Poly Bushings vs Solid Bushings
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Poly Bushings vs Solid Bushings
Hi guys, I ride a 2010 Fat Bob, Im getting ready to throw some 1 1/4" x 18" apes on my bike, with 3" risers. So 21" of height, my question is, should I go with the stiffer polyurethane bushings or go to solid bushings. I know I will have increased vibes with the solids, but Im more concerned with little to no slop in the bars. Also, if anyone has any brand recommendations I would be grateful! Thanks guys!
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: Virginia
I hated the stock rubber bushings they were sloppier than Oprah eating bbq ribs on all you can eat night at Applebees, so when the new taller apes were put on I went with the poly bushings and it got rid of every bit of slop. I noticed no more vibration then the rubber ones too.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 122
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From: Northern Nevada
I actually just installed some solid ones this morning on my bike. With the stock rubber ones, I had a lot of slop, and sometimes my bars would even be crooked! Well, the solid ones straightened them right up, and I definitely feel like I have more control of the bike. The only downside is, that anything in the 2000-2900 rpm range and I can't use my mirrors, and they shake my hands pretty bad. So I can either lug it below 2k, vibrate my eyeballs out, or run at 3k or above. I think I'll give them a week to see, but I'm predicting some poly bushings in my near future.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
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From: Kennewick, WA
I actually just installed some solid ones this morning on my bike. With the stock rubber ones, I had a lot of slop, and sometimes my bars would even be crooked! Well, the solid ones straightened them right up, and I definitely feel like I have more control of the bike. The only downside is, that anything in the 2000-2900 rpm range and I can't use my mirrors, and they shake my hands pretty bad. So I can either lug it below 2k, vibrate my eyeballs out, or run at 3k or above. I think I'll give them a week to see, but I'm predicting some poly bushings in my near future.
I've been fighting with wobbly and crooked bars every since I installed 8 inch risers and drag bars. I just ordered poly bushings from J&P last night, just the $10 bushings, not the entire replacement hardware, but that is really all that is necessary.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Thanks a ton guys! I'm definately going poly then, and Hemi thanks for the advice about just needing the bushings. I was wondering about that because I haven't torn the old bars off yet, I couldn't decide between the complete set with covers or just the bushings. Again thanks everybody!!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Enterprise, AL
Those of you saying you run poly bushings without any worse handlebar vibration than rubber--do you have some sort of trick; riser bolts over/under torqued, you swapped out to heavier bars when you changed bushings etc..? Ever since I went from rubber to poly the handlebar vibration has been borderline untolerable at times. Hell, I've got to the point where I double wrapped Wilson grip rubber (like you'd use for a tennis racket or baseball bat) on each grip.