General topics » Installed Hornig bar risers. Quick review.

I had ordered Helibars from Revzilla which I returned because they had big black marks on them. So given that, I decided to try the Hornigs because they looked a bit nicer in pictures. I was right. They are more nicely machined and a better match to the factory parts. I also like that the Hornigs use torx bolts instead of the hex bolts that Helibar suppled.

The downside if the Hornigs is that the instructions were terrible. They basically say bolt them on and you're good. I ended going more by the Helibar instructions.

If you install these, one important step is this. You can't just torque the risers down, then mount the bars. If you do, it's difficult to get the bolts holding the bars to thread in smoothly. I mounted the risers with the bolts just slightly loose, then mounted the bars on those and slightly snugged the bolts, then torqued the front bolts on the risers. After that I removed the bars, torqued the back bolts on the risers and remount the bars. The Horniq instructions said nothing about this.

The clutch line is too tight at full right lock, so I ordered the Helibar clutch line extender. That should be here in a couple of days but I'm going to ride the bike tomorrow just to test it. I never go full lock anyway so I'm not too worried.

I have to say, I think BMW kind of screwed up by not putting the bars in this position in the first place.

Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #1

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I have to say, I think BMW kind of screwed up by not putting the bars in this position in the first place.

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Zitat von Brickhead im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #1

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I have to say, I think BMW kind of screwed up by not putting the bars in this position in the first place.

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I think that's a matter of preference. Personally, I wouldn't mind having the bars a little further back and lower, but I can live with status quo.
A slightly longer clutch line to accommodate risers, however, would probably have been a good thing.

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Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #1

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I have to say, I think BMW kind of screwed up by not putting the bars in this position in the first place.

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Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #4

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(and let’s be honest here, they’re not really going on an adventure, there’re off to the shops like the rest of us!)

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Zitat von Brickhead im Beitrag #5

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...whereas the RS might find it's way up a dry riverbed covered by tennisball-sized pebbles. Sometimes things get interesting when the map doesn't match the terrain, and stubborn riders are hell-bent on finding that non-existient mountain road. I think my friend on a GSA struggled as much as I did.

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Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #6

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Sir, I salute you!

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Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #4

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Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #1

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I have to say, I think BMW kind of screwed up by not putting the bars in this position in the first place.

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But then I, and most of RS owners would need bar lowering kits.

BMW does have a couple of options to solve this problem

1. R1250RT - for the gentleman tourer
2. R1250GS - for the gentleman explorer

The R1250RS is for the more sporting gentleman, just might not be the right one for you? I know it’s the looks! Both great bikes but the RT is a big old lump and the GS is just plain ugly, (and let’s be honest here, they’re not really going on an adventure, there’re off to the shops like the rest of us!)

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None of us would put up with a car where you could not adjust the reach to the pedals or the height of the steering wheel!!

Chris

The RS has a lighter format with conventional forks. I rode the RT and the GS, but preferred the R/RS. Risers and BMW’s adjustable foot controls added to my RS make it comfortable for my annual ~5,500 mile trip. When I reach the really twisty parts it is sublime, but it is also superb if I have to drone the interstate at 85mph up in Montana. Set up for my particulars, I can easily cover 500-600miles a day...day after day. I tried out Telelever back in the nineties, but found the steering to be vague with it. That and the goofy indicator switches put me off Beemers for quite a while...even though my previous one had an unusual front suspension and no indicator switch at all!

B20A6CD2-B170-4BE5-AE0D-24B55816E066.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

I used the Hornig bar risers - the ones that move the bars closer to you as well. I used their clutch line extender too. Both fitted perfectly and easily; I agree with the comment above that the Hornig's are beautifilly machined matching the bike very well. We are all different shapes and sizes but, for me, it pushes the bike towards being a compact tourer. Just what I want, it fits me perfectly and I prefer to travel light. For touring folk who want a smaller package than the RT...just perfect!

Zitat von pauld im Beitrag #11

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I used the Hornig bar risers - the ones that move the bars closer to you as well. I used their clutch line extender too. Both fitted perfectly and easily; I agree with the comment above that the Hornig's are beautifilly machined matching the bike very well. We are all different shapes and sizes but, for me, it pushes the bike towards being a compact tourer. Just what I want, it fits me perfectly and I prefer to travel light. For touring folk who want a smaller package than the RT...just perfect!

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