I just purchased a set of 37mm clip on handlebars that are said to fit my 2008 GS500F. Are there any pitfalls I need to look out for? I'm hoping these are more comfortable than the ones Suzuki put on it. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Making a new mount when your replace the stock handlebar mount on top of the top triple.

An new mount is not needed. Lower the forks on the tubes and mount on top. another option would be to remove the top clamp and get a longer bolt, put a shim or washer about 3/4 long and mount them under the top triple. I had my 04 faired under the top triple.

Six year old post, not today's big snow:   

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40074.msg450638#msg450638

Some have gone further to mount clip-ons on top, best to have aftermarket stiffer front springs if you do.

forgot to add I had spacers in my fork tubes, and my rearset was 1.5 up and back. on a GS it gave a very sporty riding position. I miss that bike.

I had already lowered the frontend 1.5" before I bought the clipons so i hope there's plenty of fork to hook to.

just lower them enough to sit flush with the top of the clip-ons and you will be fine. have you though about clubman bars they give you the same sport feel with no modding. I had a set of those bars also for awhile and they worked great.

Nevermind about the clubmans I see your bike is faired.

Thank fellas.

Depending on the clip ons you may be forced to trim the instrument plate on top of your triple. Otherwise you risk needing to lower your front end another inch. I basically had to cut in to the rising mounts that held the stock bars, it's temporary for me until I can make a custom bracket for the instruments.

I'm doing clip-on from a 1989 to 1990 on my 2008 right now.

I got a used top clamp assy c/w bars and mounts from a bike place in British Columbia.

It looks like the silver painted top bracket (where the handle bars and gauges mount) will bolt on to the 2008  top triple bracket.

Still Crazy.

Don't want to hijack this thread, but 1.5" drop on the front forks seems a lot. Is this a common mod, and does it affect the handling much? I know that on the Honda VFR a 10mm drop improves turn-in. Thanks.

Edit, sorry didn't read the link on GS Jacks post. It seems the lowering is done at both ends for overall height reduction.
(ps, can you delete posts on GSTwin?)

Everything you need to know about OEM clip-ons.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59176.msg676469#msg676469