handlebar options?

[Gizmo*]

Since getting my GS I've had problems with pain in my elbows and wrists, the reason seems to be that the sweep of the bars is too big and pulls my wrists and elbows into the centre and after a few miles starts to get really uncomfortable I looked at tipping bars forward but the radical rear bend means the ends go skywards if you do so and this would be worse. Height isn't the issue, i tried moving seat between low and high to see if altering that made any difference and it doesn't.

I'd like to replace the bars with a straighter one of a similar width but don't know what options there are, has anyone had this problem and found a bar that solves it?

the bars seem to be tapered and it doesn't look like its a simple job to find a replacement

 

[st247]

Have a look here.

 

[Gizmo*]

thanks, renthals are an option but i would like to keep handguards if i can. i need to measure the oem bar first and see which one is closest but wonder if there are other bars available?

 

[Gabby]

Since getting my GS I've had problems with pain in my elbows and wrists, the reason seems to be that the sweep of the bars is too big and pulls my wrists and elbows into the centre and after a few miles starts to get really uncomfortable I looked at tipping bars forward but the radical rear bend means the ends go skywards if you do so and this would be worse. Height isn't the issue, i tried moving seat between low and high to see if altering that made any difference and it doesn't.

I'd like to replace the bars with a straighter one of a similar width but don't know what options there are, has anyone had this problem and found a bar that solves it?

the bars seem to be tapered and it doesn't look like its a simple job to find a replacement

Get some of these:

 

[Nin]

thanks, renthals are an option but i would like to keep handguards if i can. i need to measure the oem bar first and see which one is closest but wonder if there are other bars available?

I had exactly the same problem (on my 1100).

I've been using Pro Taper bars with 1150 handguards, but basically the same fixing method as your standard 1200 guards.

But then again, renthal fat bars, pro tapers, Magura etc are pretty much the same.

I suspect Touratech will be able to flog you something too ...

 

[earthmover]

I have a set of Renthals which I used to try the helicoil method lying around the shed. You're free to give them a try if you want, I can put them on your bike in half an hour, and take them off again, without altering anything permanently.
Mark

 

[Gizmo*]

thanks for the replies, its fookin confusing tryign to work out exactly what I need and if I'll then need to add risers and longer lines :

Its loking like either pro taper or Renthals but which model?? aaagghh

does anyone know the dimesnions of the OEm handlebar? all i really need is the sweep about 25 - 30mm less than it is now, everything else is OK

 

[earthmover]

thanks for the replies, its fookin confusing tryign to work out exactly what I need and if I'll then need to add risers and longer lines :

Its loking like either pro taper or Renthals but which model?? aaagghh

Which is why I suggested trying a set first!
Mark

 

[Gizmo*]

Which is why I suggested trying a set first!
Mark

thanks, the offer is appreciated but I was trying to sort it without involving traveling, I'm off on a trip around Scotland next week and wanted to get the bits ordered up so i can get them fitted at the weekend.

I've got a bit of info now, it looks like the Magura AX line ( which TT and others claim is same shape as OEM bar) is 778mm wide x 198 high, I've found a bar that looks similar from magura in their ex line so I'm assuming this is close to what is fitted now

Width - 778mm
Center Width- 104mm
Grip Length- 201mm
Rise - 198mm
Pull Back (Sweep) - 92
Part Number – 722120

All the renthal bars have much lower rise, max being about 120mm so if I want to keep same height and reach ( assuming I use a 50mm sweep) I'll need to fit set back bar risers as well, probably with about 30mm up, 30 - 40 back range. Does this sound about right? have those who fitted renthals also fitted risers?

Most likely bar at the moment is the Fatbar RC high.

 

[Nin]

Fatbar RC or RC high are the ones. RC stands for Ricky Carmichael. He had the same problems that you and I have. Luckily he was good enough a rider to persuade Renthal to make some bars for him.

S

 

[nharrisn]

I have a different pain from the bars on my 08 GS, just the outer part of my palms hurt like hell after a short distance just like i'm putting all my weight on them but only the outer part of my palms are in contact with the bars. Tried moving the bars up and down, down is better for more palm contact but then the bars feel too low so have ordered the risers pictured below which claim to move the bars up 20 mm and towards you 40 mm with no change to cables. When I ordered them they informed me there was a 2 week backorder so will have to wait a bit longer to try them out.

Nigel

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I recommend bar-backs as a first step, before changing the bars.

If you do end up with straighter bars, then you will need bar backs anyhow.

 

[Magwych]

Nigel,

what are those risers and where did you find them?

 

[Gizmo*]

I recommend bar-backs as a first step, before changing the bars.

If you do end up with straighter bars, then you will need bar backs anyhow.

its not how far back that causes the problem, its just the angle of the sweep, it is the weirdest bar I've ever ridden, the combination of a very high rise and high sweep means you are very limited in altering it Height is OK if anything on the high side but i use the TT low seat on the lower setting, tried going up on seat height and if anything its worse. The fore aft position isn't bad but for road use I'd probably have the bar a bit further forward with more weight over the front. I'd imagine off road this wouldn't be as good hence why BM use the bar they do, its one of the compromises on ergonomics that has to be made for a dual purpose bike.

Made my mind up to go RC high fatbar and see where it ends up then either put straight up riser on or backward riser, will try and measure oem position and compare when done.

 

[nharrisn]

Nigel,

what are those risers and where did you find them?

They are Verholen, specifically for the 2008 GS/GSA, I ordered them from here http://www.mv-motorrad.de/lshop,shop...-3275,,,,,.htm
I received back an e-mail from Monika Verholen regarding the 2 week backorder so I think it's their "direct order" site. Also bought their nifty round brake pedal extender

Nigel