Help needed from USA S Riders

[Don in Oz]

Guys,

I currently have the stock low bars on my 99 "S".
I am currently negotiating with someone in the USA to buy his higher bars. The ad reads as follows :-

Stock High (above tripple clamp) handle bars. Removed from 2001 1100S Special edition when switched to low bars. < 2k miles / mint condition.

My questions are:-

1) Can I mount these bars to my bike. My current bars are located below the triple clamp.

2) If the answer to 1 above is yes, will the finished job give a nice clean finished look to the bike. I don't like the looks of some of the other alternatives available.

3) Will it give the same lift upwards & slighly backwards as the replacement BMW Comfort Bars.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Kurt E.]

Don:

I considered doing the same thing to my "S", but decided to keep things as is based on feedback from other posters. It is my understanding that the high bars will be a direct, bolt-on replacement for your low (under triple clamp) bars.

From what others have posted, the high bars are not any more comfortable and negatively impact the feel of the front end. I'd like a little shorter reach to the bars (and a little less weight on my wrists), but not at the expense of handling.

Good riding, and I hope this helps!

[CarlosT]

Don:
The high bars should fit no problem. They have little locating nubs at the bottom which can be sawed off if necessary. I have the high bars and sometimes I'd like to try the low bars because of the same thing Kurt pointed out. Depending on your torso length and heft, the high bars put you in an uncomfortable angle with little tank support.

[bike&ski]

I just did this two weeks ago! Sadly I paid full list at the dealer part counter, lucky you. It looks exactly like an OEM highbar set, bars go above the triple clamps and have a cast pin that goes in the clamping slot for the "fork" to prevent rotation. If you have heated grips the grip wires will be the most time consuming, have to be removed from the connector under the tank. Right after the install noticed a big difference, bars felt much higher with more leverage. Now they just feel normal. Helps keep the pain out of my neck not having to rotate up looking down the road.

[Don in Oz]

Guys,

Thanks for the help, it is very much appreciated. As the cost is reasonable, I will go ahead & purchase the bars. As for handling, trust me, I'm probably one of the slowest "S" riders on the board.

[Rattus]

Hi Don, I'd be interested to hear how you find the raised bars - and how they influence steering. With a more relaxed seating position I suspect it would be easier to steer since the arms will be pushing more directly forward onto the bars. When I test rode the R1150R I was impressed with how easily it steered due to its streetfighter style highish bars... maybe with the high bars on the S it would feel similar. I find that to really make the S steer at its best with standard bars I have to kinda lie on the tank.

[Don in Oz]

Rattus,

Whilst I havn't ridden the 1150R, I share your sentiments. I was up at Procycles recently & saddled one they had up there as a demo. I really like the seating position & much like you the wider bars felt great, hopefuly translating to more confidnce in steering/handling. Unfortunately the pillion pad/seat did not suit Marion at all.

As for the new bars, I have confirmed to the USA seller that I will take them. Interestingly, his bike is the same paint scheme as yours.

[JF]

If you have a non-ABS bike with low bars now, you might have get new brake lines. It you have ABS, you should have enough play to do either. That is what I remember reading on this board in the past anyhooo.

[CarlosT]

Anybody have low bars for sale? I'd like to try them out on my 2001.

[CarlosT]

Here's a question. Let's say you have a 2001 with high bars. Would it be possible to move these to a lower position?

[Dan Alexander]

Hi Guys
I've got a set of low bars I'll sell ... I had them above the tripple clamp but recently bought a stock set of high bars off the IBMWR site. I paid $175 ... open to offers.
Dan