Handlebar Risers | BMW R18

The simplest lever to improve riding comfort on a big touring motorcycle is to adjust the handlebar position in order to straighten the upper body and relax the shoulders. On motorcycles with an imposing build like the BMW R18, the original handlebar often forces the rider to lean forward, which creates tension in the arms and wrists on long rides. Several solutions exist: changing the handlebar, modifying the seat, or installing handlebar risers. This last option is the most accessible, because it keeps the original handlebar while repositioning the controls. A riser brings the handlebar closer and higher by a few millimetres, which is enough to transform the overall ergonomics. Our FCR Original risers for BMW R18 apply exactly this principle, with an offset calibrated at 25 mm.

Installing handlebar risers makes it possible to correct a riding position that is too stretched without changing the original handlebar. They raise and bring the handlebar closer, which straightens the back and relieves the wrists and shoulders. It is a modification that is particularly relevant for riders who feel fatigue on long rides, or for body types that find the original position too stretched. The operation remains light, generally reversible, and preserves all the existing controls. On the BMW R18, where posture counts as much as the character of the engine, our FCR Original risers offer this gain in comfort while integrating discreetly into the cockpit.

Yes, these risers are designed for the entire BMW R18 range: R18 Standard, Classic, B, Transcontinental, Roctane and 100 Years. They fix onto the original handlebar clamps, common to these versions. They are not compatible with other BMW families such as the R nineT or the R12, which rely on a different cockpit architecture. If you have a doubt about your model year or your finish, our team checks compatibility with you before ordering at 05 49 62 03 26.

The installation is done in a few simple steps and requires no cutting. Here is the procedure: Protect the tank and the fork tees of the motorcycle. Unscrew the 4 Torx screws of the original handlebar clamps. Install the risers on the clamps and refix the whole with the 4 M8x55 socket-head screws provided. Replace the original brake lines with the 2 extended brake lines included in the kit. Important: mount the screws with threadlocker to guarantee a durable hold. The complete installation instructions are provided with the kit. If you are not comfortable with the work on the brake circuit, we recommend entrusting this step to a professional.

The extended brake lines are essential because raising the handlebar moves the controls away from the original brake lines, which then become too short. Installing risers without adapting the brake lines would create tension on the brake circuit, which is to be avoided for reasons of safety and reliability. This is why our builders integrated two adapted brake lines directly into the kit. You thus have a complete and coherent solution, without having to order an additional part.

Yes, the installation is fully reversible. The risers fix onto the existing mounting points of the motorcycle, without any cutting or drilling. You can remove the kit at any time and refit the original configuration, without leaving the slightest trace on your BMW R18. This reversibility is a deliberate choice at FCR Original: it leaves you free to experiment with the new riding position and to go back if you wish.