Handlebar options?

[bross]

I think I have a problem with the bend of the bars on my RT. When I first started riding it, the angle felt funny but I thought I would just get used to it. Well, it's been over 21,000kms and I'm still not used to it. I had drag bars on my cruiser and really prefer drag bars, as well as just regular dirt bike bars on the DR. I am starting to experience pain in my right wrist and the only thing I can think of is the bend of the bars. I have even started trying to consciously tuck my elbows in next to my side so that I can straighten my wrsit out some.

 

I tried searching for heli bars etc. but they only make them for the K bikes. Anyone know of any handlebar options to straighten the grips out? I don't need risers or pull backs, the position is fine, I just want the grips closer to straight across. Thanks for any info or ideas.

 

I'm going to ride Jodie's Ninja for a week or two to see if the wrist pain goes away, that will tell for sure. I'm also going to do a couple day ride on the DR in a couple weeks and that will also help to determine if it's the RT that's causing the problem or not.

[Fabbrisd]

I installed the Surburban Machinery handlebar riser for the R1200RT.

 

Do a Google - small company with specific well-made hex head accessories.

 

Great company and great product - no cable extension or cable redo required.

 

For me this put the bars in a much more comfortable position - and cut down on the "right wrist tingling" immensely.

 

Highly recommended - and EZ DIY - follow the instructions and 10 min you are done !

 

Great gear !

[RedMac]

+1 on the Suburban Riser... Great item and nicely made.

[bross]

+1 on the Suburban Riser... Great item and nicely made.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm riding Jodie's Ninja for the next couple weeks to see if I notice any difference. It has slightly less bend than the RT, felt good riding in this morning.

 

Any chance you could take a picture from above that would show the bar position to the bike, then I could compare to my stock setup.

 

I think my problem is I tend ride "elbows" out which just aggravates the angle of my wrist. The RT bend is fine if I tuck my elbow into my body, which feels very weird to me. My natural arm position which I always slip back to is just outwards of inline with the bike.

 

Maybe by pulling the bars closer with the risers, that allows my elbow to bend and stay more inline with my wrist. I think I'll just order a set after my Ninja testing days.

[Membler]

I'm looking at the riser and the other product out there that are more of just bar backs. Does the riser have enough set back to make a real difference. Anyone have experience with both products?

[keithb]

Check out Moto Techniques in Ft. Worth, Tx. I had bar risers from them on my 04 RT and they worked well. I did not have bar backs. My 05 RT came with 1" risers and I like them as well.

[bross]

Check out Moto Techniques in Ft. Worth, Tx. I had bar risers from them on my 04 RT and they worked well. I did not have bar backs. My 05 RT came with 1" risers and I like them as well.

Thanks for the info, I just ordered a set of risers, will let you know how they work out.

[Membler]

They look like what I wanted so I ordered them too.

 

Thanks!

[Fabbrisd]

Thanks for the link - I had their billet brake pedal on my 1150, but forgot who I ordered it from.

 

I am going to check if it fits the R1200RT - if it does, I am a very happy guy.

 

The brake pedal is made great, and was a perfect match for me, especially when wearing boots.

 

Thanks !

[bross]

Just installed the risers last night. First ride in this morning and they seem to help a little with my wrist. I'll hold off on commenting until I get some more miles. If these don't help, I'll just get a set of risers made locally that rotate the bars to a straighter position.

[Membler]

I have not put a lot of miles on since I installed them but they feel just right for my riding position. I also have installed a California Scientific windshield that I'm very impressed with. All I need now is my Rick Mayer seat that is suppose to be done this week!

 

Mike

[bross]

Rode for an hour at lunch and I'm cautiously optimistic. I had been riding with my right elbow tucked in tight to my body, to keep my wrist straight. It felt totally un-natural and I have to keep pulling it back in but during my lunch ride, it didn't feel like I had to keep it tucked in nearly as tight to my body to keep my wrist comfortable, so here's hoping these work.

[planepaul]

Just installed the risers last night. First ride in this morning and they seem to help a little with my wrist. I'll hold off on commenting until I get some more miles. If these don't help, I'll just get a set of risers made locally that rotate the bars to a straighter position.

 

_________________________________________________________

 

That is what I did. I had a machinist friend make offset risers that lessened the pullback angle of the bars. It is near perfect for me. I knew I needed to go that way because of the soreness I felt out toward my little fingers. I'm guessing the change was in the 5 degree range.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

[AZRTRDR]

Just installed the risers last night. First ride in this morning and they seem to help a little with my wrist. I'll hold off on commenting until I get some more miles. If these don't help, I'll just get a set of risers made locally that rotate the bars to a straighter position.

