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Author Topic: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?  (Read 12107 times)

Offline mlouris

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Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« on: May 14, 2011, 10:26:23 PM »
Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands.  Thanks for your advice.

Mike
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2011, 10:35:52 PM »
Quote from: mlouris on May 14, 2011, 10:26:23 PM
Does anyone else feel this way?

Me?  Heavens no!  I had to add handlebar risers to help save my back :)

That aside, did you see this thread? :  http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=252.0  I am sure it could be used for lower/forward bars as well as [the more typical] higher/back bars.
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Offline ZG

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2011, 11:16:07 PM »
Quote from: mlouris on May 14, 2011, 10:26:23 PM
Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands.  Thanks for your advice.

Mike

Here you go Mike, me like...  :thumbs:
 
http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=306.0
 
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Offline JetJock

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2011, 12:00:53 PM »
Mike you're probably going to need to purchase one of the LSV handlebar systems that use conventional (ProTaper style) handlebars to get anything lower.
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Offline Mister Tee

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2011, 02:48:46 PM »
I agree with the OP, I've ridden mostly sportbikes and the C14's bars feel like semi ape hangers to me.  The upright feel though is similar to my (previous) BMW 1200RT but in heavy lean turns I can position myself better on the C14.  In a nutshell, they feel high to me but I can live with them so I probably wouldn't want to lower them even in the even with the presence of a convenient mod.

But using clip-ons like a sportbike (ZX14?) would make them too low and you'd have to chop the fairings to accomodate them.

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Offline jonathan

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2011, 11:12:55 AM »
I shortened my handle bar risers by an inch and another member shortened his by an inch and a half by cutting the base off, removing the required amount and then welding the 2 pieces back together. There used to be a couple of threads with pictures, but I don't know if they exist any more.
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Offline JetJock

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2011, 02:50:28 PM »
Quote from: jonathan on May 16, 2011, 11:12:55 AM
I shortened my handle bar risers by an inch and another member shortened his by an inch and a half by cutting the base off, removing the required amount and then welding the 2 pieces back together. There used to be a couple of threads with pictures, but I don't know if they exist any more.

Sounds like a lot of work and not everybody has access to machine tools and welding gear. Just saying . . .
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Offline jonathan

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2011, 09:57:40 AM »
Quote from: JetJock on May 16, 2011, 02:50:28 PM
Sounds like a lot of work and not everybody has access to machine tools and welding gear. Just saying . . .

I cut them carefully with a hacksaw and paid a shop to weld them. Not a lot of work. Just giving you another option.
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Offline DaveO

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2011, 10:42:01 AM »
i wanted lower bars too. I started to take em off to cut and reweld but thought what the hell this 700 lb  bike is not going to be a sportbike and never will .I will probably trade the bike off for something sportier in the future.  For now I'll just accept it for what it is.
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Offline Shadowofshoe

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2011, 03:05:33 PM »

    I am confused... there are those that bought a C-14 and then want to mod them into being less comfortable?? I am so old........
     
     Mike
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2011, 04:34:09 PM »
Quote from: Shadowofshoe on May 17, 2011, 03:05:33 PM
    I am confused... there are those that bought a C-14 and then want to mod them into being less comfortable?? I am so old.......

Comfort is in the eye of the beholder.  But there are plenty of reasons for choosing a Concours other than comfort.  Perhaps the engine type, the transmission, the look, the amount of storage space, the chainless shaft drive, and/or the cool electronics, etc.

Everyone has different expectations, needs, and wants. 
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Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Pardini

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2011, 09:54:21 PM »
Quote from: mlouris on May 14, 2011, 10:26:23 PM
Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands.  Thanks for your advice.

Mike

Yeah, I would like to go down and back.
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Offline speedfreak

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2011, 08:40:09 PM »
convertibars.  Make the bike handle like it was supposed to and it feels about 100lbs lighter, even around town.
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Offline JoeR

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2011, 08:30:30 AM »
Quote from: maxtog on May 17, 2011, 04:34:09 PM
Comfort is in the eye of the beholder.  But there are plenty of reasons for choosing a Concours other than comfort.  Perhaps the engine type, the transmission, the look, the amount of storage space, the chainless shaft drive, and/or the cool electronics, etc.

Everyone has different expectations, needs, and wants.

Yep!
 :goodpost:
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Offline danvforce

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2011, 12:11:04 PM »
How about these.





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Offline Tremainiac

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2011, 01:11:53 PM »
$695.00  :o
For ape hangers?  :'(
What ever floats your boat I guess...  ???
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Hey mister, my sister has a Harley 'just' like yours!!
2009 Concours 14, 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport
1980 Honda CM400 street tracker, Grubee Skyhawk

Offline maxtog

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2011, 02:01:03 PM »
Quote from: danvforce on May 21, 2011, 12:11:04 PM
How about these.

Wow- I didn't see THOSE before ordering the Helibars risers.  In fact, I can't find that on helibars.com at all.  Even worse, I can't find them through Google    ????
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Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline maxtog

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2011, 02:02:39 PM »
Quote from: Tremainiac on May 21, 2011, 01:11:53 PM
$695.00  :o
For ape hangers?  :'(
What ever floats your boat I guess...  ???

Where are you finding this info???

I wouldn't call tham "ape hangers"- it depends on where you adjust them- they are pivoted in two places, meaning they can be at any height.
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Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Tremainiac

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2011, 02:52:56 PM »
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Hey mister, my sister has a Harley 'just' like yours!!
2009 Concours 14, 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport
1980 Honda CM400 street tracker, Grubee Skyhawk

Offline maxtog

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Re: Lower bars for better handling and wind protection?
« Reply #19 on: May 21, 2011, 08:30:15 PM »
Quote from: Tremainiac on May 21, 2011, 02:52:56 PM
http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14 :)

Ah!  No WONDER I couldn't find them... they don't exist yet!
Those are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!  But $700???  OMG
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Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc
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