Need a new handlebar - pros/cons of OEM vs. clubman/others? Where to buy?

[Alphamazing]

I contacted Suburban Machinary and they qouted me with a grand total of $167 (after shipping) for one of their handle bars. That's pretty steap compared to other bars I've come across.

Yah, but the SM bars are really high quality and look fantastic.

[Dwn4whadever]

Spec wise, not look, how much of a difference are you going to notice between the type 2 from SM and the Clubman thats on the ridenow website. I have a really hard time figuring out what the difference in measurements when i have no picture.  which one is going to be more aggressive.

[RVertigo]

So, did you ever get bars and grips snopyro?

I like the ProGrip 719s...   

And...  If you're going from an older style bar to one without the welded bit in it, what you'll need it the little expanding piece of rubber, a longer bolt, and the nut for the inside...  If you check the parts-lists for the 01+ you'll see what I'm talking about.

You can pick the parts up from a stealership...  (I did the opposite when I went from newer bars to older bars)...  Or you can order them on-line.

[pantablo]

Spec wise, not look, how much of a difference are you going to notice between the type 2 from SM and the Clubman thats on the ridenow website. I have a really hard time figuring out what the difference in measurements when i have no picture. which one is going to be more aggressive.

I've seen the clubmans on the gs and they put the grips at a VERY low and awkward angle compared to the suburban-machinery bars. these feel natural, just like clip ons feel. they're even lower than the clipons that come on the US version 89 model gs (or all the euro models). Check my site for pictures of the SM bars installed.

One of the old members here that was local to me swapped his OEM with a Drag bar from bikemaster. they're almost straight and leave your wrists at an awkward angle too. not too uncomfortable but noticeable.

Srinath, another member here was making knock-offs of the SM bars for about $50. not as nice aesthetically but functional.

One other thing to consider with the cheap bars that no one has mentioned. The switchgear (turn signal cluster, and starter cluster) have a little nub on the inside that fits into a hole in the OEM bar to make sure it doesn't turn on the bar. The SM bar also has that. None of the other aftermarkets come with that hole, leaving you to either drill the hole yourself (not easy) or grind off the plastic nub from the inside of the switchgear.

[Dwn4whadever]

Thanks man I think i will just get the SM when i get the money. Sounds like they are more along the lines of stock as far as installing goes.