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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: shonole on January 27, 2012, 11:57:30 PM

Title: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 27, 2012, 11:57:30 PM
Has anyone ever seen these bar ends before?

(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1797/gs500cafracer004gf8.jpg)

I'm looking to buy a set, and I'm leaning towards purchasing a cheap set off of ebay.  However, I really like the look of these. 

Thanks!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 28, 2012, 12:04:23 AM
Nevermind, looks like I found them.   :icon_mrgreen:


http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/bar-end-mirror-black-for-78-inch-handlebars-right-or-left-universal/part/EMGO-20-34010?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=na&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=71887

Looks the same to me, except that on the GS the mirrors face the opposite way.  Anyone have any experience with these?
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Twisted on January 28, 2012, 12:41:10 AM
These are the napoleon style bar ends made famous on the Triumph cafe racers (Thruxtons) You can use them above or under the bar. They give a better view than the OEM GS mirrors. I think they would look a bit funny on the GS bars. You may need to go clubmans or drag bar for them to look ok.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Big Rich on January 28, 2012, 12:43:23 AM
IIRC, the mirror itself is on a ball socket. So you can spin them 180°
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 28, 2012, 12:54:52 AM
Quote from: Twisted on January 28, 2012, 12:41:10 AM
These are the napoleon style bar ends made famous on the Triumph cafe racers (Thruxtons) You can use them above or under the bar. They give a better view than the OEM GS mirrors. I think they would look a bit funny on the GS bars. You may need to go clubmans or drag bar for them to look ok.

I've got superbike bars now, but I'm looking to go to either clubmans or clip ons.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Grommett2k on January 28, 2012, 10:05:16 PM
I use Nap style with Superbike bars. No complaints and good visibility. You can see pics here
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53813.msg606720#msg606720
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 28, 2012, 11:35:39 PM
Quote from: Grommett2k on January 28, 2012, 10:05:16 PM
I use Nap style with Superbike bars. No complaints and good visibility. You can see pics here
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53813.msg606720#msg606720

Awesome!  Thanks!  Those look good.  I'm definitely leaning that way now. 

On a side note, do you remember what paint code your bike was when it was orange?  That color was awesome!

(The silver looks good too)

And are those pro grip 719s?  I'm in dire need of some new grips, and will probably be ordering those.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 30, 2012, 08:00:38 PM
Alright, I'm torn between a couple of sets.  Who wants to help me decide?   :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GSXR-600-750-TL-1000-1100-SV650-BAR-END-MIRRORS-/310375467697?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D390360045041%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5987736219668639171#ht_3558wt_952

http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Rear-Mirror-Universal-Brand/dp/B006FR27P8/ref=sr_1_48?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1327974763&sr=1-48
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Kijona on January 30, 2012, 09:02:24 PM
Personally I would go with the latter ones, they're going to give you a bit more visibility simply because they're a bit larger. They also look like maybe they're a bit better made.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Dizzledan on January 30, 2012, 09:18:38 PM
The 2nd ones have a blue tint, and you can see where the 'glass' was cut. I wouldn't trust it to hold itself in with all of the vibration in the bars. I don't think they're concave either. I'd keep looking, search the forums and see what everyone else tried and liked.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Kijona on January 30, 2012, 09:22:11 PM
Quote from: Dizzledan on January 30, 2012, 09:18:38 PM
The 2nd ones have a blue tint, and you can see where the 'glass' was cut. I wouldn't trust it to hold itself in with all of the vibration in the bars. I don't think they're concave either. I'd keep looking, search the forums and see what everyone else tried and liked.

Yes, that's true, however the first one also has the "glass cut out" issue. It's just not as immediately obvious due to the angle.  :dunno_black:
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on January 30, 2012, 10:20:46 PM
Didn't really notice that.  Guess I'll keep hunting some Emgos.

