I just rode with my new Moto-Techniques Bar-Backs!

ferragamo · Post by **ferragamo** » Wed May 24, 2006 6:39 pm

This was the best $40 I've spent so far. I bought the Modified 1" rise and 1 and 5/8" setback kit. The quality is great, the installation is simple, and the price is right. The new position of the bars is right where I wanted them. I rode around for a few hours today and was much more comfortable. I would highly recommend this product. They don't look as good as the Verholen ones, but they cost about a sixth of the money.

Hiker · Post by **Hiker** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:08 pm

Glad to hear it! Mine are on the way, but I got the longer stretch.

At that price, I bought them just to try them out!

Hiker

ferragamo · Post by **ferragamo** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:56 pm

Yeah I figured at that price you can't go wrong. I may try the Wunderlich touring bars at some point, but I these are a great change. Remember to put a towel over your tank. You don't want a flying allen wrench to ruin your day!

Post by **bimrluvr** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:55 pm

Enjoy the bar backs! Quite a difference for such a small ergonomic change, isn't it?

I went to the Wunderlich Touring Wellness bars from the MotoTechniques and wholeheartedly recommend them. If you try them, write back here for tips on the removal/installation.

ferragamo · Post by **ferragamo** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:42 am

bimrluvr wrote:Enjoy the bar backs! Quite a difference for such a small ergonomic change, isn't it?

I went to the Wunderlich Touring Wellness bars from the MotoTechniques and wholeheartedly recommend them. If you try them, write back here for tips on the removal/installation.

What is the big difference? Are they wider than factory bars? What is your body position now compared to just the barbacks? Did all the cables and wires clear? Thanks, Troy

Post by **bimrluvr** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:13 pm

They are further back, a little bit taller. Wider so you have beter leverage for quick steering. I sit more upright than I did with the barbacks. They're neater looking.
I did not have to change any cables, etc., but I did extremely slight rerouting to allow for more play in the lines and eliminate sharper bends on brake lines, etc.
Some pics, might help...
http://mcpatents.com/Family/R1150Rpage.html

ferragamo · Post by **ferragamo** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:14 pm

bimrluvr wrote:They are further back, a little bit taller. Wider so you have beter leverage for quick steering. I sit more upright than I did with the barbacks. They're neater looking.
I did not have to change any cables, etc., but I did extremely slight rerouting to allow for more play in the lines and eliminate sharper bends on brake lines, etc.
Some pics, might help...
http://mcpatents.com/Family/R1150Rpage.html

Your bike looks great! I'll most likely take that route later in the summer. I've got lowering pegs on the way from another member for my next project. I really like the bar-backs, but at the end of the day they don't look factory. I guess that kind of bugs me.

Post by **bimrluvr** » Sat May 27, 2006 12:04 am

yeah, that's part of what pushed me towards the touring bars; that and my aching back and numb fingers (and really short arms)

Post by **Doug** » Sat May 27, 2006 9:20 pm

I bought these too. Good product!

Post by **awagnon** » Wed May 31, 2006 8:27 pm

Bimrluvr: Do the Wunderlich bars come with decent installation instructions? Any problems with changing over the heated grips? It looks like the bars are chrome rather than a dull brushed silver like the original. Correct? I was going to try the bar backs, but you've convinced me to go ahead with the Wunderlich bars.

Thanks, Al

Post by **bimrluvr** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:03 pm

Yes, the bars are chrome, nicely done.

There are no installation instructions to speak of. I used my Clymer's manual as a guide to figure most of it out.
Basically the steps are:
[1] remove gas tank and undo grip heaters from their Molex connector. That will let you pull the wire back through the handlebars after everything else has been loosened.
[2] Next remove each and every screw holding the control housings together. There is one screw hidden by the mirror shaft and there are some that are visible only from below. It all pops apart, piece by piece until you can access the main bolt that holds the control to the bar.
[3] Remove handle bar end weights.
[4] peel back rubber grips enough to see if there is a screw holding the grip in place (the left one has 3 such screws) and remove the grips.
[5] remove controls and take off old bars.
[6] Do steps 5, 4 3 2 and 1 to reassemble.

The one major mistake that cost me later was trying to remove the grips without first removing the tank to disconnect the heater plugs.
Another tip would be to undo all cable ties for the controls and drop the headlight assembly so you can easily reroute the cables without losing any play.
It was a fun project that I can now do in a third to half the time it first took me.

Post by **wncbmw** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:14 pm

Funny how people's riding preferences are so different. I want shorter and more forward bars, like a R90S. I believe Wunderlich makes a set which is on my very long list of things to add to the bike.

When I first got the Roadster, I thought the stock bars were ape hangers!

Of course, I spent many a year with my old R100RS clipons and even after I changed out to KRS bars, I still very much had a forward position, which I would like to get back.

Post by **awagnon** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:47 pm

Thanks, Bimrluvr, for the quick reply. I'm sure I'll give it a try. I rode the bike home from work tonight, only about 45 miles, but a lot of it was stop and go. Makes it hard on my wrists and hands. Thanks again.

Al

Post by **bimrluvr** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:35 pm

Sure thing, Al.

Vann, the difference could just be that I am 5' 3" with inseam and arm lengths to match. The difference between a very forward reach and where the touring bars put, is the difference between tippytoeing all the time and being able to put my feet (or one at least) flat on the ground at a moments notice. Also, steering is less complicated if I don't have to lean forward, putting all my upper body weight on my forearms/wrists, which necessarily keeps my arms stiff out and hard to readjust for giving properly subtle steering inputs.

RiftonRoadster · Post by **RiftonRoadster** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:06 am

ok- I'm gonna jump in on this wunderlich touring bar thing.
I already have the longer barbacks. I've done the valves and TB's to keep the vibes at a minimum and I'm looking at decreasing the vibrations even further. I'm going to try removing the barbacks to see if that works as I've had them on since I got the bike.
Do the wunderlich bars reduced the vibes. The Ricky bars claim to do so but right now the price is a little steep for me.

Peter

Post by **bimrluvr** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:08 pm

It might reduce the sensation of vibes only because you're putting far less pressure on your forearms/wrists/hands, but I won't swear to it. The bars are a little heavier so that may contribute to quieting the vibes.

I have noticed that my Held Fresh riding gloves seems better at reducing vibes than any other "light" gloves I've tried.