Dragbar question

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Dec 30, 2008 | 04:05 PM

#11

scotty-j

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Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 297

Likes: 5

From: Rockford Illinois

if you are looking to sit more upright there are a ton of handlebar idea threads in here as well as on xlforum.com, i recently seen a pic of a black xlc belonging to johnny g with some flat track bars that looked really sick, i will try to find a pic or a link to the thread for ya, i may be doing those bars too....

here is a link to johnny g's handlebars he has been trying and swapping out

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...archid=2456301

also consider some flanders swept back bars

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...lat+track+bars

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...lat+track+bars

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...lat+track+bars

Dec 30, 2008 | 05:02 PM

#12

schumacher

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Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 30,914

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From: Springfield, Ohio

yeh, you might considering swapping out the bars for something else

Dec 30, 2008 | 05:29 PM

#13

nomoore

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Joined: Apr 2008

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I just switched to drags on my Roadster. I tried 32" and 27". I prefer 32" for ease of handling and mirror location. The 27" is easier on my wrists though.

Dec 30, 2008 | 07:53 PM

#14

Beth in Tampa

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Joined: Jun 2007

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nomoore

I believe you describe the characteristics of a top-heavy bike. You have to push it hard to lean it over and then you have to push it hard to get it back upright. The weight is a lot further away from the pivot point (the ground) so you have to work more to get it to move. I haven't really tried any inline 4s so I can't comment on that though. I have tried some other cruiser style bikes though and some of them, even bigger ones, were much easier to keep upright at slow speeds coming up to lights as well as easier to lean for corners.

I tend to agree... I have owned a Yamaha V-Star, a couple of Beemers (a Boxer and a single) and a Ducati Monster - IMHO all were more stable at slower speeds and felt better in turns than my Nightster (but I love my Nightie). I still have stock bars, but tilted back as afar as possible (while avoiding contact with tank). I still have to lean forward a lot and use some muscle doing U-turns, figure 8's, tight right turns - not very pretty. I am small-framed - only ~5'4" with shorter legs & arms (nice visual, I am sure)

I've contemplated drag bars with riser - I'd love to see pics of the 30+ inch drag bars with risers- does it increase or decrease your reach (over stock) when pushing the bar all the way in one direction for slow speed or tight slow turns? I don't really want the look of the mini-apes (for me in the direction I am headed with the bike) - thoughts? Thanks!

Dec 31, 2008 | 08:47 AM

#15

nomoore

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Beth in Tampa

I've contemplated drag bars with riser - I'd love to see pics of the 30+ inch drag bars with risers- does it increase or decrease your reach (over stock) when pushing the bar all the way in one direction for slow speed or tight slow turns? I don't really want the look of the mini-apes (for me in the direction I am headed with the bike) - thoughts? Thanks!

Drag bars are definitely more forward and lower than the stock (non drag) bars on my Roadster. I'm not sure how much those bars differ from yours. I wanted to be leaned over the tank more but, for me, with the stock risers (really short, no pullback) it was too low and hurt my back. I put some 3.5" straight risers and it's really nice now. It stretches my lower back just enough now. Compared to the Roadster bars it is always more of a reach to the bars, especially during turning. My stock bars were around 32" wide.

Being leaned over more causes you have to work less to turn though, even though it is more of a reach. Your body weight is used to leverage the bars more vs using your arms with less reach. Although of course your body weight is supported a little more by your arms at all times. I find it easier to turn with 27" drags than it was with my stock 32" wide bars (not the 32" drags, they're the easiest by far).

I don't have any pictures with the drag bars. I don't have a camera either so I can't take any.

Dec 31, 2008 | 03:17 PM

#16

ZombyWoof

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Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 65

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From: Richmond, VA

I just went on my first good ride on my new (to me) Sportster yesterday. My bike has the shorter drag bars with 6.5" pullback risers. I can just about see past my shoulders in the mirrors, but the vibration is so bad I don't really see anything at speed anyway (lots of head-checking.) Coming off of a Ducati, I was worried about how this thing would handle. To be honest I like my Sportster's setup better because I'm more "in" the bike than on it. The most important thing I found is that I really have to concentrate on the fundamentals of countersteering, looking through turns, looking at where I want to go not the ground or curb etc.