R1100S and a broken back

samb · 08:31 AM

A little background first. I had a 99 11S several years back. Liked it. Sold it. Then moved to dirt and DS bikes for a while. Then in August of 2013 I broke my L5 and did some disc and nerve damage while riding a rally in Colorado.

Move forward about a year and I am back to the point where I can ride again. The Rally bike is too tall for me to handle right now so it sits and waits. I traded my big Vstrom and got a nice used 02 R11S with RD bar backs. The theory being that because the weight was so low VS the V that I could more easily push it around.

ANd that's totally true. BUT the lean is just too much for my back. Like the first 15 minute ride (that blew out the front brake lines FYI) left me unable to stand for two days and pretty much useless for another. Pain meds, muscle relaxers an Ice packs...my very best friends.

That, dear reader, is what brings us here today. I am trying to figure out if adding a bar kit LSL or other will allow me to push the bars back and up enough to get me closer to the sit up and beg position where my back will be happy.

Can I swap it out for a better option? Do I just bail on it and find something smaller/lighter with better ergos?

Edit: I didn't mention that I already have the rapid dog bar backs. I'm trying to get higher and further back than those. Do the Superbike kits accomplish that or not?

Before I quit this one I'd like to hear who's got what for bars that might help.

Thanks and ride safe,
Sam

omg1010 · omg1010's Garage

You could use any superbike kit (like spiegler, abm, etc) which will get you into a more upright position. An alternative would be this: Welcome to R11S Relief

And if you need to raise the handlebar any further (over and above the superbike kit) have a look at this: MotoMacondo ProTaper Handlebar Mounts

Brgds
Oliver

samb · 09-29-2014, 08:32 AM

Sorry. Edited the first post to reflect that I arleady have Rapid's bar backs. I need to go further back and up.

kpolito99 · 11:49 AM

Samb,

Sorry to learn of the back issues and ergo related challenges you are experiencing.

I had an R1100S which I rode for almost 10 years and even with the bars on top of the triple clamp it never quite felt optimal for me.

Now I am riding an R1200S which is a completely different animal but seems to fit my 5'9" 165 lb frame a little better. Unfortunately I ran into an issue that on short rides where I did not benefit from the highway speed winds on my chest, my wrists began to ache and I got a little tingly like I had lightly bumped my funny bone.

I went straight for the LSL bar kit and I love it. Apparently you can mix and match a variety of different bar styles to suit your liking. I purchased my kit from a Pelican who had never installed it and it came with fatty superbike bars.

A friend who I ride with from time to time rode my LSL equipped R1200S and commented that the bar position reminded him of another riding buddies R1200R. Guess my advice to you might be to locate a used R1200R and take it for an extended test ride. If you can tolerate the bar position then I think it may be a logical next step to assume that you could make the LSL bar kit work for you on the R1100S.

FYI - last Christmas I purchased my wife a used SV650S and her wrists were severely irritated by the aggressive riding posture. I purchased an LSL kit for the SV and it also has completely transformed the bike.

IMHO unless you spend a significant amount of time in the mountains or on a track the clip-on style bars are more of a pain in the wrist than they are worth.

samb · 09-29-2014, 11:51 AM

Great points. Thanks for that.

I just talked to Rubber chicken racing and he was really helpful re: LSL Bars etc.

Will have to get a quote from him then decide if that's where I want to spend my $$ or if I just want to call it off and move this bike down the road.

omg1010 · omg1010's Garage

Hi Sam,

maybe some fellow rider with a modified (superbike bar conversion) in your vicinity shows up where at least you you could try the seating ....?

Brgds
Oliver

Rapid Dog · 09-30-2014, 11:39 AM

...the standard bar options all seem to be expensive but they'll do the job...

Hornig

MV Motorrad

ABM

Maybe find a used set somewhere?

Rapid Dog · 09-30-2014, 11:41 AM

...this guy made his own: R1100s high handlebar mod

Rapid Dog · 09-30-2014, 11:42 AM

...have you lowered your pegs Sam? That can help alot with getting your back straight as well.

samb · 09-30-2014, 11:45 AM

My new(to me) lowering plates are on their way as we speak.

I'm really hoping that those and being able to install the corbin (lower/flatter - needs the bracket) will help. If not then I'm going to have to go to a superbike bar...or an RT.

samb · 10-07-2014, 12:19 PM

New brake lines and an LSL bar riser kit ordered from Speigler.

Hope to put them on before long.

Rapid Dog · 10-07-2014, 12:44 PM

....good on ya, you should be pretty comfy with all that.

hugzy · hugzy's Garage

The LSL superbike kit works really well, just put the clamps on the top of your forks and you can use any bars you want.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Dude, get a GS, by the time you lower the pegs and doubly raise the bars that R11S is going to handle like a POS, and it's not so hot to begin with.

RBMann · 10-18-2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shreddr

Dude, get a GS, by the time you lower the pegs and doubly raise the bars that R11S is going to handle like a POS, and it's not so hot to begin with.

All this time I was riding a POS in DDP and didn't know it. Educate me, how does lowering the pegs and raising the bars so completely ruin the handling?

I will admit the GS is more comfortable.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBMann

All this time I was riding a POS in DDP and didn't know it. Educate me, how does lowering the pegs and raising the bars so completely ruin the handling?

I will admit the GS is more comfortable.

you tell me, do you think handlebar and footpeg placement has any impact on the handling of a motorcycle? Does an HD with ape hangers and recliner lounger footpegs handle the same as a CBR? Do you think BMW designed the R11S assuming most owners would jack up the bars and drop the pegs, and therefore adjusted the weight distribution accordingly?

I don't want to get into the R11S vs whatever pissing match, I had one and fully understand it's limitations as a sport bike. which is why I upgraded, Twice! If you are talking sport touring there are probably better ways to go if the R11S ergos aren't working for you, and the GS is an excellent option if you want to stay in the fold

RBMann · 10-18-2014, 09:19 AM

Off to work now, we'll talk later.

RBMann · 10-18-2014, 02:38 PM

Your extreme HD example shows that handle bar height and foot peg location affect handling. I agree. However the changes that the OP wants to make are not going to make the R1100S into a POS. He will see bigger changes in handling during the normal life cycle of a set of tires.

Then again, you are a master engine builder so I wonder if you put a new muffler on your trolling motor and I went for the bait.

wswartzwel · 10-18-2014, 03:41 PM

My back went south last year…hurts like hell all the time. I find the R1100S with the bars below the clamps like my boxer cup prep came stock, gives me the least problems after an all day ride. My 1200GS is ok… but not as good as leaning forward. when sitting straight up the disks in my back take a beating from every bump… but when leaning forward my body can flex as I hit bumps, and there is not as much shock to the disks… also my R1100S has Ohlins for a much nicer ride. My son and I did a weekend ride last month, and after 2 days on the S I felt like my back was cured… though a few days later the pain came back. The KTM beats the hell out of me.. but thats because I can't help myself and am doing wheelies all the time on it. It is so fun that I am willing to put up with the pain…

I can not see how super bike bars will turn the 1100S into a POS… but perhaps there is some hyperbole involved since shredder is beyond a purist with his super duper hp2per.

Good luck with your back Samb… Hope you can get your bike comfy.

samb · 10-30-2014, 08:18 AM

wswartzwel sorry to hear about your back. Glad you've found an option that's working for you for now.

I'm in the middle of replacing all the brake lines and installing the new LSL Bars (very nice position. But saddle time will tell.)

If not I'll just grab an FZ-07 or something like it come spring.

Wish the seat on my Rally bike was more comfy I'd just ride that thing all over.