New "comfort Bar" Installation
10-21-2008 | 09:06 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
New "comfort Bar" Installation
Having sourced a new top Yoke and Mini Bar, from a local dealer via the UK, I set upon converting my bike from Clip-ons to Comfort bar last weekend.
The job was stright forward with no major drama, excvept for the slight trimming of the fairing.
The catch though though is that I think the VTR loses it's character this way.
I do a lot of commuting, and the hands and back really start hurting after a while, whereas, this conversion really takes the stress out of your wrists, arms and back....
But... I think the bike has lost it's character or appeal...dunno the right word..
Anyway, will try this for a while and go back to the old style if I have to.
Your thoughts?
Gerrit
The job was stright forward with no major drama, excvept for the slight trimming of the fairing.
The catch though though is that I think the VTR loses it's character this way.
I do a lot of commuting, and the hands and back really start hurting after a while, whereas, this conversion really takes the stress out of your wrists, arms and back....
But... I think the bike has lost it's character or appeal...dunno the right word..
Anyway, will try this for a while and go back to the old style if I have to.
Your thoughts?
Gerrit
10-21-2008 | 11:56 AM
#3
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 160
From: Winter Haven, Florida
there is no doubt that the bike rides different with higher bars.
1. your center of gravity is further back
2. your hand position is further back as well as being higher.
The racy feeling is diminished. I think it's inevitable.
But, there's no way I could do i500 mile days in the racer crouch. (some young guys say "semi racer crouch" for the super hawk)
It's all a trade off.
Tom
1. your center of gravity is further back
2. your hand position is further back as well as being higher.
The racy feeling is diminished. I think it's inevitable.
But, there's no way I could do i500 mile days in the racer crouch. (some young guys say "semi racer crouch" for the super hawk)
It's all a trade off.
Tom
10-21-2008 | 12:17 PM
#4
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 214
From: Palmyra, Va
well if what Tom says is was you are looking for Gerrit, I think you have the right thing. I personally am not a knee dragger, nor do I want to be. I personally will now be looking for a setup similar to yours.
10-21-2008 | 12:54 PM
#5
Fastest Color
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,091
From: Lithia, FL
I have risers too and I personally think the bike now has more character after the mod than before
The bike feels both more comfortable and more stable with the wider superbike bars...however, that said it's really a individual preference kinda thing and whatever you decide to use do it for you and no one else
The bike feels both more comfortable and more stable with the wider superbike bars...however, that said it's really a individual preference kinda thing and whatever you decide to use do it for you and no one else
10-21-2008 | 04:10 PM
#7
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
It's also very possible to choose different bars, for instance the ones FL02supahawk has is a flat bar, with less rise than the one in gerrit's pics... could make a world of difference...
10-21-2008 | 06:02 PM
#9
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,167
Many members have gone a similar route as posted above. I had helibars for many years until i went to Tommaselli 3-way adjustable clip-ons last year that brought me up 1-1/2" and back about the same; and are about 2" wider for better leverage. At least one member tried Convertibars but in the end was not happy with the result. I was going to go with drilling the top clamp (still have a OE top clamp for sale) and adding tubular bar risers before I went with the Tommi's. Speigler makes a very nice kit for the VTR (similar to the "Comfort bars" but available here) that comes with new brake and clutch lines but requires minor fairing trimming). I'm happy with the Tommi's for now, which did require longer throttle cables (I got from Motion Pro for $70 custom length), and any SS braided cables for a VTR will work (check out HEL USA's site), though slightly longer brake and clutch lines are a bonus (HEL does not charge extra for custom lengths and makes some of the best lines out there).
10-22-2008 | 02:17 AM
#10
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
I have Convertibars and are very happy with them... The only drawback being that you have to shorten the stalks to make them clear the lower part of the fairing at full lock, reduces the possible height adjustment, but at that point the bars would have been level with the top of the screen anyways so it's a non-issue...
10-22-2008 | 06:28 AM
#11
Fastest Color
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,091
From: Lithia, FL
RI, I bought the bar and clamps on Flebay for around $50. You'll have to drill your top triple to bolt clamps down. Superbling gave a good example here:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...superbike+bars
Good luck,
RC
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...superbike+bars
Good luck,
RC
10-24-2008 | 08:26 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
Well after a weeks commuting I must admist that the comfort bars are the way to go, and really a VTR is not a Superbike, more Sports Cruiser and these bars are perfect.
As you can see from these pics, I added a 2nd top yoke, that bolts onto the centre nut. Simple and straight forward.
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort1.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort2.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort3.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort4.JPG
Regards,
Gerrit
As you can see from these pics, I added a 2nd top yoke, that bolts onto the centre nut. Simple and straight forward.
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort1.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort2.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort3.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort4.JPG
Regards,
Gerrit
10-24-2008 | 08:32 AM
#13
Fastest Color
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,091
From: Lithia, FL
Well after a weeks commuting I must admist that the comfort bars are the way to go, and really a VTR is not a Superbike, more Sports Cruiser and these bars are perfect.
As you can see from these pics, I added a 2nd top yoke, that bolts onto the centre nut. Simple and straight forward.
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort1.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort2.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort3.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort4.JPG
Regards,
Gerrit
As you can see from these pics, I added a 2nd top yoke, that bolts onto the centre nut. Simple and straight forward.
