Steering Damper

[Swampy]

Hi All, Want to check out a Steering Damper for a R1200Gs (09)( Can anyone direct me to a suitable site to peruse and maybe purchase one please?

Cheers Swampy

[jono]

Thought you were selling it Swampy ?

Try this link to RalleMoto
http://www.rallemoto.com/contents/en-us/d32.html

[Swampy]

Was talked out of selling Jon..............Thanks for the site info

Swampy

[reklaw]

Ralle-Moto make a nice product but are difficult to deal with.

[old betsy]

Swampy

You would need to go off road to get the full use of all that money you are going to pay out
for a steering damper

Ahab

[Swampy]

Swampy

You would need to go off road to get the full use of all that money you are going to pay out
for a steering damper

Ahab

Question? Do they improve handling and have any benefit on road?

Swampy

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

Swampy, My experience was as per Ahab, unless you are going to ride dirt roads (where I thought they were worthwhile) then don't bother, probably no noticeable benefit on the tar and on the big bike stopping at traffic lights etc, they can be bloody dangerous.
Dealing with Ralle-Moto has its issues as well.
Bowe

[KoosWA]

I have heard of people commenting on stability in gusty conditions and in particular when in the vicinity / passing trucks and road trains in particular, on either side of the road. Even on the freeway with smaller cars and SUV's and smaller high trucks in the mix, the flow of air can be quiet disturbed and gusty enexpectedly.

I can understand if you are on a lighter bike or a lighter rider [shorter & lighter?] that you can be buffeted around a bit.

As an added safety measure it has its benefits on road, if turned on when at speed and turned off / lower when at lower speeds. As Bowe mentioned it certainly compromises steering response at low speeds and if you forget and want to make a quick slow u-turn, you can drop the bike as the steering will not respond and your weight will be wrongly positioned.

On the GS 800 I would always have a damper. I had a Ralle moto on the GS 800 - now fitted to the DR 650, and will buy the same again.

Ralle moto - I did not have any problems with them. My initial purchase was delivered in days and the collar for the DR the same. I have heard about long waits though. I suppose depends if they are out riding or not.

It has its place, even on road bikes.....

[bill9117]

I've had my Ralle Moto damper on the 1200 GSA bike for about a year now and I must admit I haven't really found it something I must have at all costs ( and they aren't cheap)
At high speeds on tar if you crank it up it does make the bike feel more stable, but also you must remember to unwind it when you slow down as others have mentioned it can make slow speed riding interesting.
On soft gravel it alows a bit more stability when travelling faster as it keeps the front wheel tracking better but you must regularly alter the adjustments when you hit irregular stuff. I'm still trying to work these settings out and wouldn't say I am confident as to what I'm doing here as the bike still feels like its going to let go unexpectedly and I can't remember if this is the same as before I fitted it.
On sand it does definitely seems to reduce the tank slapping when it's cranked up.
The problem is its difficult to remember all the required settings and focus on all the other things you have to focus on when riding on changing terrain and its easy to forget to change settings when they should be adjusted.
So as I indicated I'm not sure if it is a must have item.
But for Swampy who is into the image thing then maybe it's something that looks good on the bike

[Swampy]

Too much singing syrup Maybe Bill?, But Thank you anyway.

Swampy

[Robbo]

Like others have mentioned, if your not riding off road i would'nt bother, a lot of money for little reward.

I have one on the 1150 and while i think it's great off road, i usually turn it off when riding on road.

Just my 2cents worth, Robbo.

[Swampy]

I would just like to thank all of you who made their comments on the merits or otherwise on Steering Dampers, Including those that contacted me off the Public forum.

It certainly gave me food for thought as it appears their are some for and some against.

I have decided to hold on to my hard earned ( Thank you all who have given me work one way or the other over the last 12 months ) and will not be purchasing the damper as I can see little benefit in it's use for the type of riding I do.

Thanks once again to all those that contributed, It's just one of many good reasons to be associated with this club, For the wealth of knowledge that can be gleaned from experienced riders that is available to all

Cheers Swampy

[DirtBoy12]

I fitted one after DFS recommended strongly. Both on and off road - they are worth the $$$ (lets be honest you don't have to go far out of Perth to go off rd!)

Last year I rode 1000 km back from Carnarvon in a day - the wind was a westerly- and I was leaning to the right all the way back to Perth, without the damper I would have been stuffed.

So I agree with Koos stability in gusty conditions and in particular when in the vicinity passing trucks and road trains in and or when prevailing winds are to the side - they are essential fitment. On the same trip the damper saved me from offs around 2-3 times in off road riding. So in summary if the $600.00 investment saves you once - its money well spent...in my opinion

Cheers Ewen...