Steering damper

[d_adams]

The xb felt a little twitchy riding it yesterday, I know it's probably the steering stem bearings on their way out but I went ahead and got one of these on order today. My 1190 feels soooo much more stable at any speed, it came with a damper stock. It's not an adjustable one, but still, it makes a world of difference. Anyway, figured it couldn't hurt much installing one. This one below is adjustable and rebuildable, I believe they stated it's a Shindy (japanese) made unit.

Finding one of the LSL dampers was a pita and they were a bit higher in price.

 

[d_adams]

I would have gone with a Storz damper, but I have a wideband O2 sensor kinda in the way.

 

[djs2k2]

How much $

 

[go cytocis]

My 1190 feels soooo much more stable at any speed, it came with a damper stock. It's not an adjustable one, but still, it makes a world of difference.

The 1190 has ~1.5 degrees more rake than the XB which doesn't hurt stability either .

 

[d_adams]

Umm, $340 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28137266114...em=&sspagename=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr

They have these and tube frame dampers, based out of Minnesota.

 

[djs2k2]

Thanks

 

[d_adams]

Yep, well worth the money. 2 mile test ride, feels like a completely different bike. Much smoother and stable, although there's a lot of other things I still need to do to it.

 

[Jcastro4089]

Kind of curious, any reason you chose this dampner over a GPR unit? I've considered a dampner but has kinda settled on the idea of the GPR based on member's feedback here.

 

[Noss4atwo]

I am wondering as well?
Would this work on any buell? 2009xb12ss

 

[d_adams]

I guess the main reason is I have no room up top to put the GPR unit on. I have a set of different risers and dirt bike bars (Carmichael bend Pro-Taper) along with my wideband displays. It just simply wouldn't work for me. This one came with the new bolt for the isolator, along with everything else needed.

You can see the cluster of crap going on with mine here.

These should work with any year xb, just make sure to specify the fork tube diameter. Later model ones are larger.

 

[Sirius815]

And Uly's should be larger as well. [up]

 

[UMDterp13]

I see Dean got his tail bag!

This is listed all over but for sake of ease:

90% sure
05-10 normal height bikes Are ALL 43mm

100% (I've had all these)
06/07 uly is same as normal models 43mm
08+ X model is larger bottom triple. 47mm (I've done the swap)
03/04 XB & all 03-10 SL & SCG are 41mm

 

[d_adams]

So, I'm 99% sure that installing that damper saved my ass today. I hit a pretty large rock/boulder on the highway at 75 mph. I need a new rim and tire now. Rim is dented, tire is cut.

 

[Shawns]

That sucks

 

[d_adams]

Cut marks on the tire from whatever it was I hit are at each thumb.

Rim looks to be ok after bending the lip back in to place.

New shoe installed.

It was supposed to go on this one, but since I need a bike to ride it went on the xb instead. Just have to order another front tire for the M2 now is all.

 

[d_adams]

And now I'm interwebz famous by being directly quoted. I sent this guy a message on ebay just to let him know that I liked the damper and that I was pretty sure it saved my ass. Yep, I'm a firm believer in them now. I've never really thought "self, this is a REQUIRED piece of equipment, it's optional" until I had that happen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BUELL-X...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f3ac20f16

"I bought an xb damper from you a few weeks ago, just thought I'd let you know it's already paid for itself. I hit a big ass rock out on the highway at about 75 mph, would have been a tank slapper if I hadn't put that damper on. Thanks again, much appreciated"

 

[nicholas900]

That steering damper seems nice. I like how it mounts. Somewhere I read you have to drop your forks for that style or you could bump your fender on it over a big bump. Did you have to drop your forks? Any clearance issues?

Oh... glad you had that sucker on and made out ok.!

 

[oh9bolt]

Thats on the SCG model I think

 

[d_adams]

From the looks of it, yes it would probably bottom out and hit or make contact. I saw no damage to the fender though, I know for a fact it sacked the suspension out last Wednesday. I hit that rock HARD.

 

[mrlogix]

Glad your okay, just curious though. Didn't catch how the rock/bolder managed to get in your way. lol. Nice XB, thought about getting one as a daily hooligan (lmao) bike. Hadn't thought about dirt bike bars. That's pretty cool. What's an XB like that weigh?