Steering damper
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 575
Likes: 263
From: Spokane, WA
Head bearing tightness and front tire pressure also directly impact front end stability. Overinflate your front tire and loosen up your steering bearings and you will be riding to Wobble City!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,131
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
That doesn`t mean people can`t ask...
The op could have been up front as to why he is looking for one, maybe his information might help someone else.
Sharing information both ways helps everyone.
The op could have been up front as to why he is looking for one, maybe his information might help someone else.
Sharing information both ways helps everyone.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
I knew this would turn into a why question. Next will be either someone saying no issues for the - great for you or ride slower.
I regularly ride over 95 mph and the front end gets light, I have a faring as well. Plus the express way in the Philippines has a lot of imperfections so want to try and tighten up the steering. I have checked the tires, steering head, etc. So is a steering damper is availlable, would give it a try, Thanks for the links but seems those softy are USD forks so looking for a Heritage. Would a Street Bob front end be similar?
I regularly ride over 95 mph and the front end gets light, I have a faring as well. Plus the express way in the Philippines has a lot of imperfections so want to try and tighten up the steering. I have checked the tires, steering head, etc. So is a steering damper is availlable, would give it a try, Thanks for the links but seems those softy are USD forks so looking for a Heritage. Would a Street Bob front end be similar?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,131
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
I regularly ride over 95 mph and the front end gets light, I have a faring as well. Plus the express way in the Philippines has a lot of imperfections so want to try and tighten up the steering. I have checked the tires, steering head, etc. So is a steering damper is availlable, would give it a try, Thanks for the links but seems those softy are USD forks so looking for a Heritage. Would a Street Bob front end be similar?
The answers generated by a thread are not just for the benefit of the OP, they may help a lot of other people too.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 371
Likes: 146
From: Colorado
I've used one on my enduro bike for years. Really helps with preventing road/dirt feedback directly to the bars for subtle changes in the terrain. I've never had one on a road bike so I'd be interested in what people think. I know my ADV friends sometimes install them on their bikes but I've never thought I needed it on mine. Maybe ones built strictly for road use are good at dampening feedback at higher speeds if the road gets choppy or you get those cement grooves in the direction of travel? Interested to watch this thread.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
Yes I get it. I brought this up on another thread and got flamed for riding my bike too fast or their bike has no problem at high speed so must be a rider issue. Just want to try to find a damper. If no one has one, thats fine and I can move on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,131
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
I think a steering damper is something that just about any motorcycle would benefit from.
Looks like there are quite a few universal type dampers on the market, but I have never seen a post in any Harley forum from anyone who installed one.
Looks like there are quite a few universal type dampers on the market, but I have never seen a post in any Harley forum from anyone who installed one.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 24, 2020 at 08:27 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
I've used one on my enduro bike for years. Really helps with preventing road/dirt feedback directly to the bars for subtle changes in the terrain. I've never had one on a road bike so I'd be interested in what people think. I know my ADV friends sometimes install them on their bikes but I've never thought I needed it on mine. Maybe ones built strictly for road use are good at dampening feedback at higher speeds if the road gets choppy or you get those cement grooves in the direction of travel? Interested to watch this thread.
Hulkss explanation above is spot on. I never really felt the need for one on a Harley - lots of rake and trail - but a wheelie-prone sport bike with quick response geometry kind of demands one.
Just out of curiosity, has anybody ridden one of these new Softails with low tire pressure and gotten an unstable ride? I once rode my Dyna with low tires and OMG did it start to go unstable above 75mph. Definite bar oscillation - not fun - felt like it did before installing the True Track stabilizers. Not sure a steering stabilizer would help that situation, but fortunately the fix was cheaper - proper tire pressure.