Why does it seem everyone is putting on non standard bars?

[Bulwark]

Im new to MCing and obviously to my GS but why does it seem that everyone here on the boards has replaced there handlebars?

Also what type of bars are you replacing them with?  Are the new ones lower, higher, whats up?

[brett]

I went with the SM2 bars, which are lower and narrower. I like them because they turn in quicker, have a more natural posture, and give it the naked bike with clip-ons look.

[manofthefield]

I didn't know this until recently, but my bike has aftermarket bars on it.  The previous owner must have droped it and bent the bars at some point.  I'm thinking the bars on mine are some of the cheap bikemaster bars that are similar to the stock bend.  Though I want to replace them again, cause I've tweaked 'em some.

Also: see the wiki

[Bulwark]

I had no idea what clip ons were till I saw them in the picture.  Great set of pics btw.  They are made in two pieces and each piece clips on rather than one solid bar going accross.  Glad I learned that as I felt a tad stupid with all the mentioning of clip ons and myself with just a bewildered look on my face.

[annguyen1981]

What's a bar?

[scratch]

Originally, I was okay with the stock bars, but my back began to hurt more from bad riding posture, and since I was doing a lot of downhill riding, I wanted higher bars so I could get more weight off my hands; after I crashed, I went with the Bikemaster Daytonas.  But, now after riding Pharoh's bike (SM2 bars), which feels really natural (now I understand), I have purchased a set of GP Touring bars.

You probably have the GP Touring bars.

[The Buddha]

I didn't know this until recently, but my bike has aftermarket bars on it.  The previous owner must have droped it and bent the bars at some point.  I'm thinking the bars on mine are some of the cheap bikemaster bars that are similar to the stock bend.  Though I want to replace them again, cause I've tweaked 'em some.

Also: see the wiki

Yea ... the stock bars are total crap ... yours are much better.
Cool.
Srinath.

[cafeboy]

Srinath makes some sweet looking bars for the GS. That is if we can get him to make some. 
I need 2 sets 

[manofthefield]

You probably have the GP Touring bars.

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me?



That would be good to know for when I do eventually replace them.  I like them well enough and don't really want to reach much farther forward or lower on longer rides. (I'm 5'-8" for reference)

[RVertigo]

I replaced my stock bars with some other stock bars...  'cause the old ones were bent.   


Does that count?   

[indywar360]

I got mine with fairly straight drag type bars, they were fine but since my arms aren't uber long I replaced them with stock, which feels more natural for me. The stockers also fit all the handlebar gear without crowding and parts hitting each other. Only complaint is that it feels slightly high in front... but that could be my new stiffer forks too.

Stock bars may be crap but they're ok for me.

[scratch]

Stiffer fork springs will have less sag; see www.peterverdonedesigns.com/introduction.htm

[rob1bike]

My stock bars were alil bent, replaced em with a set of drag bars. They have a slight bend to them, they aren't totally straight. I like em, haven't put in any rides longer than 2hrs on them, they aren't made for that.

[Blu_Spd_Dmon]

The stock bars a crap. I have the SM2 and love them, more comfortable, look better and give you more control.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=32467.0

[John Bates]

............ why does it seem that everyone here on the boards has replaced there handlebars?
................

You chose the right word... "seem"... .

My guess is that most GS'ers are happy with the stock "crap" bars.

We don't hear from them because why would anyone post that they are not changing their bars?

[Egaeus]

I replaced mine with some clubmans because the stock bars were bent in a low side by my friend, who was a friend of the guy who borrowed the bike from the PO.  However, the position shown in the wiki was way too aggressive for my back, so they're on the bike like normal bars. They're a little lower than stock, and I'm quite happy with them.

[TragicImage]

What's a bar?

its a place you go to meet women... something you know nothing about.

[Egaeus]

What's a bar?

its a place you go to drink beer and meet women... something you know nothing about.

Fixed! 

[indywar360]

im alcohol intolerant so when I drink my face turns red. Can only drink like .2 of any type of drink before this happens. So bars are kind of pointless... its like enforced christianity. bs.

[Egaeus]

A lot of people get flushed when they drink.  Alcohol fools the brain into thinking you're warm, so the capillaries dilate so that you cool off.  My friend is about like you.  About 2 swallows of beer, and his face and head turn red and he's sweating like he just ran a marathon.