Defending Buckhorn Bars

[JWSanders]

I tried several different positions with the buckhorns on my 11 and no matter where they were, my wrists would ache something fierce after 30 minutes or so. Went to the 80's Goldwing bars and haven't had a problem since. They sit back nearly as far, but the wrist position is straight out. For me, it was way more comfortable, and a cheap fix at only $15.

The 11's bars are far better then the ones on the 400 were though. They were so small and so close together that it really was like riding a tiller or a toy wheelbarrow. They were replaced in short order.

[Dsxs11]

I hate them. I've got drag bars on the 79 spec with 1 out and 3/4 up risers. I'm 6'4" and it's comfortable enough to ride everyday to work 600 miles a week. The triumph has 77 xs 750 standard bars on it and they work well. The BMW has stock bars and might be the most perfect bar ever. Had the buckhorns on for day and it felt like I was driving a bus I had them on a 750 chassis to move it around over the summer and a kid stopped by and offered me 50.00 for them for a low rider bicycle. Seems the buck horns are great for that application.

[lakecountrydave]

I think that it is just a matter of personal preference. I enjoy the buckhorns on my special, but still want the stock seat to give me more room to move around (mainly farther back). I like the buck horns on a Honda V65 Magna with stock seat. When I had a Honda V45 Magna I hated both the buckhorns and the seat. I always fely cramped. The seat and adjustable bars on a Yamaha XV920J Virago is the most comfortable I have ever expirienced on a bike. And I always left them in the middle as delivered position. I can also appriciate a flatter bar with less pull back. It gives me a more aggressive feel, more like I am part of the bike. I have noticed that I ride more agressively with that setup as well. If you like the way it feels then enjoy If you don't modify it

[xs650mike]

If you're not too tall (I'm 5' 10" with 32" inseam) then buckhorns can be comfortable if they're set correctly which for me is down low with the levers rotated down so the wrists aren't cramped when clutching and braking. Hiway pegs also help and a small shield to keep your arms from getting stretched. I was one who said "these bars have to go" but I found a comfortable adjustment.



That said...after 30,000 or so happy miles I recently mounted some cafe/clubman bars from Mikes XS. Don't have any pictures yet but they are low and narrow...no shield. Of course with low bars the tendency is to gas it. If I start getting tickets I'll go back to the pullbacks.

The sharp eyed will note the chrome tank badges (off an XS400 Heritage Special) which I had to re-drill so they'd fit. Also have a set of straight polished alloy ball bearing control levers by Mercury Morse at Vintage Brake. Smoooth........

[79XS11F]

The special model is what was described in the day by Yamaha as a "boulevard cruiser". The bike was designed to look good and appeal to the cruiser / chopper styled bike lovers. The specials were head turners until everybody and their brother got one. In any case the bikes design priority was looks ... not comfort .. and not long hauls on the highway. They were Friday night boulevard eye candy with the midnight specials being the sweetest candy of them all. If you use the bike around town the bulk of the time then the stock bars do the intended job nicely. On the open road ... replace them with something that takes the weight off your spine and keeps the blood in your hands.... or at least get a cruse control device.
Rob

[lakecountrydave]

Mike is that the stock 79 sf seat and what six pack rack is that? They both look sharp! Great scenery too

[CarolynS]

Handlebars

We're in the process of deciding what kind of bars will work for me. I'm 5'9" and about-well, never mind-It's UNDER 150-#. I don't like the stock bars-too straight up for me. The Old Man is condsidering custom bending some for me. Sort of drag bar but raised up so we can lower the front end an inch or so. I'm switching to 11" shocks to drop the rear down a bit, so I may like the handlebars after the adjustment to the suspension, but I doubt it.
Making that kind of change is all a matter of personal preference, and it may take some trial and error to get to the right fit.
Good luck.

[Ken Talbot]

SWMBO's ride has shorter shocks, along with the 16" rear wheel from a Special, forks lifted a bit in the triple trees, and the extra long buckhorn bars.

This seemed to be just the right combination for her.

YMMV...

[Crazcnuk]

Thanks Fred, I think that is what I have...

I like a slightly lean-forward sitting position. I have a backrest that can be extended up so that I can use it as I ride, but for the most part it does nothing, because I am leaning away from it, most the time.

It does give me the option of leaning back against it, occassionally, to ease strain from sitting too long in one position, and I have to take it off if I have a passenger.

I certainly would not want to lean forward any further, as with cafe style bars.

I almost bought an adaptor that would allow me to pull the handelbars back another 2" but I decided not to at the last minute.

[fredintoon]

"After the crash, it is VERY uncomfortable to lean forward at any degree."
Hi John,
perhaps your next leaning backwards ride should be to your chiropractor? Although my bad back is not crash-related (I seem to always land on my arse) but due to excess lard on my front the monthly chiropractic tune-up keeps my spine in better shape than it would otherwise be.

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by lakecountrydave
Mike is that the stock 79 sf seat and what six pack rack is that? They both look sharp! Great scenery too

Stock seat, re-upholstered by previous owner. Need new cover now. Rack was on the bike when I got it...aftermarket, perhaps dealer item. I moved the turn sigs to license plate so I could mount bags. Bikes are ever so more practical with bags. Last evening SWMBO sent me to store for half pint of sour cream, 1 gallon of milk and a six of beer. It all fit easily in bags. If I didn't have bags would have had to take car.



The scenery IS great around here, any Norcal XSives who want to come up just ping me...I'll show you where the great roads are...light traffic too!

[lakecountrydave]

I have never scene a bag below the plate. Great idea! I have only been to CA once. I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle in-laws . They live in Carmel by the Sea and we took a day trip to San Francisco. Unfortunately, it was all in a cage (except the flight in/out). Lots of friends & family in SoCal, but I have never visited them. Heck, this weekend I will be visiting a buddy of mine in IL. He lived in Huntington Beach for about 6 years. My little brother even moved in with him for a spell. He offered to pay for my plane ticket and everything except the alcohol. I never went!

[Dennyz]

I like the buckhorns on my Special and the clip-on for my Standard. Two different riding styles for two different uses of an XS.

The Special is fun around town on a warm summer night, while the Standard is my ride of choice for carving the turns or putting down some serious miles.

[NemisusDM]

Well I have to put in a vote for the Special's Buckhorns. They do have a sweet spot and I had to set mine a bit on the higher side so that they would be comfortable. If they were just a little further out they would be perfect. I wonder if I could bend them a bit.....