Suburban Bars Too Aggressive?

[Pelikan]

I'm looking into a gs with suburban bars fitted.  This will be my first bike, and my initial impression is that these bars might be too aggressive for me.  I'm accustomed to riding a bicycle with bars that are more or less flat/straight across.

In all fairness, I haven't seen the bars in person, nor have I tried them, so am looking for some feedback from owners/users.

Any thoughts?

[adidasguy]

Its real easy and cheap to change the bars. If the bike is a good price and you like it except for the bars, haggle a little then show pictures here of your bike. Look through the "Wall of Fame" and other postings with pictures then tell us what style you like. People will be glad to help you change the bars. Lots of us have extra stuff laying around. I have extra sets of the European clip-on type bars. (See pictures I've posted). Not too aggressive, but slightly more than stock bars. If you want even less, you can put on stock bars with risers. So many options.

[Twisted]

Try drag bars -



Installed these on mine and they look/perform better than stock in my opinion.

[Deros514]

The suburban bars aren't all that aggressive. Very similar to the drag bars twisted posted. When I first got my bike it had the stock bars, I rode it like that for a while until I got comfortable with it and then switched out to clubmans. Those are low and aggressive. It took some getting used to because of the ergos and the bike behaved differently but I really like them.

[adidasguy]

This is what was sold in Europe and Canada. They were a factory option offered by Suzuki. I bought them from England put them on mine. I LOVE them. Slightly more aggressive than stock bars. Less aggressive than clubmans.

[JB848]

Stupid question but humor me. Why?

[adidasguy]

Humor me, too but.... Why what?
Why change bars? If that's what you're asking....
I have a 2009 GS500F. Stock bars.
I bought a used 1992 GS500E. Sold originally in Canada. It had the European style bars. They were sold in Canada, too. Just not the USA (slightly different style sold in USA only 1989.)
I liked the bars on the '92. Different riding position. I found it more fun.
So I searched and found them available from bike breakers in UK and Germany. So I bought some. Cleaned them up. Put them on.
Anyone can change bars to make the bike more enjoyable and fit better. That's why there are bar risers to raise up the bars a little and move them back. Some people want them so the bike fits them better.
Its all personal preference.
Some people like a red bike. Some like blue. Some paint their bike. Same with handle bars. People change them to what they like or what feels better to them.

[JB848]

Noted: Just me but I like the bike stock as stock can be. That is it's allure..Maximum performance and looks at a low maintenence and replacement cost? Look at my bikes. I add things to make them better or to taste but nothing I can't undo.

[adidasguy]

I have the original bars. I can put them back on in 15 minutes or less if I need to. If I were to sell the 2009 bike, the original bars and original tail light go with it (has ClearAlternatives now).

The '92 I'm un-doing the things that have been done. Found original turn signals, tank, tail pieces, belly pan and headlight cowl. It may be a 92, but it will look like a factory original 94 except for the rear sets. Have the originals and they can be put back on. It was Canadian and came with factory clip-ons. Un-doing fenderectomy. Wheels may go gun metal gray rather than white to better match the '94 red/black colors (gray wheels were available on certain years, so that's not too un-factory original). But will have original size tires (removing the larger tire that was put on). I like factory original, too with some slight changes.

[JB848]

Cool! Then you think as I do.I hate to see anyone chop up a classic and I think the GS500 is that and then some. It is for the purist and no one else.

[adidasguy]

Great! And remember - the clip-on type bars I put on ARE factory originals for the GS500 --- just not sold for the 2009 model. So I feel that's OK. (I never would drop the fork to put on after market clip ons.)

The Gimbel rear sets - surprisingly - are Suzuki approved. In Europe you need paperwork for many after market items to show they are approved and street legal. They came with a few sheets of official paperwork that were stamped and signed - including one on Suzuki letterhead. So they are sort-of OK - they are Suzuki certified in Germany.

The only truly non-factory things are rear huggers and crash sliders. But those just make sense to protect the bike and help keep the suspension clean.

Some things people have done I feel are just fugley. To each his own. Make your bike what you want it to be. Some of us migrate towards factory original, some don't.

[JB848]

I understand. Actually the drop down bars were on the original 1989 bike and have not been since. Have you looked at what I have done, in the process of doing?

[adidasguy]

You've done some nice work.

