A question of Ergonomics....

[capesey]

Hi

Has anyone adjusted their handlebars from the normal position to the 'long reach position' According to the manual this should only be done by a 'specialist workshop preferably a BMW Motorrad dealer'. Is this because it is particularly tricky to do or just to avoid the lawsuits once cack handed home mechanics have made a b&^%$*ks of it and crashed horribly..?!

I want to see if it will help ease my numb bum issues as presumably if I have a longer reach to the bars I will be leaning forwards slightly (rather than sitting ramrod straight as I do currently) therefore taking a bit of weight through my arms easing some of the pressure through my backside?

Any thoughts welcome, bike is a 2012 GS Triple Black if it makes a difference

Cheers

 

[WindyChuffer]

Yes many folks have done it but few have lived to tell the tale.

Just get the torx socket thingies out and bob's your pasty.

You are mistaken about your theory. The last thing you want to do is lean on the bars. Should be light touch on the bars only; so you get the feedback from the road.

 

[Fanum]

According to the manual this should only be done by a 'specialist workshop preferably a BMW Motorrad dealer'. Is this because it is particularly tricky to do ?!

No, it's because they can charge 100 quid an hour to loosen a couple of bolts, wiggle a bar and tighten the bolts up again.

Any thoughts welcome, bike is a 2012 GS Triple Black if it makes a difference

Cheers

It makes no difference, but it does help explain the question

PS sorry, I'm in a bad mood.....

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

It makes no difference, but it does help explain the question

PS sorry, I'm in a bad mood.....

TB ... shoot sheep not badgers.

 

[capesey]

Yes many folks have done it but few have lived to tell the tale.

Just get the torx socket thingies out and bob's your pasty.

You are mistaken about your theory. The last thing you want to do is lean on the bars. Should be light touch on the bars only; so you get the feedback from the road.[/QUOTE

I agree, one of the best tips my instructor gave me was to grip the tank with your legs and use a light pressure on the bars. He used what he called the 'chicken test' - if you can't flap your arms like you're doing the birdy dance whilst holding the bars, you're holding them far too tight! I'm hoping the handlebar adjustment will tilt my body forward (supported by my core muscles(!)) a wee bit to help take a bit of the pressure of my backside!

 

[oyster]

num bum

Hi mate,shame you not enjoying your new bike, i find suspension setting if not quite right at bottom of the rear shock, can give the tail pain, belive it or not, a firmer setting can be better than a softer setting! also stay off the boring A roads, get some B road corners, so you are constantly shifting around the saddle, have fun mate and the pain goes away

 

[Nick dj]

Seat change

The standard seat is very uncomfortable, no matter what you do with the bars. (Check out some of the threads on this site.)
Try a change of seat, the touratec is good and seems to sit you in a good postion for your back. I now have a Sargent which is suits me far better than standard. Or Lincs will re do your seat for £50/ 60

Why BMW cannot make a comfortable seat is beyond me when you have paid nearly K14, but bit the bullet and it transforms the bike.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Hi
I want to see if it will help ease my numb bum issues as presumably if I have a longer reach to the bars I will be leaning forwards slightly (rather than sitting ramrod straight as I do currently) therefore taking a bit of weight through my arms easing some of the pressure through my backside?

I agree, one of the best tips my instructor gave me was to grip the tank with your legs and use a light pressure on the bars. He used what he called the 'chicken test' - if you can't flap your arms like you're doing the birdy dance whilst holding the bars, you're holding them far too tight! I'm hoping the handlebar adjustment will tilt my body forward (supported by my core muscles(!)) a wee bit to help take a bit of the pressure of my backside!

You appear to be contradicting yourself.

But no matter.

Get a sheepskin for a tenner. Cheap way of seeing if sorting the seat will sort your arse out before comitting £££ on a seat re-build.

 

[APE]

Leaning forward should help. You should be supporting your body with your core strength and not your arms though. Light touch on the bars is obviously correct but you don't need to sit bolt upright to achieve that.

How do you think Motogp racers get by

 

[WindyChuffer]

Leaning forward should help. You should be supporting your body with your core strength and not your arms though. Light touch on the bars is obviously correct but you don't need to sit bolt upright to achieve that.

How do you think Motogp racers get by

+1

Get down the gym if you can't do that.

Cracks me up when folks moan about sore wrists on sports bikes; it's because they are not using their core strength or don't have it!

 

[PETER152]

Have you tried adjusting your seat. High position at the front, low position at the rear. I know the manual says not too, but it works for me and many others with no problems.
German arses must be different!!!

 

[jags]

try wearing cyclist's padded underwear, works for me.

 

[morty]

replace seat,fit radius risers & shift footrests. as comfortable as a sofa all day long,well for 300 miles

 

[Roymondo]

No, it's because they can charge 100 quid an hour to loosen a couple of bolts, wiggle a bar and tighten the bolts up again.
PS sorry, I'm in a bad mood.....

There's a bit more to it than that - you (or they) have to remove all four bolts, remove the 'bar supports and the clamps (and in doing so remove the handlebars), turn around the supports and refit them in the "forward" position, replace all the bolts and clamps, refit the 'bars then tighten everything to the correct torques. All the time the 'bars are off the bike, the hydraulics must be kept upright (unless you want the extra faff of bleeding the brakes etc). It's not really rocket science, but I can understand them suggesting the owner not DIYing the job.

 

[Blackal]

Let's be honest - even the most un-mechanically minded rider can tighten bolts up to the approximate value they undid them at?

Al

 

[Richie B]

I did mine , and then did them again and then did them again to fit risers, makes a huge difference once you find the right position . I have a sheep skin, have fitted risers and larger foot pegs , squeeze the tank with ya knees in the straights and with your outer knee whilst push down with your outer foot in the bends should help. Also you will find the standard seat gets softer with age . good luck

 

[Roymondo]

Let's be even more honest - it has already been shown here that some owners/riders think it's only a case of slackening the clamps, moving the bars and re-tightening the clamps. Would you (as manufacturer) trust them to even undo the correct bolts?

 

[PETER152]

BMW are covering there arses! . No pun intended

 

[SpeedyPete]

Simples

Leave York @ 3am
Chunnel @ 8am.
Touratech factory shop before it closes at 6pm.

Get there just before closing time and you'll save yourself a fortune. twice. Once on the seat. Then on everything you want but you can't have cos the shop is shutting

I'm going back over the Bank Hol weekend (i think) if you need a guide

 

[capesey]

Leave York @ 3am
Chunnel @ 8am.
Touratech factory shop before it closes at 6pm.

Get there just before closing time and you'll save yourself a fortune. twice. Once on the seat. Then on everything you want but you can't have cos the shop is shutting

I'm going back over the Bank Hol weekend (i think) if you need a guide

Pete, good to meet you at The Manor today Would love a trip to touratech but I'll be putting my 'off road' bike through its paces at the Cadwell Park car park...

If you're going though, you could always donate me the sat nav mount and the side stand 'foot' as no doubt you'll be itching to spend some more cash when you're there!

Enjoy the meeting tomorrow..