handlebar recommendations

[ScottyDoesntKnow]

I'm interested in hearing any handlebar recommendations for my 450L. I think the stock ones aren't really fitting in terms of appearance. As much as I enjoy watching Easy Rider, I don't really care for the Peter Fonda look while riding. So what have you all tried and liked? I know handlebars are generally cheap, but I don't want to waste my money on something thats going to ruin my posture or ability to control the bike. Any suggestions?

[kz10cubed]

handlebars

If you would like a sport bar I would suggest something like a Daytona touring, a Gran prix touring, or a European style bar. All three will give a forward lean. but not as aggresive as a cafe style bar. Dennis Kirk has a nice website and large selection of handlebars. He is a little more expensive than say Old Bike Barn, but if you are just looking, he has a great site. They also have a nice catalog (free) for dreaming about spring here in cold Ohio. Another thing you might try, is take a metal coathanger and bend it to different shapes that you find comfortable, or flexible copper pipe works well. A few bucks for it is cheaper than buying handlebars you donn't like. Been there done that. Hope this helps. Kirby

https://www.denniskirk.com

[bgk]

One of my bikes is a 1979 GS1000L. I believe the stock handlebars and seat, and resulting uncomfortable rider ergonomics, are similar to your bike (but not exactly the same).

My solution was to temporarily remove both handgrips and controls, and simply cut about 3-inches off each end of the handlebars with a hacksaw, and replace the handgrips and controls. I also slightly changed the ?angle? of the handlebars by loosening the four bolts at the top of the triple tree and sitting on the bike and moving the handlebars up and down until the riding position ?felt right? and then re-tightened the bolts. These simple changes made a huge difference for me, and I was much, much more comfortable riding the bike. Cost: zero.

Later, I had the seat modified at a local upholstery shop. They moved the ?hi-lo step? back an inch, added an inch of foam to the back end to make the whole seat one inch longer, and added an inch of foam across the whole top surface to give me one more inch of leg room, and made a new vinyl cover; all for a grand total of $75.

Now, I can ride my ?L? model all day long. Before the mods, I was uncomfortable within the first hour of riding.

[ScottyDoesntKnow]

Hmm...interesting. I hadn't considered just hacking up the current bars. That would definitely be cheaper than other options. That hi/lo seat thing is a real pain too. Theres not really enough room on the low part for me to sit comfortably. Fortunately, I don't make many long rides.

[bgk]

If/when you cut the bar ends, make damn sure you don't cut too much off.

You need enough straight section left over to put your controls and grip back on! (There was plenty on my 1000L bars, but I don't know if your 450L bars are shorter.)

[ron bayless]

Here is my 2 cents worth. The stock bars on my gs 1000 gl were like ape hangers practically with the ends too close together and the pullback made my right hand hurt after only 5 miles. I tried cutting them off as some suggested here, but that didnt really help. tried modifying the seat, that didnt help either. I finally go some trooper style or police style bars you can find at dennis kirk for 26 dollars and they are perfect.some genmar risers for 98 dollars help even more but too much money for me.