BMW R 1300 RS: Wunderlich makes the handlebar more touring-friendly

The new tubular handlebar moves 50 millimetres up and 25 millimetres towards the rider. The aim is to make the R 1300 RS more relaxed on long stages without giving up its sporty character.

A sport touring bike lives on striking a balance between two worlds. On the one hand, it should offer a sporty riding position and plenty of control in the twisties; on the other, you don't just want to use it for a quick blast around your local loop. On longer tours in particular, ergonomics therefore decide how relaxed the last kilometres of a long day turn out to be. On the BMW R 1300 RS, Wunderlich addresses exactly this point. The accessory specialist replaces the sport-oriented original clip-on handlebars with a tubular handlebar, significantly changing the position of the hands compared to the stock version. The new touring handlebar conversion is intended to shift the character of the BMW R 1300 RS more towards a comfort-oriented sport touring bike. Wunderlich expects this to bring benefits above all on longer rides. With the revised ergonomics, several hours in the saddle should be more relaxed. The point is not to turn the R 1300 RS into a completely different bike. Rather, the conversion targets a crucial contact point between rider and machine: the handlebar.

The key figures of the conversion are quickly summarised: the handlebar moves 50 millimetres up and at the same time 25 millimetres towards the rider. At first, that sounds like a modest change. When it comes to a bike's riding position, however, a few centimetres can make a substantial difference to posture. In any case, Wunderlich is clearly targeting riders who want a less forward-leaning position on their BMW R 1300 RS. The new handlebar position is intended to enable a more upright and adjustable seating posture. According to Wunderlich, this can reduce physical strain. Especially on longer rides, this should counteract premature fatigue. Whether, and to what extent, the individual rider actually notices these benefits naturally also depends on height, proportions and personal seating position. The design change itself, however, is clear-cut: 50 millimetres more height and 25 millimetres of offset towards the rider.

The name "touring handlebar conversion" initially puts the focus on long stages. However, Wunderlich names a second area where the revised handlebar ergonomics should make themselves felt: handling at low speeds. This concerns typical situations that regularly crop up on a motorcycle tour. When manoeuvring in a car park, moving slowly with luggage or riding through tight hairpins, the changed handlebar position is said to bring advantages. Wunderlich speaks of a better overview, less effort and better control. According to the manufacturer, these points are not only about comfort but also contribute to active safety. The reduced effort is, understandably, a key point of the concept. After all, anyone swapping sporty clip-ons for a higher-mounted tubular handlebar is usually not looking to make the riding position even more extreme. On the BMW R 1300 RS, Wunderlich deliberately takes the opposite route.

What's interesting is the fundamental orientation of the conversion. The higher handlebar is not supposed to rob the R 1300 RS of its sporty approach. Instead, Wunderlich describes the result as an ergonomically comfortable sport touring bike. That fits the basic idea of this motorcycle category. Sport touring bikes combine sporty and touring qualities and differ from naked bikes in terms of riding position and aerodynamics, among other things. On some models, a more stretched-out riding position can demand more physical input than a high, wide handlebar. This is exactly where the Wunderlich conversion comes in. Instead of altering the bike's fundamental concept, it changes the interface between rider and bike. Anyone who generally likes the BMW R 1300 RS but wants a more upright position at the bars gets a concrete conversion option.

We at 1000PS have already taken a thorough look at how the BMW R 1300 RS performs in practice. In the 1000PS test review you can find out more about the sporty Boxer, its handling, ergonomics and its qualities as a sport touring bike. Anyone who wants to know how the R 1300 RS rides in stock form before converting the handlebar will find the relevant impressions there.

Wunderlich doesn't simply supply a universal tubular handlebar for the conversion. The package consists of several components that together are intended to enable the conversion of the BMW R 1300 RS. At its heart is a 32 mm aluminium handlebar. This is joined by two precision-made handlebar risers. Also included are adapters that allow the BMW's original bar ends to be reused. This is relevant insofar as the conversion is not meant to entail an unnecessary number of additional modifications. Wunderlich has also already prepared the tubular handlebar for fitting the stock switchgear and grips. The handlebar is pre-drilled accordingly. This should allow the original parts to be mounted on the new bar.

Anyone who moves a bike's handlebar significantly up and back inevitably has to consider the lines and their available length. After all, clutch and brake still have to work with the changed handlebar position. Wunderlich takes this into account in the scope of delivery. A matching extension adapter is provided for the clutch line. This is intended to compensate for the extra distance resulting from the new handlebar position. For the brake line, on the other hand, no extension is provided. According to Wunderlich, the original brake line of the BMW R 1300 RS remains unchanged. The necessary line modifications are therefore concentrated on the clutch side.

With conversions on modern bikes, the effort often lies in the details. After all, a handlebar has long carried far more than just the throttle grip, clutch and brake levers. The stock switchgear also has to be integrated cleanly. Wunderlich therefore provides for the continued use of the original switchgear and original grips. The holes required for this are already in the aluminium handlebar. The stock bar ends don't need replacing either; matching adapters for mounting them are part of the package. The goal is clearly defined: the ergonomics of the BMW R 1300 RS should change significantly, while as many of the existing original components as possible are reused.

In addition to the handlebar, risers and adapters, the required mounting kit is also included. Wunderlich also supplies an ABE (German general type approval). The manufacturer thus bundles the essential components of the conversion into one package. For R 1300 RS owners, this is interesting above all because the solution is designed specifically for this bike rather than consisting of individually assembled universal parts. After all, the conversion affects a safety-relevant area of the bike. Correct installation of the handlebar risers, switchgear and lines is correspondingly important.

When it comes to looks, Wunderlich offers a choice of two versions. Anyone who wants to show off the aluminium character of the new tubular handlebar can opt for the aluminium-coloured variant. This version is offered under part number 15331-001. Alternatively, there is a black version, which carries part number 15331-002. Wunderlich names no technical or price difference between the two variants. The choice between aluminium and black is therefore a matter of the desired look on the bike.

There is also no price difference between the two colour variants. Both the aluminium-coloured and the black touring handlebar conversion cost 599 euros each. According to Wunderlich, the package includes the 32 mm aluminium handlebar, the two handlebar risers, the adapters for the original bar ends, the clutch line extension adapter as well as the mounting kit and ABE. So anyone who wants to keep the BMW R 1300 RS fundamentally sporty, but is at the same time looking for a way to change their upper-body position on longer rides, gets a solution tailored specifically to this model.

In the end, the Wunderlich conversion boils down to a comparatively clear approach. It's not the engine, chassis or features of the BMW R 1300 RS that are changed, but the ergonomics. 50 millimetres more handlebar height and 25 millimetres of additional offset towards the rider are intended to enable a more upright riding position. Wunderlich promises less physical strain on longer rides and benefits during slow manoeuvres, when manoeuvring the bike, in tight hairpins and when riding with luggage. The objective is clear in any case: the sporty BMW R 1300 RS should gain more touring comfort without having to change the bike's entire concept. For riders who like to ride their RS for several hours at a stretch and want a more upright posture while doing so, precisely this ergonomic shift could be of interest. Further information on the touring handlebar conversion and the accessory range for the BMW R 1300 RS is available on the Wunderlich website.