Protaper Contour Raptor Handlebar Question

[Tony Down Under]

I've been looking at Protaper's Contour Raptor handlebar to replace the OEM set-up.

I'm not looking for rise so much but just want to be able to rotate the bar toward me and maintain the grips in a level/flat position. As many would be aware this can't be done with the OEM bars as the bend causes the grips to angle down like a cafe racer.

Can anyone with the above Protaper bars please advise if there is enough cable length to do this?

I had a similar set-up on my DL1000 using PT's ATV High bars and it worked well for me.

Thanks in advance,

Tony

 

[tubebender]

I'm assuming 2 things. You have a pre 2014 bike and you're not adding any risers.
If this is the case you should be OK.
I base this on the fact the Raptors have less sweep then the stock bars.

Even if you add 25 mm risers, the lines would be tight only at full lock.

Before I changed to Raptors on 2" (50 mm) ROX risers, I had shortened stock bars (19 mm each side) on 25 mm up and back risers that were OK until full lock.

 

[Tony Down Under]

Thanks for the info Tubebender! It's pre 2014.

I had contemplated shortening the width of the OEM bars myself. Just didn't want to mess with the OEM bars in case I sell it. I think the width is definitely a contributing factor to the dreaded pain between the shoulder blades.

When I bought my S10 I had been researching them since they first appeared. I had quite a few demo rides and never thought comfort would be the issue. I was more worried about how the engine/suspension/handling side of things would turn out but it appears that the ergos are going to give me the most grief.

 

[burnoil]

I have the Pro Taper ATV mid bend and one inch risers. I would say my brake line and cables are just barely long enough with no issue.

 

[Tony Down Under]

I have the Pro Taper ATV mid bend and one inch risers. I would say my brake line and cables are just barely long enough with no issue.

Thanks burnoil.

 

[Didg]

Fitting the Raptor with no risers puts the grips further away from you as they have less sweep than the standard bars, that's with the grips parallel to the ground in both cases.

These are mine. I have the ends of the bars pretty much parallel to the ground and the "rise" part of the bar is almost in line with the fork tubes.

 

[Paul466]

Im 6'1" 190lb Raptors saved me from world of hurt.Shoulder blades & outside wrist (do to extreme sweep) I want to THANK whoever did the homework of endless bend options and posting the ones that work on this forum. PRO TAPER RAPTOR WORKED FOR ME

 

[Tony Down Under]

Thanks for the pics Didg. Initially I tried 19mm and 30mm risers with the stock bars but had no relief from the pain between my shoulders, in fact, all it did was lower the site of the pain by about 2 inches.

Luckily, I still have my DL1000 with Protaper ATV High bars, so I was able to take a lot of comparison measurements. In my case it appears that the OEM bars are too close and the inward sweep is too extreme. The width of the bar is also a factor.

Initially I thought I needed to move the bars closer to my body but it turns out that I need to move them further away. I'm 5'11" with a 32" in seam but have short arms like a Tyrannosaurus so found this surprising. When sitting on my DL I've always felt I was bolt upright but I actually have a slight lean forward. I'm hoping I can successfully carry this set-up over to the S10.

Also, just one more question. When locating the throttle on the new bars is it secure with the locating nub ground off? I'll definitely be grinding the nubs off the switch gear but I've been reading here that a lot of people elect to drill a locating hole in the new bars for the throttle.

 

[Didg]

I ground off all the locating pins and had no problem mounting everything, I wound some insulating tape around the bar under the throttle clamp in order to get it to grip and it's been fine ever since.

The reduction in sweep of the Raptors should sort out your shoulder pain, it's the sweep rather than fore / aft positioning that's doing it. (My opinion of course but it worked for me and others).

 

[Tony Down Under]

I ground off all the locating pins and had no problem mounting everything, I wound some insulating tape around the bar under the throttle clamp in order to get it to grip and it's been fine ever since.

The reduction in sweep of the Raptors should sort out your shoulder pain, it's the sweep rather than fore / aft positioning that's doing it. (My opinion of course but it worked for me and others).

Thanks again Didg! ::008::