I really don't like this; it's like walking through treacle at low speed, so I'm inclined to unbolt it and bin it. Should I expect any adverse high-speed effect?

Are you sure it's the damper and not just the normal klutziness of the K100 RS at less than 10 mph??

I perceive my damper as non-restrictive and not interfering at slow speed. If it does anything at higher speeds is not easy to determine.

Absolutely agree with Agerbundsen I have no issues with the damper and don't find it a problem at all.
Regards,
K-BIKE

I guess it could be a case of "they all do that, sir", but I am surprised by how much heavier and unstable it feels than my RT, which for its size is a total pussy for the through the cones bit on CBT. I suppose the RS's larger tyre and different riding position are also factors; trial by experiment I think. Thank you both for your comments.

I have found that my K1100LT is a lot easier at low speed manuvering than a K1100RS I reckon it is just the narrower bars and seating position of leaning forward a bit more.

That is a very good point the wider bars would increase the leverage and the seating position too
Regards,
K-BIKE

K-BIKE wrote:That is a very good point the wider bars would increase the leverage and the seating position too
Regards,
K-BIKE

....and completely block the view through the mirrors too.......

What tyre pressures are you running?

Hi Mr G

I've ridden my 4 valve K100RS with and without the damper and notice no difference in steering. Maybe trial and error as you say. Could be the damper is defective, it's easy enough to take off and put back back on. Alternatively could be something else like the guys suggest?

In the end I trusted the bike was given it by BMW for a (safety) reason so I left it on. This debate is subject of another post

Cheers
Dave

Tyre pressures are my personal default setting for low profile radials of 36 psi front, 42 rear, which is a little higher than the handbook figures. The first time I rode the bike it had stood for some time and the front tyre was down to 1.7 bar (about 25 psi) and it felt really terrible, so I guess it is particularly sensitive to front tyre pressure. I have to a great extent become familiar with the very noticeable "self-steer" tendency on low speed turns, which is not unlike my old airhead R100RS and before that a R75/6, so it may really just be a case of refamiliarisation and learning to live with it. I think I will still try it with the damper off, though, just to see if there are any adverse effects at high speed. Thanks for all the advice.