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort1.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort2.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort3.JPG
http://www.formulagti.com/HondaVTR1000_Comfort4.JPG
Regards,
Gerrit
Very ingenious!
I like the bend in those bars too...looks sweet!
Ride on Bro
11-15-2008 | 11:15 PM
#16
Member
Squid
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 49
From: San Pedro, Ca
I have to intervene on the subject of bars, I hope it's on topic--
It seems to me, going back and forth between race replicas and supermotos, that the best thing clip-ons do is get you crouched for less drag during a road race. You can maneuver just as well with bars, dragging knees or anything else. On the Superhulk it's the downward angle that hurts my wrists. I'm trying to find a bar of similar width to stock grips, only less pullback (but set rearward accordingly). I'm thinking that my weight distribution won't change much, and I can shift forward as necessary.
There does seem to be a psychological effect to clip-ons though... maybe you're in a hurry to get off the bike and stretch?
Oh and hi! First post on your forum.
It seems to me, going back and forth between race replicas and supermotos, that the best thing clip-ons do is get you crouched for less drag during a road race. You can maneuver just as well with bars, dragging knees or anything else. On the Superhulk it's the downward angle that hurts my wrists. I'm trying to find a bar of similar width to stock grips, only less pullback (but set rearward accordingly). I'm thinking that my weight distribution won't change much, and I can shift forward as necessary.
There does seem to be a psychological effect to clip-ons though... maybe you're in a hurry to get off the bike and stretch?
Oh and hi! First post on your forum.
01-14-2009 | 07:04 PM
#17
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 116
From: Lunenburg, MA
It would be interesting to see some photos of your bikes from the side Gerrit and Supahawk. Even better with a rider on board to get a better sense of the ergos and aesthetics of riding position.
Thanks!
Thanks!
01-15-2009 | 06:36 AM
#18
Fastest Color
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,091
From: Lithia, FL
01-22-2009 | 01:38 PM
#19
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 28
From: Long Beach, CA
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...php?albumid=34
I'm just in the first stages of turning my 2001 into a naked. Fairings are off and I found some driving lights that fit perfectly into the two fairing mounting points just ahead of the instrument panel. Turn signals will mount to the driving light mounts.
Impetus for this project is I just cannot take the cranked-over sportbike riding position anymore. Next step is to order the Spiegler handlebar kit. I've had to do a little searching to find a current dealer, and I'm not wild about the price, but once the dust settles it'll still be way cheaper than the $ bath I'd take if I tried to sell it now. (Plus, easy retrofit back to stock if needed later on.A)
Final step will be to come up with some sort of fly screen thingy to clean up the front end and cover up the instruments. I am thinking that will mount in some way to the two stays that the stock mirrors attached to.
Any comments or suggestions would be most welcome!
I'm just in the first stages of turning my 2001 into a naked. Fairings are off and I found some driving lights that fit perfectly into the two fairing mounting points just ahead of the instrument panel. Turn signals will mount to the driving light mounts.
Impetus for this project is I just cannot take the cranked-over sportbike riding position anymore. Next step is to order the Spiegler handlebar kit. I've had to do a little searching to find a current dealer, and I'm not wild about the price, but once the dust settles it'll still be way cheaper than the $ bath I'd take if I tried to sell it now. (Plus, easy retrofit back to stock if needed later on.A)
Final step will be to come up with some sort of fly screen thingy to clean up the front end and cover up the instruments. I am thinking that will mount in some way to the two stays that the stock mirrors attached to.
Any comments or suggestions would be most welcome!
01-22-2009 | 06:49 PM
#22
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 28
From: Long Beach, CA
Take a look in my album, they're separated at birth!
With the signals and lights installed, I am now envisioning a fly screen that is just a simple triangular piece of aluminum (pointy end down) that fastens to the mirror stays, and then curves down in between the headlights, which would de-WallE it a bit, and look pretty snarky, too.
With the signals and lights installed, I am now envisioning a fly screen that is just a simple triangular piece of aluminum (pointy end down) that fastens to the mirror stays, and then curves down in between the headlights, which would de-WallE it a bit, and look pretty snarky, too.
03-13-2009 | 06:33 PM
#23
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 28
From: Long Beach, CA
The handlebar conversion is done. WOW what a difference. It's a completely different bike. For a start, it feels subjectively much more powerful. Handling is as good as ever. I took the precaution of throwing some frame sliders on because with the side radiators in place that could mean the difference between ride and tow home.
Now, on to finding someone to fabricate me a fly screen. New pics just posted up.
Now, on to finding someone to fabricate me a fly screen. New pics just posted up.
03-13-2009 | 08:52 PM
#24
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,167
Pics
The handlebar conversion is done. WOW what a difference. It's a completely different bike. For a start, it feels subjectively much more powerful. Handling is as good as ever. I took the precaution of throwing some frame sliders on because with the side radiators in place that could mean the difference between ride and tow home.
Now, on to finding someone to fabricate me a fly screen. New pics just posted up.
Now, on to finding someone to fabricate me a fly screen. New pics just posted up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bmwalfaone
Modifications - Cosmetic
13
01-12-2011 05:04 AM
HawkFanatic
Technical Discussion
3
04-04-2009 02:03 AM
