GT380 Handlebars on a GS1100GL

[Guest]

Hey kids, good to see that most of you are now making a comeback. In the mean time I ordered up a set of GT380 bars off of a 74 model (fleabay) so that I may ditch the L buck horns that I currently possess.


Has anyone else ran a set of GT380 bars on an L model with a plexi 3 fairing?

[twr1776]

I have been looking also

I also am curious to see what people have used for replacements for the L buckhorns with the Plexi fairings. I do know the Bikemaster Daytona bars do not have enough rise for the mounting brackets to work correctly. I have searched all over (Bikemaster, Flanders, etc) and it seems that when you get over 6" - 7" of rise all the available bars have way too much pullback for a more neutral riding position. Post picture of the 380 bars when you get them. Maybe they will be better. It is hard to tell what the pullback is in the parts fiches.

[82Shafty]

I'll be sure to do a write up, with pictures, that would enable BassCliff, if he so desired, add it to his site.

I'm going to be also doing a SS brake hose upgrade so I figured if the bars work with the fairing, then I will order up a more-appropriately sized hose as well as cables; clutch and throttle.

I've tried to look at pictures of 380's with stock bars, but I really don't believe I will truly know until I have them mounted on my bike. My dad also has a set of Daytona bars uninstalled, so I should be able to get a picture showing the difference between the two.

Chef1366 has a different set of bars with fairing on his L model, but I have a feeling his are more towards a GS550 or like a 78 1000E style; a bit taller.

[twr1776]

Thanks for the info. I am still looking for the lower bars and if I find a set I somewhere I will post the brand name and model number for them. Maybe between the two of us we can find a good set of replacement bars for the L's with the NG fairings. Here is a pic of the Daytonas on my 1000. I really like them but the fairing is also nice especially in the early spring and late fall.

[chef1366]

Here is a pic of my stock bars with some buckhorn bars.

[twr1776]

Chef, are those the 80 stock L bars? They look to be a lot better on wrist angle. Here is what I am in the process of getting rid of. This is a pic of the stock 850L bars (on the bike) and the stock 1000L bars, the 1000 bars with a shield actually were not terribly uncomfortable but real vague in the twisties IMHO. The 850L bars bad, bad, bad.




MMMMMMMMMM, Bikemaster Daytonas soon to be much better

[chef1366]

They are stock as far as I know.
I'm 6'6" with ape arms and I'm confortable.

[tkent02]

I used GS 400 bars on an old 750E, it looked about like Chef's pic. I liked them. Lower than stock, not too much. Not sure how it would fit on the ladies model.
Got 750E bars on the 1000E now, it is a pretty good fit for me.

[Steve]

We went the other way because my wife is, er, ... uhmmm, vertically challenged, yeah, that's it.

I don't think the bars on her bike were stock when we got it, but they did not reach her at all. We added a set of bar-backs and installed a set of bars from a KZ1300B Touring model. She is very comfortable on the bike now, and we have done several 600+ mile days when needed.

Note that she still has to tippy-toe in spite of stock shocks and fork springs on a loaded bike, but she can reach the bars comfortably.


This was on Cherahola Skyway a couple of years ago, on our way home from Nashville.
About an hour after this shot was taken, we were on Deal's Gap.

.

[bwringer]

I wonder if it would help if you had a master cylinder from a model where the brake lines exit forward instead of to the side.

The MC on my 83 GS850G is like this, and I once mounted a windshield with Daytona bars on my bike.

I removed and sold the windshield about five minutes later (turns out I hate windshields) but there was room for the clamps and everything.

However, the GL instruments are also different, maybe wider, so that might be an issue. Just a thought.

[82Shafty]

These are the bars I ordered and here is a picture of them mounted on a stock bike for reference.





Borrowed from Suzi cycles.


I can't wait to get the replacement bars in so I can say wow, they don't work with my fairing LOL.

[twr1776]

tkent02 Not sure how it would fit on the ladies model.

I always thought L stood for "Luxury Model"

bwringer However, the GL instruments are also different, maybe wider, so that might be an issue. Just a thought.

I am pretty sure the L guages are wider than the G or E guages

82Shafty These are the bars I ordered and here is a picture of them mounted on a stock bike for reference. I can't wait to get the replacement bars in so I can say wow, they don't work with my fairing LOL.

I know the feeling

[tkent02]

I always thought L stood for "Luxury Model"

How can that be when they are so uncomfortable?

They chose style over function...
little bitty gas tank for short little rides...
a very low seat for short little riders...
bars that reach back to riders with short little arms.
Got to be for the ladies.

[chef1366]

You should see me in drag.

[82Shafty]

Well, here are my findings, you can still run a full fairing with the T bars.

I had to reroute my cables for everything to work and if after a few rides, I choose to hang onto these bars, I will buy some E-cables to bring things into spec.