Keeping the xr & narrower bars

[af1-windy]

So, some would say I'm a procrastinator, others would just say I'm a tosser that can't make up my mind..    I've grown a think skin over the years so fire away, if you must... 

I was so close to a deal on an r1250rs but when I uploaded the photos for the px I got all blurry eyed looking at them and decided I'm not done with the xr 

Had a cracking ride out yesterday evening with Antares and to say I've sorted the handling issues is and under statement, wow, it feels like someone fitted rails to my fave route..  flipping great. 

I'll let Antares tell you about his incident in more detail, but suffice to say, that is the closest anyone gets to binning it from a near high side but saving it that is possible.. fecking KTM was like an angry bucking bronco..

Back on subject, the bars on the xr aggravate my golfer's elbow (never played in my life) so I'm gonna play around with bar position, starting with narrower bars and see if it helps.

BMW dealer wants £220 big ones, plus the VAT (I think  ) either way, that's a lot of wonger 

I quick search ont'internet and I found a pair (odd that they say pair when there's just the one  ) with the correct part number, anyway, i've ordered them, along with some bar risers as per the info in some old threads on here.

I'll update with reslts when the job is done and I've ridden with them..

I'd like to thank everyone for there input re the possible swap, if it hadn't been for yiou guys I may have jumped too soon and regretted it.. nothing to say I won't swap in the future but for now I'm good and settled and in love with the xr again.. cheers chaps..

windy

[Jack]

Nice one….what did you do to sort the handling?

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Jack

Nice one….what did you do to sort the handling?

Sorted the head bearing nut thingy, it was less than hand tight. Wheel alignment was out using the marks on the swing arm so I bought a small tool and sorted it, moved the bars forward to get some weight over the front. Most likely the head bearing bolt had the most effect.. not sure about the other 2 but every little helps I guess.. 👍

[Jack]

Thanks for the update, I was curious as to what the issues were.  Glad it’s sorted and you’re enjoying the bike 👍

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Jack

Thanks for the update, I was curious as to what the issues were.  Glad it’s sorted and you’re enjoying the bike 👍

Unstable at higher speeds, on the straight and long sweepers.. 3 figures plus.. usually around the 120mph.. had a bit faster but it's pretty hairy... 😱

[capt cf]

Never met you in person, but I'm going with "tosser".    The gen 1 bars are like 1.5" or so wider and I definitely notice when I move between bikes.  My muscle memory is all screwy from alternating basically every ride so on the gen 2 I am usually half grabbing the grip and half the bar end weight.

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by capt cf

Never met you in person, but I'm going with "tosser". 

Are you sure you've never met me.. 🤔

[capt cf]

Originally Posted by af1-windy

Are you sure you've never met me.. 🤔

lol..congrats on keeping the XR.  I actually had planned to sell my gen 1 after I got my gen 2, but now I can't seem to part with Gisela.  Rode her for about 4 hours this morning and she's an amazing machine.  I keep hoping I'll eventually warm up to the gen 2, but so far it's the old girl that I get excited about riding.  I can't quite put my finger on what it is yet that makes me like her better than the gen 2.

[af1-windy]

That's also what was nagging in the back of my mind, the bit about getting excited by riding what I have in the garage..

[Antares]

Originally Posted by capt cf

lol..congrats on keeping the XR.  I actually had planned to sell my gen 1 after I got my gen 2, but now I can't seem to part with Gisela.  Rode her for about 4 hours this morning and she's an amazing machine.  I keep hoping I'll eventually warm up to the gen 2, but so far it's the old girl that I get excited about riding.  I can't quite put my finger on what it is yet that makes me like her better than the gen 2.

Gen 1 is a lot more playful for sure, the Gen 2 dulled a lot of edges.

Having ridden both I don't think i'll ever get a Gen 2, if i'm back to the XR it'll either be a cheap Gen 1 or maybe an M1000XR a few years down the line..


Now about that incident!

Pro tip: Don't touch your gear lever by accident that has quickshifter whilst leant over. Bit of a pucker moment, QS cut fuelling for a sec because I accidentally knocked it, not enough to go into next gear though, definitely more careful in the future. Roads were a bit dusty on Saturday too probably didn't help, me being a knob is probably the main issue though haha