Finally-A mirror solution!
05-17-2005 | 10:38 PM
#1
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Finally-A mirror solution!
I have read about some Superhawk owners trying Yamaha R1 mirrors in an attempt to get better rear vision. Unfortunately, it seems that those do not work very well, as the angle is incorrect and you end up looking back at yourself instead of behind the bike.
Last week, I spent a few days helping my Honda/Yamaha dealer to uncrate and set up several new bikes. I didn't get any Superhawks to set up, but did get to do a 2005 Yamaha R6. I noticed that the mirrors had the same bolt spacing as the SH and the stalks were longer plus the mirrors were larger. Since part of the setup is to install the mirrors, I borrowed one of the R6 mirrors for a few minutes and tried it out on my SH, which was sitting right outside of the shop. The 5 minute task showed me that it not only fit perfectly, but afforded a very good view behind me. I wasted no time in getting to the parts department and ordered a pair of these.
Today they arrived and I mounted them on my Superhawk and am very pleased with the results I'll include a few pics so you can judge for yourself. You still get a good view of your elbows, just as with the stock SH mirrirs, but you also see a lot more of the road behind you. I think it is a dramatic difference and cures one of the few shortcomings of my wonderful VTR.
By the way the part numbers are 5SL-26290-00-00 and 5SL-26280-00-00. It looks like the mirrors from 2003-2005 are the same number.
Last week, I spent a few days helping my Honda/Yamaha dealer to uncrate and set up several new bikes. I didn't get any Superhawks to set up, but did get to do a 2005 Yamaha R6. I noticed that the mirrors had the same bolt spacing as the SH and the stalks were longer plus the mirrors were larger. Since part of the setup is to install the mirrors, I borrowed one of the R6 mirrors for a few minutes and tried it out on my SH, which was sitting right outside of the shop. The 5 minute task showed me that it not only fit perfectly, but afforded a very good view behind me. I wasted no time in getting to the parts department and ordered a pair of these.
Today they arrived and I mounted them on my Superhawk and am very pleased with the results I'll include a few pics so you can judge for yourself. You still get a good view of your elbows, just as with the stock SH mirrirs, but you also see a lot more of the road behind you. I think it is a dramatic difference and cures one of the few shortcomings of my wonderful VTR.
By the way the part numbers are 5SL-26290-00-00 and 5SL-26280-00-00. It looks like the mirrors from 2003-2005 are the same number.
05-18-2005 | 09:13 AM
#6
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Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Yes the rubber boot looks good. It is a bit narrower than the SH boot, so I had to clean some of the rubber residue left on the fairing from the SH boot before putting the R6 mirrors on, because there is a slightly different footprint. Final results look like they belong there.
Fred Z.
Fred Z.
05-18-2005 | 08:21 PM
#8
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From: South Texas
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
I also tried the R1 mirrors and as Fred mentioned about the R6's, I saw too much elbow so I kept looking. I have been using FZ1 mirrors which are longer still. I have a comparison picture of the the R1 vs FZ1 on another computer (I'm at a hotel pool using a wireless laptop and sipping on a heineken: burp! 
work doesn't always suck! ) so this is the only picture I have at the moment.
You get no elbow with these (I'm 5'10" and have VFR bars if that matters) but I did have to use the superhawk mounts since the FZ, just as with the R1, have a folding stop detent that brings them too close in. The R6's don't have this? Because of the VTR mount, I did need to trim some of the rubber cover for a better fit.
FYI, I'm using one yamaha and one emgo mirror and they are both the same as far as vibration and looks go. The OEM does have a slight edge in glass quality but not near enough to justify the cost difference.
work doesn't always suck! ) so this is the only picture I have at the moment. You get no elbow with these (I'm 5'10" and have VFR bars if that matters) but I did have to use the superhawk mounts since the FZ, just as with the R1, have a folding stop detent that brings them too close in. The R6's don't have this? Because of the VTR mount, I did need to trim some of the rubber cover for a better fit.
FYI, I'm using one yamaha and one emgo mirror and they are both the same as far as vibration and looks go. The OEM does have a slight edge in glass quality but not near enough to justify the cost difference.
05-18-2005 | 09:06 PM
#9
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Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Hi Doug,
I'm not sure what you mean by a folding stop detent. On these the base appears to be fixed, but the mirror end has a lot of adjustment. The comment about the elbows was meant to be a little humor. I just thought that after all those years of SH riders looking at their elbows, they might panic if they could no longer see them.
It really is no problem, as there is plenty of mirror surface left and my elbows are only visible at the edge. I am 5' 11" and right now have 97 VFR750 bars on. I tried VFR800 bars, which are more upright, than the 750 mirrors, but they interfere with the fairing a bit more.
As I mentioned earlier, these are 2003-2005 R6 mirrors, which have different part numbers than earlier R6 mirrors and different part numbers than the R1 mirrors.
Since I was working for the local Honda/Yamaha dealer last week, I got them at cost, which made them reasonable, comparable to aftermarket.
