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Bull horn handle bars

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Goatie

Goatie

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2023
Messages
43
Location
Gold Coast Australia
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Bike
R18 custom and a 50cc scooter
I have R18 Pure and want to change the rotation of my wrists. I get a numbness in my right upper rhomboid muscle. If you get it you know what its like. The only bike I did not suffer from this was an 1100 virago that I rode for 840km, about 8hrs.The only way I can describe those bars were Bullhorn. Maybe also known as Buckhorn.
Has anyone fitted these to your bike, if so what brand and any difficulties.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Goatie said:
I have R18 Pure and want to change the rotation of my wrists. I get a numbness in my right upper rhomboid muscle. If you get it you know what its like. The only bike I did not suffer from this was an 1100 virago that I rode for 840km, about 8hrs.The only way I can describe those bars were Bullhorn. Maybe also known as Buckhorn.
Has anyone fitted these to your bike, if so what brand and any difficulties.
Thanks
Click to expand...
If you mean beach bars, yes I have installed the BMW accessory beach bars on my bike. They are somewhat difficult to install because of the extended wiring harnesses and brake & clutch lines.
If you have mid level skills you can do it yourself with the help of installation instructions BMW provides.
They will take care of the wrist position issue. I had beach bars on my Yamaha Roadliner that I road for 11 years and loved them. I like them just as well on the R18.

IMG_4063.jpegIMG_4060.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Goatie said:
I have R18 Pure and want to change the rotation of my wrists. I get a numbness in my right upper rhomboid muscle. If you get it you know what its like. The only bike I did not suffer from this was an 1100 virago that I rode for 840km, about 8hrs.The only way I can describe those bars were Bullhorn. Maybe also known as Buckhorn.
Has anyone fitted these to your bike, if so what brand and any difficulties.
Thanks
Click to expand...
I am interested as well but mostly for a better rider triangle set up.
I have done hours of research and can find lots of beautiful bars but none that are notched and drilled appropriately.
Good luck. Let me know if you find some.
 
Zamar said:
I am interested as well but mostly for a better rider triangle set up.
I have done hours of research and can find lots of beautiful bars but none that are notched and drilled appropriately.
Good luck. Let me know if you find some.
Click to expand...
The pipes are a set of GP shorties along with a chrome heat shield. I’ve posted the parts in a post elsewhere here.

I machined the slots in the BMW bars to route the wires internally.
 
MilwDave said:
If you mean beach bars, yes I have installed the BMW accessory beach bars on my bike. They are somewhat difficult to stall because of the extended wiring harnesses and brake & clutch lines.
If you have mid level skills you can do it yourself with the help of installation instructions BMW provides.
They will take care of the wrist position issue. I had beach bars on my Yamaha Roadliner that I road for 11 years and loved them. I like them just as well on the R18.

View attachment 14983View attachment 14985
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply Dave. Yes they do look great but that is not the bars I am referring to. I have ridden an R18 with beach bars and although they are better for wrist positioning the Bullhorn or Buckhorn bars would suit me better. Interestingly, I too had a 1900 Roadliner, did some very long distance rides. The bars I need have a more downward tilt than beach bars. https://barcrafthandlebars.com.au/cdn/shop/products/Black-1_25-Buckhorn-1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1599180274
Hope this link works
 
Zamar said:
I am interested as well but mostly for a better rider triangle set up.
I have done hours of research and can find lots of beautiful bars but none that are notched and drilled appropriately.
Good luck. Let me know if you find some.
Click to expand...
https://barcrafthandlebars.com.au/cdn/shop/products/Black-1_25-Buckhorn-1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1599180274
Hope this link works. They have slots for internal wiring but will have to make more inquiries to make sure they suit. May have to change risers as well.
 
