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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Jelly on March 02, 2005, 09:37:48 AM

Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Jelly on March 02, 2005, 09:37:48 AM
Hi there everyone,  I was hoping to get some advice in regards to Clip-ons for the 04' GS500f .  I want to replace the original handle bars with something not too low, but gives you something more suitable for the track, without touching the newly appointed fairing.

Please let me know if you have any leads re: manufacturer, and/or your experience with this.....Thanks in advance!!!!!! :)
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: TonyDiaz_fls on March 02, 2005, 12:34:12 PM
Hey Jelly,
I added a set of Vortex clip-ons to my '04 GS race bike.  You have two choices as for the location of the clip-on.  1) Below the top triple or 2)What I did was lower the top triple and mounted them on top.  I ran the CCS Homestead race last month and the setup worked great for me.  You will have plenty of clearance.

In case you are wondering I mounted the clip-ons on top because It felt a little better for me (I have short arms).

As for the clip-ons look around, the Votex are expensive.  I have seen a few sets on Ebay lately.  You will need the 37mm.

Good luck, Tony.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: roguegeek on March 02, 2005, 01:09:12 PM
Can I see pics of this Tony?
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: TonyDiaz_fls on March 02, 2005, 02:33:13 PM
Do not have any recent pics with the new setup but I will take some pics and post them.
Title: I make some ...
Post by: The Buddha on March 02, 2005, 03:26:47 PM
I make clip on's ... Billet aluminum clamp, steel tubes ... I can send you pics ... $60 and shipping, BTW mine will only go on top of the triple ... OK fine you have an F ... OK I can make an under but might be low and hit stuff ... dunno about that ... if a vortex fits mine will fit too ... cos its pretty close in proportions ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: TonyDiaz_fls on March 02, 2005, 06:41:30 PM
The clip-ons that Srinath makes should fit with no problems.  I have purchased other of Srinath's creations and the quality is number one.
Title: Gee thanks
Post by: The Buddha on March 02, 2005, 09:17:48 PM
Gee Tonydiaz ... thanks ...
I would like to have someone fit it on an 04 and make sure ... but should fit from eyeballing it ...
Anyway how did you fit a belly pan with the case savers ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: TonyDiaz_fls on March 03, 2005, 06:27:01 AM
Easy,  installed the case savers (perfect fit and very strong, I proved that)trimmed the belly pan around the case savers and then mounted the belly pan to the frame.  Passes tech w/ no problems.
Title: Thanks Guys!!!
Post by: Jelly on March 03, 2005, 08:03:37 AM
Alright, I'll need to have the clip-ons relatively high I would suppose, with the triple clamp lowered and see how that goes........ Thank you Tony for your responses and yes, Srinath, could you provide pics that I could take a look at?  Not sure what I'll do yet as to manufaturer.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: MR_PINK on March 04, 2005, 07:55:36 PM
buy the sm type 2 bars much better then clip ons imo  :mrgreen:
Title: Man
Post by: The Buddha on March 04, 2005, 10:01:13 PM
Man SM type 2's ... I have those exact ones I made from steel Exact ones, I even sent a free set to a couple of GS guys (Who got 4 weld bars from me here guys) ... I fitted 8 of them on SV's in my town ... and guess what ... they are not that great on a GS. And just because it will bolt in doesn't mean its right ... Its far too close to the tank, and on a F its far too close to fairing as well ... It does fir 90-00 just fine wihout being too close ... but seating position is far from ideal ... my 2 weld bars are a lot better... Oh yea Dom also made his version of the 4 welds ...  If I remember ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Dom on March 06, 2005, 11:32:16 AM
My 4 weld Suburban Machinery knockoffs were fine as far as styling and comfort except I made them before I knew to use plugs to connect the welded pieces for added strength.  Also I made them out of some material that was 13/16" but I thought it was 7/8" so they wouldn't clamp down very well.  I think if I make them again I'll try some thinner wall chro-mo or something.  The ones I made were out of 1/8" wall and they were damn heavy.  

