Author Topic: Clip Ons (Read 11797 times)

SHREDDER · « **on:** October 07, 2006, 06:37:41 PM »

Does anyone know what is involved in switching to clip ons for an 03 B6 and what parts are needed?

okbandit · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2007, 12:16:22 PM »

I had some on a g2 b12 and hated them. If you are seriously wanting to do this I will sell them to you cheap with all the controls etc. I don't know if they will fit your fork tubes though so you shouldcheck and make sure they are the same diameter as a 2001 b12.

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2007, 12:27:24 PM »

The B6 has 41mm fork tubes, the B12 has 43mm, so unless the clipons will clamp down that tight, they won't work.

Clipons from any bike with 41mm for tubes should work just fine... like the SV650. As long as the bars are 7/8" and long enough, your existing switchgear, levers, etc. will swap over from your handlebars. Without the remote reservior for the front brakes, servicing the master cylinder may be a PIA though.

You may also run into problems with the clipons hitting the gas tank before the steering stops can do their job. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but be aware so you aren't surprised if they ding the tank when you aren't being careful enough.

You can get nearly the same effect by swapping your current handlebar with a set of $30 drag bars.

okbandit · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2007, 01:28:34 PM »

Good point Red, that is why mine came off and are now in a box. They didn't hit the tank, but my thumbs did and I really didn't like the position it put me in. Bought it that way and lucked into a stock setup from another board member. Don't think mine will make it to 41mm by the way.

Cruisecontrol · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2007, 12:30:17 AM »

Quote from: "Red01"

You can get nearly the same effect by swapping your current handlebar with a set of $30 drag bars.

Drag bars and clip-ons are worlds apart.
I use clip-ons for track days and have the drag bars on for everyday riding and the difference is huge.

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2007, 12:45:02 AM »

Worlds?

Clip-ons and Ape Hangers are worlds apart.
Dragbars, Clubmans and Clip-ons are neighbors... and the Bandit's stock Superbike bend lives down the street.

I didn't say they'd be the same, but near.

I used to swap my GS750's stock bar for a Clubman depending on my mood and where I was taking the bike... now that's a huge difference, it took me from bolt-upright to cafe-crouch. A dragbar on a Bandit, for most of us, will still have you leaning down & forward.

I suppose it matters what clips on you use and where they are positioned. If you were to put Katana, Blackbird or other above-the-triple-clamp clip-ons on a Bandit, they'd be in pretty much the same spot as a swept drag bar. If you use clip-ons below the upper triple, they'll be lower than a drag bar - and how low depends on where yo want to put them, especially if the bike is unfaired, but you'll still run into the clearance issue with the tank unless you do something with the steering stops. Maybe no big deal, depending on your tastes.

I still think a $30 drag bar would be an inexpensive way to see if that's low enough for someone contemplating a more agressive riding position... and they're a lot easier to install than below-the-triple clip-ons.

Cruisecontrol · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2007, 05:10:19 AM »

Laugh it up all you want.

Until you have done both on your Bandit, you don't know.

Simple.

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2007, 12:55:15 PM »

I admit, I haven't riden a Bandit with clip-ons, but I have riden bikes with clip-ons and a Bandit with drag bars. Yes, there's a difference. I just don't classify it as "worlds" like you do... JMHO/2¢.

I can certainly see the advantage to clip-ons for track duty, but it seems like a lot of work to swap back and forth between bars and clip-ons for an occasional track day.

to you for going to the effort!
For something like that, I'd look into something like Convertibars.

2005B12S · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2007, 11:46:09 PM »

I have clip-ons on my '05 model with no tank clearance issues.

Using Honda XX helibars. No mods are required to the steering stops

BTW, I love it when individuals feel free to give advice based upon what they do not know, ie...as in lack of personal experience

But then thats just me.

Good Luck, Ed

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2007, 01:59:16 PM »

I see where Ed's Honda XX HeliBars end up is above the triple clamp, too.
Given how Ed has his forks set up, a drag bar could have clearance issues with the fork tubes, but where he ended up with the grips isn't that far from this:

With Helibars for the XX listing at $269 and a pair of drag bars for $25, there's a bigger difference in price than there is in where you're positioned on the bike.

Quote from: "2005B12S"

BTW, I love it when individuals feel free to give advice based upon what they do not know, ie...as in lack of personal experience

If that was aimed at me, and that's how I'm reading it, I WAS basing it on personal experience, but across make/model lines.

If someone doesn't have the chance to ride a Bandit with clip-ons, I'm just saying a cheap drag bar is a good option to see if that's something they'd like before taking an expensive dive into one of the other options out there.

Cruisecontrol · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2007, 06:38:19 AM »

I still stand by my belief that they are worlds apart.

smooth operator · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2007, 07:12:52 AM »

Never tried it on the 98,but it seems to stick in my mind that there is clearence issuse with the faring on the 1st generation Bandits.
Nice fit on the 06, those look like a good choice rather than being below the tripple tree.
Dan

2005B12S · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:03:26 PM »

Quote from: "Cruisecontrol"

I still stand by my belief that they are worlds apart.

I agree, just the cant of the bars alone puts the clipons in a different league.

I never rode dirt; therefore the wide, straight, tubular bars are foreign to me.

smooth operator · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2007, 07:04:27 AM »

(Correction,05)
The SV that I have now, is my 1st bike with clip-ons. Grew up on dirt bikes,ran TT, flattrack, a little motoX and always had standard bikes.I can get around the track pretty good with the Bandit (super bike bars) and like the light hands on the bars when I ride. The SV just requires a slight push pull on the bars, where the B12 takes a little more to turn in. I'm not sure if I'd like them on the Bandit or not. Dan

2005B12S · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2007, 10:16:50 AM »

Quote from: "smooth operator"

(Correction,05)
The SV that I have now, is my 1st bike with clip-ons. Grew up on dirt bikes,ran TT, flattrack, a little motoX and always had standard bikes.I can get around the track pretty good with the Bandit (super bike bars) and like the light hands on the bars when I ride. The SV just requires a slight push pull on the bars, where the B12 takes a little more to turn in. I'm not sure if I'd like them on the Bandit or not. Dan

They make the Bandit feel like a modern Gs1100

Its the same as going fast on a GS bike (with clipons) and the first GSXr bikes (18in wheels). You steer mostly with rider weight. Very little bar input is needed.

The clipons put you into an aggressive riding position and give a direct connection to the front wheel. I put <100 miles on the Bandit with the stock bar, it felt very strange being so far removed from the front wheel. I did not like the excess slop in the bar, probably due to being rubber mounted.

Its interesting that each rider has their own preferences. Some of the early Superbike guys prefered the wide flattrack bar, no doubt the extra leverage assisted with steering the bike using throttle and also helped counter headshake on the early flexyflyer chassis' of the day.

Ride On, Ed.