New bars from e-bay

Got some new sport bars from e-bay. There is a seller that has lots of new production bars for metric bikes cheap on e-bay, speedmotoco. I paid $35 and that ain't bad.

Before

After

I have the parts to relocate the turn signals to the headlight bracket too. Amazing the diffrence bars make on a bike, it whole different ride now. Those stock "granny" bars really suck.

later all

Post edited by: Tyler, at: 2007/05/13 21:43

Are you sure those are the sport bars? They look like the Euro bars I put on my kz550. Either way, yes, they make an enormous difference in the comfort and handling of the bike.

None of my stock length cables were satisfactory with the lower bars and they were replaced with shorter versions from z1 enterprises. Changing the cables went well until I snapped the barrel off the clutch cable and had to order another. Maybe I better figure out what I'm doing next time.....

Stock LTD bars are the worst.

I think I have to be the only person in America or at least on this site that likes the mini apes. I have them on my 650 CSR and have no desire to change them. My 750 L-3 has those low Euro style bars and they suck, after a few minutes of riding my wrists start to hurt. I dislike them so much I'm thinking I need to get rid of this bike. The only thing stopping me is the fact that it screams. :pinch:

The Gringo wrote:

I think I have to be the only person in America or at least on this site that likes the mini apes. I have them on my 650 CSR and have no desire to change them. My 750 L-3 has those low Euro style bars and they suck, after a few minutes of riding my wrists start to hurt. I dislike them so much I'm thinking I need to get rid of this bike. The only thing stopping me is the fact that it screams. :pinch:

I, on the other hand, absolutely hate the LTD bars, they make my back hurt after 15 minutes of riding. With the Superbike bars (1 1/2" rise) I can ride all day.

It would be a boring world if we all liked the exact same things though.

My problem with the LTD bars is twofold. First, the bars strain my wrist at a very bad angle. I simply cannot hold throttle for more than a few minutes at a time before my wrist cramps and my hand hurts. Second, the rise and angle are not useful for even mildly spirited handling.

The Euro bars are not particularly sporty and the low bucket seat allows for neutral reach without needing to put pressure on my hands unless wanted. I am 5'11 and long in the arms (quite short in the leg) and find it to be a near perfect combination. My girlfriend, who actually owns the bike now, is even taller and longer in the legs. Her riding has improved 100% since swapping the bars.

Not that I'm out to convince anyone... Bars are a very personal thing, I'm really just surprised to see that they work for someone!

Grebnaws Inc. wrote:

My problem with the LTD bars is twofold. First, the bars strain my wrist at a very bad angle. I simply cannot hold throttle for more than a few minutes at a time before my wrist cramps and my hand hurts. Second, the rise and angle are not useful for even mildly spirited handling.

The Euro bars are not particularly sporty and the low bucket seat allows for neutral reach without needing to put pressure on my hands unless wanted. I am 5'11 and long in the arms (quite short in the leg) and find it to be a near perfect combination. My girlfriend, who actually owns the bike now, is even taller and longer in the legs. Her riding has improved 100% since swapping the bars.

Not that I'm out to convince anyone... Bars are a very personal thing, I'm really just surprised to see that they work for someone!

On a 550 LTD I'd have to agree with you, I've got an 81 550 LTD that has 2" lower virago rear shocks on it and I've swapped the stock LTD bars for bars from a 550 A-2 standard. They are not quite as low as the Euro bars but are straighter than than the LTD bars and allow a neutral reach.

Steell have you ever come across a set of touring bars that Kawasaki sold thru their acessory catalog? They were an inch higher and 2" narrower than the stock KZ 900 bars. I had a set on my 76 KZ900 back in the day and they were perfect. They were not quite as narrow as the LTD bars but not as wide as the stock 900 bars. I wish I could find a set somewhere today.

Not sure what they are technically called. The auction didn't call them either sport or euro, just gave dimensions.

eBay auction link

The LTD bars hurt my back and were brutal in a stiff headwind. They were also to narrow for my liking and made the bike feel cramped. Now I lean forward more and the bike feels more spacious, all be it for a small bike anyway. Comfort aside I think they look cool. Now my 250 is jut too small for any bars without rise, so the mini hangers work well there, but that bike is tiny no matter what you do.

Post edited by: Tyler, at: 2007/05/14 01:47

Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/05/14 09:21

I happen to like the mini-apes on my LTD. I also like the upright riding position. I've had carpal tunnel problems and I find the LTD to be very comfortable to ride. The "chin-in-the-wind" sport bike riding position kills my wrists and the "gynecologist table" cruiser riding position kills my lower back.

Vter Bob wrote:

I happen to like the mini-apes on my LTD. I also like the upright riding position. I've had carpal tunnel problems and I find the LTD to be very comfortable to ride. The "chin-in-the-wind" sport bike riding position kills my wrists and the "gynecologist table" cruiser riding position kills my lower back.

OK Vter Bob there are now two of us that like mini-apes. Your description of the sport bike riding position is much more polite than mine, I've always thought the sport bike riders look like a monkey f@#king a football.:laugh: :ohmy: :lol:

Vter Bob wrote:

...and the "gynecologist table" cruiser riding position kills my lower back.

How much time have you spent with your feet in the stirrups, Bob?:blush:

:laugh: :laugh: :woohoo:

Have to tell my brother the gynacologist one...

he rides a 50's harley with big a$$ ape hangers.

:laugh: :laugh: :woohoo:

Post edited by: Tyler, at: 2007/05/14 20:34

My feet in the stirrups? Geez, haven't you ever done any freelance work Nevan?
:whistle: