New handle bars. What you think!? Open to suggestions for the future.

[82'GS650]

Installed these smaller ape hangers last night. Removed a large windshield to. I think it looks a lot cleaner and is more comfortable on the wrists than the stock bars.
Do any of you guys any other suggestions?
I got a pan seat from the friend that gave me those bars. I want to install that next.

 

[tkent02]

Looks out of control just sitting there.

 

[JJ]

I have never seen the sense in ape-hangers. I rode a motorcycle with them for about 30 minutes once. ONCE. That was all I could stand.

Having said that, if you like them, then ride with them.

 

[82'GS650]

They are not that outlandish for me. I'm a little taller and they are still well below my shoulders, so they are still comfy. But ya most of them are way out there.

Haha Kent she is completely in control.

 

[tkent02]

Right. .

 

[Gorminrider]

If you are comfortable riding and cornering, Be Happy! If you can ride 3 hours without thinking about muscles or "maybe I should try different handlebars" you are pretty close to what's right for you.

 

[Guest]

I'm shocked you managed to get all the cables and wires to extend that far. You're bike's an 'L' model, we usually go with lower bars on those bikes not taller ones, but to each their own. If you're going to start cutting and bashing the bike I'm sure some people would appreciate an opportunity to purchase/trade the stock parts before you ruin them.

 

[Jedz123]

These little 4 cylinders are a real hoot to ride with standard bars on them... The apes on that bike with it's Standard geometry must be a bit odd too ride...

But hey it's your bike, looks like nice specimen minus the bars hope it doesn't fall victim to a sawzall

 

[Nessism]

With those mini ape's your chest is straight up, perpendicular to the wind. At speed your chest acts like a sail, trying to blow you off the bike, and you need to counter that by holding tight with your hands and arms which causes fatigue. A lot of naked bike riders find a set of lower bars more comfortable for actual riding at speed; with your back tilted slightly into the wind the wind hitting your chest helps balance your torso weight and take weight off your hands and arms. This riding position is slightly more uncomfortable when riding in stop and go traffic though so if you are profiling and bar hopping, those ape's may be a better choice.

 

[dantodd]

With those mini ape's your chest is straight up, perpendicular to the wind. At speed your chest acts like a sail, trying to blow you off the bike, and you need to counter that by holding tight with your hands and arms which causes fatigue. A lot of naked bike riders find a set of lower bars more comfortable for actual riding at speed; with your back tilted slightly into the wind the wind hitting your chest helps balance your torso weight and take weight off your hands and arms. This riding position is slightly more uncomfortable when riding in stop and go traffic though so if you are profiling and bar hopping, those ape's may be a better choice.

It's funny, today I was driving home on the freeway and there was a guy on a twin with big ape hangers. He was on the off ramp and was standing upright on his pegs to relieve the exact type of fatigue we are describing.

 

[Guest]

Not on an L. I took my stock bars off and with an arbor press and wood blocks bent them forward 5 degrees each to aleviate the wrist angle.

 

[Juergen]

It looks nice. I am 6'4". I like to keep my shoulders lower. I have to have a small wind shield to keep the wind off my chest. My CX500C had a 1978 handle bar install be me. That one was on a four cylinder 750. That brought my arms down and forward. I am working on my GS850L 1983 that I bought last month. 200.oo dollars. Hope to have it on the road soon. I did get the engine to fire up.
Have fun with yours.

 

[82'GS650]

Ya I road today for about 3 hours. Around town and on the highway going about 55 to 65 mph. I didn't really feel any fatigue just in my legs more than anything. They cramp up from time to time when starting from a stop. I see what your saying with the wind hitting the chest. I may put the windshield back on but cut it down some. I was surprised to that the cables went that far but its almost perfect. The clutch and throttle cable feel the same as stock. I am going to hold on to the stock parts and sell them with the bike if and I mean if that day comes. It may or may not see the saw this winter. I am not to sure what I want to do next. I ordered some smaller turn signals, and removed that chrome handle from the seat as well. I have a seat that my friend gave me. It almost looks like it is off a harley pan head. Might get rid of the 2 person seat and just install that one. But that to might be a winter project. Dont want to sacrifice the ride time in these short summers here. I was also thinking about removing the front fender. What do you guys think about those to changes?

 

[tkent02]

Yeah, cut it up!!

 

[Guest]

If you're going to start cutting and bashing the bike I'm sure some people would appreciate an opportunity to purchase/trade the stock parts before you ruin them.

What he said.

 

[BoCoMoMann]

I'm also not a fan of the apes, but I am a huge fan of doing whatever you want to your own motorcycle.

A couple of weeks ago I was heading north on Hwy 63 when I noticed a biker flying his colors on a Harley (of course) with those huge apes.

I came up behind him, and he managed to whip it up to about a buck fifteen to keep me from passing -

I left him for dead, he did not have a chance, but still, I was impressed he was able to go as fast as he did.....

He looked funny doing it, and whenever anyone can put a smile on someones face -

More power to them! (and better aerodynamics)

 

[Steve]

I have a seat that my friend gave me. It almost looks like it is off a harley pan head. Might get rid of the 2 person seat and just install that one. But that to might be a winter project. Dont want to sacrifice the ride time in these short summers here. I was also thinking about removing the front fender. What do you guys think about those to changes?

Obviously, when you give up the passenger seat, you also remove the possiblity of sharing the ride with someone. For some, the "alone time" is precious, they don't want to share it. For others, it's more about "together" time. You are also going to have some aesthetic issues because the seat covers the front part of the rear fender, and it's going to look different.

Removing the front fender is an idea that I have never understood. All it takes is one trip through a wet patch of pavement, you will quickly see just one of the reasons it's good to have it on the bike. I have been told that having a fender also helps to cool the engine. Seems that the air that is trapped between the tire and the fender gets dragged to the top, where it meets the oncoming rush of air and then spills back, over the head, which is the hottest part of the engine. I have never tested that theory to verify it, but I do like staying a bit drier.

.

 

[82'GS650]

I am new to riding and my GF does not want to ride with me haha. So screw it Im going solo. Ill keep you guys posted about the progress. Hopefully get the new blinkers on tomorrow night or the next day. May also cut down the windshield tomorrow and reinstall her and see what she looks like.

 

[geol]

What he said.

I have a set of miserably uncomfortable L bars that were the first thing leaving my bike for the parts pit. I will be glad to sell them for $479 plus shipping if anyone is masochistic and wants sore wrists and shoulders. As far as this guys bike, well, its this guys bike and I don't care how they look to me; only that he is happy. In fact I think a new and taller set of mirrors are in order because when he is standing on the pegs to relieve the pain many of the folks here have promised, he will then be able to see out of the mirrors perfectly. Now they are only 3 inches over his head when seated it appears.