BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Not compared to what my bar risers cost for my 2012 RT

The Ilium Works bar backs are a little odd, but they work fine.  If you rotate them back much, you have to alter your switch set angle.

mercator1 wrote:The Ilium Works bar backs are a little odd, but they work fine.

Having fitted the bar backs, has this improved your field of view through the mirrors, made it worse or no change.

I like mine very well. Ilium is great to work with. Rented the tool with no issues. I don't even notice the unusual look. Nicely engineered. Reasonably priced. Had Helibars on my Guzzi--they were great.


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The combination of my height and bar position puts my hands right in the field of view. Honestly don't remember what the mirror view was like before they were installed.

Are you guys with risers fitted, tall? So do the risers take the pressure off the wrists? I spoke to a chap on Sunday who said after long mileage his wrists ached, but he was over 6ft. I'm only 5ft 8 and haven't noticed anything uncomfortable as yet. But like the look of the risers 

Some have found they spoil your rear view vision as the convert the mirrors into pre 14 design.

Casbar wrote: Are you guys with risers fitted, tall? So do the risers take the pressure off the wrists? I spoke to a chap on Sunday who said after long mileage his wrists ached, but he was over 6ft. I'm only 5ft 8 and haven't noticed anything uncomfortable as yet. But like the look of the risers

No I'm only 5 foot 9 inches, so I needed them partially for the back rotation.

Question for those who fit the Illium Works bar risers to their 2014 or newer RT.
Does the new grip position maintain the original angle, or has it been changed to relieve some wrist pressure?
I understand that the new Helibars do in fact lower the outboard end of the grips by a degree or so for that purpose.
Here is the info on the Helibars; [size=78%]https://www.helibars.com/products/HeliBars%C2%AE-handlebar-risers-for-BMW-R1200RT-LC/634.html[/size] .

I'm 5' 5" and the mirrors are blocked more that they were without the ilium risers. I now have Napoleon mirrors on the bar ends that I like as I lead a lot of rides.


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BackAtIt53 wrote: Question for those who fit the Illium Works bar risers to their 2014 or newer RT.
Does the new grip position maintain the original angle, or has it been changed to relieve some wrist pressure?
I understand that the new Helibars do in fact lower the outboard end of the grips by a degree or so for that purpose.
Here is the info on the Helibars; [size=78%]https://www.helibars.com/products/HeliBars%C2%AE-handlebar-risers-for-BMW-R1200RT-LC/634.html[/size] .

You might not quite understand the way Ilium Works risers work.  They attach with a bolt through the bottom part, and they rotate on that point.  So, you can select any point along that arc to tighten yours.  I needed back more than up, mine are rotated rearward.  However, that brings the brake and cluth levers up in front, so you have to rotate the control set.  The brake and clutch reservoirs aren't symmetrical, however, so you have to compromise on the right position.  I preferred the old style handlebars like on my '05, and those bar backs were much simpler.  Not sure why BMW thinks more complex always means better.

Thanks to [size=4px]mercator1[/size] for the Illium Riser descriptive. My major concern is the angle of the outer ends of the grips, as the stock position puts a bit of excessive pressure on my right wrist, resulting in my whole right hand tingling after a short 30 minute commute. And to answer the unasked question; yes I have heavy bar ends installed (HVMP 17oz) It is unfortunate that the Helibars are so much more expensive, but I guess I will be paying for the forethought and development that goes into them. Thanks again. Stay safe.

Just bit the bullet and ordered the Helibars. Pictures and thoughts to follow. Ordered the version that comes with the removal tool, a $30 premium vs without (cheap insurance against potential mishap). In for a penny, in for a pound!

I put the Illum Bar Backs on my '14 RT last fall and can definitely say they help with my comfort level / seating position.  I find it easier on my wrists as there is less pressure on them due to a slightly more upright and rearward body position.  I installed them myself without 'renting' the special tool - instead I used a gear puller to 'push' out the stock bar and put some protection on the end where the gear puller clamps would otherwise contact the aluminium end.  A previous post mentioned softening up the Locktite the BMW puts in there, which I suspect would have helped a bit.  Note that there is a limited range of arc that you can position the Bar Backs due to the mounting of the clutch/brake reservoirs.  Looking at the Helibars website (https://www.helibars.com/products/HeliB ... C/634.html) I suspect they would have roughly the same limitation.  Based on comparing numbers for both products, it looks like the Helibars provide slightly more offset (up and rearward) than the Illum Back Bars.  I don't find any difference in the visibility of the side mirrors - for reference I'm 5'8", if that helps anyone.  Proof is always in the pudding - my longest day ride with these Bar Backs is 900m and I was comfortable at the end of it with no wrist or back issues.  Yes, I had already replaced the stock seat with a custom one (Rich's in Seattle WA), otherwise the previous statement would not have been true...

Installed the Helibars. What a difference a few inches makes. No more numb fingertips. The extra 2" in width has reduced the turning effort to little more than mere thought. The extra 1.75" of height puts them at the top of the stock mirrors, so for me @ 5'10" they now provide a better picture of what is following me. I stuck a 1.25" adjustable convex "eyeball" in the upper outside corner to help with blind spots. The Helibars have 2 things going for them that the Ilium Works risers don't. 1) the design actually gives you additional handlebar mount space. 2) strictly a safety feature- the bracket on the underside of the Helibars are notched to fit the cast web of the original handlebars. This prevents the bars from rolling forward in a panic stop/loose mounting bolt situation.