Lower handlebars on R1150RT?

[WaltOliver]

I traded my Ducati ST2 for an R1150RT because the riding position was a little too hard on my aging body. The ST handlebars were a bit too low (even with risers) resulting in sore neck and shoulders after 200 - 300 miles. I love my RT, but I find that my mid-back gets sore after about an hour or two on the road.

I think that lowering the bars, possibly moving them a bit forward so I can get some forward lean in my body (between the stock RT and the ST2) might do the trick, but I can only find bar risers. Anyone know of a gadget to adapt lower bars to the RT? Would such a conversion require replacement of the cables or hoses? Would the heated grips be compromised?

Thanks in advance for your help,


Walter Oliver

[sgborgstrom]

I think you ar looking for this:
http://www.moto-techniques.com/513046.htm

Good luck!

Steve

[WaltOliver]

Thanks, Steve! For some reason Google didn't find that.


Walter

[Zbag]

I had the same thing going on with my back and I did this handle kit and it worked great. I got the kit from A@S BMW in cal. Adaptors and K100 handle, It was much more expensive then this kit. I have an R1100R like the pic. Not a RT so not sure a bout that part of the work. It was very easy to do, I didn't have to remove the brake lines but on the one side I loosened it and turned (no fluid leak). I can't remember but I think there was some problem putting the end caps back on? Also I had to cut the bmw handguards that were add on's.

Good luck

[MarkF]

Stock bars from a R1100R might work. They are very similar but seem to be a bit lower and forward. It would retain the stock appearance.

[danobeemer]

Walter,
I experienced a similar pain in the back from the stock positioning of the RT bars and tried the Bar-backs/risers with no avail. Then, a friend of mine - "cruisin" a registered user here on BMWMOA drilled and threaded new holes in my "risers" that made the angle of the bars more along the lines of the 1200C which has cured my aching back problem. I can now ride through a full tank and feel none of the former pain in the back and neck. Send him a PM he will be happy to help. With his set-up one can also angle the slope downwards as with the Round handle bars by only adding a well placed washer and obtaining a longer bolt and no changing of bars, grips, cables, etc..
Good luck!

Dan :thumb

[WaltOliver]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.