R1100R Steering

[cutitoutnz]

#1923

🙂 I have a 1994 R1100R (35,000kms). The bike needs to be countersteered at normal road speeds and at low speeds the steering is very heavy. Does anyone have any ideas, experience  or solutions to this problem.

[Dave Ross]

#7046

Have you checked the tyres and the tyre pressure?

[cutitoutnz]

#7047

Thanks for your reply. Yes tyre pressures are OK and the tyres are in almost new condition.

[Murray]

#7048

YJ,If it ain't the tyres then you're looking at a suspension problem I think. While the Telelever is arguably the finest feature of BMWs, its only shortcoming (IMHO) is the quality of the shock itself, which is easily (if not cheaply) rectified.CheersGarry

[cutitoutnz]

#7049

Thanks Garry I will check it out.Jim

[Richard Kuysten]

#7050

The R1100R comes with a steering damper.  Mine didn't have it fitted when I bought it and although I sourced one off Ebay I never fitted it because I found the bike to handle very well without.  The only other difference with mine was that it had spoked wheels which were slightly bigger than the alloys (I think).  Does your bike have a damper and if so is it in good condition?  Good luck.  Malcolm

[cutitoutnz]

#7051

Yes Malcolm my bike does have a steering damper and I am interested to hear that yours did not have one. Since my bike is 12 years old and I suspect the shocks front and rear and the steering damper are originals I will check them all out. I may try running without the steering damper. Thanks for your helpJim

[Richard Kuysten]

#7052

Sorry if that was misleading Jim, mine had one originally but it was removed before I bought it.  The previous owner removed it after it developed a leak and found as I did – the bike was fine without the damper although I wonder if the larger front wheel made it more stable at the front.

[cutitoutnz]

#7053

Malcolm my bike has an 18 inch Rear and 17 inch front is this the same as yours ?Jim

[Richard Kuysten]

#7054

Jim I sold mine last year.  I'm pretty sure iit was an 18″ front – spoked as I mentioned earlier but I can't be positive.  When I first got the bike I found the speedo was badly slow and think this is because of the oversize front wheel.  I bought a Panoram cycle computer for the bike and it proved to be excellent and very accurate.

[Murray]

#7055

The R1100R comes with a steering damper.  Mine didn't have it fitted when I bought it and although I sourced one off Ebay I never fitted it because I found the bike to handle very well without.  The only other difference with mine was that it had spoked wheels which were slightly bigger than the alloys (I think).  Does your bike have a damper and if so is it in good condition?  Good luck.  Malcolm

That's right Malcolm, a few 1100R owners got to about 18K and the damper was either leaking or seized up altogether. Advice coming in from UK owners was to take it off and bin it. Unless you're mad or out racing the thing (or both) you probably wouldn't need it anyway. I don't think that the type or size of the wheels would make a huge difference in the handling that Jim describes if tyres, damper and suspension were all okay.CheersGarry

[Grant]

#7056

Re Steering damper, my R1100S has got one and it also leaked, It leaked due to small marks on the rod due to its position copping any stones coming off the front tyre,[This can be repaired] after extensive research at Air NZ where I work I was able to source some superior seals [better than original] that work with synthetic turbine engine oil which I used after trying 7 different viscosities of oil to get the damping rate correct. Also have perfected a simple fix to stop shrapenal coming off the front tyre and damaging the hydraulic rod. If you need help with overhauling the damper you can call me at work and I could give you the information and the seal details and its an easy fix that you could do yourself. Work Ph 03 3747 439. Cheers Andrew

[cutitoutnz]

#7057

Thanks Andrew I removed the steering damper and have run the bike without it, no problems. The front shock absorber needs replaced and I am thinking about getting Ohlins front and back. The price is hard to swallow but I like the bike and the handling needs sorting out. I will let you know how I get on. If I decide to refit the steering damper I will give you a call.RegardsJim

[Murray]

#7058

Thanks Andrew I removed the steering damper and have run the bike without it, no problems. The front shock absorber needs replaced and I am thinking about getting Ohlins front and back. The price is hard to swallow but I like the bike and the handling needs sorting out. I will let you know how I get on. If I decide to refit the steering damper I will give you a call.RegardsJim

Good result then  😀CheersGarry

[pdmeikle57]

#7059

Hi Andrew 🙂Just came across this old post. Feels like the damper on my 97 850 needs overhauling. Is it still possiblr to get those seals you mentioned?CheersTracy

Re Steering damper, my R1100S has got one and it also leaked, It leaked due to small marks on the rod due to its position copping any stones coming off the front tyre,[This can be repaired] after extensive research at Air NZ where I work I was able to source some superior seals [better than original] that work with synthetic turbine engine oil which I used after trying 7 different viscosities of oil to get the damping rate correct. Also have perfected a simple fix to stop shrapenal coming off the front tyre and damaging the hydraulic rod. If you need help with overhauling the damper you can call me at work and I could give you the information and the seal details and its an easy fix that you could do yourself. Work Ph 03 3747 439. Cheers Andrew

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