Tall Rider Standing Handlebar Position for off-tarmac

[Desert.Mariner]

Hi, y'all.

I'm new to the forum. I'm trying to sort out the ergos on the 2014 non-ES Tenere I just purchased. I've been diligently looking through the posts on improving riding position and I've seen a variety of comments about risers including taller bars, back pain, seat changes . . . . but nothing seems to directly apply to my situation. I'm specifically looking for solutions related to controlling these big bikes on dirt with a proper riding position - not comfort-related issues like hand pain, back pain, etc.

Here in AZ, we've got miles and miles of dirt roads. I just returned from a really rugged ride on the AZBDR - one of those "roads" on the section from Winona to Blue Ridge looked more like a goat path. I ride standing A LOT. My other ADV bike is a DR650 modified with tapered bars, a 1" riser, and lowered pegs. It fits great standing and sitting. My Tenere currently has a 1" straight riser and stock bars/pegs). The peg to handlebar vertical distance is nearly the same on both bikes (35.5"), but the horizontal reach on the Tenere is 3" further (measured from the pegs). This translates to me having to lean uncomfortably forward when I'm standing - especially on downhill sections.

The bike is tolerably comfortable as-is for day to day riding. However, I can see that at my height (6'2"), I'm going to need to do something about the handlebar height and reach on the Tenere if I'm going to be able to stand comfortably and control the bike well off-tarmac for long periods of time.

Again, I've dug through the forums and I've seen that the Helibar riser, Roxx riser, the Protaper Evo High ATV handlebars and the ADV FASST handlebars have been proposed as solutions. It seems to me that the Protaper High without bar risers is the most likely solution. That looks like a more positive connection with fewer extra bits. I'm guessing that I could angle the bars back a bit to reduce the reach and still maintain the same bar height as the stock bars with the 1" riser. I understand any solution will require extended lines - my current lines are just long enough for the 1" risers currently installed.

I have a few questions for those of you who ride a lot on more challenging terrain and who have actually made the shift to higher/closer bars:

1) Does it seem like I'm on the right track here - should I be thinking about another solution for raising the bars?
2) Will the ATV High Bars handle the loads of low-speed crashes and lifting the bike without bending on the first get off? Should I consider risers and a bar with lower rise instead?
3) What/who is a reliable source for extended clutch and brake lines?
4) The bike is currently fitted with Altrider crash bars and skid plate. Other than appropriate tires, is there anything else I should consider for outfitting the bike for mild off-road/dirt road work? I just came off several BDR section in AZ, CO and NM on my DR650. That's the kind of riding I'm interested in doing on the ST. Thoughts?

Thanks for any help you are willing to provide.

Thanks,

Dave
AKA Desert.Mariner

 

[ballisticexchris]

Hi there Dave, I can say I have ridden some quite challenging terrain on this bike and the Heli-Risers work the best for me. They allow for a very comfortable riding position when standing. It is a very neutral and natural reach for the bars. You being tall will mean more bending at the hips to get in the comfort zone.

I found the biggest impediment and odd handling characteristic comes from running a tank bag. When going up and down steep hills the bag keeps hitting my crotch at the balance points. It also affects the balance in a bad way.

Just keep in mind no matter how good a rider you are this is a very heavy bike. There are only a very few handful of riders that can ride these like a dual sport.

One thing I can tell you that is very challenging is deep sand and rocky ruts. I've had a few short stints in both deep sand/silt and ruts. I did not drop the bike but it was very unnerving to let the front end wander and stay in the deep ruts below the silt. The 17" wheel simply does not like to climb out of ruts like a 21" wheel. It also wanders a lot more in the deep sand.

I was riding the AZ Strip and got in way over my head. It sucks when you get over 50 miles in and find out you have to do rock crawling and go through long deep sand sections on this bike to get to your destination.

 

[Desert.Mariner]

Hi there Dave, I can say I have ridden some quite challenging terrain on this bike and the Heli-Risers work the best for me. They allow for a very comfortable riding position when standing. It is a very neutral and natural reach for the bars. You being tall will mean more bending at the hips to get in the comfort zone.

I found the biggest impediment and odd handling characteristic comes from running a tank bag. When going up and down steep hills the bag keeps hitting my crotch at the balance points. It also affects the balance in a bad way.

Just keep in mind no matter how good a rider you are this is a very heavy bike. There are only a very few handful of riders that can ride these like a dual sport.

One thing I can tell you that is very challenging is deep sand and rocky ruts. I've had a few short stints in both deep sand/silt and ruts. I did not drop the bike but it was very unnerving to let the front end wander and stay in the deep ruts below the silt. The 17" wheel simply does not like to climb out of ruts like a 21" wheel. It also wanders a lot more in the deep sand.

I was riding the AZ Strip and got in way over my head. It sucks when you get over 50 miles in and find out you have to do rock crawling and go through long deep sand sections on this bike to get to your destination.

Thanks for the reply, Chris.

The Helibar risers look like a nice, sturdy set-up. They'd certainly bring the bars back and perhaps that would be enough. As I said, I think the issue is the reach as the height is the same as my DR and I manage that heavy pig pretty well. I'm also going to acknowledge that I've never had any coaching on how to ride better. I've likely got some bad habits and I'll be getting some coaching to improve my riding soon. I'm used to bending my legs in the attack position, but perhaps I'm resisting leaning forward too much.

Yeah, although I'd likely find a tank bag handy, I've only used one once on a trip across the US many years ago. I'm not interested in being surrounded by luggage front and back on dirt.

I hear you on the heavy bike. I just want to improve my low-speed handling for the inevitable ruts, washouts and cobbles I'll encounter. By no means am I interested in pushing the limits with this bike. That said, my first dirt ride last night on mild terrain had me looking for harder lines and testing the limits of traction while braking to see what she could do. I found the bike rather well balanced.

I'm working on my ability to ride sand and ruts. Again, I'll be looking for coaching to improve those skills and obviously, AZ has lots of places to practice.

 

[Bokerfork]

This may or may not be of any use to you but I offer it as food for thought. 6'3" on a stock 2016 ES. I find the relationship of bars to pegs to seat completely satisfactory. I thought at first that I'd like the bars a little further back but now, after many miles in all kinds of terrain, I find the position of everything, standing or sitting to be quite alright. Just my $.02
Good luck with your search for the optimum ergos.

 

[ballisticexchris]

You might even consider Jimmy Lewis's off road riding school. It really taught me a lot. And just bring your 650. I'm going in another direction with my Super Tenere. After a small taste of serious off road, I've decided on spooning on street tires and practice to become a slow speed pavement queen.

 

[Desert.Mariner]

This may or may not be of any use to you but I offer it as food for thought. 6'3" on a stock 2016 ES. I find the relationship of bars to pegs to seat completely satisfactory. I thought at first that I'd like the bars a little further back but now, after many miles in all kinds of terrain, I find the position of everything, standing or sitting to be quite alright. Just my $.02
Good luck with your search for the optimum ergos.

Thanks - I'm keeping an open mind that I'll adapt and that my technique will improve.

 

[Desert.Mariner]

You might even consider Jimmy Lewis's off road riding school. It really taught me a lot. And just bring your 650. I'm going in another direction with my Super Tenere. After a small taste of serious off road, I've decided on spooning on street tires and practice to become a slow speed pavement queen.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look them up. Definitely using the DR for any training!

 

[ballisticexchris]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look them up. Definitely using the DR for any training!

Sign up for his news letter. The classes fill up fast. Read a few of his blogs. He has some really cool "pre class" practice drills you can try.

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