I got the WRP handle bars, as offered by
Touratech under the name TT-Enduro Class A , parts no. 01-040-0712-0 for Euro 96. They are from the Italian company
Works Racing Parts under the product name WD-9600.
Sizes and shape are 100% identical to the factory bars. They weight a bunch lesser.
I was actually quite surprised as how heavy the factory bars are. My balance at home weighted the factory bars at 2.1 kg = 4.6 lbs.. Surprising also the excellent finish and details, like the coated grip pieces. I bet that they cost no lesser than good aluminium bars. The WRP bars weighted in at 900 grams.
In opposite what I was told before, they do not come completed with 5 mm pre-drilled holes to fit the factory switch gear, nor do they come with the threaded inserts to fit the bar ends. To say it clearly: They also do not possess the quality of the Magura AX and the Magura EX (the later I had on my previous V-Strom), nor the quality of the Lucas which I also tried on my V-Strom. Although the WRP quality is not bad, the crafting and the surface does not deliver the outstanding classiness of the German counterparts.
Since the WRP handle bars are having the same measurements, there is hardly any difference visible with them mounted. Except the shimmer tells it's aluminium, which is probably not visibly on the photos:
What the rider eyes see:
Measurements:
Width: 776 mm*
Height: 198 mm*
Pullback: 92 mm*
Width of the center part: 92 mm
Diameter in the center: 28.6 mm
Diameter at the handle bar ends: 22 mm
* from center to center of the tubing material
Conclusion:
On my V-Strom 1000 I could immeditally tell a positive handling difference when switching from the fatcory bars to the Maguras. If you are interested, read
here.
Riding the GS with the WRP bars, I could not tell any difference to the stock handle bars. So if you want to spend the money to save about one kg on weight, then it may be worthwhile. Considering the Magura AX bars costed little more only, I do pity they are not available anymore.
