I've got both levers adjusted as close to the bar as possible and still only reach them with my finger tips. This is not a big deal for the clutch but it is for the brake. I ride 2-fingers covering 100% of the time and I can't get much of a grip with the stock lever(s). What are some cost effective options to stock levers--like not $200/set.

 

As soon as I saw your post I though "Pazzos", but after reading it I see you don't want to spend that money.

I am not sure there is going to be a cheap option. Honda's levers are all pretty similar, so getting one off a CBR for example is not going to help I don't think. The master cylinder on the VTR is not great, so you could look at replacing it with something else with less lever travel, but I don't know what. Perhaps you need to start looking at other bikes to see if anything suits, and then look for one on ebay.

 

well if you don't want to spend the $$$ for pazzo's, CRG's then you'll have to bend or weld a stocker. this is you brake though.... kinda important.

i would also suggest a larger m/c to reduce the pull needed.

tim

 

I wouldn't bend them too much as then you'd get trouble getting the lever to the bottom of the stroke...

Are the brake levers in the stock position? Sometimes it helps changing the angle they sit at to let you grip them better ie angle them more forward...

It's probably a good start to try and swap in a larger MC to change the feel of the brake... Possibly a radial MC could give you a short stroke with enough adjustment to get it close to the bars...

 

I'm running radial MCs and they are sweet with lots of adjustment...these are the Nissins I have, but they make knockoffs for around $35:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOTOR...Q5fAccessories

 

Ha, great minds think alike

 

Well, atleast we like to think so...

 

As said above, you want to make sure you have enough stroke without the lever hitting the grip.

I use a 2 finger pull as well, and the lever would hit your other fingers, reducing the stroke even more.

Heating the lever and bending it may be risky, since you would be changing the properties of the "pot metal" that the stockers are made of.

 

I think I am going to make a winter project out of this. I saw, in the knowledge base, a handlebar fix using VFR800 bars--my arms need this fix. I think I'm gonna start watching eBay for 01-02 GSXR1000 6 pot binders and then replace at least the brake M/C. To those who have used Gixxer brakes, are they a direct bolt on--they appear to be? And, will I need different rotors?

 

Calipers will bolt on without modification and the stock rotors will be fine.