Steering damper

[Arthurgee]

Question, now i test drove the XR before jumping ship from my H2SXSE, and on the lower framed demonstrator, i found that when going on the twisties, it all felt solid, in line and the whole bike turned as one, and it felt good. Now i couldn't wait so bough a regular height 2nd hand one with 2.5K on the clock, so in good nick and not seen a lot of miles more than the demonstrator. However, it doesn't have that same  solid feeling going round the twisties, and I'm starting to loose confidence in the bike now, and beginning to wish i still had the H2.

So I'm looking at the tires, I'm more comfortable on Pilots 5s, so was going to change from the metzelrs that are on there. Nothing wrong with both tires, plenty of tread, but maybe it was that.  I'm also new to the steering damper, so looking at a hyperpro replacement to see if its that that. However, when asking a few companies i was told i needed a bracket kit which is another 50 Quid on top of the damper costs. I questioned why i need this because u-tube video shows i don't need all of that bracket.

However, upon further view, it appears my steering damper collar, is not in the same place as the one on the U-tube video, and its clamped on further down the shaft of the damper, as you can see in the attached, where as the damper on the bike in the video, shows the clamp right up at the neck of the damper.  Would the position of this bracket affect the steering handling at all, or am i on a wild goose chase? Any advice appreciated as I'm loosing the will here to fix this problem.

[RyanGTXR]

What model is your bike? gen1 or 2?

My bike is gen1 and the steering damper fits as in the pic from youtube vid. If you notice the end of the damper also fits below yoke on youtube / gen1 bike, so guessing yours is gen 2 as sits above yoke mount

[Arthurgee]

yes mate, i'm gen 2 21 plate.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Arthurgee

yes mate, i'm gen 2 21 plate.

The Gen-1's always felt a little "tighter" on the road than the Gen-2...much more planted...the Gen-2's I've ridden always feel a bit vague compared to my Gen-1 to me...but still good.

Smithy.

[Arthurgee]

cheers Smithy, but it was a gen 2 demonstrator (lower framed model) but that was the only difference. its difficult to explain the differnce in the feeling, but on the demonstrator, it felt when the front wheel was going round the bend, the rear wheel was following it and it felt firm and planted. I went up some twisties roads up to Glenshee, and it felt magic.  Right now i wouldnt want to do that same route on the bike i bought, it just doesnt feel the same. 
Could it be where the clam is sited on the damper, or am i way off and it doesnt matter where the clamp is along the body of the damper. I think i'm  just going to have change it for a hyperpro one anway, and put on road 6's and hopefully i will see the difference.

[garyculb]

HyperPro makes some good stuff. Their steering dampener is Great (https://www.s1000rrforum.com/threads/2020-s1000xr-steering-damper.248995/page-2#post-2430933). Highly Recommend! Their rear spring realy tightens up the Gen 2 XR ride.

Best,

Doc

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Arthurgee

cheers Smithy, but it was a gen 2 demonstrator (lower framed model) but that was the only difference. its difficult to explain the differnce in the feeling, but on the demonstrator, it felt when the front wheel was going round the bend, the rear wheel was following it and it felt firm and planted. I went up some twisties roads up to Glenshee, and it felt magic.  Right now i wouldnt want to do that same route on the bike i bought, it just doesnt feel the same. 
Could it be where the clam is sited on the damper, or am i way off and it doesnt matter where the clamp is along the body of the damper. I think i'm  just going to have change it for a hyperpro one anway, and put on road 6's and hopefully i will see the difference.

The steering damper will have very little to do with that. It's probably just a the fact that the Gen 2 is way softer than the Gen 1 so the tall height makes much more of a difference. See if putting preload in "Max" helps alleviate some of this. Other than that it's only tyres, but I'd assume a fresh demonstrator and your low mileage bike would both have the same factory tyres.

[daytona955i]

Hi. Im looking with interest, as im looking at replacing my gen 1 damper. Im looking for the same answer, do i need the extra clamps or does it come with a generic one. Seems a bit much for the extra, and makes me think the damper is for a number of bikes, just the fitting kit for the XR.

[Winger]

I’m waiting for you boys 😄,I’m currently up to my neck in mud and alligators sorting out another SM but assume the damper is generic and it’s the fitting that’s custom for the XR.