Desert.Mariner
New Member
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
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