 

_________________________________________________________

 

That is what I did. I had a machinist friend make offset risers that lessened the pullback angle of the bars. It is near perfect for me. I knew I needed to go that way because of the soreness I felt out toward my little fingers. I'm guessing the change was in the 5 degree range.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

 

Now thats the ticket. Will your friend be willing to make another pair?

They would be quite valuable to me.

[bross]

Just installed the risers last night. First ride in this morning and they seem to help a little with my wrist. I'll hold off on commenting until I get some more miles. If these don't help, I'll just get a set of risers made locally that rotate the bars to a straighter position.

 

_________________________________________________________

 

That is what I did. I had a machinist friend make offset risers that lessened the pullback angle of the bars. It is near perfect for me. I knew I needed to go that way because of the soreness I felt out toward my little fingers. I'm guessing the change was in the 5 degree range.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

 

Now thats the ticket. Will your friend be willing to make another pair?

They would be quite valuable to me.

Make that 2!

[Rx_Mich]

The risers (move the bars up 1 inch and back one inch) help to sit up straighter without reaching or weight on the wrists. I noticed a big improvement after the installation... if not for the wrists then for the back too. One other thing I did was to install "Grab On" foam tubes on top of my existing grips. This way the fingers are in a more relaxed position holding on to the bars. A relaxed grip also equates into less wrist fatigue. You would be suprised how much more relaxed the feel is with a wider diameter grip. The foam also helps to deaden vibration. They only cost about $12.00 at your local shop. If they don't have them... they can usually order them quickly.

[AZRTRDR]

I've done all that but still need to lessen the angle back.

Just removed the barbacks that I was using and will take them to a machine shop to see what can be done here if we do not hear back from planepaul..

[Richard G]

After I got my R12RT one of the first things I did was go with the bar risers.

It lessened the body weight pressure off my wrists, but I was thinking the same thing about the angle.

The bike I was riding before this one had wider pullback style

bars on it that were much higher and in the perfect position.

My hands pretty much fell right onto the grips is a very natural position.

When I put the bar risers on the RT, I bolted the riser to the bike but then put only one bolt in one of the holes for the handlebars.

Then I could slide the bars wider and see how it felt.

It was a lot better straightening the wrist angle.

I too was thinking of trying to get risers that also had a wider spread but no one makes them that way.

The best thing would be risers with some kind of slots so you can move them in and out and lock them where you want them.

 

Rich

[Effjay]

Reading through this thread with suggestions of "custom" machined risers, perhaps Motorcycle Larry could be convinced to do so for R1200RT applications if there is enough interest. Although I now own a full-zoot '07 RT (with just 800 miles so far), it does have Suburban risers in combo with their peg lowering kit. So far - so good for me. And that's saying a lot considering I have major arthritis in my right wrist/hand. Yes, the throttle hand!

 

I am selling a Yammie FJR which currently sports a set of Larry's 6* risers, which in effect "flatten" the handle bar angle. It helped, but not enough to allow me a tourable range with my specific problem. I know it does for others, since this 6* version was requested of Larry by an FJR bud of mine and several FJR owners I ride with sport them. Check out the link (look at both BMW and Yamaha FJR products) and you can see what I'm suggesting.

 

Jeff

http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.aspx

[LuckyLeif]

...I have major arthritis in my right wrist/hand. Yes, the throttle hand!

Just fingers for me - suspect the wrist occur eventually. Hope you find the electronic cruise control of teh RT to be of benefit. I think it's almost essential for me when on longish rides with few speed transitions. I find a throttle rocker can help too. I use either, depending on road conditions.

[Jones]

Just put the Suburban Machinery risers on my 07 R 1200RT. They are really well made and the install was a really easy one cup of coffee job. I've had a real problem with a large Bowie knife appearing between my shoulder blades when riding. At 5'8" I was reaching for the bars too much. A short test ride was very comfortable and I have high hopes for the fix.

 

These risers were worth the money for me. I give them a big thumbs up.

[Dave_in_TX]

Just installed the risers last night. First ride in this morning and they seem to help a little with my wrist. I'll hold off on commenting until I get some more miles. If these don't help, I'll just get a set of risers made locally that rotate the bars to a straighter position.

 

_________________________________________________________

 

That is what I did. I had a machinist friend make offset risers that lessened the pullback angle of the bars. It is near perfect for me. I knew I needed to go that way because of the soreness I felt out toward my little fingers. I'm guessing the change was in the 5 degree range.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

 

Now thats the ticket. Will your friend be willing to make another pair?

They would be quite valuable to me.

Make that 2!

 

Makr that 3!