Hiway Pegs

[Skywagon]

What to do...I sat on a 2004RT yesterday that had these

 

http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/highway-motorcycles-p-370.html

 

Apparently the other choice is Elf Pegs. I have only seen Elf pegs online.

 

The RCU pegs are but ugly, but they felt really good.

 

What to do. I need to get them soon for an upcoming trip.

[flyingreg]

Yes, them are ugly. Why do you say you "need them" for a trip? The ergonomics on the RT are about as perfect as they get.

[DrPaul]

Check out the Hawk "Talon" highway peg system. They are sleek, quite comfortable and waaaay cheaper than either the ELF or RCU products. I have them and LOVE them!

[jjg3]

Get a set of Burton Briggs pegs. They're only $60. If you don't like them use them for the trip and then unload them. I got a set for a ride to Alaska and they did what I needed them to do. For the price you can't beat them. Hell, if you can wait, I'll send you mine and you can use them for the trip and send them back after.

[LDHack]

A word of caution; there is some history of highway pegs that use the valve cover bolts being stripped because of the reduced thread penetration into the engine casting. The brackets reduce the thread penetration by 3/8 inch or so. Some BMW mechanics don't like this style at all.

 

As far as comfort, my experience is that highway pegs are essential on the RT for any extended riding that involves long miles. If you like stopping every 100 miles or so, they aren't necessary. Some riders simply dangle their feet to stretch out the legs and knees, but contact with a pavement crack or an uneven section of the pavement can jamb your leg back very quickly, potentially causing bodily injury.

[boatzo]

Get a set of Burton Briggs pegs. They're only $60. If you don't like them use them for the trip and then unload them. I got a set for a ride to Alaska and they did what I needed them to do. For the price you can't beat them. Hell, if you can wait, I'll send you mine and you can use them for the trip and send them back after.

 

I looked at these and with my short legs, it didn't appear that I would be able to reach them with my feet? Till I get my legs out around the fairing there isn't much left.

 

I installed "SPORT BOARDS" a couple of years ago and love em. They are not cheap, but very comfortable, easy to install, and do not affect the valve cover bolts. My 2 cents

[AndyS]

A word of caution; there is some history of highway pegs that use the valve cover bolts being stripped because of the reduced thread penetration into the engine casting. The brackets reduce the thread penetration by 3/8 inch or so. Some BMW mechanics don't like this style at all. .

 

I'll agree with that.

 

 

 

As far as comfort, my experience is that highway pegs are essential on the RT for any extended riding that involves long miles.

 

Weyhey! Don't agree there. I often do 300 - 500 mile stints, and have NEVER felt the need for highway pegs on this bike.

In fact I'd go as far as to say that highway pegs (although a matter of taste) actually put you in a much more uncomfortable and un-natural position. This puts a lot more weight down through the spine and takes away the natural springing/damping of the legs in their normaly seated position. Also it means you are not leaning against the handlebars (which in turn is supporting some of the torso weight).

 

Andy

[rob1100r]

Spring for the ELF pegs! Yes they are pricey (but so was your bike!) and like your bike, they are worth every penny. And if you ever want to sell them, you will get a good portion of that money back. Every time I see a set on Ebay, they go for more than half of what they cost new! I don't use them all the time, but it is nice to straighten those legs here and there, without getting off the bike...

[Rinkydink]

Whoa Andy...I couldn't agree with you more on how comfortable the RT is but I must ask you your age? Ten or fifteen years ago I could've ridden to the moon and back (almost did once!) without a hiccup. Now a days it has certainly become more of an endeavor so to speak. I love to ride, but after 52 years I find I must make allowances for my lackluster physique. Highway pegs give me the extra stance I need to chew up the miles comfortably, because I have offically somewhat reached oldness. Granted, I don't use them often but a mere five miles in that position makes all the difference in the world.

 

 

 

 

[flyingreg]

As far as comfort, my experience is that highway pegs are essential on the RT for any extended riding that involves long miles. If you like stopping every 100 miles or so, they aren't necessary. Some riders simply dangle their feet to stretch out the legs and knees, but contact with a pavement crack or an uneven section of the pavement can jamb your leg back very quickly, potentially causing bodily injury.

 

That really is a matter of opinion and not so much fact as you state it. Nothing wrong with your opinion. However, I can't count the number of 1000+ miles days on the RT before I let it go for a new set of wheels. I never once felt discomfort due to ergonomics. And, I am no longer a spring chicken, haven't been for a couple decades, just ask the grandkids.

 

Nothing wrong with having the hi-way pegs if you feel you need them. Now, a good seat to go with the ride, that's another issue.

[LDHack]

Nothing wrong with having the hi-way pegs if you feel you need them.

As you say, everyone has their opinions. I'm almost 60, I ride a lot and have 120k on my '03 RT, I sometimes ride 1000 mile days with 300+ mile legs without stopping, I've done a lot of Iron Butt Association rides including the 11 day rally. I don't use my hwy pegs very much, but I find them very helpful on certain rides - namely long rides with long time in the saddle between stops.

 

Interesting, my 1981 GL1100 Goldwing/sidecar outfit is more comfortable than my RT. My knees aren't bent so sharply on the GL. Both are great long riding motorcycles, but my riding experience with the RT is that highway pegs are helpful.

 

In the end, if you find you need highway pegs, then get them. If you don't find yourself getting stiff, then don't get them.

[RiceToy]

I'm in the market for some highway pegs too. Are there any other options?

 

I remember seeing a retractable (maybe telescoping) design that mounted just in front of the valve covers, someone had designed and was selling at one time. Anyone else remember that?

