Mirrors that provide greatest field of vision

[AG5656]

Hello,
I have stock mirrors for GS500F 2008 (they mount to the frame under the fairing).  The problem I have with these mirrors is that I cannot see directly behind me or in my blind spot and they could be bigger.  So, I want to buy a new set of mirrors that provide the greatest field of vision.  I'm not very concerned with looks, mainly safety.

I found many favorable reviews on Napoleon bar-end mirrors because they provide great visibility to the rear...but how would I add great visibility to the blind spot (besides adding those tiny stick-on blind spot mirrors)?

I also found favorable reviews on Third Eye mirrors but they look very small to me.  Apparently they are very convex allowing you to see in blind spot?

Maybe I need to have 2 sets of mirrors (4 total) in order to have maximum field of vision?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[kml.krk]

that's an interesting question to which answer I do not know.

I know however that the only way to really make sure no one is in your blind spot is quickly glance over your shoulder.

I find the stock mirrors to be decent, but not perfect. I have them set in such a way that I have to tuck in my elbows and move my head sideways to see directly behind me. This way I can cover more blind spot.

If you do not care about looks maybe you could add bar end mirrors to your current setup. This way you would have 4 mirrors. I know it would look a little goofy, but hey, who cares! Safety first!

You would use your regular mirrors as your primary mirrors and the bar end mirrors to check what is directly behind you.

[Electrojake]

Maybe I need to have 2 sets of mirrors (4 total) in order to have maximum field of vision?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

My 2 cents worth. . .
I use bar end mirrors on all my bikes. (sans the Harley)
IMHO the stock mirrors on most all bikes are good for checking your shoulders for dandruff, but little else.
I bought my mirrors at CycleGear because there is a store close to my house. (It frequently comes in handy!)
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_MBM12BLK_G
I use these goofy looking bar end mirrors on all my bikes because I need to safely operate the vehicle, not worry about how cool I look.
Here is a mediocre picture of a GS500F with bar end mirrors:



And if you load this YouTube clip, at about 40 seconds in you can get a quick shot of a GS with bar end mirrors too. Those are about 8mm (3.25") diameter. They also make much smaller ones that look cool, cost a lot, but don't work very well. LINK>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmzo3Dut1k

Oh, and about the Harley not getting bar end mirrors. . .
In Harley land, risking your life while you look cool is part of the mystique. Which is exactly why my Yamaha and the Suzuki get thousands of miles per year and the Harley just sits and looks cool.
<snicker> I just had to add that zinger.

Have fun mirror hunting.
And yeah they're goofy looking but they will save your life many times over.
Regards,
-Ej-

[007brendan]

+1 for bar end mirrors.  Much easier to see behind you, and at least on naked bikes, they look way cooler.  I use one bar end mirror on the left handlebar.  I did have one on the right side, but my mirrors wrap over the grips and it got in the way a bit, and it vibrated loose (almost fell out on the highway!).  One mirror is enough to see behind me.  Though, realistically, at highway speeds, which is when you'll most likely be using your mirrors, there's just too much vibration to try and use your mirrors for any more than just getting a general idea for how much traffic is around you.  Take the half a second to look over your shoulder and check.  Or, if you're like me, you'll just go faster than everyone else so that there's no chance of someone passing into your blind spot.

[Anaconda]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220453161588&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I bought a set of these bar end ones and hopefully i'll be receiving it this week.  I'm sure it'll work much better than my darned stock mirrors that lets me check out my arms flexing

@brendan especially if i'm on the bay bridge in the SF bay area i'm flying like speedy mc speedy

[Paulcet]

Interesting concept: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html

[89Decepticon]

I also use one bar end on my left side. give lots of view of around me....plus I'm always checking my shoulders, even with my mirrors. Had the "bunny ears" when I picked up my 89, they came off fast and a I purchased ones of ebay, just like ones anacondas waiting on.

[JB848]

Interesting concept: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html

+1 on the multivewmirror!

[Electrojake]

+1 on the left side mirror.
Dual mirrors are nice but the left is a must have.

