BMW Questions

All BMW models are easily converted with FlatBars except for the (1150 and 1200 GS).

Oil Head GS stock bars are mounted on an assembly that precludes FlatBars.

BMW 1150GS has a wierd 3 part handlebar, the BMW 1200GS has bark busters (hand guards attached to the outer end of the grip). We can't do any bike with bark busters.

You must first switch to Renthal or Pro-taper bars before installing FlatBars on the 1150 and 1200 GS models.

Q: Just read the article in my CityBike subscription (Cover story on the left). The flat bars should be flyng off the shelves. I have a 04 FJR 1300 which has the same heated grip kit that you sell so the FJR should not be a problem. I also have a 02 BMW 1150 GS Adventure and a 05 BMW GS 1200. I know you have done the 1150's. What about the 1200 GS? Hate to give up the BMW heated grips. Any way to make them work with the flat bars? I also have a right wrist problem  after breaking it in  a high speed get-off in Nevada 15 years ago. Wrist rest definitely helps but sounds like flat bars are a better solution.  A: Eddie Lawson put a pair on his '05 FJR 1300. You recognize the bike on the cover, I'm sure. it's Brian's GS, and it has OUR heaters between the grips and the FlatBars. These heaters were designed specifically for us by Symtec. They were engineered to work only with FlatBars because we have no heat sink effects on either side.  I have already had a customer with a 1200. No problem. If you already have heaters, you can tie our heaters into existing wiring harnesses. If not, we include a switch and connectors anyway.

Q: I ordered two sets of the flat bars with heaters today after we spoke on the telephone. I'm looking forward to installing them on my FJR when they arrive. The other set I thought I would put on my 02 1150 GS. The only concern I have about the GS is whether the flat bars will work without having to permanently remove the wind gaurds. (The guards, as I am sure you know are fairly effective when riding in cold or inclimate weather.) If I am unable to keep the wind gaurds I will have to pass on the second set of flat bars. Please let me know. If I can keep and still use the gaurds with the flat bars I will take the second set.

A: What about wind guards? If the wind guards are not attached at the outer end they are not a problem. Brian’s Halton’s GS had wind guards attached at the mirror mount. They were no trouble, other than having to be removed and re-installed

What about reinforced hand guards that also mount to the outer end of the bar? If hand guards are attached at the outer end of the bar, and you wish to retain them, I do not recommend FlatBars for this application. SupR DampRs would be more appropriate: They are the original diameter of your stock bars, but have all of the dampers and mount exactly the same way as clutch side Flatbars.  They have much more body mass, therefore can support larger diameter bearings, etc.  I do have one customer who modified a pair of FlatBars to work with Bark Busters, on a KLR 650. He has not complained.