Ducati Monster Forum

I'm looking for some feedback on the Rizoma Handlebars. It says they're a little lower than standard how's the fit and quality on these when mounted on a Monster? How hard of a mod is new handlebars?  ???

Which rizoma handlebars?  The clip ons?  Like these?

(http://hphotos-snc4.fbcdn.net/53942_10100192470409688_13735265_56773081_2486800_o.jpg)

I like them.  They are a little lower (an inch or so).  I wish they had some downward angle on them though.

Handlebars aren't hard.  The hardest thing would be drilling holes for the indexing pins on all the controls... but you can get around that by removing the pins and just clamping the controls in place.  If they are loose, a wrap of electrical tape where the control mounts will allow you to clamp it on and stay hidden once it's on.  This has the added benifit of being able to move them later on.

Hi Rick,

I tried the Rizoma bars on my 1100S and could not get them to work. They felt okay (my Suburban Machinery bars feel better!), but they really messed with the steering lock-to-lock travel. I think they are a better fit for the pre-Frankenbike Monsters (and I can say that because I have a Frankenbike!).

I've got a 2005 Monster 620 do you think I'll have an issue? Did you do the regular bars or the clip-ons. I'm going with the regular handlebars not the clip-ons. Now I'm concerned...  :-\

the rizoma 22mm bars will be fine on your 620

the tapered bar can be used on the 796-1100, but  as was pointed out the pull-back angle is more than stock, which is more comfortable for most people, but steering stop may need to be adjusted so they dont hit the tank

i would personally steer away from the clip ons (which it sounds like you are) as they are not super adjustable and the position they are set up in offers little sweep and is rather hand numbing (in my case anyway)

Unless you are talking about Cycle Cat bars which offer 8 degrees of angle adjustment and come in five different height options so you can go way below stock to higher that the stock straight bar on the Monsters depending on which kit you choose.

Pretty sure we were talking about rizoma parts... just sayin.

I've got the Rizoma bars, that I picked up from Jeff, on my '06 620. Fit and finish are great and the position doesn't seem too different from stock. They work well for me...

I'd load up on Rizoma mods if I could afford it. I would definitely do the Rizoma Clipons but they cost hundreds more than the regular Rizoma Bars. I would also love to do the Rizoma Gas Cap but again that's hundreds more than I can spend on a gas cap right now. I also went with the CRG mirrors which while pricey are still a good deal cheaper than the Rizoma although I wish I could afford the Rizoma mirros as they are beautiful.

The handlebars look great but man they feel different definitely more of an up and out angle at the ends compared to the OEMs which were more down and in. Might be a liitle more comfortable kinda like having risers but it's going to take some getting used to. If I still don't like it after a few weeks I'll probably sand down the chrome on the OEM handlebars to a brushed nickel look put em back on and put the Rizomas on eBay.

madduc20/20 has a set of rizomas that will work on your bike.  as for rizoma mirrors - i had the reverse retros and LOVED the way they looked but i just couldn't see shit with em.  i have the crg arrows now and love em both ways.  rizoma makes amazing stuff but it boils down to comfort/preference

chris@cyclecat - i have NEVER spoken an ill word of cycle cat . . . now get that stuff up and running already!   [beer]

i went from OEM magura to 3 different clip ons before i went back to handle bars (rizoma) i love them. A monster with clip ons just doenst feel right.

I rolled them forward just one notch more as they felt to high.  It helps a little but it still going to take getting used to. I put the OEMs up next to the Rizomas and they are slightly more angled in and down. Its weird how the slightest difference feels so big when it comes to something like handlebars. I hope I get used to it cause I love the way they look.  [Dolph]

Update... I originally took a pic of my OEM bars from the side so I could replicate the angle for the new bars. The OEM bars lean forward out of the Triple Clamps and I tried to replicate that with the Rizomas and they were high and out very weird. I looked at how other people had them online and realized these need to angle backwards out of the Triple clamps once I did that they felt perfect. I got them rolled back towards me as far as they can go without hitting the tank when the wheel is turned all the way. I love 'em but still want some clip-ons as I love the look. I just need some with risers as the Woodcraft ones I inherited are just too low for me. If I can find them for the right price I'd go for the Cyclecats or Rizoma otherwise it'll probably be SpeedyMoto or Woodcrafts. I just need a few inches rise.

I just installed a Rizoma bar on my 08 S2R and have only ride a few miles. First thing I noticed is that she doesn't steer as quickly. Well not yet. My guess is that it will take some time to get used to. They do look great, and I can definately notice less strain on my wrists. Depending on position, you may have to adjust the steering stops. I had to back it off about 1/2 turn. This is somewhat of an expensive trial, if they don't work, I will sell and try to run SpeedyMoto tall boys.

