It dropped off and I didn't notice!

[EMTkid]

My poor throttle side bar end (which I've tightened a couple of times as it had been itching to escape for a while) has suddenly disappeared. This has brought up a subject not before thought about by me... What simpe new additions/ changes can I make in the area of grips and bar-ends.

Now I've gone through the search threads and found a few things that helped, but I have a couple of new nagging questions.

The stock bar-ends are heavy and long which is supposed to help with vibration-abatement. I've found several sites that offer at fairly cheap prices ends that I like, but none seem to mention anything about weight (and they all seem significantly stubbier) Since they say they'll fit the 7/8 bars that are stock I'm not worried about fit I'm more concerned about functionality...should I be or should i just get the look I like best?

Now for the grips, I've also found a set I like through the searched threads (http://streetfighters-usa.com/store/product3348.html) but they appear to have closed ends despite the description stating otherwise. Anyone else used them? and does the rubber simply slip over the existing throttle tube? or any other info I should know going into a mammoth $15 purchase? (tongue firmly in cheek)

[RVertigo]

Progrip 719s come open ended...  I have some...  (See sig)  It might be a "stock" picture.

As for installing them...  Not that big of a deal....  Pull (or cut) the old ones off...  Slide the new ones on.  (You might have to use the soapy water trick, but I didn't)

For the bar-ends...  You might be able to find some around here or ebay...  If not, then get whatever will fit...  Something will be better than nothing.

[EMTkid]

Thanks for the info, not having the bar-end just looks cheap - didn't even realize they were functional until i read previous posts.

[Alphamazing]

Thanks for the info, not having the bar-end just looks cheap - didn't even realize they were functional until i read previous posts.

I seem to have problems with mine falling off...

I have noticed, however, that my bars vibrate LESS with lighter barends. I'm using the cheapy Motrax (or Motax or something) annodized bar ends from Cycle Gear. They're pretty good lookin' and do the job of damping minor vibes.

[surlybruce]

Yes the stock bar ends are a bit heavy and not the best looking. What I did on my 05 500 F was remove the stock bar ends and replace with a pair of EMGO ones  $10.00 in CANADIAN funds. This gives me less vibration and a bit of bling I then used the stock bar ends on the mid fairing to act as sliders. Looks and works good for less than a box of beer.I also found that the stock bars a bit small so I installed a pair of [ GRAB ON ] foam grips  [$10.00 ]  to cut even more vibes. I also use a throttle rocker to cut fatigue on long highway runs.      CHEERS!

[Chuck]

I have noticed, however, that my bars vibrate LESS with lighter barends. I'm using the cheapy Motrax (or Motax or something) annodized bar ends from Cycle Gear. They're pretty good lookin' and do the job of damping minor vibes.

Yes, it's not a heavier-the-better situation (which the catalogs would have you believe).  It's a don't-resonate situation.  A larger bar end will have a lower resonant frequency, which might actually match the rest of your bike better, and resonate more, and cause more vibration.  You want a bar end that has a dissonant natural frequency, which seems to be the lighter one you're now using.  (Of course it also has to have enough mass to soak up the inertia, too.  Complicated.)

[Alphamazing]

I have noticed, however, that my bars vibrate LESS with lighter barends. I'm using the cheapy Motrax (or Motax or something) annodized bar ends from Cycle Gear. They're pretty good lookin' and do the job of damping minor vibes.

Yes, it's not a heavier-the-better situation (which the catalogs would have you believe).  It's a don't-resonate situation.  A larger bar end will have a lower resonant frequency, which might actually match the rest of your bike better, and resonate more, and cause more vibration.  You want a bar end that has a dissonant natural frequency, which seems to be the lighter one you're now using.  (Of course it also has to have enough mass to soak up the inertia, too.  Complicated.)

Yeah. I only noticed less vibration with aftermarket bar ends on my SM2s, not my stock bars. For the stock bars, some heavier bar ends may work better than lighter ones. I just wanted to point out that weight isn't everything.