Different bars tested

[tri650]

I took off the stock bars from my 78 XS11 and tried a few different bars. I need to bend at the waist or I get lower back pain. Bought a few different bars that were cheap ($35 a piece) that were lower. One with a 2" rise and one with a 3" rise and stronger pull back. Both were to low and caused upper back pain. So I mounted an old set of bars that I took off of a 05 Bonneville that I owned. Kind of like a cruiser bar. Giving it a long test today. I will post pics.

Funny, but I test rode a 06 Bonneville yesterday as I still like the look of the classic Triumph bikes and sometimes drift away from the XS11 - sort of like mentally cheating on your wife. Wow, what a disappointment. Mushy brakes, horrible suspension, sounded like a sewing machine and too small for my 6'1 frame. Made me want to get back on my 32 year old XS. I apologized to it for looking at another bike and gave it a good cleaning. We are having a make-up ride today and I hope it forgives me for looking at another bike.

[79XS11F]

A lady at work bough a Triumph this spring. I think it's a 850? Anyway the bike is not IMO a Triumph. Its a jap bike with Triumph stamped on the side of it. It also sounds like a sewing machine.
Rob

[tri650]

I have owned a number of the new Triumphs - Tiger, Sprint ST, Speed Triple, and they have all been incredible bikes. Fast, good looking and totally reliable. No complaints against the brand. Comparing the Bonnie to my XS is like comparing a Civic to a 5.0 Mustang GT.

[11Rider]

I'm looking forward to your ride report with the new bars and a pic or two.

[79XS11F]

I'm not knocking the Brand. I'm just saying that the new Triumphs are not like to older ones and are not what most would expect from a Triumph. They are not as British as I would have expected. The sound was the biggest disappointment. I would have expected a more Triumph like exhaust note. Something with a Little more growl.
Rob

[lee_dutcher]

lets compair............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r68xm...eature=related-new
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hf9irC-cEw-old

[GARTHXS]

Yeah my bro inlaw has an 06 scrambler and it has the Retro look but after riding it it feels like a scooter and the brakes suck it is not a real motorcycle after having the xs

[79XS11F]

lets compair............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r68xm...eature=related-new
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hf9irC-cEw-old

Her bike does not sound anything like ether of those 2 bikes. Her bike sounds about the same as a scooter. The exhaust pipe holes at the ends of the mufflers are very small and restrictive for a 850.
Rob

[CatatonicBug]

I took off the stock bars from my 78 XS11 and tried a few different bars. I need to bend at the waist or I get lower back pain. Bought a few different bars that were cheap ($35 a piece) that were lower. One with a 2" rise and one with a 3" rise and stronger pull back. Both were to low and caused upper back pain. So I mounted an old set of bars that I took off of a 05 Bonneville that I owned. Kind of like a cruiser bar. Giving it a long test today. I will post pics.

Funny, but I test rode a 06 Bonneville yesterday as I still like the look of the classic Triumph bikes and sometimes drift away from the XS11 - sort of like mentally cheating on your wife. Wow, what a disappointment. Mushy brakes, horrible suspension, sounded like a sewing machine and too small for my 6'1 frame. Made me want to get back on my 32 year old XS. I apologized to it for looking at another bike and gave it a good cleaning. We are having a make-up ride today and I hope it forgives me for looking at another bike.

So, fellow St. Louisan - Got any leftover bars you need to get rid of? I'm looking for a set for an 850 Special. They can be a little taller than stock, but I need the little knurled spots for the 'trees to grip onto.

[Incubus]

Well shoot. I saw the tagline and I thought someone finally hit on a subject that I am a true expert on. I've tried hundreds of them, all over the country. Could have expounded for hours. Thrilling stories of wonder and adventure.

Most would have started... "I walked into a bar..."

Wrong kind of bars. Drat.

Patrick

[tri650]

I have done both types of bar testing - with usually bad results for the non-motorcycle type.

I was able to take the bike out yesterday for an extended ride - would have been longer but I think my alternator is shot as it died about 3 miles from home. One of these days I will figure it out and fix it. Right now I just keep charging up the battery until it runs out.

Anyway, I like the new bars better than the other lower bars. It has me a little more upright, but still with a very slight bend at the waist. They have a more severe pullback which seemed to work fine. I took a lot of twisty roads and did not find any issues with handling or turning. I plan on keeping these bars on the bike and continue testing. Was hoping to take down to NW Arkansas for some rides around 7, 123, etc., but not sure I can fix the alternator (assuming that is what it is) by 10/28.

[Deathdeelr]

I installed a set of stock bars from a 2002 RS Warrior. They feel so much better than the stock bars as I have back problems as well. They're wider and have a more natural bend for the grips than the stock XS standard bar. They come back about three inches over the XS bars. Keep in mind these aren't a bolt on since the Warrior bar is 1" but the work was worth it. ISO grips also do a lot for vibration.

[MaximPhil]

I have done both types of bar testing - with usually bad results for the non-motorcycle type.
- would have been longer but I think my alternator is shot as it died about 3 miles from home. One of these days I will figure it out and fix it. Right now I just keep charging up the battery until it runs out.

but not sure I can fix the alternator (assuming that is what it is) by 10/28.

Hi Tri650,
Just incase yours is as simple as mine. Check the ground wire connection from Battery to frame. Mine was both loose and corroded and gave the symptom of battery not holding a charge. Multimeter across the battery with the engine running will soon tell if your alternator is charging.
Phil

[tri650]

I hooked up my voltmeter and revved the engine to see if the voltage increased - it did not. Fortunately I have a donor bike and was able to remove the entire generator and put it on my bike - this is assuming it was good. Hooked it up and ran the same test and still no change in voltage.

I will check the connections. What would be my next step if all of the cables, etc., look clean?

[Incubus]

If your alternator is good and the connections are clean, it is probably your voltage regulator.

Patrick