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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through November 10, 2005 » Storz Steering Damper « Previous Next »

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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 05:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just bought a used Storz steering damper, and I must say I am very pleased with it.
I was wondering if any other Bad Webbers are using them, and how they adjust them.
I use the minimum setting around town, and two clicks for sport riding. I marked the two click setting with a tiny piece of red tape so I can see how the unit is adjusted with a quick glance.
All in all, I really like the way the damper "settles " the bike so I now feel that I have the best of two worlds: the stability of a longer bike and the handling of a short one.
By the way, I found Storz to be the one company in the world that actually has less helpful customer service than Harley!
When I thought I might need a part for the unit, they told me I had to send the entire unit back to California so they could verify that it was the right part, or some similar horse pucky - never could really understand what the point was. At least the Motor Company doesn't make you do that:-). When I asked for some suggestions on adjusting the unit, the Storz expert enthusiastically told me that they just don't do that - no explanation offered.
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Blake
Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 07:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

They make good dampers though.
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Slaughter
Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 07:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am pleased with the one I have on the racebike.

I probably have it a touch stiffer than I'd use for street riding though.

It did eliminate the wobble at speed.

I can't say exactly how it's set up since I'd only gotten it about dialled in and then never wrote down the setting (duuuumb) - I write down everything else about suspension, tires and pressures, ECM settings - you name it.

My only complaint about the damper is it bends in a crash. They only charge about $85 to fix it but still...

I talked to the GPR folks at the Toyota 200 and they're designing a damper for the Bolts but it's not out yet.
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Thin_air
Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 10:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have one and I run it at 4 clicks out from zero unless I am going over the mountain and the I run it at 9.
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 06:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Thin......
I wasn't sure what the range might be. I will try adding a few clicks, one click at a time. Nine sounds real stiff, you must be hammering that mountain!

Funny story: my brother gets himself a shiny, new Bimota SB4. Is absentmindedly twiddling the steering damper adjustment knob, showing of the unit to a friend.
Rides off with the damper set full on instead of full off. Can't turn bike. Takes a very low speed tip over, dives under his new Bimota to save the paint:-).

Only damaged his pride:-)
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 08:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

After a couple of days using the Storz, I am very pleased with it. I really wouldn't want to be without one. I set it at four clicks as per Thin's recommendation.
I was a bit surprised, as I had read on the board that there was no benefit from using one. I find it makes the bike feel more settled, especially during rapid body shifts from one side to another in the twisties: previously this could cause a wobble. Also helps a lot when crossing bumps in a turn. Perhaps better technique would have eliminated it too. Always working on being a smoother rider.
Here is how it looks:

zzz

Any other users out there?
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Thin_air
Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mt. Rose, Highest maintained pass in the Sierras. Runs between North Shore of Lake Tahoe and Reno. Yes, I consider it my playground and I run It hard. There are several switchbacks that give you a chance to make a steering transition without your front wheel being on the ground. Thats where the damper really helps.
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