handlebars...

[taylor]

I just got my first bike, a 2009 GS500F a few weeks ago, and I love it!!!! I've already had a bit done to it as far as bar risers...lowering kit...and the seat shaved...I'm very short...not even 5'2"... haha but its now PERFECT size for me. haha. well the only down side so far is that I don't like the wind hitting me as much as it does...ive heard that if i got lower handle bars (clipons) that it would be better...but how is that compared to the stock handle bars...anyone like it better or worse? Thanks!!!!

[pandymai]

clip-ons or clubmans will drop your riding position forward and down a bit, giving you a more aggressive lean. i personally enjoy the clip-ons i have but i have the 89' stock clipons so they would feel different than the other two options. it's all up to personal preference.

you could also look into a aftermarket lip for the windscreen. there was someone who posted it a few weeks ago that they bought an aftermarket lip that pushes the air a few more inches up

[nhanxsolo]

I bought a set of 7/8" drag bars on eBay for $27 shipped and they are so much better than stock.

[007brendan]

I installed the '89 clipons on my '98 GS about 3 weeks ago, and I really like them.  Though, my last set of handlebars were slightly bent, so anything compared to them is going to be great, I guess

[taylor]

is it pretty easy to switch them out?

[gregvhen]

yes, un screw like 4 screws i think it is and one bolt for the controls, and 4 allen head bolts for the actual bar. very easy mod

[tt_four]

Some cables might need to be re-routed depending on what bars you end up with. Aside from that clip ons are much more comfortable to ride with. I'll also mention that I find the bike easier to move around when I'm not on it, as well as just slowly moving it around when I am sitting on it. They're lower and skinnier so it makes the whole bike feel smaller. Might just be a mental thing, but it works.

[burning1]

If you don't like the wind-blast, you should pickup a fairing. Installing clip-ons is the wrong way to go on the street.

With that said, I'd strongly recommend drag bars or clubman bars for a street bike, over clip-ons. The only way to install clip-ons and retain the stock headlamp is either to swap in an 89 upper and factory clip-ons, or to install aftermarket clip ons over the tripple, and raise the fork tubes up in the tripple clamp. This route can have negative consequences for ground clearance, suspension action, and stability.

[tt_four]

From personal experience over the past 2 weeks, I can say that I hated the wind I got sitting up on the highway, and there was no amount of tucking I could do to properly get out of the wind while my hands were up by my shoulders. I just switched to clipons last weekend and I'm all of a sudden in the perfect position/angle that I don't even notice the wind, and tucking down makes it feel like there is no wind. The handling is so much better too.

Drag bars are an easier option though, and you'll get less vibrations from them than if you just bolt the clipons straight to the fork tubes.

[johnny ro]

clip-ons or clubmans will drop your riding position forward and down a bit, giving you a more aggressive lean. i personally enjoy the clip-ons i have but i have the 89' stock clipons so they would feel different than the other two options. it's all up to personal preference.

you could also look into a aftermarket lip for the windscreen. there was someone who posted it a few weeks ago that they bought an aftermarket lip that pushes the air a few more inches up

The lip works, I have one. My taller windscreen works a bit better and its a bit cleaner looking.

One guy here posted that he put the laminar lip on a taller screen, he got the laminar lip made custom, he said that doubling up works even better.