Bent Handle Bar

[bman]

My handlebar is slightly bent. The right side is up and forward more than the left. I am wanting to replace it  and had asked about clip ons. But I am not sure if that is what I want to do. I need advice and prices really because I do not have a lot to spend on  this. Any help would be appreciated. My post on clip ons was about the differences and types. I would like information about direct normal replacements as well as general advice. Thanks!

Brandon

[Anaconda]

I understand clip ons are desirable and I would love a set myself, but I'm too cheap and went with this http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/15396/ITEM/Bikemaster-Drag-Bar-Handlebar.aspx

Although it may never be clip ons, it made me have a bit more of an aggressive position.  If you really desire clip-ons, then ask adidasguy if he has a set of european ones to sell.

[tb0lt]

I understand clip ons are desirable and I would love a set myself, but I'm too cheap and went with this http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/15396/ITEM/Bikemaster-Drag-Bar-Handlebar.aspx

Although it may never be clip ons, it made me have a bit more of an aggressive position.  If you really desire clip-ons, then ask adidasguy if he has a set of european ones to sell.

Already... somebody needs to come out and say this.. might as well be me.

I donno who started this trend or why they are being called clipons.. but every time i see the old 89 style factory bars being called clipons, i just feel that somebody started an ignorant trend and it is just being passed along to every new GS twinner that reads it. The factory 1989 top triple mounted handle bars are NOT clipons. Clipons CLIP on to the actual forks or somehow attach directly to the forks using clamps. The older 89 style factory bars are just straight bars that are fixed to the top triple. They do not allow position adjustment or angle adjustment like real clip on bars and they do not clip on to anything.

PS: Nothing personal .. I just think people should realize this and call them what they are and stop claiming they are something they are not.

[tt_four]

The factory 1989 top triple mounted handle bars are NOT clipons. Clipons CLIP on to the actual forks

All clip-ons clamp to fork tubes. Nothing about them "clips" to anything. Technically they should ALL be called "clamp ons", but for some reason they are not. Probably because people would always think they overheard groups of guys talking about tampons. First we need to decide where the phrase "clip-ons" started, then we can go from there.

As far as other bars, this is a random pair of renthal MX bars I got on ebay. Not sure what the bend is, but they work well and look pretty good...







My other bike has a pair of Renthal streetfighters, and I really like them. If you were buying a new pair I'd recommend those. They also come with a cross brace and bar pad if that's your thing, but I have mine removed. They're about $60-70 online.

[burning1]

I have clip-ons on my 93 GS500 race bike. I love them at the track, but I maintain that they are silly for street use. For typical street riding, the ergonomics of clip-ons are detrimental to control of the bike - you'll have better control with more upright handlebars.

If you're interested in replacing the stock bars, PM me with an offer on mine. If you're really interested in clip-ons, I may have a set up for sale in a month or so.

They do not allow position adjustment or angle adjustment like real clip on bars and they do not clip on to anything.

For what it's worth, a lot of OEM clip-ons do not provide any adjustment either. I have an 06 GSX-R front end sitting next to me. The clip-ons are indexed to the triple clamps, and due to the nature of the fork they aren't really height adjustable either. Only way to get any adjustibility from the OEM clips is to modify them, or install woodcraft clip-ons.

[tt_four]

I'll probably have a set of clip ons and a modified top triple cover soon too, but they're no where near as friendly as upright bars. They feel great when you're taking a turn or riding at high speed, but otherwise it's a pretty serious commitment with the position it puts you in, plus the handlebar vibrations are on a whole new level.

[adidasguy]

If you don't like the term "clip ons"  then you need to start by complaining to the web master for this site.

From the main page:
"Did you know? In the USA the gs500 came with clip-on bars only in 1989"

Anyway, the bars look and feel like clip-ons when compared to standard style bars. That they don't mount the same way a "vortex" or other brand mounts - who cares? It is the style, the look, the feel of the bars. Most of the time they are referenced with "89" or "European" so no one is really that confused about them. 

[paulc86]

Dude, really, bang for the buck, go with the Bikemaster Drag Bars.  $20.

I got mine on in 45 minutes.  All I had to do was cut the nubbin off from the inside of the thumb control housings (they usually go into a hole drilled in the handlebar, I really didn't wanna mess with that) and rotate the front brake output line.  The factory rear view mirrors are actually useful now (drops and spreads the mirrors apart, so you get a view of what is behind you rather than your shoulders).

It will be the cheapest and easiest option to install.  You can also try the Superbike bars (from Bikemaster) for a feel closer to factory, or clubmans.  Clip-ons will require a little more work to install.  So will '89 and Euro handlebars (not to mention very hard to find and can be pricey when found).