Good Vibrations: Hudson Valley Motor Parts Bar Ends Review

Bar Ends from Hudson Valley Motor Parts install in about 10 minutes with a minimum of effort, and since they are offered in model-specific fitments they work seamlessly with stock hand guards. (Photo: Ken Lee)
Bar Ends from Hudson Valley Motor Parts install in about 10 minutes with a minimum of effort, and since they are offered in model-specific fitments they work seamlessly with stock hand guards. (Photo: Ken Lee)

Hudson Valley Motor Parts offers a solution for riders plagued by excessive handlebar vibrations: accessory bar end weights. These bar ends, which are offered in both model-specific and universal fit options, work by adding extra weight to the bars, helping to quell the buzz. We recently had the opportunity to try a set of HVMP Bar Ends ($90) while on a two-week tour aboard a BMW S 1000 XR, a bike that we previously found produces an irritating vibration at certain engine speeds. Indeed, swapping out the bar ends, which takes maybe 10 minutes at the most, provided significant relief from bar buzz, in turn making the trip much more pleasant.

Upon signing up for IMTBIKE’s new-for-2016 Portugal & Southern Spain tour (look for a write-up in the July 2016 issue), I mentioned to Editor-in-Chief Tuttle and Senior Editor Drevenstedt that I’d be riding a BMW S 1000 XR for two weeks. That raised some eyebrows. “Too buzzy,” they told me. “Get an R 1200 RT or GS if you can.”

But the S 1000 XR was the bike assigned to me, so that’s what I was going to ride. Assuming that being forewarned is also being forearmed, I prepared myself by securing a pair of the HVMP Bar Ends. They come in an attractive black finish over stainless steel, they’re visibly longer and, at 10.3 ounces, also noticeably heavier than the stock bar ends. The swap took about 10 minutes after factoring in securing some tools and blue thread locker from my friends at IMTBIKE, and the S 1000 XR stock handguards still fit just fine.

There is a noticeable difference between the HVMP Bar Ends (left) and the stock BMW version (right). The HVMP Bar Ends are both longer and heavier.
There is a noticeable difference between the HVMP Bar Ends (left) and the stock BMW version (right). The HVMP Bar Ends are both longer and heavier.

I made the swap at the end of day two on the tour and the change was dramatic. Where the stock setup creates an irritating buzz from about 4,200 rpm up to 5,500 rpm—prime highway cruising speeds—the change to the HVMP Bar Ends made handlebar vibration essentially unnoticeable at those speeds. They don’t completely eliminate vibration; hard, aggressive riding still created a high-rpm buzz that made my hands tired, but the bike was now much easier to live with. With that simple change, the bike’s great ergonomics, moderately wide handlebar, broad, comfortable seat and just-enough wind protection were allowed to shine, making the S 1000 XR a most enjoyable riding companion for the next 12 days.

All in all, this was a very significant transformation for the S 1000 XR, for a very modest price and little effort. The best part? If you’re not satisfied, HVMP offers a no-questions-asked return policy.

Visit hvmp.com for more pricing and availability.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I went for the really dense heavy bar ends from Touratech. They’re actually made of gold so the price is somewhat reasonable.

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