Pretty soon here I'll be getting a tig welder so I'll definitely try another set of SM knockoffs out of aluminium.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: ckirtner80 on October 08, 2005, 11:35:38 PM
Sorry for the noob question, can I use any clip on's for my 05?
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Alphamazing on October 08, 2005, 11:46:44 PM
You can mount them under the top triple, but clearance will be a major issue. Your best bet would be to either swap out the front end with a Katana front and use those clip ons or get some clubman bars or drag bars.  Clubman and drag bars will offer you better low speed steering anyways. It becomes far harder to steer with clip ons at low speed especially in comparison to the stock bars.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: JamesG on October 09, 2005, 06:04:46 AM
Traditional, under the top clamp clipons won't fit on an F. There isn't enough room between the top of the fairing and control.

The '89 GS500E topclamp clipons will probably fit fine though, or if you did a Katana transplant (it has a similar bar arrangement).
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Alphamazing on October 09, 2005, 08:11:49 AM
The 1989 bars do fit, but at full lock left the horn button his the tank.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: kvgs on October 09, 2005, 09:04:33 AM
For the easiest route for clip-on style go with the SM bars. Im pretty sure people use them on the "F"
See my avatar, their on my "E" but you get the idea.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: werase643 on October 09, 2005, 05:50:11 PM
http://www.pro-flo.com/proflo_clipons.htm


6 colors to choose from
$120 +

:cheers:


they even show a V&H Supersport exhaust...
SUZUKI    
GS500E (89-98) 22-V12029 $269.95
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: ckirtner80 on October 09, 2005, 07:00:03 PM
How will clip on's affect handling?  If I get low on my F, I find it very uncomfortable after a short period of time.  Will they help for comfort too.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Alphamazing on October 09, 2005, 07:04:49 PM
No. They put considerably more pressure and stress on your wrists and lower back.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: JamesG on October 10, 2005, 03:30:21 AM
They won't be more comfortable. But they will improve handling and control.
Clipons place more of the rider's weight over the front wheel giving a better balance when cornering and accelerating. They are also a MUCH more direct link between what the front wheel & suspension is doing than the stock bar, which in addition to being mounted close to the center of the upper clamp is also rubber damped. The difference is like night and day.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Alphamazing on October 10, 2005, 08:42:12 AM
He's right. It is like night and day. There is a very significant difference to feel and feedback, but there is also the steering difference. It's much harder to steer with clip ons in comparison to a tube bar. Since the bars are shorter and at different angles it is harder to torque the bars from side to side. On the stock bar it is considerably easier.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: TarzanBoy on October 10, 2005, 11:55:12 AM
I don't know about the night and day comparison.   Let me start off by saying that i've never actually ridden a GS500 with handlebars.

Mine have clip-ons, but they are a good deal wider than any other sport bike i've seen.  The wide 'mountain bike' angle makes it really easy for me to flick the bike from lean to lean by using my arms a lot instead of shoulders like on a sportier set-up.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: Alphamazing on October 10, 2005, 02:47:13 PM
I've ridden both a standard bar GS and a 1989 GS with clip-ons. There is a VERY noticeable difference between the two, especially at low speeds.
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: werase643 on October 10, 2005, 03:58:23 PM
um :roll:  ah  :?  
don't go slow
:mrgreen:
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: RVertigo on October 10, 2005, 05:13:36 PM
Yeah...  At LOW speeds, the stock GS bars are TOO LOW for me.
At HIGH speeds, the stock GS bars are TOO HIGH for me.

I always think about the cars that have actuated spoilers...  The faster you go, the higher the spoiler goes...

I want bars like that, but lowering....   The faster I go, the lower they get.   :thumb:
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: aaronstj on October 10, 2005, 05:26:38 PM
Just loosen 'em up a little, so you can adjust them as you ride, just like on the cheapo BMX bike we all had as kids. :)
Title: Clip-ons for the GS500f
Post by: RVertigo on October 10, 2005, 05:29:27 PM
Quote from: aaronstjJust loosen 'em up a little
davipu?  :lol:

You know...  I thought about that...  I decided that dying would be bad.   :mrgreen: