Handlebar & seating thoughts

[bikemad]

I was out riding my mountain bike Sunday when I finally realised why I don't quite like the position on my GS cycling I have to lean forwards a bit & bars are low down which is how Iv always ridden motorcycles cos the GS has a very upright position that's where Iv got to start I'd prefer a low narrower bar maybe a higher seat I'm only 5,11 32 leg had plenty of tip toe,y bikes the standard seat has got to be changed it's a pain after a short while I'm sure this has prob been discussed in many threads & others agree with my findings.

I think it's going to be the renthal or similar bars & another seat or modified ? I had big problems last year brought a Vstrom if I'd know all the agro involved changing parts to stop buffeting hated bars on that ended up selling on cos it made me sick of riding it just don't want to get rid of the bmw I like it it's grown on me

 

[DrFarkoff]

Never heard of bar backs, risers, etc you don't need to change the bars just get a set of risers that go up and back its much easier!!!

 

[Beemerman59]

If I've read your post right, you're looking to lower the bars and have a higher seat to place you in a more forward leaning riding position. That's probably the opposite of what most people do on a GS. I have a GSA, am 6'3" and fitted bar risers to stop arm and shoulder ache. I also prefer wider bars and wouldn't want to go narrower.

 

[bikemad]

I sat on a friends twin cam adv the bars are lower than mine only want to be an inch or two lower & shorter nothing radical

 

[Beemerman59]

I sat on a friends twin cam adv the bars are lower than mine only want to be an inch or two lower & shorter nothing radical

You can try rotating the bars for a different angle and reposition the switch gear accordingly. I found it took me quite a few hundred miles of testing, making miniscule changes each time to get mine right for me.

 

[bikemad]

I'm going to fabricate some risers for the frame seat brackets then try some flatter shorter bars I have thought about making a one off top yoke with adjustable bar mounts thus get around any bar touching screen issues if needs be.

 

[bikemad]

You can try rotating the bars for a different angle and reposition the switch gear accordingly. I found it took me quite a few hundred miles of testing, making miniscule changes each time to get mine right for me.

Iv adjusted them that way no better there's a weard sweep on the bars reason I want flatter ones too

 

[Bendy toy]

The BMW GS bars have a funny sweep angle but width is fine. Renthal in a similar width should sort that. You could also try Flexx bars from Fasst but you'll need a friendly bank manager.
The Adventure bar mounts can be mounted backwards (as standard) or turned 180 degs to move the bars forwards.
The standard GS seat is too soft for me and the lump moulded into the seat pan is perfectly targeted at my tail bone.
The standard GSA seat is too high for me and too hard. But it's height prevented my really persevering with it.
Corbin and Sargent are pan seats for sitting low with highway pegs. The edges dig into my thighs and the width negates any leg reach benefits from the low seat height.
The standard height Kahedo seat suits me well. It's form but supportive. It's also available in GSA height. The low low Kahedo was awful with my back ram rod straight and ape hanger bars.
The GSA and the even taller Wunderlich screens both cause turbulence for me.
The Givi AF330 solved my turbulence issues. Fully recommended.
Wunderlich also make a short summer screen. I have one to try but never got around to fitting it.


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[bikemad]

My mate has a Sargent on GSA I sat on felt compfy to me but then would have to do a few miles to try one properly screen wise got a MRA vario & I'm very happy much better than original.

Thanks for info on the seats you've tried I'd certainty not want a lower one than standard anyhow.

 

[bikemad]

Tonight Iv really enjoyed riding the GS fitted an accelerator module made a good difference also have a Sargent seat on its way so hope that's sorted out too.

 

[birdseye]

I was out riding my mountain bike Sunday when I finally realised why I don't quite like the position on my GS cycling I have to lean forwards a bit & bars are low down which is how Iv always ridden motorcycles cos the GS has a very upright position that's where Iv got to start I'd prefer a low narrower bar maybe a higher seat I'm only 5,11 32 leg had plenty of tip toe,y bikes the standard seat has got to be changed it's a pain after a short while I'm sure this has prob been discussed in many threads & others agree with my findings.

I think it's going to be the renthal or similar bars & another seat or modified ? I had big problems last year brought a Vstrom if I'd know all the agro involved changing parts to stop buffeting hated bars on that ended up selling on cos it made me sick of riding it just don't want to get rid of the bmw I like it it's grown on me

In a way, thats an odd sort of post.The large majority of GS riders never ride off road. They buy the bike for its upright riding position - and saddos buy because its fashionable, looks rufty tufty etc. If the riding position isnt whats wanted then there are other BMW bikes with lower narrower bars and maybe even tourers from other makers. Obviously depends on how you use the bike in real life - you might be one of the few brave bikers who take a GS down a muddy track. Or even the Triumph Explorer which certainly felt like a more forward riding position when I tried one.

 

[Bendy toy]

I don't like a sports bike crouch but still found the GS too upright with bars set as the dealers do it. I now have the bars turned forwards and have a 2nd hole drilled the the LHS grip to set the switchgear at a sensible angle. The RHS is similarly adjusted though that's simply needed the throttle cable rerouting around the brake lever. I still dislike the sweep angle but don't have the resources to trial and error the alternatives.

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[Keef Mayhem]

Bikemad
I'm in the same boat regarding the angle of the GS bars, doesn't seem to matter where I adjust the bars to, it just aggravates an old shoulder injury. 200 miles on Saturday and I ended up wondering what the replacement bike was going to be. I don't get the same problems if I'm in a slight crouch and its a lot more forgiving on the posterior as you spread the load over a bigger area and not straight up your spine. last time I rode to Faro I was on my Busa and a friend was on his 1200GS, He was always the one who needed to stop to ease the aching butt ! strangely I got slightly better fuel consumption too but thats nothing to do with comfort.
I bought some Rethal RC fatbars tonight which look like they should give the wrist/arm position I'm after, I just need to mod them to fit the bar ends and hand guards and then we shall see

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Never heard of bar backs, risers, etc you don't need to change the bars just get a set of risers that go up and back its much easier!!!

He wants lower the bars though

 

[stolzy]

Clip-ons and rear sets - gotta be the way to go.

 

[Ali-bear]

I narrowed my GS bars by removing 20mm from each bar end weight and eventually found a good position by rotating them a bit in the clamps. It was a lot of work and removing just 15mm would have been easier. And I settled on a low screen.

 

[Bendy toy]

I bought some Rethal RC fatbars tonight which look like they should give the wrist/arm position I'm after, I just need to mod them to fit the bar ends and hand guards and then we shall see

Whack them on and do the bar ends later if the bike feels better. The bar ends will need split bushes to suit the bar tube and threaded M12.

 

[bikemad]

Lower is defo what I want found windham bend renthal fat bars for £65 on eBay listed as 603 bars same as the 998 twin walls others have used but £40 cheaper Iv now got a Sargent seat but not tried it long distance yet

Iv got a lathe & milling machine itll be easy to make the original bar ends fit ;-)

 

[bikemad]

Hers the specs if anyone else wants to know

 

[Bendy toy]

Does anyone know the standard GSA handlebar dimensions. They are pretty hard to measure on the bike.


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