Author Topic: Comfortable & Sporty bars. (Read 6843 times)

zaptoman · « **on:** February 08, 2006, 10:26:44 AM »

My bars are bent. Anybody know where I can get a set of bars thats comfortable & sporty? I've been checking out Bikebandit.com, but as this is my first bike, I don't really know what fits and what doesn't, etc. Something affordable?

Kemics · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:46:22 AM »

check out www.justbandits.com it's great you can find pretty much anything, i've just ordered a set of drag bars off there. but am a bit nervous myself how it's going to be riding with them, did it for style only. The renthal bars dont require any mods or anything and are fairly easy to fit.

DogBoy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:51:00 PM »

AZMotorsports online store has several sizes/bends of BikeMaster bars for less than $20 shipped. I've used them and been happy with their quality and strength.

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

KSUGreggy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:05:55 PM »

is there anything specific to look for in buying a pair of handlebars for the bandit? does anyone know which would be best for a sportier feel? or know hte specs on the width/rise/pullback on the stock bars?

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:06:05 PM »

Look for a 7/8" dia bar. If they're knurled, be sure they're knurled in the same spot as your risers. The 1G bar is a little taller than the 2G bar, but both are in a category bar vendors call "Superbike bend". If you want a sportier feel, go with a lower bar. If you have a 2G, a zero rise bar (aka drag bar" would probably be what you're looking for.

zaptoman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:19:28 PM »

I have a 1992 bandit 400, if that helps anything.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:25:22 PM »

Quote from: "zaptoman"

I have a 1992 bandit 400, if that helps anything.

I think Paul was thinking this was in the 6/12 forums. Basically, any 7/8ths bar will work. The chromed steel ones are fairly cheap <$50. From there, the variables are width, rise and pullback. Guesstimate what you want and try it.

Too tall and you will have problems with cable lenths. With flat ones, you'll have extra cables looking sloppy (like me).

Krautwagen · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:42:20 PM »

The only criteria you need to worry about is that they are 7/8" clamp diameter, and that there's enough room for the clamp (usually not an issue), and enough room for the controls on each side. As said above, watch out for the cable length.

On some bars, you will have to either drill a hole, or cut off the plastic lacating pin on your throttle side controls. I suggest drilling a new hole, just line it up carefully and use a centerpunch.

I am currently running some MSR CR(?) bend dirtbike bars. ~$40 IIRC. Feels comfy, but probably too long of reach for most people. Shorter folks would need a bit more pullback. They were too wide, so I cut them down to the absolute minimum amount needed for the controls. The steel clutch cable noodle was a bit to constricted, so I had to reroute the cable a bit. It's alot of F'ing around for bars, but I wanted to try out a cheap set and then decide if I liked it. I do.

I'd suggest calling Dennis Kirk and getting a catalog, that'll show you almost every available style.

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2006, 01:05:31 AM »

Quote from: "PitterB4"

Quote from: "zaptoman"
I have a 1992 bandit 400, if that helps anything.

I think Paul was thinking this was in the 6/12 forums.

You're right! It's a busy night and I just forgot which forum I was checkin'.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:20:23 AM »

LOL! I was going to be really impressed if you knew the difference in bars b/t the first and second generation of B4s!

Oh and +1 on the DK catalogue. They have quite a selection in there.

Herr Tod · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:20:09 AM »

I have a LSL LS-1 bar. It's lower and a little bit wider than the stock one. Looks good, feels good, rides good

magicGoose · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:21:19 AM »

Try searching the board for Suburban Machinery bars. They make a bar for the SV that fits a B400. They aren't cheap, but they sometimes come up on ebay. I have a custom bar that is pretty close in position to the SM bars, and the difference is amazing.
If you are a relic like me and can remember what it was like when you got off your banana seat sidewalk bike and first rode a 10 speed, that's what changing the bars will do for you.

KSUGreggy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2006, 03:15:50 PM »

does anyone know (generally) the rise/pullback/width of the stock b4 bars? I'm not around my bike and trying to kill time btw classes

zaptoman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2006, 03:42:01 PM »

Quick q. Most places have a measurement for rise, but am i wrong in thinking this doesn't account for end rise? I.E. the bars come up but then go back down. Do superbike bend bars do this? The bars I have on right now do. I was thinking of going with the GP touring bars from bikemaster? Any suggestions or real world pics of these bars on a bike? Thanks for the replies!

Ronrdrcr · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2006, 04:26:12 PM »

Quote from: "DogBoy"

AZMotorsports online store has several sizes/bends of BikeMaster bars for less than $20 shipped. I've used them and been happy with their quality and strength.

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

What do you guys think those clubman bars would look like on the b4?

I'd like something to get me down a little more and I think that would be a lot cheaper than going to clip-ons.

Ron