Handlebars - too narrow an angle... bent?

[Guest]

This is on my 81 GS650GL.

I don't like the angle of my handlebars. I have to keep my elbows way in close to my ribs to avoid having my wrists constantly bent. I feel like the right side is worse, but maybe that's just because I'm holding the throttle.

How do I check to see if my handlebars are bent? I guess you could run a string to each end and see if they have the same angle...?

How do you reference handlebar angle, and is there any way to adjust it, like by rotating them up or down at the clamp?

Happy rides

[tkent02]

Most everyone who rides an L changes out the handlebars. Just a fact of life, L bars suck. Control and handling is terrible, comfort is not at all comfortable, it is all compromised with the L handlebars.

The design is intended to let the female riders show off their breasts. The seating position is great for this. No other useful reason to shape the bars like that.

Superbike bend, or Daytonas, or even stock bars off a smaller Suzuki E model work well.

[GreatDane]

Here's my 450L with Daytona bars. These just came in yesterday and this picture shows them mounted just to see how they would look. I really like the look of them and can't wait to try them out on the road. Makes the bike look a lot more aggressive even with all of the stuff left to do. Excuse the messy garage...way too many projects going on right now!

[GreatDane]

Sorry. Didn't really answer your question.

I was able to check my bars by just putting them on the floor (since they were already off the bike for other work). They were definitely bent on the right side. I would think you could measure from the floor to the tip while the bike is on the center stand. God luck. By the way, I purchased the Daytona bars and spent less than $25.00 shipped. Figured why not take a chance. If I don't like it, I'm not out too much money!

[WilliamGLX81]

WOW. That looks so much more comfortable than my bars. I should put a photo up, but my bike is a sad, neglected looking thing to behold. Thanks for posting, and I sort of started thinking that whether or not these bars are bent is irrelevant if they are just known to be kind of crummy.

For under $25 shipped, eh? That is a very tempting idea. I'll look for some. My main goal is to be able to keep my wrists straight. My right wrist is actually sore right now from the angle.

Did you do anything to try to straighten the bars?

[twr1776]

I second the Daytonas, I have them on two my L's pics below. I tried the euros and they were too low to clear the instruments. Not sure on the superbike bend.

Bikemaster brand was what I got, you will at least have to re-route your stock cables and probably get a new front brakeline although you might be able to re-route it.

If would recommend getting the new bars first to make sure you like them and upgraded to stainless front lines after you decide.

[WilliamGLX81]

Hahaha, crud. I just ordered a new SS brake line. Should be here in a couple days. Thanks for the input

[GreatDane]

I did not try to straighten the OEM bars. They are pretty rusty and with the compound bends I knew that I would never get it right. I figured buying new would be the best.

It took me forever to try and decide what to go with. Good luck in your decision.

[1948man]

L handlebars.
The design is intended to let the female riders show off their breasts. .

D@mn, I learn something on this site everyday.

[WilliamGLX81]

Anyone know off-hand what the specs are for the stock L handlebars are? Pullback and rise in particular.

And does a higher pullback with the same length mean there will be more of an angle on a pair of bars? In other words, would a pair of bars at 28" and 5" pullback be more angled like a ^ than a pair of bars with 28" and 3" pullback? I think it would work out that way, but I'm not sure.

Why did you choose the Daytona bars over the Superbike bars?

[GreatDane]

Ok..so I dug around here on the desk and found where I measured the original L bars on my 450.

Rise = 4 1/2"
Pullback = 11"
width = 29"
Mounting width = 4 3/4"

As for deciding which bars to go with...I just kind of looked around the site and saw what others were using and then just kinda picked what I thought I would like. I almost purchased the LTD bars, but wanted a little more forward sitting bar. That and the LTD bars became unavailable from Z1.

BTW...I purchased from Z1 and they were very fast and had the cheapest price that I could find.

[WilliamGLX81]

Pullback: ELEVEN inches??? Hahhaaha, excuse me while I fall off my chair laughing. Wow.

Thanks for digging up the measurements. That sure explains a lot about the bar angle. Also explains why people get the Daytonas. I was thinking 5.x" was still a lot of pullback. Guess not so much.

I'll probably go with bikebandit because they ship from CA and I have a $10 off gift card.

[WilliamGLX81]

The GP Touring bars showed up today. They only appear to have about an inch or two less pullback than my L bars. I'm sending them back and getting Daytonas.