 

Otherwise, here's the way I see it:

• Elf Pegs are expensive $345(set), functional and stylish complimenting all oilhead bike types.
  
• RCU Highway mount cost $232(econo pegs) +$60(standard pegs) or $173(BMW pegs), meaning that to do it 'right' would cost $405 - A functional and stout choice. They don't compliment bike styling and combined-use with critical engine bolts is less favorable design.
  
• Hawk Talon cost $90(mounts) +$60(adapter) and $173(BMW pegs), doing it 'right' costs $323 - Functional, and while these are available in a multitude of configurations for comfort, none of them particularly compliment bike styling and they use critical engine bolts to mount. Could be combined with $10 pegs for bare-bones $100 of functionality.
  

Elf pegs are 'the standard' by which other pegs are compared. Legitimate competitor products need to: function properly (all these models seem to), mount somewhere other than critical engine bolt locations, not interfere with accessory valve cover guards and compliment the bike's style or disappear when not in use.

[Alan D]

I like my elf pegs. Besides letting me stretch out they let me get some air around my seat on those plus 90 days.

I'll be selling my pegs for the 1100RT and looking for some for my 1200RT

 

[awagnon]

I had the "older style" RCU peg mounts with BMW brand folding pegs on my 1150RT. I rarely used them. I found my back felt better by putting my feet on the passenger pegs. I eventually took them off. I would consider selling them if interested. They are like new and include pegs and the three valve cover bolts for each side which I replaced when I removed the brackets. I even have the mounting instructions.

 

 

This is a catalog photo. Not my bike, but they look the same except the pegs have "BMW" written on them and are heavier duty.

[GMC]

You can read almost this exact same thread on other forums about other bikes, just change the names... Its all personal.

 

I bought the RT because the Ducati ST4 "sport touring" bike I have, while wonderful, is way too uncomfortable after about an hour. Yet there are guys who ride those things all day for days on end. I'll defend myself a bit a say i've got my share of 1000 mile days under my belt, but the only comfortable ones were on Harleys (or a multistrada) until I got the Sport Boards and the elf pegs for the RT. I use 'em both, and I'll never go back, and no longer feel the need for another bike for the long rides.

The elf pegs only come out for 3+hr legs in my case, but again everyones different. But the RT is a "no excuses" bike, meaning its the best all-around bike I've had, but only after adding the leg-stretching mods. Only then could i finally "check the box" for the final item on the long list of attributes which make up the perfect bike (IMHO, since of course that "list" would be hugely subjective).

I'm as cheap as the next guy, but unless you stole an uncharacteristically worn out old RT with zillion miles on it, and don't want to pour money into it, elf pegs are a no-brainer for the typically excellent RT, if you're the kind that needs the leg stretch (like me), plus the sport boards if you're a tall guy who wants/needs that little extra leg extension for ideal daily riding.

[snipe2084]

Has anyone tried the Wunderlich engine protection bars with pegs mounted to that?

[ElevenFifty]

Here's another approach. I used Hawks brackets and a set of adjustable Kuryakyn Longhorn mounts and pegs left over from my metric cruiser days. This combination allows me to place the pegs anywhere in a 4 inch circle from the center of the mounting point.

 

I've used these a couple of times, and may again, though they are not currently mounted. I agree that the RT is comfortable enough without pegs. I also found that you just don't get any benefit at highway speeds. They are a nice relief at 55mph but too much wind at 85+.

 

I did manage to strip a valve bolt receiver when first installing these - but it was more 'ham handedness' than a problem with the lost 3/8" threads. I put steel timesert inserts in all 8 valve cover holes subsequently 'just cause'.

 

The real adjustability of these things is terrific ... it takes one allen wrench and one open end wrench and you can get just about any length or angle you want in just a couple of minutes -

 

Sorry bout the picture quality - it's a rather severe zoom.

 

[CT_Rider]

I just picked up a pair of Elfs from a member here and let me tell you, at just under 6'4", a beam of light came down from the heavens when I first kicked those babies out. Yeah, I "need" my Elfs.

[GSGT]

where do I fing Hawk Talon pegs for a GT

[SKYGZR]

What?? Pegs?? Stop and have a brew, fuel, pee, sight see, stand up on the stockers, ..anything but "pegs" on a BM'r..geeees...if you're gonna get "pegs"...just sell the thing (or crash it), and get a Vulcan, ..or Hog,..or one of "those" floor board "cruiser" types.

 

- - - - - That's a Whole Bunch of NEGATIVES .. and besides... this isn't even a "wrenching" topic.

[RiceToy]

I ended up getting the elf pegs (used) for a good price earlier this year.

 

At the BMWMOA rally, I had the opportunity to meet Jared(sp?) of ccMotorcycles, inventor/designer of the J-pegs and his mom and dad (who does the CNC machining). I stopped by their booth just to say thanks for such a terrific product, and got into a little discussion about the design of the one's I had.

 

After a few minutes, we came to the realization that mine had the 2-spark base with the non-2spark arms and the clamp blocks were worn-out. NOTE: the clamp blocks should not be tightened completely down to the bases!

 

So Jared said, "Bring your bike to the booth and I'll look at them." After a quick inspection, he proceeded to change-out the arms to the newer (much improved) arms, and said they only sold the older arms for a couple months before redesigning and changing the arms - which have been around now for years.

 

Jared and his family are the nicest people you could meet, and they are making a fantastic product. Meeting them and other vendor/owners (like Kevin and Karilee of Olympia motorsports - riding gear) really made the rally for my wife and I.

 

My point is that the Elf pegs are not only a superior design and extremely well-made (in USA) but they also have a great family standing behind their products. There is value in that too.