Handle bar problem

[mkmd555]

Hi:

R1150 2002.
This is my first oil head. I think it is simply a great bike, and so sophisticated. I have had Honda Valkyrie, Kawi Vulcan 1500, R100/7, but nothing comes close to this in handling.

The only difficulty I am having is this: since I am only 5’ 7” I ride as if I am riding a crotch rocket.

I want a handlebar riser/raiser.

What are your recommendations on a handle bar riser?

In addition to the above, is it possible to lower the bike a bit? If so, how. My feet do not touch the ground fully.

Best regards

M Khan

[ruddy]

Here's a possible solution for lowering the bike (a lower seat): http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14209

Many places sell handlebar risers. If you do a search in the archives, you'll find threads on these topics. Here are a few links to get you started:

https://store.bobsbmw.com/index.asp?Pag ... stom&ID=11
http://www.suburban-machinery.com/
http://www.ascycles.com/

Welcome to the Roadster and to the board!

[mcollect]

I tried all of the aftermarket seats and the corbin had the best effect on my feet touching the ground. The sargent was a close second but on a long ride it was too soft. I did learn to slide my butt to one side to allow me to flat foot the bike. BTW I am small in the rear and that helps make the Corbin comfortable.

[awagnon]

What are your recommendations on a handle bar riser?

In addition to the above, is it possible to lower the bike a bit? If so, how. My feet do not touch the ground fully.

I bought my R-bike from a young lady who was about 5' 6" tall. She had the low seat. I bought a used tall seat on this forum and it's perfect. ( Even comfortable, if you can believe it. ) Anyway, do you have the stock tall seat? If so, look for a used low seat. I have one I wasn't planning to sell, but could be talked out of it if you really need one.

Mototechniques barbacks bring the bars about 1.5 inches closer and are probably about the least expensive out there. Wunderlich touring wellness bars bring the bars about 2.5 inches closer, but this is negated by being two inches wider. The barbacks help, but don't make it like a GS or RT.

[jonboy59]

Take a look at "Rox" risers. I think they are by far the most elegant of the choices.

[challey]

Great choice of bikes - welcome to the Board.

Have you tried rotating the bars? You can reduce the reach a little (maybe an inch) by rotating the bars rearward, although this moves the bars downward a bit as well, which may or may not be an acceptable tradoff. You may also have to move the brake & clutch reservoirs to get them back to parallel with the ground. Can't beat the cost though and it may be enough to make things comfortable for you.

As far as lowering things, you can get about 1/2" closer to the ground by removing the rubber bumpers under the seat and replacing them with a few wrappings of electrical tape. I did this (I'm also 5' 7"with only a 29" inseam) and though I still need about another 1/2" to flat foot under all conditions, it was a significant improvement.

You made a great choice of rides! Good luck with the new bike and ride safe.

Charlie

[mkmd555]

I liked the ideas about the seat mod. I will remove the rubbers from the seat.

As far as the risers go, I ordered them from Mototech. The price was 49.00

I also want a used low seat. I will appreciate if Al, from Ogden Utah, might be willing to sell his low seat.

Thanks all
M Khan

[Airman]

Take a look at "Rox" risers. I think they are by far the most elegant of the choices.

The Rox risers look nice. Do theu make them for the RR ?

[awagnon]

I also want a used low seat. I will appreciate if Al, from Ogden Utah, might be willing to sell his low seat.

I sent you a PM.

[mkmd555]

Charlie:

Thanks a lot. Your simple ideas of lowering the seat by removing the rubber made me almost flat foot the bike. I also tried the handlebar trick, it works.

Thanks again

M Khan

[Airman]

Hi:

R1150 2002.
This is my first oil head. I think it is simply a great bike, and so sophisticated. I have had Honda Valkyrie, Kawi Vulcan 1500, R100/7, but nothing comes close to this in handling.
The only difficulty I am having is this: since I am only 5’ 7” I ride as if I am riding a crotch rocket.
I want a handlebar riser/raiser.
What are your recommendations on a handle bar riser?
In addition to the above, is it possible to lower the bike a bit? If so, how. My feet do not touch the ground fully.
Best regards
M Khan

Let me suggest the Wunderlich touring bars. I think they're about $120 USD from Santa Cruz BMW. They're a little wider and pulled back quite a bit. I'm about to install a set and near as I can tell the controls will be as far back as you can go without using longer control cables. I have an even straighter bar then the stock set on the bike now and thought it would be a better touring rig with a deeper bar. I think Wunderlich makes a lower seat with narrowed side panels, but It may be more expensive then doing a custom seat. If you were in the Seattle area I would suggest you go to Rich's and have him cut your seat all to pieces and see if he could drop it down and inch or two.

Somebody help me with this. Didn't Pat take some spacers out of the front seat mount or something ?

[awagnon]

Let me suggest the Wunderlich touring bars. I think they're about $120 USD from Santa Cruz BMW. They're a little wider and pulled back quite a bit.

+1 on the Wunderlich bars. I just replaced my Mototechnique bar backs with a Wunderlich bar. By my measurements, as noted above, the Wunderlich bar brings the bars back only one inch more than bar backs. That one inch is partly offset by having your grips one inch further out on each side. I didn't like the Wunderlich bars until I rotated them up quite a bit. Now I like them. The wider bars give me a little more precise control and makes the bike feel lighter. I considered using the Wunderlich bar WITH the bar backs as some have done. However, my cables and hoses just aren't long enough. I might still do it in the future with GS adventure cables and hoses (when I have the money to burn).

[SlideRuyle]

I am considering selling my r1150r and buying either a valkryie or a 1500 vulcan. I herniated a disc in my back and I really need something that I can put a back rest on. Why did you sell those bikes?
Slideruyle