Notice these ones on ebay (UK).  What would be the point/use/utility/etc? Is it all just a fad?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-PAIR-Bar-End-Mirrors-Suzuki-GS-500-GSX-600-1000-/190411929189?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2c556f7665

I use bar ends on my bike. Those stock mirrors are any that stick up from that position are ugly IMO. They actually give me a pretty good view behind me and look 10x better. Keeps a low profile on the bike.

On my bike (97 500e) I installed the front fairing from the F model with the corresponding mirrors and took the mirrors off the handle bars.  The profile now is not as high and the fairing-mounted mirrors look nice.  If I were to get these bar-end ones, it would be in addition to the ones I got now - so the question is whether I need them.

Can you see well with your current one? Maybe if one side has a bad blind spot you can add one. The mirrors on the F are much nicer then the E version.

The first time I got them I just thought they looked cooler, but I was amazed at how much better you can see. Some people complain about having to look down to see in the mirror, but it never really bothered me since I have to look down to see everything anyway. It gives you a much better view as it's under your arms instead of of through your elbows. Currently I'm just using one bar end mirror I have left but will eventually buy a matching set again.

I have them as well, they are low so your elbow doesn't get in the way, and mine are VERY convex, which is a little disconcerting for the first 3 rides but once you get used to it its amazing how much you can see. With them adjusted right, I don't have a blind spot. I can see behind me, way out on either side, and if I sit up a little, I can make sure nothing scary is comin out of the pipe. 

I've been using those exact mirrors for a year or so and love em. I could normally only see my arms with the standard mirrors. There is nothing in the way of these. Also when I'm tucked down for extended highway runs I can still see with them. I wouldn't mind trying some of the better ones, but I don't want a silly spill to cost me so much.

What size mirrors are you guys using? I've only tried 3 inch mirrors, which worked fine. The pair I think I'm going to get off of my friend are 2 inch, but I think they're convex, so it'll be a change, but I think I'm gonna give them a shot. The only 3 reasons I ever use my mirror are to make sure someone I'm riding with is still behind me, checking for police lights when I've been moving too fast and feel paranoid, and when I'm sitting at redlights and want to make sure no cars are coming up behind me too fast. I think small mirrors would be perfectly sufficient for any of those

Im using the Napoleon bar ends, the view is very good, plus its nice not having anything in your view. and they look cool.

Just a note, they are only usefull in the parallel positions and upright positions. If you have them hang down they hit the tank, and its hard to see anything, although it makes the bike look like a ram, bad ass. lol

http://www.mklsportster.com/r100s/r100s%20-%20mirror.jpg

how is it with lane splitting? Does it make it a bit challenging/dangerous with bar end mirrors?  Sometimes when i lane split, i get concerned of getting too close with just my stock mirrors alone

Normal mirrors are wider than your handlebars already. I don't think bar end mirrors are that much wider, they're just lower. Most of them have multiple positions you could mount them in and if you wanted to keep your clearance you could always position them so that they're angled in instead of out. They'd be above or below the end of your grip. It would be a little less visibility but I've seen enough people do it that it must still work somewhat. This way the mirrors aren't actually any wider than your bars.

Quote from: tt_four on July 13, 2010, 03:53:31 AM

what mirrors are those?

No clue, I think I just did a search for "bar end mirrors" in google images. If you search and find the picture, it'll take you to the page I found the picture on, and it would probably tell you. there were a few brands that were a similar design.

Those are Rizoma Reverse Retros.
They are super awesome.
Along with being awesome, they are also $$$ at $130 each.

You can get Chinese knock offs, which I have on my bike, and they work very well and have a pretty good finish.
You can find them from "mLabel parts" on ebay, or a few random sellers here and there. They run around $80 - $90 for the pair.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BAR-END-MIRROR-DUCATI-MONSTER-Hypermotard-1100-S-GT1000_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem414c94e578QQitemZ280457700728QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I use a mirror similar to the one in the link.  Mine is also 2".  When I was ordering them, the shop owner suggested that I get the convex mirror instead of the flat one.  I was hesitant because I like flat mirrors better, but since I've installed them, I love convex.  From normal sitting position (which, if you've seen my bike, is much different than stock), I can use my left mirror and see all three lanes (left, right, and center) behind me.

-SPiNNeR-

For the money you could just get a pair of these to try out. You just flip the mirror part around so they're angled in instead of out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bar-End-Mirrors-Kawasaki-Ninja-250-500-ZX6-ZX7-ZX9-ZX10-/300442408013?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f3c3544d

Can you actually see out of these with all of the vibration? That's th big issue for me with the stock ones. There's so much vibration that there pretty much useless.

Quote from: average on July 17, 2010, 12:30:45 PM
Can you actually see out of these with all of the vibration? That's th big issue for me with the stock ones. There's so much vibration that there pretty much useless.

I have napolean bar end mirrors - better than stock overall, but a lot of vibration.

http://japan.webike.net/products/1593224.html

I have these, pricey but i like them. They vibrate more at low speed but once your cruising it calms down and you can see good.

I was gonna say those look just like what I need, something that will easily swivel inward so I can get my bike in the basement door without having to remove them, until I saw that price tag!!

As far as vibrations, I feel like bar end mirrors may be slightly better than the stock mirrors because they have your hands there to damp the vibrations a little before they hit the mirror, but in general I don't think I've ever really noticed a big difference between normal and bar end mirrors. Vibrations are just a fact of life on some bikes, and the GS is one of them. I've gotten used to just pulling in the clutch slightly on bikes with a lot of vibrations. It'll smooth things out just long enough for you to check out what's in your mirrors.