XS1100 handle bars

[wapam]

I don't care for the stock buckhorn bars and am wondering if anyone has tried to bend them. Right now the ends point down at around the 5:00 and 7:00 positions, I would like to bend them up to the 4:00 and 8:00 positions so my wrists are positioned more naturally.

I suppose bending handle bars is not a good idea but though I would ask.

Thank you.

[DiverRay]

If you do a search on "handlebars", you should be able to find a lot of information. I think most of the people who don't like the "buckhorn" bars on the specials, replace them with older gold wing bars.
I would NOT try and bend the bars. It would be almost impossible to keep the the same on both sides. You should be able to get some bars for $20 to $35.

[fredintoon]

Hi Wapam,
cold bend 'em and they kink. Torch bend 'em and the chrome gets wrecked. Either way the ends won't bend to the same angle both sides. Find a different bar. (you never know, someone with a weird physique may actually find those buckhorns to be ergonomically desirable.) Suzi GT750 bar or Honda CB750 bar if you want 'em a bit higher are what this 5'- 8" old fat guy found to be comfortable.

[Erik the Red]

I ended up with the bars off a '78 Goldwing. Got 'em at a boneyard for 15, 'cause I brought my own tools. Any 7/8" bar will work; just see which are most comfortable for you. I did have to get a slightly longer brake line when I put them on. Something to keep in mind.

-I want to say that for some reason I opted against the CB750 bars. I can't remember if the throttle cable was too short for them, or if I just didn't want to use the pair off my other bike.

[79XS11F]

Try the bars from the standard model. Their pretty comfy
Rob

[wapam]

Thank you for all the info.

I was thinking about different bars, but how do you make sure all the cables/wires/brake lines will fit the new bars? I really don't want to go through all the work of changing the cables/wires/brake lines.

[fredintoon]

"how do you make sure all the cables/wires/brake lines will fit the new bars?"

Hi Wapam,
don't worry about it, those things aren't terribly fussy about how long they are. The existing cables etc. that are tailored to suit the buckhorns will most likely be a tad longer than optimum for a straighter bar but they will work just fine.
You might find the twistgrip won't pull right off the existing bar because the cables won't let it. Just un-clamp the bar first and slide it along a bit to avoid taking the cable etc. out of the twistgrip.

[wapam]

Looks like some different bars are in order.

Just so I am clear on the spec's of bars, I assume the "pullback" is the measurement from the front of the bars (when mounted) to the ends.

Thank you.

[fredintoon]

Hi Wapam,
You can't buy 'bars by the dimensions and guarantee they'll be right for you, any more than you can buy a pair of shoes from a catalog and guarantee they'll be comfortable. You gotta try them on to be sure.
Check out mikesXS online catalog to see photos of various bars mounted onto XS650s to get a good idea of the 'bar that would be right for you. My own experience in searching out the "perfect" 'bar took 4 trips to the bike breakers to find one I was happy with. Mind you, used 'bars are not costly and they make a good addition to your "swaps" pile.

[madmax-im]

While I regret to say i dont have this anymore ....when i bought my 1980 XS1100 I had to ride it home for abt 60 miles.The handlebars were low short and straight...I guess that is what the buckhorn bars are...anyways I felt like I was a cowboy riding a Brahma Bull.My body was canted forward with my weight on my wrists,arms and shoulders.Needless to say i was not too freakin comfortable.The very next day i went to the closest Yamaha/Honda dealer and bought a brand new set of Cruiser bars that reached way back.By doing this changeover myself...I really made it more comfortable a riding position and it also changed the way I was using my body weight to imput steering.New vs.a boneyard thats your choice but it is not that hard to change them out.A whole lot easier than tryin to rebend your existing bars...IMHO

[fredintoon]

"The handlebars were low short and straight...I guess that is what the buckhorn bars are."
Hi 'max,
no, what you describe are commonly called "drag bars" or if you are as old as me, "Vincent bars"
Buckhorn bars have at least a 6" raise and the grips point nearly straight back. They are also known as "rototiller bars" but those who like them consider that to be an insult.

[madmax-im]

Fred:
Thanks for the enlightenment.I have seen the buckhorn bars now that you have described them to me...the replacement bars i put on my XS11 were no where near the rototiller look...LOL.Those drag bars made so uncomfortable and I had to use more of my weight and muscle the bike into turns.After the new bars I was sitiing more upright and with less pressure on my upper body.I was then able to ride more relaxed as well and i didnt have to muscle the bike into turns any more...

[wapam]

Lot's of good info. So, does "pullback" refer to the measurement from the front of the bars (when mounted) to the ends?

Thanks.

[LoHo]

A small group of us took a ride over to the coast, my XS, a couple of Harleys, a couple of UJMs, and a new crotch rocket with a young guy and his hot girly on the, uh, "pillion," I guess...it was a four inch wide chunk of slightly-padded plastic. They were chomping at the bit to get over to the beach, but on the way back they were willing to trade bikes with anyone. He was shaking from holding his weight up and she was willing to walk to avoid the pounding her soft spots were taking. She'd lean forward on him to relieve the pressure, adding to his weight on his arms. They'd never been more than about twenty miles at a time on that SUX7 or whatever it was, so the long range thrashed them. Drag bars look cool, but laying down on your bike sucks!

[fredintoon]

" my XS, a couple of Harleys, a couple of UJMs, and - - "

Hi LoHo,
but I thought the XS series, especially the bigger ones, XS650 thru XS1100, while being in one sense, in a class of their own, actually defined the UJM rather than being in a separate category?