change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Rob H · Post by **Rob H** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:56 pm

I'm considering changing the angle of my Rockster handle bars slightly to improve the ergonomics of my hand position. Looks like about 10 degrees down and 10 degrees back should do it. I have access to a tube bender so I can do a correct job and I'm guessing the controls / cable lengths will not be affected. Although I'm not sure if the switches will then hit the tank at full turn. If that is the case, I'll try to avoid that from occurring while still changing the angle.

Anyone done this?

Rob H

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:15 pm

Would you be worried about hitting the tank? I know the stock Rockster bars are super low already. You probably wouldn't be able to turn them to the bar stops though...You could also put "bar backs" on if you need them closer to you.

Rob H · Post by **Rob H** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:38 pm

Beaze wrote:Would you be worried about hitting the tank? I know the stock Rockster bars are super low already. You probably wouldn't be able to turn them to the bar stops though...You could also put "bar backs" on if you need them closer to you.

It's not so much a matter of moving them closer to me. I'm more interested in changing the angle of my hands. You can get an idea of what I'm trying to do by holding your hands out in front of you in the Rockster's flat bar position then relax them - you will see they naturally turn about 10 degrees; the right hand clockwise and the left hand counter clockwise. That is the more natural position I'm hoping to achieve. The fore arms will be less torqued.

harrisphil · Post by **harrisphil** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:54 pm

have you tried just rotating the bars in the clamps
a few degrees of rotation can make a differance

Post by **NoRRmad** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:47 pm

Have you tried Roadster bars? (They might at least provide a template, since they don't interfere with the tank.)

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:11 pm

NoRRmad wrote:Have you tried Roadster bars? (They might at least provide a template, since they don't interfere with the tank.)

I've got roadster bars installed on mine now, it does make for a more comfy/relaxed ride. But then I guess it kinda takes the Rock* out and replaces it with a Road*... Does that mean I'm riding a Rocky Road

? I kinda want to go watch Goonies now.

Rob H · Post by **Rob H** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:35 am

Beaze wrote:
NoRRmad wrote:Have you tried Roadster bars? (They might at least provide a template, since they don't interfere with the tank.)

I've got roadster bars installed on mine now, it does make for a more comfy/relaxed ride. But then I guess it kinda takes the Rock* out and replaces it with a Road*... Does that mean I'm riding a Rocky Road

? I kinda want to go watch Goonies now.

Are there any issues with the controls hitting the tank? Was it a direct swap? Everything fit without mods? What is the new riding position with the roadster bars? What model are they from exactly?

Thanks for answering so many questions.

Rob

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:10 am

You do realize that the Rockster and Roadster bars are not just plain tubes. They have machined steel parts welded to their ends to allow the heated grip wires to come through and to allow the bar end weights to screw in. They're also not 1" steel, but 22 mm or something like that. Just saying, it's not like replacing the bars on a UJM. Also, depending on how big a change you want to make, you may have problems with the brake line; it has limited slack. I would raise the stock bars up first and then pivot them down. Just pivoting them down will not allow you to clear the tank. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:31 am

Are there any issues with the controls hitting the tank? Was it a direct swap? Everything fit without mods? What is the new riding position with the roadster bars? What model are they from exactly?

Thanks for answering so many questions.

Rob[/quote]

It was a direct swap (by previous owner) and the bike came with the Roadster bars on it when I purchased it. The riding position is fairly upright, but I can still lean forward and get aggressive in the twisties. The bars do not hit the tank at full swing and everything fit without modifying from what I can tell.

The one thing I did notice was that when I swapped my stock suspension out for the Ohlins shocks the front brake line has more tension on it while on the center stand. I believe Ves came across the issue when he did his (more shock related than bar related).

I overlayed the Rockster bars over the Roadster bars and the Roadsters seem to be slightly back, but obviously higher. I'll take a picture of the overlay for you later today. Overall I like the roadster bars and don't care to swap the Rockster bars back.

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:11 am

Rob,

Here are a few of the pictures I said I'd take. I apologize for the piss poor image quality...comes from a piss poor camera

. Let me know if you'd like a certain "Money Shot" of the bars and I'll see what I can do. Hope it helps, have a good one!

B

This one should show you how high up the bars moved. I took it with the camera sitting on the rear luggage rack.

Rob H · Post by **Rob H** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:54 am

Excellent. Thanks for taking the time to do that.
I'm going to look on eBay for a set. Are they called Roadster bars for a r1150?

Rob

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:39 pm

No problem! I'd look for standard R1150R bars, I call them "Roadster" but I don't know if that's right. But I do know they came off of a standard R1150R.

Post by **sweatmark** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:35 pm

Everyone's ergonomics are different. For me, the Roadster bar is too narrow, with excess sweep (back towards rider) for the posture I find most comfortable without windshield. 15k miles on our Roadster was the basis for my opinion.

For my Rockster, the OE handlebar was great except for the forearm twist & pump that you describe above. Remedy was simply a 1" riser and slight rotation of the bar within the clamps to turn the wrists to more neutral position. Perfect, retaining enough forward lean for the front end* feel I like.

As Ves has noted, the BMW bars are 22mm, and have atypical construction for fitment of end weights and heated grips.

*some would argue that's there no front end feel on a Telelever bike... and much of the time I agree.

kneedown · Post by **kneedown** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:50 pm

Hey Beaze,I'll really want to know where you got your tank pads.
Thanks

Mike

Beaze · Post by **Beaze** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:56 pm

kneedown wrote:Hey Beaze,I'll really want to know where you got your tank pads.
Thanks

Mike

Mike,

I believe the brand is GCC, it's a german company. The previous owner kindly put them on prior to my purchase so I don't know exactly where he got them. I'll e-mail him and ask, I can't seem to find any website for them?...

B

Edit Mike I got a reply and the link is http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/mm5/me ... e=R1150R-P. What do ya know, a BMW accessory for under $50 bux!

BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?

Re: change handle bar angle for better ergonomics?