Steering damper, are they worth fitting?

[shep65]

As above really, had my Z1b for years and never bothered always accepting they're a bit 'vague' over a certain speed.

Considering the relative low cost I was looking at fitting one but do they really make much difference and If so are there any better or worse one's about.

My bike is pretty standard so would like to go down the 'period' route rather than the fancier modern types.

As always appreciate any advice.

[Nosher903]

My B has had an adjustable steering damper on it for the 12 years I've owned it.

The handling is really good. I'm well happy when out giving it some through the twisties and roundabouts. Take both hands off the bars and the steering stays straight at any speed. So I assumed it had to be a combination of new Bridgestones which went on this year, plus stem and s/a bearings in good nick plus the steering damper.

I tried backing the damper right off. It still handled fine. So I wound the damping on hard. That (as you can imagine) made the most diff. It was like riding in a rut.

I suspect therefore they aren't needed with the modern quality tyres you can put on these days and if your bearings are in good nick.

[zedward]

Good question!
Never been sure how much ifvany they hrlp.
But i must admitmi'ge got an adjustable ('no name') on my bike. I've gone with the approach of modern shocks,steering damper,fork brace etc. (Hoping they all help me stay upright )

[Charlie]

I always fit steering dampers to all my bikes.
I prefer heavier steering and where the bike has a bit of grunt, more certainty it will not tie itself in knots when the front end goes light under power.
The roads up here are pretty poor, bikes do not need a lot of extra encouragement to shake their heads, so keeping it controlled is a positive move as far as I am concerned.

[Pigford]

I'd say - not really They usually "cover up" problems, which could really be addressed, such as worn tyres, knackered bearings, mis-aligned wheels, etc... but saying that, they do look good

[Z1parR]

I'd say - not really They usually "cover up" problems, which could really be addressed, such as worn tyres, knackered bearings, mis-aligned wheels, etc... but saying that, they do look good

That to me sounds like the right answer

[Pigford]

I'd say - not really They usually "cover up" problems, which could really be addressed, such as worn tyres, knackered bearings, mis-aligned wheels, etc... but saying that, they do look good

That to me sounds like the right answer

I would have given you "mulitple choice" - but then I though I'd play safe and give a "leading question" to help you out

[Z1parR]

I'd say - not really They usually "cover up" problems, which could really be addressed, such as worn tyres, knackered bearings, mis-aligned wheels, etc... but saying that, they do look good

That to me sounds like the right answer

I would have given you "mulitple choice" - but then I though I'd play safe and give a "leading question" to help you out

Maybe i should keep out of a steering damper post that you're already in Mark

[Pigford]

Ohhhh yez

[PAULJAC47]

As above really, had my Z1b for years and never bothered always accepting they're a bit 'vague' over a certain speed.

Considering the relative low cost I was looking at fitting one but do they really make much difference and If so are there any better or worse one's about.

My bike is pretty standard so would like to go down the 'period' route rather than the fancier modern types.

As always appreciate any advice.

Hi Paul ridden B,s with both dampers and not,cant say i feel it makes much diff,would say taper bearings instead of the pushbike ball bearings,good modern rubber eg roadriders or bt45s at the right pressure decent shocks and springs not the nasty repro ones about....Paul J

[Z1parR]

Very true about the repro shocks , bloody awful oversprung and underdamped things they are .
Mine are anyway , my Hagons are far better but just dont look as good as my nasty repros

[freddyz1r]

I'd say fit one. Anything that tightens up the handling has to be a bonus. After owning your bike for some years, you'll know it's individual characteristics.Try the damper, if it's not right for you, take it off
cheers freddy

[shep65]

Thanks for the replies, certainly food for thought.

I've had Bridgestones on ever since I've had the bike but running the standard pressures from the 'old days', after reading several posts on here I now realise they need to be a little higher with modern tyres so what are people putting in?


Thanks again.

[chrisu]

been discussed before but at least 32/36