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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Ferrous42 on June 28, 2010, 04:15:35 PM

Title: Handle Bar switch
Post by: Ferrous42 on June 28, 2010, 04:15:35 PM
I am going to change the stock handle bars because I feel they sit too high and I want a more aggressive position when I ride. I've tried rotating the bars, but the starter switch then hits the gas tank. Are there any specific bars currently made or am I going to be doing some extra work in the garage to make them. Remember, a pictures worth a thousand words. 
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: pandymai on June 28, 2010, 04:40:02 PM
it's all over the wiki and with simple searches.
basically though, any 7/8ths bars will work. i believe clubmans and drag type bars are common options. or you can go to clip-ons. depends on the money you want to spend and the position you want to get in.
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: jdbutler13 on June 29, 2010, 06:14:07 PM
My GS is my first bike so i don't have much to compare it with; do switching the bars give you that much more of an aggressive riding position?
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: tt_four on June 29, 2010, 07:17:03 PM
I have renthals on mine now. They're much better than the stock bars, but still a little tall for my tastes. They make those kind of bars in every shape and angle imaginable though, so that's not an issue. Renthal makes a set called Road Ultra-Low that you can get online for $50 that seem pretty ideal. Otherwise some drag bars are as pretty aggressive too.
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: 007brendan on June 29, 2010, 07:38:52 PM
Quote from: jdbutler13 on June 29, 2010, 06:14:07 PM
My GS is my first bike so i don't have much to compare it with; do switching the bars give you that much more of an aggressive riding position?

It depends what you replace them with.  Clubmans and drag bars are fairly aggressive.  So are those SV bars (some people swear by them, but I've only seen 1-2 GS's with them).  And then there's clip-ons.  A lot of options out there if you want a lower riding position.
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: plewis51 on June 29, 2010, 08:26:08 PM
Suburban Machinery Type 2 bars is what I am running (2007 F)

(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7111/philssuzuki2.jpg) (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/philssuzuki2.jpg/)
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: jdbutler13 on July 01, 2010, 07:26:15 AM
I am feeling those; nice! Is the installation simple or best to do by a pro?
I have no problem doing work, but I'm just worried about messing things up that can prove to be dangerous.
Title: Re: Handle Bar switch
Post by: 007brendan on July 01, 2010, 09:33:46 AM
Installing new handlebars is pretty simple.

I did a walkthrough for the '89 clipons, shouldn't be too much different for the Suburban Machinery bars.  You'll still need to file off the nubs on the control clusters.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52450.msg592545