Page 1 of 2
Changing handlebar position
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:15 am
by cruiser
I'm reasonably satisfied with my 'new' 04 R1150R apart from one thing - the handlebars are too far forward for my comfort (I've been used to cruisers for too long!) Before I touch anything, would 'rotating' the bars towards me in the mounting clamps make a noticeable difference or should I perhaps consider a staggered riser

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:02 am
by MIXR
Definitely try a small rotation rearwards first. Too far and the switchgear will hit the tank on full lock, so make sure you check that. Next step is get barbacks and loosen the wiring loom to bring the bars up and back about an inch. I've done both, but am now back to stock bars as my re-shaped seat seems to keep me better placed (further forward).
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:15 pm
by Hendrikus
handle bar torque: 21 Nm front first than te one at the tank
play with it

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:21 pm
by cruiser
Rotating the bars has made no discernible difference... my arms still ache after even a short ride

Guess it has to be new bars - from somewhere - or bar backs.
Handlebars
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:13 pm
by msut01
I have returned to an r1150r after a 3 year break. I alweys found I had shoulder ache after 100 miles or so. On my new 04 bike I have fitted 25mm high bar extenders. It has made the bike easier to ride and control, it allows a change of angle without hitting the tank. It may not be a solution to everybody as I am 6'2" with long arms. Its a cheaper than changing the bars and needs no cable or hose mods. I bought mine of a german firm via e-bay for £18.00.
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:31 pm
by lcarlson
I put the Verholen barbacks on my 2001 50R, and they're just right. Much like the RT riding position. Recommended.
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:02 pm
by DJ Downunder
Rotating the bars has made no discernible difference... my arms still ache after even a short ride Guess it has to be new bars - from somewhere - or bar backs.
I was not real happy with mine at first..but after a year or two they are now very comfee for me..I think you just get used to them..but it takes a while.
DJ
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:41 pm
by Sunbeemer
+1 DJ. I think it takes a while to understand what the bike's engineers want you to know about how this bike should be ridden by the way they designed the ergonomics. It took me about a year away from my Nighthawk to get comfortable on the RR, but now
I get it, and I wouldn't change anything. There is a post on another forum by Richard Frantz's (a.k.a. "Master Yoda") riding position that now makes sense to me. If you want to read it, here's the link:
http://bmwrt.com/ubbthreads/showflat.ph ... =0&fpart=1
It's a Zen thing about the art of motorcycle riding!

Glad this came up...
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:57 am
by dubble8s
I thought I heard once that there may be an issue with certain risers and the BMW Touring windshield. I recently put a touring windshield on my '04 R1150R - does anybody know if there is a certain size riser that I can/cannot get, or am I in the clear? I thought I may have heard that something may hit something else once the handlebars are turned, or something along those lines... Any knowledge on this is greatly appreciated.
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:26 am
by lcarlson
No problem with the Verholens and the touring shield. BTW, my bike is a 2002, not 2001 (as you may have figured).
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:28 am
by gregor
I've got an MRA two piece screen and standard bars.
Arms are in proportion to my 6'2". No aches and everything 'falls to hand' as they used to say.
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:36 am
by cruiser
gregor wrote:Arms are in proportion to my 6'2". No aches and everything 'falls to hand' as they used to say.
I'm 5'10". Anyone else of similar height who found they needed risers/bar-backs
cruiser

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:12 pm
by NHighCotton
Page 240 in the Wunderlich catalog has a pair of touring bars for the R, Part-No.: 1624590
If anyone has a pair I'd like to know how you like them and a comparison between the stock bars.
http://www.motohansa.com.au/docs/wl/1100RT.pdf
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:19 am
by cruiser
icarlson, I've sent you a pm re your Verholens...
cruiser
1150R barbacks
Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:14 pm
by bwfox
I just listed a set of RCU barbacks that raise the bars about an inch and bring them back about 2". I had them on my wife's bike with the BMW Touring Shield.
FWIW
Bert
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:01 am
by TicTac50
NHighCotton wrote:Page 240 in the Wunderlich catalog has a pair of touring bars for the R, Part-No.: 1624590
If anyone has a pair I'd like to know how you like them and a comparison between the stock bars.
I have 1624590 on my bike together with bar backs 1.5"X1.5" and AeroFlow Screen.
Very,very comfy. And the first impression: "If feels like my bike lost at least 150 pounds".

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:20 am
by cruiser
TicTac50 wrote:NHighCotton wrote:Page 240 in the Wunderlich catalog has a pair of touring bars for the R, Part-No.: 1624590
If anyone has a pair I'd like to know how you like them and a comparison between the stock bars.
I have 1624590 on my bike together with bar backs 1.5"X1.5" and AeroFlow Screen.
Very,very comfy. And the first impression: "If feels like my bike lost at least 150 pounds".

TicTac50... can you post a pic of your set-up please?

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:39 pm
by awagnon
TicTac50,
I've read other posts who tried to combine the Wunderlich touring bar with bar backs and found the control cables and hoses were too short. How have you managed to use both? I have bar backs, but it isn't enough. I'd like to ride more upright. One rider thought the Wunderlich touring bars were higher and further back than bar backs. ? true ?
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:39 am
by towerworker
I bought bar-backs 4 yrs ago for my 03 r due to back, shoulder and neck pain after riding. At the time they were only about $40 from
http://www.moto-techniques.com
Best money ever spent and they installed easily and look good. A far price from the Verholen bar backs.
Had no issues with the cables either.
Wayne
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:41 am
by towerworker
Just checked their web site ---- still $40