R11S BCR/prep steering damper

[jduke]

www.hyperprousa.com
Model # SDK-BM-111BA, RSC version, $340
If you go with this one, talk to Throttlemeister. The instructions are for an R1100R and you have to mount the damper body different so it doesn't hit the lower part of your fairing.

[throttlemeister]

Bikerfish: I went with SDK-BM-111GA. To me, the reason for picking the RSC version is that I do not want to know a steering damper is present, until it is actually preventing a slapper. The RSC curve allows just that: very little to no resistance at normal speeds, combined with an extremely rapidly increasing resistance when a slapper occurs. In the real world it means I can yank the bars without noticing the damper, while it can still catch a slapper dead in its tracks.

A linear damper like the CSC is more of a trade-off between resistance at normal operation and effectiveness during a slapper.

Which one you prefer is your preference.

[bikerfish1100]

so jduke says BA, throttlemeister claims GA. what's the diff?

[throttlemeister]

jduke has black anodized, I have gunmetal grey anodized. Otherwise, same part.

[Lars]

The OEM BMW damper is sorta progressive, at least until it goes TU. Having had linear dampers on various Japanese sport bikes I'd be inclined to vote for the RSC. That damping necessary to stop a tankslapper may be more than feels comfortable when moving at slow speed. Or at least that was my experience. I was always futzing with the adjustment. I'm guessing that the RSC will be like the factory part, only better?

[throttlemeister]

I'm inclined to think anything is better than the factory part..

[jclark]

Well, my "factory part" has been working fine since ~2000, but when it gives up, I'll replace w/an Ohlins unit, just to be, uhh, 'matchy'...

jeff

[fiery]

There isn't a "plug and play" Ohlins unit to my knowledge ...

Has there been a new deveopment?

[throttlemeister]

The Ohlins can be mounted directly on the stock mounts, like the HyperPro. Make sure you get one with a 75mm stroke minimum.

[fiery]

Interesting ... In your case, was it a cost issue not to go with an Ohlins unit, or were there other factors?

[throttlemeister]

I have very good experiences with HyperPro. And as far as I know, the Ohlins dampers are linear and I wanted progressive for reasons stated above. I realize it is not (yet) a big name in the US, but it is here back home. They build very high quality stuff. Stuff that works. They have a very different philosophy compared to the regular shock manufacturers. One that is focused on street use, instead of track use like all the others. But it is also one that really does work on the street. It takes time to convince people as most are stuck thinking in applying track tech to street, but I am sure it will work out as most that take the plunge are usually convinced once they feel the result.

[bikpaintr]

Looking at the Hyperpro USA site they list both versions at $340 which seems odd if the Active is their top of the line. Is the pricing the same for both in Europe? Has anyone attempted to rebuild the stock damper?

[throttlemeister]

No, in Europe the Active is about 50 euro more expensive.

[bikerfish1100]

I'm most of the way thru the install, and have a question. I have a fair amount of movement available to the damper at the frame mount, due to the joint arrangement that the bracket bolt passes thru. Is this correct? It seems to me that it should be more "clamped down" at that junction. On the stock unit, the damper mated to that bracket with a flat surface on the damper making contact- I believe that reduced the movement.

ah- got it. had to add a third soft washer for fairing distance, and remove the OEM metal washer on them. that was preventing things from getting snugged up. still some play in the eye joint, but it's no longer loose feeling.

[shreddr]

for those that have Wilbers and like matching components, here is their version. It looks almost exactly like the Hyperpro, and is listed at $249 US on their website. When mine goes south, I will get this one.

http://www.motorcycle-suspension.com/steering_damper/wilbers/steering_damper/index.html

[throttlemeister]

Originally posted by bikerfish1100
I'm most of the way thru the install, and have a question. I have a fair amount of movement available to the damper at the frame mount, due to the joint arrangement that the bracket bolt passes thru. Is this correct? It seems to me that it should be more "clamped down" at that junction. On the stock unit, the damper mated to that bracket with a flat surface on the damper making contact- I believe that reduced the movement.

ah- got it. had to add a third soft washer for fairing distance, and remove the OEM metal washer on them. that was preventing things from getting snugged up. still some play in the eye joint, but it's no longer loose feeling.

Did you put the gold clamp on backwards from the drawing? If not, please do as the instructions assume a R, not S and the rod will hit the fairing when the suspension moves. If you reverse the clamp, everything stays inside the fairing while retaining full stroke and you don't need to stack so many washers.

[throttlemeister]

Originally posted by shreddr
for those that have Wilbers and like matching components, here is their version. It looks almost exactly like the Hyperpro, and is listed at $249 US on their website. When mine goes south, I will get this one.

http://www.motorcycle-suspension.com/steering_damper/wilbers/steering_damper/index.html

It's actually a rebranded HyperPro CSC. If you want the RSC, you will have to get the HyperPro. But you can always get the black version and add a Wilbers decal, that's what they do at the Wilbers too.