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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 20 Jun 2008
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Handlebars
Hello everyone

Been on here for awhile and greatly appreciate all the info, will be lost with out it! Busy prepping the bike for trans africa at the end of the year and slowly getting it all together. Was wondering though, whats the deal with after market handlebars? Is it really necessary? Whats the pro's and cons?
Have searched this topic but can't find anything specific.

Thanks

Clayton
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  #2  
Old 21 Jun 2008
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Your best bet is to find a forum that deals specifically with your make/model bike whatever that is, you did not mention.

But, basically they would need to be useful, so for example if you have a reach problem etc they may help, but you may have to extend cables.

TS
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  #3  
Old 21 Jun 2008
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as above, depending on the bike the bars may not be very great, stock Yamaha / Suzuki / Kwaka that i have had have been quite soft, a recent incident in the scrub on the drz snapped the throttle/brake and bar off, while having Bark busters mounted at the time, For mine the Renthal option is good, regards Al
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Old 21 Jun 2008
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I don't think you can beat a set of nice old fashioned Renthalls with the cross-brace. You can get all sorts of bends and rises to sort riding possition and you get somewhere to mount your GPS or strap a map-case. My bike has been dropped & thrown down at all speeds and the bars are fine.

A good tip is to mount your leavers and handguards after putting a wrap of insulation tape on the bar and don't crank the bolts up fully tight. This allows thigs to swivel around a bit intead of breaking off.
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  #5  
Old 28 Jun 2008
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Renthals, great stuff much better than the naff steel items some bikes come with. I buy mine without the brace, as I already have the brace. They also do more expensive stronger bars called twin walls or fat bars. but I have no expirience of them.

Renthals can bend off road but never as bad as steel ones I also loose the break end of the clutch and break levers and smooth them at home as it saves a job when they break out on a ride.
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  #6  
Old 28 Jun 2008
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Thumbs up ProTaper
I've used Renthals which are stronger than stock on two different Hondas but my preference is for ProTaper which are pretty much indestructible and come in heights to suit the rider too.
Stephan
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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I have fitted Magura X-Line EX Handlebars on my Africa Twin. I an recommend it, I am really pleased with them. The bars are fat bars so you need an adaptor: I use a Pro Taper adaptor. If you want pics, please send me a PM with your email address.

Fabien from France
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Old 30 Jun 2008
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Renthals: bombproof. Stock Yamaha: papier mache. Worth it I'd say, one of the first things to get damaged in even quite small tumbles. Far more useful upgrade than, say, a sump gaurd.

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #9  
Old 9 Jul 2008
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I have ProTaper SE bars on two bikes and haven't bent or broken them yet despite several falls (one is a dirt bike, the other a KLR 650). These are standard diameter bars, not fat bars, so they mount without difficulty. They're lighter, stronger, and transmit less vibration than most stock bars, and come in a large variety of bends (I have the atv high on the KLR).

This bar went around the world with me on the KLR and I highly recommend it, although there are certainly other good bars available also.

Mike
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