Man, new bars make such a difference in how the bike feels!

[donimo]

I bought the datona bars from JCW, mostly because the PO dropped the bike and bent the stock ones. Holding the new ones up you could see they are a bit higher and longer, but really close to the same.

NOT

Just that tiny difference as a HUGE change in feel, I sit up a bit straighter and the pressure is off my wrists a ton. Plus the wider bars make it a ton more confident on turns, it seems to handle better.

I know to many of you this is old news, but I just thought I would share to those newbs on the fence (especially those with buckhorns, can't imagine what those are like).

who knew spending a couple hours on setting floats, changing a jet and putting almost identical bars on a bike could result in such a GRIN

[a747freak]

Awesome, I've been thinking of looking to replace the bars on my GS250. I'm a new rider and it could just be me, but after long rides my wrists hurt. The stock bars are pretty rusty anyway. Thanks for the tip.

[979roadrunner]

Yeah, I've got an L model and the buck horns aren't too bad, but I'd prefer G model bars for a more upright position.
I'd probably be more upset about it if I didn't have a Plexifairing.
Still, gotta do something about them because the idiot PO drilled holes in them so he could mount some ugly and not at all functional Maltese Cross mirrors that you usually see on those choppers that get trailered to shows and looked at because they're too dangerous to ride.

[Macguyver]

Yeah, I've got an L model and the buck horns aren't too bad, but I'd prefer G model bars for a more upright position.

I love my G bars, sooo comfy.
Tried a buddy's drag bars, and within 10 minutes my wrists were on fire.

Just personal preference, but I prefer the more upright position with mid-pegs. The drag bars seemed like I was being pulled out of position too much.

I wouldn't mind trying some daytona bars sometime though.

[donimo]

Went for a whole bunch of shorter rides, I can't beleive the difference, maybe it is just a combination of things (old bars bent a tiny bit, I am 6'5", etc) but this bike handles SO differently, it's as flickable as my wifes Yamaha Vino scooter ha ha.

We have several traffic circles (roundabouts) here in town and I would struggle with a few at anything near a fun speed before, and often wondered why my bike was such a pig, just the bar swap and this thing leans into corners like a demon.

I am having a love affair with my old bike all over again ha.

I wish everything had a "$25 and 20 minute" job that made it this much better.

YMMV but for me I am very surprised, in a good way.

[Buffalo Bill]

Daytona

I put Daytona bars on my GS1100G and I dig them mucho. I'm 6' 4".

[Billyboy]

I've got Euro bars on my 1000. LOVE THEM!
I'm 6'1" and they are perfect.

[1_v8_merc]

Hey guys, i have a 82 650g, ive been thinking about some bars.

From the looks of it, I could fit some drag bars or cafe racer bars, all I would need to do is get the indents riveted in or whatever, so I can mount it on the brackets and attach my handlebars?

I would like bars that are ready to go, but it seems like the ones I want are just PLAIN old bars, thus would need to be riveted or whatever the hell you call it.(forgot the word.)

but it this right, or is there more to it?
It looks like they would bolt right on without any spacers or anything.
--------

Don't get me wrong, I like my current handle bars, good for long rides.
But Im just dying for some straight bars that are much lower!
I keep getting that urge to lean forward and grab a lot lower.
(Ive always been a sportbike guy, not a GS guy, hehe)

[tkent02]

Went for a whole bunch of shorter rides, I can't beleive the difference, maybe it is just a combination of things (old bars bent a tiny bit, I am 6'5", etc) but this bike handles SO differently, it's as flickable as my wifes Yamaha Vino scooter ha ha.

We have several traffic circles (roundabouts) here in town and I would struggle with a few at anything near a fun speed before, and often wondered why my bike was such a pig, just the bar swap and this thing leans into corners like a demon.

And another "L"adies model loses it's virginity and becomes a normal handling motorcycle.

[Billyboy]

Hey guys, i have a 82 650g, ive been thinking about some bars.

From the looks of it, I could fit some drag bars or cafe racer bars, all I would need to do is get the indents riveted in or whatever, so I can mount it on the brackets and attach my handlebars?

I would like bars that are ready to go, but it seems like the ones I want are just PLAIN old bars, thus would need to be riveted or whatever the hell you call it.(forgot the word.)

but it this right, or is there more to it?
It looks like they would bolt right on without any spacers or anything.
--------

Don't get me wrong, I like my current handle bars, good for long rides.
But Im just dying for some straight bars that are much lower!
I keep getting that urge to lean forward and grab a lot lower.
(Ive always been a sportbike guy, not a GS guy, hehe)

"Knurled"?
Bikemaster, at Bikebandit.com.

[979roadrunner]

And another "L"adies model loses it's virginity and becomes a normal handling motorcycle.

Umm, Domino's bike isn't an L model, that would be mine, which actually handles pretty good, no flickability, but Locomotive stable.
I want 'G' bars or maybe Super bike bars because they'll sharpen up the handling, (and it'll still be Loco stable) and sit me up more.
I had a small Sport(y)bike from a manufacturer I won't name before this bike, but I didn't like the feeling of leaning forward all the time, figured if I lost it I'd do a face plant instead of the less scary (at least to me) low side hip slide, so wasn't any faster through the twisties than on a Standard, and not much faster (if any) than on my L.
The other bike felt twitchy and unstable in comparison to the Standards I grew up with, and in comparison to my L.
Yes, I wish it was a G.

[sscott]

Still, gotta do something about them because the idiot PO drilled holes in them so he could mount some ugly and not at all functional Maltese Cross mirrors that you usually see on those choppers that get trailered to shows and looked at because they're too dangerous to ride.

I just wanted to point out that those are "Iron Cross" not a "Maltese Cross". A Maltese Cross is pictured beside my name.

I've also been looking at changing my L bars into something abit more suitable. I only notice a problem with very slow turning speeds. This is due to my profile touching my bars during the turn.

[979roadrunner]

^^^I stand corrected. They are (or were ) still butt ugly pieces of crap that don't belong on anything any sensible person might actually ride.
The Bikemaster Superbike GX's are much better, functionally and cosmetically.