A couple of weeks ago I dropped my bike, for the third time, managing to snap the clutch lever, and bend the handle bars :roll:
I replaced the clutch lever, but I didn't want to pay AU$180 for a replacement bar from Suzuki, because it was so easy to bend. Luckily I'd seen the Suburban Machinery SV650 Type 2 handlebars (http://www.suburban-machinery.com/sv650.htm) on Patablo's site (http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/), so I knew these would fit, and they looked like better quality compared to the stock bars, plus they give you a more aggressive riding position.
It ended up costing me AU$220 to get them delivered to Australia, which took about a week and a half. It took me about an hour or so to install them. Luckily I'd already messed around doing the clutch and bar ends before, so it didn't take me another 2 hours working out how to take those off...
http://users.bigpond.net.au/panik/GS500/pics/IMGP0272x.jpg
http://users.bigpond.net.au/panik/GS500/pics/IMGP0274x.jpg
The clearance for the brake hose as really tight, it's just about touching the guage cluster.
http://users.bigpond.net.au/panik/GS500/pics/IMGP0273x.jpg
I've only had a couple of rides with them on, but they seem pretty good, I didn't have a problem doing U-turns or low speed stuff with them, like I thought I would.
The riding position is maybe a little more uncomfortable, but it isn't bad. :thumb:
Nice work panik! :thumb:
You will love them, I just put a set on my bike a couple of weeks ago along with bar-end mirrors. I love the riding position and the the way they look. Good job!
Oh yeah, I forgot to say, that the mirrors end up being positioned a little bit weirdly, but they still work Ok.
To make this a perfect mod you really need to replace the front brake fluid reservoir with something smaller, but I have no idea what would work.
Also the mirrors could probably do with being round, instead of recangular, and on shorter stalks.
check my site for a replacement master clinder that works...I think its a katana master that doesnt have the side mount brake line banjo.
Also, if you DO drop the bike again you can send the bars back to S-M and they'll repair for $15+/-. That's what I did.
would i have the same fit problems with the type 1 S&M bars? they're supposed to be 1" lower, but i don't understand how that works on a horizontal-rise bar...
I'm not sure that the type 1 bars will fit. The guages on the GS appear to be closer to the handlebar clamps than the SV's, and they are also alot wider.
Anyway, after riding into work for two days with the new bars, I think that they are pretty good. They do but more weight on your wrists, but I was getting a sore back before, I prefer having sore wrists to a sore back.
type 1 bars fit. someone on this board has installed them.
I think they simply point a bit more downward since the center section has to stay at a certain place relative to the top triple. dunno about the brake clearance thing though...I'd assume you will still have it.