R18b Handlebar Help Needed

[Hoytraptor]

I’m 5’10 and find the stock bar positioning on my r18b to be insufferable after about 30 minutes of riding. I find myself cruising w just the tips on my fingers on the far outsides of the bars in order to get my shoulders in a neutral position with my back upright. I figure I need to get the bars 3-4 inches closer to me to achieve the posture I’m after.

The helibars look cool, but seeing the videos it appears like they’ll only get me 1-1.5” of forward relief. I like the price, because they come w cables.

The bmw mini apes appear to be 16”. Whereas the stock bars appear to be about 12”. They’re about $175+cables. So about the same as the heli bars. So I feel like these might be the better option. But there is a 85mph speed warning on them.

So here are my questions:

1) Has anyone researched these two options and found out how helibars compare w the bmw mini apes in terms on forward relief?

2) Thoughts on the speed warning on the bmw mini apes? Do helibars also have a reduced speed limit?

3) Are there other options I’m missing?

Thanks so much in advance!
Dan F.

 

[Onequickwrench]

I’m pretty sure the speed warning is due to the possibility of the rider’s hands being up in the windstream. If you were to tilt the Bagger bars back towards you, your hands would remain behind the trailing edge of the fairing.

I have the Bagger bar here ready for install as soon as my Spiegler brake and clutch lines arrive, but I’m going up as opposed to back with them

 

[Hoytraptor]

Thanks, man.

A comparison picture I saw somewhere had the helibar behind the stock bar, making it appear closer. Were they stacked on top of one another, I’m not sure the helibar would be much more extended. I’m going to call them today and get their take.

Good luck on the install and please report back!

 

[Star-Lord]

These Ape Hangers are rated at 18 mph...

I tried searching the forum, that a member posted about the R18 B ape handlebars and the differences between the stock bars... He posted side-by-side pictures, which appeared to be very detailed...

 

[Onequickwrench]

Thanks, man.

A comparison picture I saw somewhere had the helibar behind the stock bar, making it appear closer. Were they stacked on top of one another, I’m not sure the helibar would be much more extended. I’m going to call them today and get their take.

Good luck on the install and please report back!

I got around to installing the accessory BMW Bagger bar today.
I pulled tape measure on the stock bar before swapping them out.

While it might not help with your particular issue I mounted the bars in accordance with BMW guidelines (there’s a dot on the handlebar you line up with the triple tree mounting surface). My bars ended up being 4.75” taller at the handlebar end and 2.1”closer to the rider (measured diagonally from the same point).



The hand position is much higher than the stock bar, which will work well when my custom seat (+2”) gets built.

 

[pbosik]

Would you happen to have the BMW part #? I installed the Helibar's, and they vibrate significantly around 80mph. I am interested in your experience, at 80 mph. Thanks

 

[Onequickwrench]

Would you happen to have the BMW part #? I installed the Helibar's, and they vibrate significantly around 80mph. I am interested in your experience, at 80 mph. Thanks

There are two handlebar parts numbers - one is a chrome finish and the other is black. You’ll also need the longer clutch and brake hoses with 8 crush washers for the install.




I’m heading out for a ride in a little bit, will pay attention to the vibratory effects at 80 and let you know if it’s any different than the stock bar

 

[pbosik]

Are those bars, just the stock Transcontinental bars?

 

[Onequickwrench]

Are those bars, just the stock Transcontinental bars?

They’re t different than the TC bar.

None of the part numbers match up.

 

[pbosik]

How was the vibes around 80? Did they do the trick as far as pullback and height for you?

 

[Onequickwrench]

The bars didn’t vibrate any more than stock at 75+mph.

Can’t say I’m 100% enamored with the hand angle, but the extra height is nice.

 

[Hoytraptor]

I got around to installing the accessory BMW Bagger bar today.
I pulled tape measure on the stock bar before swapping them out.

While it might not help with your particular issue I mounted the bars in accordance with BMW guidelines (there’s a dot on the handlebar you line up with the triple tree mounting surface). My bars ended up being 4.75” taller at the handlebar end and 2.1”closer to the rider (measured diagonally from the same point).

View attachment 19127View attachment 19128View attachment 19129View attachment 19130View attachment 19131

The hand position is much higher than the stock bar, which will work well when my custom seat (+2”) gets built.

Thanks so much for this reply and photo. The new bars look great and the measurements are super helpful. I will definitely bust out the tape measure tonight and see where this leaves me. Great job on this install. They look awesome man.

 

[Hoytraptor]

Would you happen to have the BMW part #? I installed the Helibar's, and they vibrate significantly around 80mph. I am interested in your experience, at 80 mph. Thanks

I called Helibar last week and mentioned the speed warning on the BMW made beggar bars. The guy I was talking to said, “We don't have a similar warning. Our bars are made heavy and will work just like stock." So your comment definitely gets my attention. I'm no speed racer, but something you gotta put the hammer down to get around a semi and before you know it you're going 85. Sure there's vibrations on the stock bars at that speed too, but safety first! So, do you feel like the vibration is a safety risk for you on the highway with the Helibars?

 

[pbosik]

No safety issue, but they definitely vibrate more then the stock bars. Can't see crap out of the mirrors around 80. The vibration does seem to get better after 85 or so. But the mirrors are still unusable. If I recall with the stock bars, the mirrors were good to go...

 

[Onequickwrench]

I put almost 450 interstate miles on my Bagger bar equipped Bagger yesterday.

About half that mileage was well in excess of 80mph - everyone driving Northbound on I95 yesterday had mistaken the placard for the informal speed limit!

The BMW Bagger bar does not vibrate any more than the factory bar did at those speeds - to be honest it might be slightly less.

Handling was rock solid on a short blast to nearly 100mph (to get around a semi truck)

 

[Hoytraptor]

Very helpful. All I needed to hear really. I think these are the better option than the Helibars for me. I want to get 4” closer on the same angle as stock. I think this will that.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

BMW pro bars on my 2021 R18 classic. Part number 77 22 9 457 410 Handlebars, Pro-black, I think. Also known as mini ape. Over 85 mph has been fine for me. But I rarely go fast, mostly cruising 2 lane side roads. But these are too high for me. About to install a Wunderlich touring bar. I got the bar from Speiglerusa.com. Low bar mounts too. Removing windshield, speaker. Keeping the auxiliary lights. Lowering headlight and speedo. Bar and speaker will be for sale eventually.

 

[pbosik]

From the comments here, it sounds like the BMW bar at $170ish, is the way to go. I have the Helibars, and they vibe bad between 80-85ish mph, then smooth out somewhat after that. But, the mirrors are unusable at any speed above 60.