Fred Z.
I'm not sure what you mean by a folding stop detent. On these the base appears to be fixed, but the mirror end has a lot of adjustment. The comment about the elbows was meant to be a little humor. I just thought that after all those years of SH riders looking at their elbows, they might panic if they could no longer see them.
It really is no problem, as there is plenty of mirror surface left and my elbows are only visible at the edge. I am 5' 11" and right now have 97 VFR750 bars on. I tried VFR800 bars, which are more upright, than the 750 mirrors, but they interfere with the fairing a bit more. As I mentioned earlier, these are 2003-2005 R6 mirrors, which have different part numbers than earlier R6 mirrors and different part numbers than the R1 mirrors.
Since I was working for the local Honda/Yamaha dealer last week, I got them at cost, which made them reasonable, comparable to aftermarket.
Fred Z.
05-18-2005 | 09:56 PM
#10
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From: South Texas
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Both the R1 and FZ1 have a detent stop which is the mirror's normal "locked" position yet it can still fold in further if needed for clearance, a cover, etc. In this locked position, those mirrors were too close to the fairing thus giving me a rear view almost as bad if not worse than stock. You could push them out for a better view but at high speeds they would push in too easy.
05-19-2005 | 07:42 AM
#11
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Little Rock, AR
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Fred/Doug,
The older style R1/R6 mirrors do have the "detent" problem. Evidently the mounting angle for Yamahas is vastly different than for the SH.
I overcame this by folding back the rubber base covers, drilling a small hole in the pivot's base, and sliding a small pin into the hole to limit rotation. I had the pins in my tool box already, they're about the same size as a pivot pin for a bicycle chain. I later bought some brass rod stock at Home Depot (about $2), and cut some pieces to fit with a "moto-tool". The fix took about 15-20 minutes, and the resulting view looks about like Fred's picture 4; still a little elbow, but a lot more road behind you.
I'd like even less view of my elbows, but don't want to spend the money for an FZ1 set, unless it's a LOT better. I'd love to see the pic of your view, Doug.
I also have VFR bars; had 750s, moved to 800s to fit a Throttlemeister I had from my HawkGT. Put the 750s on "Jr" (my HawkGT) for a perfect fit.
No real change in view even with higher bars, and I've tried 4 sets (Heli, VFR750 & 800, HawkGT).
The older style R1/R6 mirrors do have the "detent" problem. Evidently the mounting angle for Yamahas is vastly different than for the SH.
I overcame this by folding back the rubber base covers, drilling a small hole in the pivot's base, and sliding a small pin into the hole to limit rotation. I had the pins in my tool box already, they're about the same size as a pivot pin for a bicycle chain. I later bought some brass rod stock at Home Depot (about $2), and cut some pieces to fit with a "moto-tool". The fix took about 15-20 minutes, and the resulting view looks about like Fred's picture 4; still a little elbow, but a lot more road behind you.
I'd like even less view of my elbows, but don't want to spend the money for an FZ1 set, unless it's a LOT better. I'd love to see the pic of your view, Doug.
I also have VFR bars; had 750s, moved to 800s to fit a Throttlemeister I had from my HawkGT. Put the 750s on "Jr" (my HawkGT) for a perfect fit.
No real change in view even with higher bars, and I've tried 4 sets (Heli, VFR750 & 800, HawkGT).
05-19-2005 | 05:02 PM
#13
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Squid
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 84
From: Woonona
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
I bought these Avanti Carbo Mirrors...
The surface area of the mirror is longer than the standard mirror, so you end up looking below your arm (under the elbow) to see behind instead of trying to look around the outside.
You can see the shape of the mirror here....
The surface area of the mirror is longer than the standard mirror, so you end up looking below your arm (under the elbow) to see behind instead of trying to look around the outside.
You can see the shape of the mirror here....
05-21-2005 | 10:16 AM
#19
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Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
yeah i found those, but i wanted the longer ones, the guy who had a set on his vtr won't respond to emails as to where he got them, that *******. Why wouldn't you just say you couldn't remember instead of ignore me? he responded once with some bullcrap of every bit of info except who made them or where to get them.
06-23-2005 | 01:51 AM
#21
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From: Paris
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Hi,
I've bought 2 used R6 2004 mirrors (for 40$ us :-) ). They fit well but still elbow !
The R6 2004 (and 2003) do have the detent problem.
I don't know for 2005 but I guess it is the same .....
You can change the angle but at high speeds the mirror will return back to its locked position.
So I tried with the locked position and adjust at the end : you can see the road but still elbow.
It's a little better than stock but not enough for me ...
Can you explain a little more ?
Do you mean you used the base part of the VTR mirrors with the upper part of the FZ mirrors ?
Is it possible for R1/R6 mirrors ?
I've bought 2 used R6 2004 mirrors (for 40$ us :-) ). They fit well but still elbow !
The R6 2004 (and 2003) do have the detent problem.
I don't know for 2005 but I guess it is the same .....
