Looking for Handlebar Recomendations

[shawn01505]

I have a 79 XS 11 with the square headlight and stock bars. I would like to go to a drag style bar but still be comfortable. ANY recomendations would be appreciated.

[Pat Kelly]

I put "Superbike Bars" on my Midnight Special (I don't like the buckhorns).
They are shorter, narrower, and flatter than stock bars on my standard E.
They give me a sporty stance (sits?) leaning slightly forward while not straining my neck like the clip-ons I had on my 400. In a good tuck I can still see my mirrors. Whith standard bars the mirrors are by my ears.

[77mudbuddy]

I basicly have the same question. I've done a search for "Superbike Bars" with various other search words but am not finding a good link yet. Does anybody have any more information on this topic. Model number / Model name / Online store that you have bought from... ect. Thanks

[Pat Kelly]

I got mine off Ebay ($10). I see 'superbike bars' and 'drag bars' (flat with a slight sweep) on Ebay all the time.

[77mudbuddy]

I'm feeling like a bit of a moran... I am new to street bikes and really have no idea what to look for in handle bars. I know I dont like the stock "Ram Horn" style bars on my 79 XS1100 SH but I dont know what will fit in it's place. Are handle bars all the same diameter? How do you know if they are going to fit? Are there better materials or worse materials? Where to get them? so on and so forth.

Sorry for the newbie questions?

[randy]

Prescott;

There are two standard handlebar diameters: 7/8" and 1"

We (XS's) use 7/8". Any 7/8" bar will fit the clamps. The shape, rise, pullback and fit for your comfort are your choice.

[GNEPIG]

We (XS's) use 7/8". Any 7/8" bar will fit the clamps. The shape, rise, pullback and fit for your comfort are your choice.

.. be careful, if ape hangers are your thing you will have to lengthen your cables, wires and hoses.. wires and hoses are no big deal but longer control cables will be a challenge

.. just kidding about the ape's, go to your local bike shop and look around at the different types on other bikes there, this will give you an idea of what you might like, then go to the parts department and ask to look at some in there books, the super bike bars are what i have on mine also and i like them. cost $30 bucks. but if you're short you may need bars that pull back more, i have a set on my norton that look like super bike bars but have a 4 inch rise.. there are a butt load of options, but 7/8" diameter is your only option
.. K&N no longer makes the "super bike" bars but Bike Master makes a set just like them and for less money
the dimensions are 29"inches long, 2" inches rise with a 4" pull back, they come in black or chrome

[77mudbuddy]

Good info, Thanks a million!

[xs650mike]

A selection of bends...

Here's a selection of handlebar bends... http://www.mikesxs.com/mikesxs-chass...ategory_id=1.4
All of these except the clip-ons will fit XS11s (and so will the nifty chrome bar clamp).

[Trikerneil]

What's wrong with apes, apart from my boy struggling to reach them?



They were custom made from 7/8 stainless tube

[Pat Kelly]

Re: A selection of bends...

Originally posted by xs650mike
Here's a selection of handlebar bends... http://www.mikesxs.com/mikesxs-chass...ategory_id=1.4
All of these except the clip-ons will fit XS11s (and so will the nifty chrome bar clamp).

If you remove the headlight ears and replace them with clamp-on universal headlight mount, then clip-ons will work (BTDT).

[xs650mike]

Re: Re: A selection of bends...

Originally posted by Pat Kelly


If you remove the headlight ears and replace them with clamp-on universal headlight mount, then clip-ons will work (BTDT).

But these particular clip-ons are for 34mm and 35mm fork tubes...

[Pat Kelly]

Re: Re: Re: A selection of bends...

Originally posted by xs650mike
But these particular clip-ons are for 34mm and 35mm fork tubes...

[QUOTE]Gilda Radner, Saturday Night Live
Well that's different, nevermind


When I did that it was on my Honda Hawk (400cc). I did have to 'massage' the aftermarket headlight brackets on to my XS1100, but they did work. Dennis Kirk or someplace like that would maybe have clip-ons of diferent sizes.

[GNEPIG]

.. these dont look like much but they have to be the most comfortable grips i have ever used

Grand Tourisimo style

[Bauer]

Pat, did you get my PM?


Thanks.