Brake and Shift lever compatibility?

[lucky4034]

Need a new set of levers.  Obviously the sport bikes get all the cool aftermarket stuff... are there any other bikes with compatible levers with my 2009 GS? 

[jdoorn14]

Brake lever, yes. Many models have compatible brake levers. Do a search for brake lever and you'll find several threads containing all the various models. Also, check out the "How to replace your brake lever" video that adidasguy posted in the Video sticky thread.

Clutch levers, not so much. If you want something different than stock, and don't want to pay an arm and a leg, you would need to swap out the clutch perch with something like an SV650. Then depending on who you listen to, you will also need to replace your clutch cable with one that has a 90* bend instead of the OEM 45* bend. For more information, check out the "How to replace your clutch lever" and "How to replace your handlebars" videos that adidasguy and slipperymongoose, respectively,  have so nicely created and posted for us.

With completely original clutch perch, your options for matching aftermarket brake/clutch levers are severely limited to stuff like the ASV levers that cost around $125 per lever. (I believe adidasguy might have a couple of these to save you shipping directly from Germany.)

[lucky4034]

Awesome info    I will definitely check those videos out.... 

As for the levers, I guess I'll just stick with the cheap ones for now.... I'd like to find something nice in red, but not sure I'm interested in paying $100 for a set at the moment.

[jdoorn14]

If you pick up a clutch perch for an SV650 (usually around $20-$30 on ebay), you could pick up a set of the levers these guys are talking about. They seem to be good quality and the folks over at svrider.com seem to be largely in favor of them. http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153671&highlight=lever I think the current price is $55 shipped to the US. Much easier on the wallet than the ASV direct GS500 replacements at $125 per lever ($250/set).

[adidasguy]

I think I had posted a more complete list somewhere. This is all I could find right now

Brake Lever Fitments:

* Kawasaki Ninja
    ZX6R 2000-2002, ZX9R 2000-2003, Z1000 2003-2007, ZX12R 2000-2005

* Kawasaki ZZR600 2005-2010
    * (Note: This lever will not fit ZX6 or ZX600E)
Kawasaki 1984 ZX900 A1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1984 ZX900 A2 Ninja
Kawasaki 1985 ZX600 B1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1985 ZX900 A1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1985 ZX900 A2 Ninja
Kawasaki 1986 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1986 ZG1000 Concours
Kawasaki 1986 ZX1000 Ninja
Kawasaki 1986 ZX600 B1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1986 ZX900 A1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1986 ZX900 A2 Ninja
Kawasaki 1987 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1987 EX500
Kawasaki 1987 ZG1000 Concours
Kawasaki 1987 ZX1000 Ninja
Kawasaki 1987 ZX600 B1 Ninja
Kawasaki 1987 ZX750 Ninja
Kawasaki 1988 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1988 EX500
Kawasaki 1988 ZG1000 Concours
Kawasaki 1988 ZX1000 B ZX10 Ninja
Kawasaki 1988 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1988 ZX750 Ninja
Kawasaki 1989 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1989 EX500
Kawasaki 1989 ZG1000 Concours
Kawasaki 1989 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1989 ZX750 Ninja
Kawasaki 1990 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1990 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1991 EX500
Kawasaki 1991 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1992 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1992 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1993 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1993 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1994 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1994 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1995 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1995 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1996 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1996 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1997 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1997 ZX600 C Ninja
Kawasaki 1998 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 1999 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 2000 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 2001 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 2002 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 2003 EX250 Ninja
Kawasaki 2004 EX250 Ninja
* Suzuki
    DL650 V-Strom 2004-2008 (not-ABS), SV650 and SV650S 1999-2008,
    DL1000 V-Strom 2002-2008, SV1000 and SV1000S 2003-2008
    GS500 2001-2010, Bandit 600 1996-2003, TL1000S 1997-2001,
    TL1000R 1998-2003, Bandit 1200 2001-2008, Hayabusa 1999-2010

* Yamaha
    R6 1999-2004 (not 2005+), R6S 2006-2010, FZ1 2001-2005 (not 2006+)

Clutch Lever:

# GS500 2001-2002
# GS500E 1990-2000
# GS500F 2004-2009
# BANDIT 600S 1996-1999

[skunkteeth]

While this thread is up, I just replaced my handlebars with clip ons and the clutch perch with an 99-02 SV650 so I could use ASV levers.

The stock cable worked but had a super sharp bend by the gauges.

After browsing on ebay for a clutch cable with a nice 90 degree bend I found one which was obvious, a cable from a 99-02 SV650, motion pro part number 04-0220. Just take one nut off on the engine side and reuse the boot on the GS cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290718002106?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[Worm]

If you just want the levers red, have someone paint or powder-coat the stock ones. Gotta be a lot cheaper than $125 per lever!!

[jdoorn14]

If you just want the levers red, have someone paint or powder-coat the stock ones. Gotta be a lot cheaper than $125 per lever!!

Unless you also want adjustable levers for both...

[Worm]

If you just want the levers red, have someone paint or powder-coat the stock ones. Gotta be a lot cheaper than $125 per lever!!

Unless you also want adjustable levers for both...

True! I was just going off his statement:

.... I'd like to find something nice in red, but not sure I'm interested in paying $100 for a set at the moment.

[jdoorn14]

the sport bikes get all the cool aftermarket stuff...

Yeah, shame on me for reading into his comment.    I figured if he's looking for cool aftermarket levers, he must be looking for adjustable ones in various colors.

[MVent03]

This is also a project I'm wanting to do on my bike.

New perches, adjustable levers, and brake lines front and rear.

Wanting to keep the functionality of everything too so I have to make sure the electrics all work the same too.

Kind of intentionally putting this off til next winter cuz I know the bike will be down for a while.

[Precisi0n]

I found these adjustable levers on ebay for $35 http://www.ebay.com/itm/290581922355?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649.  You can choose which color scheme you'd like and between short or long levers.  They are shipped from Hong Kong, so they did take a few weeks to arrive but seem like decent quality.

I was then able to find a Katana 750 perch (same part as the SV650) for $17 on ebay with the safety switch.  It needs a little paint but is otherwise in good condition.

So for about $50 I now have adjustable levers! 

[GS500F2004]

Holy thread revival batman. With the Katana 750 perch, what year was it? Also, did you have to change the clutch cable?