And $17.95 is a great price for these fifty dollar mirrors if you can get em'! Nice Ebay Link.

Off topic. . .
Paulcet, good to see you post.
I must have been missing your threads lately.
(Or you've been working a lot of hours to pay for bike bling  )
-Ej-

[redhenracing2]

I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.

[Electrojake]

I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.

Price???
Photo?
Just wondering.

[tt_four]

I always use bar end mirrors. the vision is great and it cuts down on mirror vibration too. Sometimes you can get extenders for normal mirrors if you really like them. i've neverf even thought about a blind spot on a motorcycle. if i didn't have the energy to turn my head when I wanted to change lanes I'd stop riding. The only thing I use my mirror for is to make sure I dont get rearended at red lights.

[redhenracing2]

I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.

Price???
Photo?
Just wondering.

I believe they were about $10, maybe $15 a piece.
You stick them in the bar end and as you tighten the screw in the end of it, the rubber gets squeezed and expands sideways locking it in place.

[Suzuki Stevo]

SW-MOTECH Mirror Wideners
I can look behind me now 

[tt_four]

That cateye bicycle mirror is actually the one I've always used. Used to have two but one of the mirrors fell off when I was on the highway. Still had the whole plastic part, it was just the actual mirror piece that vibrated from the glue. They're great because I keep my bike in the basement so it's really nice to just twist it out by hand before I push my bike in through the door. No need to get out a wrench. They're also easily adjusted once I'm moving.

They're also very cheap, but probably actually cost more than the ones you can get on ebay for $18 shipped per pair. That's quite the deal.

[Anaconda]

yeah, it took me some time to search for a set that's cheap enough and a seller that is located in the US.  I do not have the patience to buy one from the Chinese sellers on ebay just because it takes 2 weeks before I can use it

[Electrojake]

I would agree that cheap is good when it comes to bar end mirrors since they do have a tendency to get knocked off.
And the opposite of cheap would be the SW-Motech option. . .

SW-MOTECH Mirror Wideners
I can look behind me now 

Also. . .
Stevo, I have seen those extender things on BMW's before. I didn't realize SW-Motech made em' for the Suzuki GS.
So I (we) need an honest evaluation here. . .
Do they simply "help" of fully "cure" the uselessness of the stock mirror, look at your own shoulders problem?

Any input is greatly appreciated since I love big dollar gadgets on my bargain bike!
Thanks,
-Ej-

P.S. Do you just get the link, or the full assembly?
If its just the link, are they pressed on or simple nut & bolt?
Thanks.

[Suzuki Stevo]

I would agree that cheap is good when it comes to bar end mirrors since they do have a tendency to get knocked off.
And the opposite of cheap would be the SW-Motech option. . .

Stuff Stevo said was in here....

Also. . .
Stevo, I have seen those extender things on BMW's before. I didn't realize SW-Motech made em' for the Suzuki GS.
So I (we) need an honest evaluation here. . .
Do they simply "help" of fully "cure" the uselessness of the stock mirror, look at your own shoulders problem?

Any input is greatly appreciated since I love big dollar gadgets on my bargain bike!
Thanks,
-Ej-

P.S. Do you just get the link, or the full assembly?
If its just the link, are they pressed on or simple nut & bolt?
Thanks.

Just the link and all hardware required. If they didn't work on my GS500F why would I have them on my GSX650F, V-Strom and Ninja too?  
I will admit they are not the cheapest solution out there.

Ninja application...


GSX650F Delrin Spacer application...


V-Strom SW Spacer application...

[tykho]

There's this helmet made now, I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but it has mirrors built into the top of it with a mirror at the top of the visor that shows what's directly behind you, I thought that was a really cool idea. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and has the link?

[007brendan]

I always use bar end mirrors. the vision is great and it cuts down on mirror vibration too.

I feel like mirror vibration got worse for me when I switched to bar ends.  Though, I switched from stock handlebar to clipons at about the same time, so it could just be that clipons vibrate more.