Author Topic: replacement bars, any suggestions? (Read 4079 times)

alexcited · « **on:** August 19, 2007, 02:20:12 AM »

im looking into replacing the handlebars as the first thing im doing to my bandit ( what with the exhaust costing so much and such) i know i can get the holeshot superbike bars for about 40 bucks, but has anyone tried any other make of bars? im pretty clueless in this field so any suggestions at all would be great.

chupacabra · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2007, 07:05:42 AM »

I got some from here and they work just fine

http://store.azmusa.com/knclubhanbla.html

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2007, 11:24:34 AM »

My son just picked up a pair of Emgo swept drag bars from a local shop for ~$20.

bgrundy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2007, 11:47:59 AM »

Quote from: "alexcited"

has anyone tried any other make of bars?

The answer to your question depends also on what, exactly, you are looking for...More upright or more leaned over? Is it a "style" thing, a "comfort" thing, or a "performance" thing.

I'm using Suburban Machinery (http://www.suburban-machinery.com/hbindex.htm) bars on mine, and I love them...somewhat between clip ons and drag bars. They don't list the Bandit specifically, but I've had them on other bikes (SV650) and loved 'em, so they knocked up a set for me. They may still have the measurements.

alexcited · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2007, 01:55:42 PM »

Quote from: "chupacabra"

I got some from here and they work just fine
http://store.azmusa.com/knclubhanbla.html

the black superbike bars are what im looking for. atleast i think. id like a more forward leaning position, but i dont find the regular position of the bandit to be uncomfortable. thanks for all the advice tho guys

alexcited · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2007, 02:16:30 PM »

actually, one more question. on that site are the daytona bars more of a forward lean than the superbike ones?

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2007, 05:28:55 PM »

The Daytona bar (29" Width, 4" Rise, 6-1/2" Pullback) on that site has more rise and more pullback than their Superbike bar (29" Width, 2-1/2" Rise, 4-3/4" Pullback), so you'd be in a more upright position with the Daytona. The Daytona bars would likely require a longer front brake hose, at least on the 1G & 2G bikes. (The OEM bar on a 2G is about the same as a Superbike bend, the 1G bar is ~1" taller.)

alexcited · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:08:57 PM »

so your saying the superbike bar will fit? i plan on having a shop do the work for me, i dont want to mess up any of the controls.

KenB · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2007, 08:11:41 AM »

Would it be possible, or does anyone have, a list of the width, rise, and pullback measurements for the stock bars and all aftermarket bars available for the bike? Would be interesting to see the differences.

roberto · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2007, 02:33:48 PM »

Hey Red 1,
You seem to know something about these bar changes. I have major problems with wrist pain, something that I have never had before I started to ride the Bandit. I found the bars and riding position of the V-Strom to be very good but I did not like the engine so I went for the Bandit but these bars are ruining it for me. I want to change them but I'm not sure which way to go. I read on Max-Suz that super bike bars are good and they can be changed without any other mods but I'm not even sure what change I really need to stop the wrist pain. You know anything about this??? Cheers

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2007, 09:43:44 PM »

Roberto, which bike do you have? The 2G B12 bars are Superbike bars, or pretty darn close. I don't have the exact measurement of them, but they'll swap easily onto the 1G B12, the 1250 or any of the 600/650 Bandits.

roberto · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2007, 10:01:14 PM »

Hey Red 01,
I have the 1250. To be honest I don't know what part of the bars my wrists don't like but whatever part it is they sure don't like them. I guess anything to take the weight off won't hurt and I'm told that the 1250's wheelbarrow design isn't good for well used wrists either. I had a Gen 1 Bandit and I put risers on them (up and back type) and that seemed to help but the 1250 bars and I are not getting along. Any ideas would be helpful..Cheers

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2007, 10:27:32 PM »

If you put risers in the 1G bars, you're probably not looking for a Superbike bend then, they're lower than the 1G bars.

If you've got a sop around that stocks a few different bars, you might ask if you can take a couple of bars out to your bike and just hold them in place to try to find what you like.

roberto · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2007, 11:21:38 AM »

I guess raising the front part of my seat to stop from sliding into the tank probably didn't help as this would put me even higher and a bit more bent over. I've got an old set of risers I have from my first Bandit, think I'll try adding them as I was told I wouldn't need to change out the front brake line and also roll the bars a bit forward, see how that feels..

roberto · « **Reply #14 on:** August 24, 2007, 01:34:12 AM »

Put the risers on..1" up and 1-3/8" back. Just barely made it as the brake line is very tight, everything else is fine. Had to roll the bars a little forward and adjust the brakes and clutch to line up with my hands but its together. I'll have to ride for a few days to see if it has any effect on my sore wrists(its tough to be a wimp) Certainly has me more upright..Cheers