1300GSA Bar Risers, Just my Experience

[Martin GSA UK]

I'm finding the stock 1300GSA seat less comfortable than the 1250GS. I've seen a few YouTube videos, where one of the first comfort modifications was bar risers. I've never tried them before, so thought I'd give them a try. I bought Touratech bar risers, the ones that give 30mm up and 35mm back. My aim was to move me further back in the seat.

What I found was it also made me more upright and so put more pressure on my arse, making the seat even more uncomfortable. I also had a vague feeling that my arms weren't comfortable being raised up, didn't feel like a natural position, and my wrists seemed to push my elbows more into my body. I tried various handlebar rotation angles, with no improvement.

After 600 miles I swapped back to the stock setup. I was immediately aware of how much more connected I felt to the front end.
One other downside of the risers, they interfere with the tank top phone cubby, reducing the opening.

On the whole for me, money wasted. Just my experience. I expect they sell enough of them, so they must work for some. No benefit to me, just downsides.

 

[JoeBiff]

I tried bar risers on an earlier bike years ago; all they did was give me vibration white finger after a long ride.

Some folk are well-padded around the arse area, others not so much. If your backside is hurting after a run, have you thought about trying one of those ‘air hawk’ type cushions? It’s a cheaper trial option than going full bananas on an expensive seat - only to find it’s not the answer either?

 

[grantmac]

I have the BMW ones fitted when I bought my GSA 1300. I am 6’2” and had them also on my 1250 GSA. Mine were the raisers only and not back. Fine for me and allows me to stand more often which I do quite a bit

 

[adey]

I’ve fitted the bmw risers to my 1300gs te tried with both risers and was too much so just fitted with the one riser and perfect, the seat I ended up getting the issota seat with a cool cover and is a big improvement.

 

[Geekay]

the BMW ones were fitted to my new-to-me 1300GSA - the come in blocks and 'both' were fitted.

from the off they felt 'odd' - even a mate following me said i looked strange on the bike - i realised i was sat with my wrists higher than my elbows which is not a great - i removed them (had to order new bolts as the bike had been supplied with them 'fitted') and its back to feeling like a very comfy GS

 

[Martin GSA UK]

I'd say the thing I most noticed, once I removed the risers, is how much better the steering feels. Much more direct. Might be geometry of the bars to steering axis, or a slightly improved weighting on the bars, or maybe muscle memory from sportsbike days, as my body position moves forward? But very apparent and I very much prefer that.

I agree with the comment about it feeling odd, hands being above elbows. They probably aren't, but it did feel like it.

 

[roundincircles]

For me, bar risers up and back, "are need to have". Guess it's about body geometry but on the upside my pipe smoke gets wafted away.

 

[Geekay]

I'd say the thing I most noticed, once I removed the risers, is how much better the steering feels. Much more direct. Might be geometry of the bars to steering axis, or a slightly improved weighting on the bars, or maybe muscle memory from sportsbike days, as my body position moves forward? But very apparent and I very much prefer that.

I agree with the comment about it feeling odd, hands being above elbows. They probably aren't, but it did feel like it.

you are right about my "elbows above wrists" claim when you say they probably aren't but the feel like! - completely agree

 

[Tyzer]

I have the enduro pack on my Trophy and had the risers fitted at the 600 mile service as I felt the riding position was more leant forward with more weight on my wrists compared to my 1250,like another poster has said the risers then put more weight on your backside.I might try them without and see how I get on.

 

[Shoboshi]

Have risers on my Trophy, up/back.... just come back from 2000 miles around France, Germany, Alps, Grossglockner then return via Munich.. No issues with wrists or bum-ache. I'm 5'8", 2-up, loaded.

 

[roundincircles]

Have risers on my Trophy, up/back.... just come back from 2000 miles around France, Germany, Alps, Grossglockner then return via Munich.. No issues with wrists or bum-ache. I'm 5'8", 2-up, loaded.


View attachment 513748

The bar risers seem to give you wrist ache

 

[Lupo]

I have the Touratech up and back risers on my 1300GSA, done about 1k with out and 1k+ with……at 5’9” I have always felt BMW’s a bit stretched out for my arms. The front end now has a less sporty feel but I am more comfortable - look like Copper now!

 

[Shoboshi]

The bar risers seem to give you wrist ache

None.... No issues.