handlebar and brake/clutch lever questions

[Wagoneer]

So I'm doing some research to make some little changes to my bike getting ready for the spring. Need some opinions on handlebars. I have the stock bars on right now and they're too high. When I tuck on the highway I feel like I'm doing the chicken dance. Just too high and too close to me. I've found lots of people like the "superbike" bars for a modest drop, but I think they'd still be a bit too close. Would this bar be comparable to the height of the stock clip-ons?

Width: 28in.
Rise: 0in.
Pullback: 3.84in.
Center: 5.6in.

It's basically a straight bar with some pull back. Anyone running this bar and have some pictures so I can get an idea how low it would be? For $25 it's worth a try but once install I don't want any downtime in the spring switching it out again. Us Canadians have a very small riding season.

I'd also like to get some new levers as the PO of my bike was in a little accident and the levers don't match. What are the specs for our bike for ordering a complete swap-in kit? Will any universal levers work? I can't really find much info on this topic.

[Wagoneer]

Are the bars I'm talking called "drag bars" or are they straighter with no pullback?

[rich3389]

I got drag bars on my bike they work great, I'll add pics later.

[Wagoneer]

Did you have issues with brake reservoir clearance?

[rich3389]

Did you have issues with brake reservoir clearance?

The banjo bolt on the brake reservoir is butted up against the triple tree in order for the grips to be all the way on the handlebar, But that's no big deal.

[twocool]

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.Handlebars


Some good info/photos at site above.

I went with subruban type 2.....

Pricey yes...but I love 'em.

Cookie

So I'm doing some research to make some little changes to my bike getting ready for the spring. Need some opinions on handlebars. I have the stock bars on right now and they're too high. When I tuck on the highway I feel like I'm doing the chicken dance. Just too high and too close to me. I've found lots of people like the "superbike" bars for a modest drop, but I think they'd still be a bit too close. Would this bar be comparable to the height of the stock clip-ons?

Width: 28in.
Rise: 0in.
Pullback: 3.84in.
Center: 5.6in.

It's basically a straight bar with some pull back. Anyone running this bar and have some pictures so I can get an idea how low it would be? For $25 it's worth a try but once install I don't want any downtime in the spring switching it out again. Us Canadians have a very small riding season.

I'd also like to get some new levers as the PO of my bike was in a little accident and the levers don't match. What are the specs for our bike for ordering a complete swap-in kit? Will any universal levers work? I can't really find much info on this topic.

[MeeLee]

There are 2 things you can do.
1- Buy new bars, and install them,
I bought these, I wanted them higher, not lower, but they turned out to be just about as high as the stock bars. They're actually meant to lower the handles, but when you reverse the bar it could make them go higher. They're excellent quality, I don't think I'll ever be able to bend them:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PQOT8Y/

2- THe other, cheaper option, would be to tilt, or reverse your stock handlebars, to have them hang low.
That means unscrewing the brakes and handles, and turning the handlebar upside down, making your left handle your right.
I don't know if the bars will hit the tank though... you'll have to figure that out..

[Janx101]

Reverse stock bars WILL hit tank... there are multiple mentions of this across several threads

[MeeLee]

You can still tilt them somewhat.
The bars I posted don't hit the tank, but then again, I have $34 handlebar riser pieces on my bike.

[Janx101]

Yes but you said reverse. . Aka upside down....

then they hit tank!

Tilting is tilting and ergonomically directed....

Simple!

[Wagoneer]

My stock bars are already tilted. Tilting them gets them a bit lower but they're still way too close for me.

I think I'm going to try out the drag bars. Worst case scenario I'm out $25 and a few hours work. I need to get new grips anyways.

[MeeLee]

What i meant to say was, you can reverse them, and tilt them upwards a bit at the same time, not tilting the stock handlebars down in normal position, but flip em upside down and tilt them up a bit... At least try out how they go, it might not be comfy on the wrists, I never tried that.....

I like a more upright position for myself.
If you're bending forward to get more speed, perhaps the bike isn't powerful enough to what you like.

This bike is good enough to do the highways and interstates with 2 up, or one person teaveling with luggage.
it's not a racing bike.

I'm willing to sell my handlebars (the one you see above on the amazon link).
They just have been taken out the box, never mounted.
only problem is to find a shipping company that will ship em cheap enough...

[Janx101]

Have seen several mentions of using the stock bars this way in last few years, maybe someone got it to work but I can't think of a thread when it did! ..
Extra risers may resolve it.. . But by the time the risers are purchased, fitted, adjust/fiddle the stock bars till it's all good enough. .. you could get aftermarket Cubans or clip ons or other? And be riding already!

The controls all have to come off either way. .. the ergonomics of the upside down (even tilted) stock piece is not going to be too good!

IIRC most attempts ended up going the aftermarket route.. simpler in the end