Wunderlich Touring handlebars for R1150R

[bimrluvr]

Anyone have any comments or experience with these?

http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/index.html

Touring Wellness Handlebars
Part number:1624590
Price: 119.95

From main page look for ergonomic accessories for R1150R

[wncbmw]

I have never seen those but I am more interested in the Sportego bars listed below them. I would love to see (or sit on) a bike with those on it. It looks very close to the old R90S bar position that I still consider perfect!

[beemerphile]

I have them on my bike. I like them a lot. They are a more natural wrist angle than the stockers. They are wider and are a couple of inches closer. Eliminates the need for bar-backs and looks cleaner. Bar-backs to not improve the wrist angle as these do. They are well made. The heated grips are perfectly accomodated. They say you do not need to lengthen the cables and controls, but you will have to reroute them a bit to prevent binding. I am quite happy with them. - Lee

[bimrluvr]

Beemerphile, thanks for the feedback! Just what I was hoping for.

WNCBMW, aren't the Sportego bars essentially the Rockster bars? They sure look the same as those I have on my garage bench.

[beemerphile]

Beemerphile, thanks for the feedback!

Welcome - Lee

[SlideRuyle]

beemerphile
Did you put these on yourself? If so could you give some detail on the re-routing of cables. I have barback which only required snipping the cable ties.

[beemerphile]

beemerphile
Did you put these on yourself? If so could you give some detail on the re-routing of cables. I have barback which only required snipping the cable ties.

Yes I did. You would probably be ok with just snipping the ties, but I could feel a slight bit of pull on the brake hose at full lock. I rerouted the hose to the outside of the headlight stay. Wunderlich says this is not necessary and they are probably right. I wanted some slack left at the ends of travel so I rerouted it. - Lee

[wncbmw]

WNCBMW, aren't the Sportego bars essentially the Rockster bars?

I don't think so. The description (and the picture) indicates it has more rise than the Rockster bar but less than the stock Roadster bar. I am more concerned with the angle actually. I always feel as if I want to straighten out my bars just a tad! I think the Rockster bars may be just a little too flat.

[hotzuk]

Hey,

I have Ricky bars on my bike. Here is the link to his website:

http://www.motomacondo.com/protaper_roadster.html

Ricky is a big adventure rider who happens to specialize in ergonomics. He offers a lot of feedback on many issues on the http://www.advrider.com website. I will try to take some pics of the bars on my bike. Ricky actually customizes the bars based on your specifics. He is a really cool guy. He even shipped the bars to me to try out before I paid. Everyone I know that has them loves them. Information is a good thing

[danstl]

I have had these on my RR for about a year. Before that, I had the bar backs, but wanted to put on a Scout fairing and could not do that easily with the bar backs. I find them a lot more comfortable and they make it easier for me to handle the bike than with the stock bars/bar backs. The seating position is not quite as upright as my RT, but close.

[beemerphile]

Danstl,

Did you have any tugging issues with the brake hose or did you have enough length? - Lee

[bimrluvr]

Thanks all for the replies. Seems like they're worth trying. I'll try to remember to report back after I do.
Have a Happy New Year!

[danstl]

I put the brake lines on the outside of the guides and covered them with a little rubber sleeve that is used on the GS. Looks fine, and no tightness.

Sorry for the late reply, but out of town for the holidays and not a lot of computers to use.

[SlideRuyle]

To Beemerphile or Danstl
any online location with information about pulling the grips etc off the old bars? If you don't mind explaining where the secret nuts and bolts are that need to be loosened.
To Danstl
Did you have to remove or clutch lines to put these rubber sleeves on?

[beemerphile]

To Beemerphile or Danstl
any online location with information about pulling the grips etc off the old bars? If you don't mind explaining where the secret nuts and bolts are that need to be loosened.

I just used the info in my CD based maintenance manual that I bought on eBay and the Wunderlich instructions. A Clymer manual would work as well for supplemental info. There are some "secret" techniques that would make it helpful to have more than the Wunderlich instructions but it isn't difficult. Pulling the heated grips isn't bad but rethreading the wires through the new bars can be frustrating. There was an error in my CD manual that said to remove a screw on the fast idle lever that I should have left alone. A little detent ball and spring went galloping across my untidy shop floor. Finally found them. - Lee

[philm35]

I've been interested in those Wunderlich bars for a while now. I was originally told by Santa Cruz BMW that all of the cables and hoses needed to be lengthened, so that turned me off to the idea.

But if you got away with just rerouting, that's great news. My only concern is that my Roadster has ABS... any thoughts about how that might affect any hose length issues?

--Phil

[danstl]

None of the cables had to be changed on my 04 RR. They routed one outside the metal guides that normally hold them and put the rubber sleeve on it that is from a R1200GS. Don't know the part number or anything. It looks like they belong that way and I've had no problems in about 6k since this was done. I don't ride the RR down here as much as I used to since I got the R12RT. The roads here are generally flat and straight, and the cruise control on the RT is great. I also don't ride as much when I am in Florida as I used to. It is really boring.

If I can remember my digital camera the next time I go over to the locker, I was snap a picture, but since I retired five years ago, its hard to remember what day it is!

Gonna be cold here today! High only in the 60's.....but its sunny and I'm heading to the golf course in a few minutes.

[philm35]

When you installed the handlebars, did you have to disconnect any of the hydraulic circuits?

I'm thinking of installing the bars myself, but now that our local dealership has closed its doors, I don't want to have to bleed the ABS system.

Thanks,

--Phil

[beemerphile]

When you installed the handlebars, did you have to disconnect any of the hydraulic circuits?--Phil

Nope. It is not necessary to take the brake or clutch hoses off. - Lee

[bimrluvr]

Installed my new Wunderlich touring bars, by myself, without a manual. Learned quite a few things along the way, some good.

I was skeptical when I first got the bars. Didn't look radically different.
Now that I've ridden a little with them I must say that I am 1000% satisfied with them. They make for a much more comfortable, upright ride AND they also give me much greater control...my turns are much crisper and steadier, yet they take much less effort.
There is now NO stress on my wrists, forearms and shoulders. wish I'd discovered these long ago.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a tourer's comfort with the pzazz of our Roadsters.