Goatie said:
Thanks for the reply Dave. Yes they do look great but that is not the bars I am referring to. I have ridden an R18 with beach bars and although they are better for wrist positioning the Bullhorn or Buckhorn bars would suit me better. Interestingly, I too had a 1900 Roadliner, did some very long distance rides. The bars I need have a more downward tilt than beach bars. https://barcrafthandlebars.com.au/cdn/shop/products/Black-1_25-Buckhorn-1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1599180274
Hope this link works
Click to expand...
You can rotate the beach bars in the risers.
I have mine set do the mirrors clear the tank in full lock position.
 
Thanks Dave but not the angle I wanted.
Doesn't look if anyone on this forum has fitted Buckhorn/Bullhorn bars. It will be a rather expensive experiment but I may just have to be the first.
 
MilwDave said:
If you mean beach bars, yes I have installed the BMW accessory beach bars on my bike. They are somewhat difficult to install because of the extended wiring harnesses and brake & clutch lines.
If you have mid level skills you can do it yourself with the help of installation instructions BMW provides.
They will take care of the wrist position issue. I had beach bars on my Yamaha Roadliner that I road for 11 years and loved them. I like them just as well on the R18.

View attachment 14983View attachment 14985
Click to expand...
MilwDave said:
If you mean beach bars, yes I have installed the BMW accessory beach bars on my bike. They are somewhat difficult to install because of the extended wiring harnesses and brake & clutch lines.
If you have mid level skills you can do it yourself with the help of installation instructions BMW provides.
They will take care of the wrist position issue. I had beach bars on my Yamaha Roadliner that I road for 11 years and loved them. I like them just as well on the R18.

View attachment 14983View attachment 14985
Click to expand...
Hi Dave, that is stunning, having on the R18 for a while how comfortable are they long distance riding? Also do those mirrors work well as l constantly scan my mirrors…..l am tempted to put it on my Classic deluxe and loose the screen :)
 
Lace said:
Hi Dave, that is stunning, having on the R18 for a while how comfortable are they long distance riding? Also do those mirrors work well as l constantly scan my mirrors…..l am tempted to put it on my Classic deluxe and loose the screen :)
Click to expand...
The longest ride I’ve done is about 130 miles in a day. The bars are great but I’m no spring chicken and I was missing my Indian Pursuit by the end of the day.
Let’s face it, a bobber is a bar hopper and not a touring platform.
 
During the handful of test rides on the project R18 bike, with the Beachbars; I found them, very comfortable and the inverted mirrors provided a really practical and non-intrusive rearview.

Screenshot_20250630-045852.png
 
I had an 1100 Virago too and wish the bars could be swapped, they were in such a perfect position for my hands. The BMW is fine, just different, but if there was one thing I could change...
 
"The BMW is fine, just different. But if there was one thing I could change...." I agree completely.
I think BMW just assumes riders should lean forward while riding. Many American riders prefer a more upright posture. David Robb (no longer with BMW) designed the R1200C with those convenient ape hanger bars. My R1200C (14 years) was the most comfortable ride I ever had, and that includes lots of bikes.
 
BER18 100 said:
"The BMW is fine, just different. But if there was one thing I could change...." I agree completely.
I think BMW just assumes riders should lean forward while riding. Many American riders prefer a more upright posture. David Robb (no longer with BMW) designed the R1200C with those convenient ape hanger bars. My R1200C (14 years) was the most comfortable ride I ever had, and that includes lots of bikes.
Click to expand...
Riding straight up -- like a board -- is very comfortable for me. On longer trips, packed out with luggage, I support my lower back with with a bed roll and works like a dream.
I'm short -- 5'-6" -- and I installed risers that brought the [stock] handlebars 2" closer to me. I still am going to be on the lookout for buckhorns in the future, as I want closer and taller handlebars and I think the buckhorns will relax my elbows naturally down (out of the wind).

I just viewed those apes on the R1200C and I'll bet they would work pretty well for me.
 

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A 2 inch handlebar extension is the easiest way to help the achy shoulder problem. However….a 2 inch extension with the mini apes from BMW is not advised. The mini apes are too mini ( I have them )
 
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