I am aware of the 89 clip ons. They are different from the 2 types found in Canada and Europe. In the car port, centuryghost's has 89 clip ons (I call type 1), Junior has Can/Eur type 2 and Suzi has the other Can/Euro clips I call type 3. Fun to go from bike to bike and feel the difference in the bar position. Type 3 is the only one that fits properly on the new larger fuel tanks. The others hit the tank. All fit on the older bikes.

I've got extra wheels to work with (and 2 brand new white front rims). I'm going to use Dupli-Color wheel paint then get new tires after the paint sets up. Tomorrow Junior gets toogoofy's white back rim & tire. Junior has a bad back tire and the one from her is still good. Need better tire for wet roads. Then a set gets painted gray, new tires, get on Junior. Then a set of white gets cleaned up 'cause Suzi might look cool with white rims.

This shows the difference in the Canadian/European clips. The silver is type 3. Other is type 2 painted to match the dark metallic instrument panel. The top has them superimposed to better see the difference in the bar position and angle. Type 3 is positioned a little back and angled farther out, hence it doesn't slap the newer bigger fuel tanks (but you can pinch your thumbs - it is close).



Time to read the Haynes manual for changing back wheel tomorrow.

[adidasguy]

This picture should answer some questions about the difference between the factory clip-ons and standard bars. The photo is with the factory clip ons and overlaid is an outline riding with standard bars. Note the hands are lower and slightly forward - hence the leaning forward. They are closer in to the bike, while the stock bars puts your hands farther apart - something you can't see from a side angle. Also you lean forward more with the clip ons.


The two photos used are nearly an exact match for the position of the bike relative to the camera. What luck!
Isn't photoshop handy?

[bubba zanetti]

Cool! Then you think as I do.I hate to see anyone chop up a classic and I think the GS500 is that and then some. It is for the purist and no one else.

Bwahahahahaha.

[tt_four]

I wouldn't give the handlebars on the bike a second thought. If you're used to a bicycle, you're used to handlebars that are probably lower than your seat. Even low bars on a sportbike aren't as low as normal bars on a bicycle. I ride bicycles too, and every time I got on my last motorcycle with clipons, it still felt pretty relaxed.

The other thing that's tough about clipons/clubmans/any lower bar, is that they feel different when you're riding than when you just sit on the bike. They might feel far and low, but it makes perfect sense when you're riding. Give the bike a shot and if you still think it's uncomfortable then just swap out the bars. You can find a regular pair of bars for $15 anywhere.

[centuryghost]

x2

Swapping bars is like adjusting your car seat for comfort. It's all relative to you.

[adidasguy]

I put on gimbel rear sets on Junior. He has the same bars as Suzi. With feet 4" back and 2 up, it forces you to lean. With clip-ons of any type, that is necessary. With standard bars, you'd feel like you're arching your back because you'd be too high. Rear sets need clip ons. The factory ones are fine for me. Someine taller than me (5'8") might need bars that are lower and more forward. The combination makes me feel as "one with the bike". More control and a better feel for him.

... the gimbels are not in these pictures. Everything the same except the bars. I'll do a super-position next with Junior and the rear sets to highlight the difference. I love the feel of the clutch pedal with the Gimbel set.

century is right that it is all a matter of preference. Some people put on bar raisers. If makes their ride better - we all approve.
Do whatever you want so you and your bike fit together for more comfort,safety and more fun.

[Firstoni]

One of the things I think I like about them is you no longer have the bar below the gauges and have all that room to do something with now.....

[The Buddha]

SM bars are not too aggressive IMHO, they are ~5 degrees too close to you. Just IMHO. For my shoulder width and my riding style and the 90-00 GS'es - no 01+ in the list so far - I have had and the suspension and what not ... I prefer to have the bars about 5 degrees further forward - closer to the perpendicular line through the triples.
Its sorta understandable, the sm was made for an SV actually. It may work perfect for the sv ... anyway ... I made and sold wha twere called 2 weld bars. These were about the right angle to work perfect on a 90-00 GS (they were made on one of those) and they had the angle right atleast for me. They were steel, not stainless and I sold em for between 40 and 50 bucks over a 3-4 year period. Today they are worth several 1000 ... if not millions  (or atleast what ever it will cost to swipe it from whoever has one when they not looking).
Cool.
Buddha.