the engineers did what they did.

When after the first tests/reviews critisizing the lack of cruise control rather harsly, BMW decided the wanted to offer cruise control as an option. Thus the engineers needed to modify the brake line routing with a junction on the frame under the steering column to create space for a steering damper they thought necessary for cruise control.
The second ´First´ Edition started 01/09 2020 and does have the cc option with steering damper.
Production streamlining means that from this date the non cc one also have the brake lines and the bottom yoke fit for a steering damper.

Again; the damper is not needed on the base versions and it is discutable if cc makes it so. It most likely is fear of letigation and see below which made BMW change their mind about it.
The need for a steering damper changes with fairings, bags, heavier front wheel etcetera as this changes the harmonics, the frequency of the front end and rear end with the frame as a flexy joint between.
Ergo better fit a steering damper on the Classic, bagger and all.

Anyway, back to the basics this means that per 01/09 2020 non cc R18s are also prepared for a steering damper.

I ride just about exclusively with passenger and often with a hold all on the rear. This makes the bike a bit more susceptible to tar snakes i.e. tram lining. The tyre pressure needs be religiously set to specs. to prevent from becoming worrying.
Since I have the plan to maybe in future fit a sidecar the steering damper is on the agenda for thát.
Put the two together and when I found an OEM damper for sale I pounced on it.

The damper is relatively soft and indeed does not slow down the steering noticeably.
Although it remains predominantly a týre thing, the tram lining is slightly reduced ergo a win for mý use.
Thus I am happy I fit it but if I would be riding without charming and gear would have kept it on the shelf untill fitting the sidecar.

Fotos; early brake lines, per 01/09 2020

 

[Jgraf0107]

Have my ducks in a row.

On the fírst First Edition, the brake lines to the front wheel had a junction under the lower fork yoke.
The R18 in base verison does not need a steering damper and it being a compromise anyway the engineers did what they did.

When after the first tests/reviews critisizing the lack of cruise control rather harsly, BMW decided the wanted to offer cruise control as an option. Thus the engineers needed to modify the brake line routing with a junction on the frame under the steering column to create space for a steering damper they thought necessary for cruise control.
The second ´First´ Edition started 01/09 2020 and does have the cc option with steering damper.
Production streamlining means that from this date the non cc one also have the brake lines and the bottom yoke fit for a steering damper.

Again; the damper is not needed on the base versions and it is discutable if cc makes it so. It most likely is fear of letigation and see below which made BMW change their mind about it.
The need for a steering damper changes with fairings, bags, heavier front wheel etcetera as this changes the harmonics, the frequency of the front end and rear end with the frame as a flexy joint between.
Ergo better fit a steering damper on the Classic, bagger and all.

Anyway, back to the basics this means that per 01/09 2020 non cc R18s are also prepared for a steering damper.

I ride just about exclusively with passenger and often with a hold all on the rear. This makes the bike a bit more susceptible to tar snakes i.e. tram lining. The tyre pressure needs be religiously set to specs. to prevent from becoming worrying.
Since I have the plan to maybe in future fit a sidecar the steering damper is on the agenda for thát.
Put the two together and when I found an OEM damper for sale I pounced on it.

The damper is relatively soft and indeed does not slow down the steering noticeably.
Although it remains predominantly a týre thing, the tram lining is slightly reduced ergo a win for mý use.
Thus I am happy I fit it but if I would be riding without charming and gear would have kept it on the shelf untill fitting the sidecar.

Fotos; early brake lines, per 01/09 2020


View attachment 19059View attachment 19060

My Roland Sands 1st Edition came with the damper. They just dont put them on all models. All depends are what configurations BMW wanted to send out.