Although  these look pretty nice:
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cafe-racer-Mirrors-Triumph/dp/B004NUZ3UK/ref=pd_sbs_auto_3

They look nearly identical (if they're aren't actually them rebranded) to the Emgos.  Does anyone know how big the Emgo's mirrors are?  Because these are listed as 5" x 3.5", which seems bigger than others I've seen.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Twisted on January 30, 2012, 11:25:54 PM
Do you have a Triumph dealer close by? If so head on down there and go sit on a Thruxton to get a feel for the mirrors. Try and resist the urge to buy the bike though, they are very sexy lol.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: slipperymongoose on January 31, 2012, 02:04:17 PM
Check out my bar ends in the picture game ones I got weren't too bad but I do wish for bigger ones or go back to stock ones.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Grommett2k on February 01, 2012, 08:00:14 PM
Quote from: shonole on January 28, 2012, 11:35:39 PM
Quote from: Grommett2k on January 28, 2012, 10:05:16 PM
I use Nap style with Superbike bars. No complaints and good visibility. You can see pics here
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53813.msg606720#msg606720

Awesome!  Thanks!  Those look good.  I'm definitely leaning that way now. 

On a side note, do you remember what paint code your bike was when it was orange?  That color was awesome!

(The silver looks good too)

And are those pro grip 719s?  I'm in dire need of some new grips, and will probably be ordering those.

The orange is Duplicolor Burnt Copper. That is a rattlecan job. Those are 719s. No complaints with those either.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 01, 2012, 10:17:00 PM
Quote from: Grommett2k on February 01, 2012, 08:00:14 PM
Quote from: shonole on January 28, 2012, 11:35:39 PM
Quote from: Grommett2k on January 28, 2012, 10:05:16 PM
I use Nap style with Superbike bars. No complaints and good visibility. You can see pics here
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53813.msg606720#msg606720

Awesome!  Thanks!  Those look good.  I'm definitely leaning that way now. 

On a side note, do you remember what paint code your bike was when it was orange?  That color was awesome!

(The silver looks good too)

And are those pro grip 719s?  I'm in dire need of some new grips, and will probably be ordering those.

The orange is Duplicolor Burnt Copper. That is a rattlecan job. Those are 719s. No complaints with those either.

Awesome!  I've found the new color for my bike!  Thanks!

Also, thanks to everyone for the opinions on the bar ends.  I ended up ordering these.  I should have them in and installed by next weekend, then I'll throw up some pics.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cafe-racer-Mirrors-Triumph/dp/B004NUZ3UK/ref=pd_sbs_auto_3
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: slipperymongoose on February 01, 2012, 11:49:23 PM
Very nice throw a pic up and let us know how they go.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 02, 2012, 12:39:53 AM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 01, 2012, 11:49:23 PM
Very nice throw a pic up and let us know how they go.

Special thanks to you and Kijona for mentioning size.  I don't think I could have dealt with 3" mirrors, not with the way people drive around here anyway.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Twisted on February 02, 2012, 03:41:40 AM
You know why I like the smaller bar end mirrors other than looks? It forces me to shoulder check. I can still see enough behind me in them to get myself outta trouble but changing lanes it is unbelievable how many cars will sit in your blind spot.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: slipperymongoose on February 02, 2012, 04:08:10 AM
Very true.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 02, 2012, 12:06:07 PM
Quote from: Twisted on February 02, 2012, 03:41:40 AM
You know why I like the smaller bar end mirrors other than looks? It forces me to shoulder check. I can still see enough behind me in them to get myself outta trouble but changing lanes it is unbelievable how many cars will sit in your blind spot.

With proper sized, properly adjusted mirrors, a shoulder check is not necessary.  That said, I still perform one regardless, as you can never be too careful.  I even perform one in my car.

For those who aren't sure how to properly adjust mirrors:

But the next time you get on your bike, work out where your blind spot is.   To do this correctly, adjust your mirrors and you should get some parallax behind you:  i.e. the view in the mirrors should just cross!  The mirrors should be set high enough for a good view behind, without the need to see the road surface directly behind.   Remember that even Noddy's car is a couple of feet high, so you do not need that too low.  Now get someone to walk from the front of you to the limit of your peripheral vision (whilst you are still looking forward), mark the limit point with a cone, and now get the person to walk from directly behind you towards that spot until you lose them in the mirrors.   Mark this spot with another cone: that area between the two cones is you blind spot.  Remember that you only ever need to turn your head to see the rearmost cone and this can be reduced even more by bending your arms and leaning forward slightly, altering the view into the mirror. 
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: mister on February 02, 2012, 12:50:09 PM
Shoulder checking does more than let you see if a car is in your blind spot, it also alerts the other drivers that you are about to change lanes - they have learned that headcheck means lane change from seeing all riders do it. So, let them know in addition to your indicator.