You can change the angle but at high speeds the mirror will return back to its locked position.
So I tried with the locked position and adjust at the end : you can see the road but still elbow.
It's a little better than stock but not enough for me ...
Do you mean you used the base part of the VTR mirrors with the upper part of the FZ mirrors ?
Is it possible for R1/R6 mirrors ?
06-23-2005 | 07:50 AM
#22
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From: South Texas
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Yes, you can use the superhawk base with either the R1, R6, or FZ1 stalk/mirror with modifications.
You drill out the pin in the yamaha design and take apart. Also, drill out the hole in the yamaha stalk as it's a tad too small for the honda bolt design. The VTR's assembly simply unbolts, no drilling need. Next, bolt up the VTR's base and pivot bolt to the yamaha's stalk/mirror assembly. Bolt to bike. Done.
This will solve your detent and wind problem but the R1/R6 mirrors are still a tad to short to really solve the problem; however, they are better than the stock bits. Also, my R1's set a little too low like this for my tastes but others liked them.T he FZ1's are MUCH wider and totally eliminate elbow problems.
You can get a pair of aftermarket emgo FZ1 reproduction mirrors on ebay for about $40/pair. I have both one emgo and one yamaha oem and they are very close in overall build/quality. The OEM is a tad better but not for the insane amount of money they costs.
There's a pic comparing the FZ1 vs the R1 in this thread. In the third picture, the FZ1 is on the left (bikes right mirror) and the R1 is on the right:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=851
Also, some guys have modded the yamaha pivot mount to remove the detent but I've forgotten how they did it. Maybe you could just drill out the stock pin and insert a proper size bolt/nut to lock it down in the correct position. Thus, you would still use the yamaha base and not having to cut the rubber cover to fit with the VTR base.
You drill out the pin in the yamaha design and take apart. Also, drill out the hole in the yamaha stalk as it's a tad too small for the honda bolt design. The VTR's assembly simply unbolts, no drilling need. Next, bolt up the VTR's base and pivot bolt to the yamaha's stalk/mirror assembly. Bolt to bike. Done.
This will solve your detent and wind problem but the R1/R6 mirrors are still a tad to short to really solve the problem; however, they are better than the stock bits. Also, my R1's set a little too low like this for my tastes but others liked them.T he FZ1's are MUCH wider and totally eliminate elbow problems.
You can get a pair of aftermarket emgo FZ1 reproduction mirrors on ebay for about $40/pair. I have both one emgo and one yamaha oem and they are very close in overall build/quality. The OEM is a tad better but not for the insane amount of money they costs.
There's a pic comparing the FZ1 vs the R1 in this thread. In the third picture, the FZ1 is on the left (bikes right mirror) and the R1 is on the right:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=851
Also, some guys have modded the yamaha pivot mount to remove the detent but I've forgotten how they did it. Maybe you could just drill out the stock pin and insert a proper size bolt/nut to lock it down in the correct position. Thus, you would still use the yamaha base and not having to cut the rubber cover to fit with the VTR base.
06-23-2005 | 01:01 PM
#24
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From: South Texas
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
It depends on how YOU modify them. If going by my method stated above, you tightened it up enough that the wind won't move them but you can still move them by hand. If you need to move them quite frequently, like when using a tight fitting bike cover, then they will eventually loosen up requiring periodic tightening.
06-23-2005 | 03:28 PM
#25
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From: Paris
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
Yep ! Understood now !
I have modded them easily like you said.
I've drilled the pin at the base part of the R6 mirrors, replaced it by a bolt/nut, added a "slice" to avoid the detent mechanism to work (little pads that are blocking each other) and then tightened it to support speed and wind but still able to move back in case of "fitting bike cover" like you said.
It works great !
15 minutes to do it !
I will let you know how it works riding the bike and how much my elbows lose weight ! ;-)
I have modded them easily like you said.
I've drilled the pin at the base part of the R6 mirrors, replaced it by a bolt/nut, added a "slice" to avoid the detent mechanism to work (little pads that are blocking each other) and then tightened it to support speed and wind but still able to move back in case of "fitting bike cover" like you said.
It works great !
15 minutes to do it !
I will let you know how it works riding the bike and how much my elbows lose weight ! ;-)
06-24-2005 | 03:17 AM
#27
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From: Paris
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
I've tested this morning.
It's better.
But to be honest, with my leather jacket with protectors at elbows, I still have a little elbow.
Seems that, to completely eradicate this problem, the FZ1S mirrors are the good option ;-)
It's better.
But to be honest, with my leather jacket with protectors at elbows, I still have a little elbow.
Seems that, to completely eradicate this problem, the FZ1S mirrors are the good option ;-)
06-24-2005 | 02:15 PM
#28
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Squid
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Portland ORegon
Re: Finally-A mirror solution!
I don't remember who posted the phrase initially but I just wanted to say I still think of it at least once a day on my ride to work when I check my mirrors and say, "Damn my elbows are sexy". Gets me every time.
06-27-2005 | 06:24 AM
#29
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