I removed the stock bar from my 07 S4RT today to swap out for a Rizoma bar.  I'm looking at the new bar trying to figure out the best way to get the drilled holes right the first time around which I'd prefer over removing the indexing pins.

I was reading further up about the electrical tape and removing the pins, is this an effective method for keeping the controls in place vs drilling?

 Just had a "Tall" Rizoma bar fitted to my '03 M1000S.i.e., as part of my 'Cruiserization' project (Rear rack & top-box, higher bars, lower/more forward pedals and a Q-D exhaust system - just for starters...), though this did coincide with replacing clutch & front brake hoses - now longer. Also had to extend the switch wiring on both sides and re-route the throttle cable. Next step is a pair of Rox swivel risers, which allow you to fit any 7/8" diameter bars whichever way is most comfortable.
 With these mods, it'll be almost an upright riding position, with less back strain for my ageing vertebra to cope with.
 I'll post pictures for the purists to preach about when it's all done  :o But hey, it's my Monster...!
 And just wait until they see where I'm siting my Steibel Air Horn - the truck version, separated from its compressor -  [laugh] Paaarrrppp!!!  [thumbsup]

I've fitted rizoma tapered bars on both styles of monster, hypermotards and streetfighters for myself and friends without any problems. They make the riding position slightly more upright which for olde farts like me and anyone with back problems a bonus as it keeps us riding our favorite bikes but on the new style monster I've had to adjust the steering stops to stop the bars hitting the tank panel on full lock...

Geoff... [coffee]

I have just installed the Rizoma fat bars on my 1100 and while they do take a bit of getting used to, I now far prefer them to standard, especially with Renthal grips.  With the raised touring seat it feels much more like a motorcross bike in terms of position and chuckability. Most of my riding is in town, so may not be so good out on the highway but I would not go back!  They are quite a bit narrower.  I went for insulation tape (don't need much) under the controls and cut down pegs, no movement at all!

Man what perfect timing.
I was just considering chaging my bars this winter and was looking at Rizomas.
I like the finish on them and they seem to be well made.
I hope everyone using them will post their opinions on them here.

As for the locating pins, I worked on many bikes with them and eliminated them on lots of them.
What we used to do is to pull the pin from the control huosing and use a section of bicycle inner tube cut to fit the size of the inside of the control.
Wrap it around the bar, locate the controls in the correct/comfortable position and tighten them down.
Short of some kind of animal handling move they don't creep.

jimi

Since you asked...  ;)

Could be related to your height, age, etc. I'm an old fart, 5' 8", and wanted a less aggressive riding position because I broke my shoulder three years ago. Considered a 38mm riser but went the Rizoma as it is ~ 5/8" higher but also has 2" more sweep. Many find the wrist angle more comfortable. I know MY wrists don't hurt. Any more rise or sweep and you'll need to change or re-route lines and cables.

The finish is much nicer than the stock Maguras for sure. I had mine fitted by the dealer. First time he drilled the holes for the pins wrong because he's taller than me. I couldn't see anything in the mirrors when I picked up the bike, so he re-drilled them in minutes while I waited. He's a clever boy though.  ;D

See: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54946.msg1020412#msg1020412 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54946.msg1020412#msg1020412)

Found this thread and wanted to comment on the rizoma tapered bars. I just installed them last night on my 1100 and I must say that if you haven't done this yet then you should! Rizoma has the sport and touring bars, I bought the touring and what a difference from stock. So far I have only ridden about 15 miles but I can tell you it is like a completely different bike. No more crunching into the tank and I'm almost sitting upright with a perfect reach to the bars. The sweep back is just right and should help immensely with the numb hands and wrists. I should mention that I also have the DP touring seat so I'm up slightly higher as well. They feel a little weird right now because they are taller and it brings all the controls up higher. So it feels like you are sitting in the bike more than on top of it, if that makes sense. Install was a little tedious having to grind down all the pins and wrap the bars in tape (I used rubber splicing tape) but there really weren't any issues. Just have to make sure all the cables and wires aren't being pulled or pinched anywhere. I also didn't encounter any of the steering lock to lock issues like others have mentioned, I had to make a few adjustments but nothing too drastic. One of my steering lock stop bolts broke while trying to back it out so I had to replace it. I also found alot of loose bolts when removing my old bars so it's a good idea to check those once in awhile. It's a little hard to tell from the pics but you can see how the stock bars look like they slope down and the rizomas have an upward angle. I still have a few adjusments to make to the controls and put my new levers on but so far very happy with these and highly recommend  [thumbsup]

(http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/9899/phuppimageymo.jpg)

(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/124/phuppimageyit.jpg)

Bike looks great!  Any chance we can get a couple of pics to see what it looks like from the front and sides in particular? 

Thanks!