Michael
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 02, 2012, 01:01:17 PM
Quote from: mister on February 02, 2012, 12:50:09 PM
Shoulder checking does more than let you see if a car is in your blind spot, it also alerts the other drivers that you are about to change lanes - they have learned that headcheck means lane change from seeing all riders do it. So, let them know in addition to your indicator.

Michael

Not here they haven't.  Indicate/headcheck/hand signal, none of them make a difference.  I'd still suggest performing a headcheck, but it's not an absolute necessity.  Either way, if you're performing a headcheck or not, I'd still prefer larger mirrors to smaller ones.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: slipperymongoose on February 02, 2012, 01:54:50 PM
Are you fricken insane? Always dude shouldercheck! The time you don't check is the time you swipe into a car or worse. Plus it works with the theory of looking where you want to go.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 02, 2012, 01:59:34 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 02, 2012, 01:54:50 PM
Are you fricken insane? Always dude shouldercheck! The time you don't check is the time you swipe into a car or worse. Plus it works with the theory of looking where you want to go.

No, I'm not insane.  And yes, it is smart to do.  But it's not an absolute, 100% necessity.  Properly adjusted mirrors will do as much, if not more for you than a shouldercheck will any day of the week.  I'm not saying DON'T shoulder check, more harping on the advantages of properly sized/adjusted mirrors.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: slipperymongoose on February 02, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
Mirrors never give you 100% rear vision. No matter how you adjust your wings there will always be a blind spot. That's what is drummed into everyone down here and hence shoulder check. Down here don't do a shoulder check while lane changing or pulling into traffic from a parallel park etc, and you fail your test and no license.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: J_Walker on February 02, 2012, 02:17:43 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 02, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
Mirrors never give you 100% rear vision. No matter how you adjust your wings there will always be a blind spot. That's what is drummed into everyone down here and hence shoulder check. Down here don't do a shoulder check while lane changing or pulling into traffic from a parallel park etc, and you fail your test and no license.

Funny you say this, Actually with my band end mirrors. If I look at the right one, I can see cars in my left hand blind spot, If I look in the left ones I can see my right hand blind spot, its what I actually like about my mirrors.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Twisted on February 02, 2012, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 02, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
Mirrors never give you 100% rear vision. No matter how you adjust your wings there will always be a blind spot. That's what is drummed into everyone down here and hence shoulder check. Down here don't do a shoulder check while lane changing or pulling into traffic from a parallel park etc, and you fail your test and no license.

Yep my instructors last words when we finished our class was "Now remember, shoulder check, shoulder check, shoulder check. Even when you don't need to, shoulder check!"

The more you move on your bike the more visible you become.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: J_Walker on February 02, 2012, 02:44:57 PM
Quote from: Twisted on February 02, 2012, 02:19:35 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 02, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
Mirrors never give you 100% rear vision. No matter how you adjust your wings there will always be a blind spot. That's what is drummed into everyone down here and hence shoulder check. Down here don't do a shoulder check while lane changing or pulling into traffic from a parallel park etc, and you fail your test and no license.

Yep my instructors last words when we finished our class was "Now remember, shoulder check, shoulder check, shoulder check. Even when you don't need to, shoulder check!"

The more you move on your bike the more visible you become.

I even tell my girlfriend to look when she knows I'm turning and if she see's something smack the back of my helmet once. Twice, means I took the wrong turn ^_^
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: Charles on February 02, 2012, 04:04:39 PM
Quote from: shonole on January 27, 2012, 11:57:30 PM

(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1797/gs500cafracer004gf8.jpg)


No comments as to mirrors, but that is one of the coolest GS's I've ever seen.  What kind of muffler is that?
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 02, 2012, 04:58:34 PM
Quote from: Charles on February 02, 2012, 04:04:39 PM
Quote from: shonole on January 27, 2012, 11:57:30 PM

(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1797/gs500cafracer004gf8.jpg)


No comments as to mirrors, but that is one of the coolest GS's I've ever seen.  What kind of muffler is that?

I wish I knew.  I love it.  I think I'm going to paint mine black with high temp paint.
Title: Re: Bar End Mirrors
Post by: shonole on February 03, 2012, 02:46:36 PM
Quote from: aussiegs on February 01, 2012, 11:49:23 PM
Very nice throw a pic up and let us know how they go.

Got them in today.  They look to be quite good quality.  They won't be installed until next week, as I'm waiting for my 719s to come in first.  I'll take some pics once they're on.