My handlebars don't feel right?

[acampbell]

I have this nagging feeling that my handlebar geometry isn't quite right. I've got about 4000mi myself on this 1995 k75, and use the straight highways for only getting to or coming back from the twisties. It just feels like I'm pushing down more than I'm pushing out. Have a look at these photos, share your thoughts? I'm a tad bit over 6ft, and pretty sure that I don't have the higher seat.

[Chaos]

they do look sorta low, easy enough to rotate them up.  Loosen the 4 bolts holding the 2 clamps under the dash pad and find an angle you like.  The lever/switch assemblies can be rotated also.  also the PO may have changed to bars, they more like a touring bar.

[Laitch]

. . . pretty sure that I don't have the higher seat.

Welcome, acampbell. A picture of the seat including the tank would help to confirm that impression. That looks like the typical K75 high handlebar. You can try tilting that bar to get comfortable, like Chaos indicates. If it's raining—even if it isn't raining—you can play with this to decide what the measurement of a different bar would accomplish for you. The 0 values in the height and pullback are what you have now.

I just push the bar. I have a lower bar than yours, I'm a couple of inches taller, I have standard, not low, seat so I suppose the push may be more down than out but I can't let myself get snarled by that distinction. I'm comfortable, and you're on your way to figuring out what's comfortable for you.

[Martin]

If your seat hinges from the side and you have side covers you have a high seat. If it lifts off and you have a rubber piece that wraps around the back of your  tank and you don't have side covers you have a low seat. If you have a low seat you might want to swap someone for a high seat.
Regards Martin.

[kennybobby]

i have a k75S that a previous owner swapped out to the touring bars such as yours.  It's likely just a matter of preference, but the riser section (blue line) extends parallel to the fork tubes (yellow line) on that bike.  Your bike has the angle shown here, which also has the low seat based upon the pads on the side of the tank.

[acampbell]

Thank you all for the terrific information. I'm going to line the bars up better with the forks and see how it goes!

[acampbell]

Ok, I've adjust the bars forward, just about parallel to the forks. I just went for a ride up and down the local twisties, here is what I noticed:

When braking, I am able to control my weight more with my legs on the tank instead of putting it against the bars.

When cornering, I had more confidence and control. (This could be a mental thing, but I'll take it.)

When on the highway, I felt less slouched. Being more upright will take some getting used to.

I should have adjusted the controls before I headed out, as I was reaching too far around with my fingers for brake/clutch. I was also hitting the horn and signal cancel buttons instead of signaling. Here are some pictures my wife took of me sitting on the bike, in the garage with the bike on the center stand. One is before, and one after I adjusted the bars forward. I've read about the Yoda position, and this makes sense, but these bars are too high for that. My last bike was a super sport, and I've let go of those expectations.

Thanks again to everyone for their input!

[Martin]

You look a tad to tall for that seat, try to simulate a tall seat by putting a bit of padding on the seat while it's on the centre stand. If you want to go a bit further, try duct taping the padding on and go for a ride ( make sure the padding can't move around).
Regards Martin

[acampbell]

You look a tad to tall for that seat, try to simulate a tall seat by putting a bit of padding on the seat while it's on the centre stand.

Challenge accepted!

[Martin]

High seat was 31.9" 810 mm Low seat was 29.9" 760 mm so you can work out how much padding you need. If you do need to swap make sure you get all the hardware as well as the side covers.
Regards Martin.

[acampbell]

So I started ordering parts to convert the seat. Not even a few days after the lower plastic parts came in, I hit a deer. That K75 was great. My first BMW, but not my last.

[Chaos]

So I started ordering parts to convert the seat. Not even a few days after the lower plastic parts came in, I hit a deer. That K75 was great. My first BMW, but not my last.

Well that sucks!  Hope you came through ok. 

[Martin]

Sorry to hear about the Deer hope you didn't get hurt. Bricks are pretty tough if it's not salvageable keep it for spares.
Regards Martin.

[Rcgreaves]

Sorry to hear about the deer etc. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Hope you're ok.

[Motorhobo]

That is a huge bummer -- hope you're OK...wondering if you got to keep the bike. I would have bought your transmission if you had! Even if the rest is toast, keep the transmission, the combo switches, the final drive and driveshaft -- someone will need them probably sooner than later...

[Filmcamera]

Let me chime in, if you are not fixing the bike I might be interested in that seat - it looks like it is a custom low seat...

[acampbell]

Thanks everyone for the concern and well wishes. I am fine, was really banged up and bruised. I am a gear nut, so I was covered head to toe. Still got some road rash on my left knee, left shin and left hand. Gear is ruined, aside from my helmet (which doesn't have a scratch).


The bike no longer belongs to me, have made the decision to let the insurance company take it.