Do bars make a big difference?

[Bruin]

I just bought an 81 GS650GL. It has what reminds me of the "beach comber" handlebars on old bicycles, pulled way back so they almost seem parrallel to eachother. I am a new rider and I was wondering if wider bars would make the bike more stable / easier to handle. They are okay, but at 6'2", I would probably be more comfortable with a straighter set of bars. I hear the biggest pain in a handlebar swap is removing the throttle. would this swap require shorter cables since the bar ends would be moved forward? I am used to snowmobiles where the bar is almost straight, so my current setup seems really awkward. Any thoughts?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. Bruin,

Yes, many riders of the "L" models change out the stock "pull back", sometimes called "buckhorn", bars in favor of Daytona or Superbike bars. You can re-route the cables to take up the extra length left over but I think shorter cables are a cleaner solution.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Nessism]

Bars make a huge difference. I recommend Daytona bend bars and shorter cables from the sport bike model of your bike if they are still available (650 Katana). Some people reroute their cables, and will tell you they work fine, but having fresh clean cables of the proper length is a thing of beauty and smoother than an Obama speech.

[Bruin]

That's what I thought. I think Pontiac was on to something with their "wider is better" slogan. As a new guy I would feel more secure with the wider bars. I am not a big fan of running cables where they were never meant to be. I tried to use a long speedo cable once and because of all the bends in it, it broke after about 40 miles, what a waste. On the other hand I will see how much extra slack there is before I buy new cables. Even at 1:00 AM I get quick responses. I am loving this site more every day.

[tkent02]

They don't need to be wider, they just need to be straighter. A bike with stock L bars is pretty much out of control any time the bike is moving.

[Bruin]

That inspires confidence!

[Roostabunny]

Bars make a huge difference. I recommend Daytona bend bars and shorter cables from the sport bike model of your bike if they are still available (650 Katana). Some people reroute their cables, and will tell you they work fine, but having fresh clean cables of the proper length is a thing of beauty and smoother than an Obama speech.

Does the bike handle better? I've been considering superbike bars because the stock ones felt too high, and when I rotated them back some to lower them, I end up sitting halfway into the pillion seat. I was a bicycle racer back in the day, so I like being a little more stretched out.

Shouldn't I be pretty much right up behind the tank? Then pick the bar (superbike or daytona) to get the "stretch" I want?

[Baatfam]

Does the bike handle better? I've been considering superbike bars because the stock ones felt too high, and when I rotated them back some to lower them, I end up sitting halfway into the pillion seat. I was a bicycle racer back in the day, so I like being a little more stretched out.

Shouldn't I be pretty much right up behind the tank? Then pick the bar (superbike or daytona) to get the "stretch" I want?

Bars are cheap, less than $20 new if you shop around. So just try them.
My 1100 had dragbike bars when I got it, too flat.
So I put superbike bars and it was OK, but to be sure I put daytona bars on and love them.

[Rick Morrison]

Personally I like superbike and clubman bars. I can't say for sure whether or not they give me better control of the bike , but it sure seems as though they do ! That said , maybe you have some friends with different bars on their bikes, try them out and see what seems to suit you best then get a set and try them on your ride. Good luck !

[Nessism]

You can't judge bars by riding someone elses bike because the seat to bars relationship is not the same.

Bikemaster bars are about $20 a copy at various sources. Get a couple of different types if you are not sure, I'm sure you could unload the unused pair if money is tight.

[Rick Morrison]

Good point Nessism !

[Zooks]

Just keep the extra bars. Once the 'bug' bites and you get onto your 2nd (and 3rd) bike the variety of bars will come in handy.


I must have 10 or more sets of handlebars in the shed.

[mostholycerebus]

Has anyone with an "L" model tried the LTD or Nighthawk bars by Bikemaster? They don't bend as far back as the stock 'buckhorns' but seem to have a rise and pullback more in line with cruiser bars. I really don't wanna be leaning over my tank all the time, or I woulda bought a sportsbike.

[Hammered]

On my bike the pullback drag bars were what made my position on the bike comfortable. Then again Im using forward controls. Im also a bit taller so this allows me to be a little more stretched out and not so "Knees in the chest" position.

[tkent02]

Just keep the extra bars. Once the 'bug' bites and you get onto your 2nd (and 3rd) bike the variety of bars will come in handy.


I must have 10 or more sets of handlebars in the shed.

Agreed, I switch them out all the time, Superbike bars for blasting around the local canyons, something a bit taller for traveling.
Depends on the bike, but usually I go for slightly lower than stock bars, nothing too extreme.
Daytonas? European?
Sometimes stock bars for a smaller bike work well. GS 450 bars on my old 1000 were perfect for it.