Ducati Monster Forum

I realize that this may be blasphemy to the Ducati brotherhood but to a 60 year old with back issues, that also rides a BMW R1200RT, the stock bars were just too low.   The Monster is designed for a long torso, short legged person.  I ain't the guy.  My back, hands and wrists were punished after 200 miles of carving curves.

Additional risers under the stock risers just didn't seem right for such a beautiful machine.  What I was looking for was raised and more pull back effect yet still holding on to some Monster naughtiness.  I chose to change the bars completely by using a Pro Taper "Raptor" design.  The tallest and more pull back in the lineup. They are 28.5mm bars with 22mm control ends.  The bends were intended to be universal and so not perfect in my mind as I had to use the full width making them two inches wider overall.  It is what it is. Everywhere I turned a catalog purchase seem eminent however the local Ducati also sells KTMs so dirtbike accessories hung from the walls.  The bars called to me.

This change resulted in roughly 3.5 inches in both the rise and pulled back dimensions.  The bars come in various colors, I chose black because they were in my hands.  They also sort of disappear on the bike.

I needed to increase the length of the left hand electrical cable about 4 inches. New hydraulic lines were fabricated in red and in my hands within one day of ordering.  Not lucky with the throttle cable.  My Ducati dealer's parts fellow could not tell me if any of the bikes in the house had throttle cables I could use.  No lengths could be ascertained from parts catalogs.  This meant I had to place a custom order and that cable is holding me up from trying out the bike in our beautiful weather.  Bummer! More modifications are on the way.   My wife says it's cheaper that having a girlfriend.  I must agree.  I can ride her longer, with a wider ;D and no complaints.
My Ducati S2R1000
Top shows stock bars.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_FOG_KUt6CzE/S52sFqSQ3XI/AAAAAAAAC6E/pR5U7VBxbKk/s800/before%20and%20after%20handlebar%20change.jpg)

Looks good in the pics, especially without the mouse ear mirrors.  ;D  If it makes your ride more comfortable for you then that's all that matters. Remember some of these guys are still in their 20's.  :D :

 60 yrs young? +1 man! just ride,don't worry what people say...You truly are a passionate rider!

Bike looks good.   [thumbsup]

I've been riding since 1965.  In the blood, one might say.  I often ride with a group of geezers where I'm the youngest.  They give me hope.  Some of these guys are 80 +.  It's great!

Anything that allows you to enjoy life to the fullest is a big +1.  Plus you have a good looking ride on your hand, as well. 

Beautiful  [thumbsup]