BMW R1200GS Steering Damper Install

Installing R1200GS Steering damper By ukGSer ‘1Rider’
Original ukGSer forum post

I decided to go ahead and install a steering damper on my 2008 R1200 GSA. Gorilla Zilla had a few nice kits that fit the German bikes and the Öhlins SD 415 Steering Dampers (also sold as Scotts)

I contacted with Dave from Gorilla Zilla and ordered via e-mail, wired the money and had the kit delivered from South Africa within the week. Had some other work to do on the bike so with the tank removed it was a breeze to install the kit. (see pics below). Caution must be observed when routing the throttle cable to avoid binding, wear and possible chaffing. Had to make a minor adjustment to the angle of the steering damper bracket to get a perfect fit but all in all it appears to be a well made kit and a snug fit just in front of the tank.

Installing Öhlins (Scotts) SD 415 Steering Damper on ’08 GSA with Gorilla Zilla kit:

With parts (SD415 and SDM-BMW-GSA2 kit) at hand:

Remove front and rear seats
Remove left side cover
Remove right side cover
Remove both side panels
Remove left trim panel of fuel tank
Remove right trim panel of fuel tank
Remove intake air pipe

Remove fuel tank
1. Remove top front screws on left and right
2. Disconnect LH fuel delivery line
3. Disconnect LH plug for fuel pump and plug for fuel level sensor
4. Disconnect RH fuel return line
5. Disconnect breather hose and overflow hose at the connectors
6. Remove main screws with washers and rubber washers on left and right
7. Lift the fuel tank up and to the rear to remove.
Remove black plastic throttle cable spacer from handlebar
Release throttle cable from the holder on the left hand side of “frame VIN plate” and remove screw and holder
Loosen brake line screw and bracket from right hand side of “frame VIN plate”
Install the mount kit bracket to the bike’s “frame VIN plate” and loosely secure left screw and then fasten brake line screw and bracket. Tighten the two screws to secure the mount kit bracket.
Remove the four handlebar screws
Remove the two handlebar clamping blocks
Install new large one piece clamping block from kit
Position the handlebars in such a way that the marks (arrows) are in line with the gaps between the clamping blocks
Tighten the two large handlebar screws (36 Nm) – Make sure that there is no gap between the clamping blocks on the side where the large screws are located. If necessary, slacken the two small screws and retighten the two large screws to the specified tightening torque.
Tighten the two small handlebar screws (16 Nm).
Install the pin in the mount kit bracket and then the SD415 on top of the handlebar one piece clamping block. Secure with the two supplied screws. Make sure adequate space and no binding in the SD415 setup even when the handlebars are turned to full lock.
Zip tie throttle cable loosely to the mount kit bracket
Reinstall fuel tank

I had to make a minor adjustment to the angle of the bracket to get a perfect fit, but all in all it appears to be a well made kit and a snug fit just in front of the tank.

Tighten zip ties as needed

Caution must be observed when routing the throttle cable to avoid binding, wear and possible chaffing, even when the handlebars are turned to full lock.

Start bike and check normal throttle operation and no change in idle rpm thorough all positions across the complete arc of handlebar travel

And to save you asking “what are the two erect nipple thingies next to the winglets? “……
Gerbing Permanent Dual Temp-Controllers
http://www.gerbing.com/Products/tempControls.html
Heated clothing highly recommended for cold weather and long days. Ease and comfort plus safety (a cold rider is not a good rider). For me the location was determined by; ease of use and to some extent look. Down side is if you need to remove “the plastics” it is one more thing to think about and remove.

PS The main control unit for the Gerbing is placed in the compartment below the tool tray and the out puts are in the same area as the bike’s aux power.

Reference:
Ohlins SD 415 Steering Damper manual