crash bar suggestions?

[xprof]

OK, so I could use some crash bars. Do not ask me how I have suddenly come to realize this. What I want is crash bars that will also comfortably support my legs so as to straighten my knees occasionally during long rides. I'm thinking Motech. Any suggestions?

[Dr. Strangelove]

I use the SW Motech and yes they allow that. Might also have a look at Ilium works...they have hwy pegs to attach to them, though I have not found then particularly anatomically correct on a friend's 1150RS.

The SW Motechs are not real stiff metal and even with a 0 mph tipover they do bend slightly, still very functional, but they "give."

[MTBeemer]

Hepco Becker bars on my 08. They've done their job a few times in tip overs. They do not interfer with any routine maintenance procedures except replacing the alternator belt. I suppose you could put highway pegs on them. No matter what brand you get I recommend you get black, or at least not chrome. If they are called upon to do their job you'll want to be able to touch them up.

I saw a woman with an R12R in Branson, MO last week and she had highway pegs that attached to the valve covers and cover the upper spark plug. They are attached via lugs that fit in the channel where the wire runs and expand to grip the walls of the channel. She claimed they work well and she had many miles with them mounted. Sorry, I do not know the maker.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Agree on black/painted, btdt, unless you're never going to need them.
Those highway pegs , I think , really spread your legs and put you in an awkward seating position.

[xprof]

Thanx guys, I agree with all comments. My legs are way too long to fit any highway pegs, and I don't like to have them spread wide, so just resting them on the top of the cylinders works for me. I have ordered the SW Motech crash bars, and as soon as I'm off my crutches I'll try 'em out. Go slow on those slippery concrete stream-crossings! (Just saying...)

[Dr. Strangelove]

I too rested my legs on top of cylinders on my 1150. As the r12 arrived w the SW Motechs I can compare. Resting my legs on the SW Motechs is very similar in feel and maybe a little more comfy.

[xprof]

Exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you, my dear Dr. S!

[dbrick]

Go slow on those slippery concrete stream-crossings! (Just saying...)

Ho ho ho. Back in maybe 2002, I was riding my R1100RSL up Berryessa-Knoxville Road, heading towards Clearlake. I was by myself. The road more-or-less parallels a stream, and the stream crosses the road via shallow concrete swales in maybe a dozen places. The swales are wet and consequently mossy. I'd just washed the bike. Wanting to keep it clean, I thought I'd minimize spashing of dirty water by going slowly through the swales. Do you see where this is leading?

I went slow, and tumped right over, quite unhurt. No worries, I thought, I'll just put my butt in the seat, grab the low bar, push backwards into the bike and lift it up. Except that because the swale was wet and mossy...it was also extremely slippery. I couldn't get enough traction under my boots to lift the bike. On this road, mid-week as it was, there was a car or two an hour. Maybe.

Eventually, I got the bike up. I learned that there are some things more important than cleanliness.

[Clem]

Yes, me too. Ha-Ha. I have gotten in a pinch or two myself when I was alone, and I can sympathize with what you gentlemen are saying.
xprof, mend well and quickly Sir. Hope there are no more surprises like that this year.

[Antoine31]

I had Touratech crash bars on my R1200GS. They seemed very sturdy and had an excellent design that looked like they would actually survive a crash and protect the bike. I'm not sure I'll put bars on my brand new R1200R but I like the look of the SW Motech items, even though they might not be as strong as they look. My question: Which of the available bars are the strongest and might survive a crash?

[Steve H.]

I have SW Motech(black) on my bike.Very comphy for resting my legs on the longer trip.I didn't try them in bad scence........yet
Once I "droped"my bike in the garage.That was a slow motion drop,trying tohold the bike upright,but could not hold it's weight after a certain angle.(I should go for some body building )So,I just put it down.The bike rested on SW Motech,and two wheels nothing else tuched down.I repaired the crush bar paint with a tuchup black .Nothing is visible.

Steve H.

[angellr]

I had Touratech crash bars on my R1200GS. They seemed very sturdy and had an excellent design that looked like they would actually survive a crash and protect the bike. I'm not sure I'll put bars on my brand new R1200R but I like the look of the SW Motech items, even though they might not be as strong as they look. My question: Which of the available bars are the strongest and might survive a crash?

Here they are installed on my new R as follows:



Like them LOTS!

[R12RnHouston]

I had Touratech crash bars on my R1200GS. They seemed very sturdy and had an excellent design that looked like they would actually survive a crash and protect the bike. I'm not sure I'll put bars on my brand new R1200R but I like the look of the SW Motech items, even though they might not be as strong as they look. My question: Which of the available bars are the strongest and might survive a crash?

Here they are installed on my new R as follows:



Like them LOTS!

They look great on your bike; like factory!

[Antoine31]

Bars look great on the beautiful Dark White bike-- the same as mine! Looks like SW Motech is the one.