Handlebar cross brace bar is in the way to accommodate tank bag.......

[Norfolk Tiger]

Cut the middle section out of the brace and just leave the 2 end pieces attached,best of both worlds

 

[Bendy toy]

I bought a used one (for my TC) - made no difference at all apart from getting in the way of the tank bag. I sold it on.
They certainly aren't needed for structural reasons - vibration might be another issue but I think thats more to do with valve clearances and TB balance. Mine's silky smooth.

I wish that had worked for my 2008. It's nothing like a Meriden Bonneville but causes numb fingers on long runs. Throttles balance and valve clearances made no detectable difference other than smoother pulling away (low revs).

Fitting the cross bar had a little effect on grip vibration but enough for me to buy one.

 

[Bungy]

I've been through exactly the same scenario when in the first instance I bought a cross bar from BMW to try and reduce vibration which did help marginally. I then bought a Motech tank bag with the ring attachment and the two weren't compatible with my preferred set-up. I ended up removing the cross bar and it is sat in the workshop as I prefer the flexibility of the tank bag. A set of grip puppies more than made up for the vibration although not perfect.

 

[Bounce]

And the outcome is............no cross brace in situ, no issue experienced!!

Just spent the weekend in France/Belgium (400 miles) without the cross brace & all was well...the SW Motech tank bag was excellent too