Mirrors below are safer
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
Mirrors below are safer
Low Bars - I personally feel the flipped or underneath Mirrors not only make the appearance of the bike look cleaner but they allow the rider to see much better as well.
There is little difference than looking up to see in a mirror than looking down, either takes only a split second and one shouldn't need to move the head but just the eyes to achieve this, however above bar mirrors have one major problem - half of the view is blocked by the riders shoulders and to correct this the rider must lean the opposite way to get a clear view or they can install longer/wider mirror steams which then they must move the head to accommodate for the shoulder block. with mirror's under the bar the view of passage is below the arms more in the mid body area therefore giving the rider a clear view of the entire mirror surface. Bar-end mirrors makes the rider slightly turn their heads to see the Mirror therefore taking away from peripheral vision on the opposite side of where the mirror is located.
Whatever your choice in Mirror placement the number one objective should be safety and needing to lean the body and/or twist the body or to move the head to see into a mirror is not the best placement of the mirror.
I'm sure someone will say "well you need to move your head to see through the right mirror in a car" and that would be correct but by doing so one still has a cage around them in the event of a blow from the left unlike a motorcycle.
There is little difference than looking up to see in a mirror than looking down, either takes only a split second and one shouldn't need to move the head but just the eyes to achieve this, however above bar mirrors have one major problem - half of the view is blocked by the riders shoulders and to correct this the rider must lean the opposite way to get a clear view or they can install longer/wider mirror steams which then they must move the head to accommodate for the shoulder block. with mirror's under the bar the view of passage is below the arms more in the mid body area therefore giving the rider a clear view of the entire mirror surface. Bar-end mirrors makes the rider slightly turn their heads to see the Mirror therefore taking away from peripheral vision on the opposite side of where the mirror is located.
Whatever your choice in Mirror placement the number one objective should be safety and needing to lean the body and/or twist the body or to move the head to see into a mirror is not the best placement of the mirror.
I'm sure someone will say "well you need to move your head to see through the right mirror in a car" and that would be correct but by doing so one still has a cage around them in the event of a blow from the left unlike a motorcycle.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
Yeah I have the stock mirrors flipped and even with my drag bars I can see so much better. The only issue I have is if I go full lock on eaither side they do touch the tank, but nothing bad.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 1
From: coastal NC
OP..the above is your opinion but anyone who relies on their mirrors is a fool. One of the first things you are taught when you ride a bike is "the lifesaver" quite frankly that means looking over your shoulder.
MY opinion is that under mirrors are as useless as any stock HD mirror the right way up, What you really need are mirrors with extra long stems but of course they look crap..
MY opinion is that under mirrors are as useless as any stock HD mirror the right way up, What you really need are mirrors with extra long stems but of course they look crap..
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 1
From: coastal NC
True too. I prefer not to entrust my life to a little piece of glass.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2,542
I've got these and love em.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
But as stated, no substitute for the head check.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
But as stated, no substitute for the head check.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
The first thing you learn here, and it is engrained into you for life is, always and continuely check your mirrors. Wether I drive a car or be on my bike I always know what is behind me, how close and if it is fast approaching. It becomes automatic and you give a quick glance every few seconds or so. You don't even notice you do it.....until something is not right. Then you go into alert mode and act if needed.
Head check is neccersary in busy traffic but I would refuse to ride or drive if the mirrors are either broken, gone or not set correctly.
Head check is neccersary in busy traffic but I would refuse to ride or drive if the mirrors are either broken, gone or not set correctly.
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Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: St. Louis Mo.
Low Bars - I personally feel the flipped or underneath Mirrors not only make the appearance of the bike look cleaner but they allow the rider to see much better as well.
There is little difference than looking up to see in a mirror than looking down, either takes only a split second and one shouldn't need to move the head but just the eyes to achieve this, however above bar mirrors have one major problem - half of the view is blocked by the riders shoulders and to correct this the rider must lean the opposite way to get a clear view or they can install longer/wider mirror steams which then they must move the head to accommodate for the shoulder block. with mirror's under the bar the view of passage is below the arms more in the mid body area therefore giving the rider a clear view of the entire mirror surface. Bar-end mirrors makes the rider slightly turn their heads to see the Mirror therefore taking away from peripheral vision on the opposite side of where the mirror is located.
Whatever your choice in Mirror placement the number one objective should be safety and needing to lean the body and/or twist the body or to move the head to see into a mirror is not the best placement of the mirror.
I'm sure someone will say "well you need to move your head to see through the right mirror in a car" and that would be correct but by doing so one still has a cage around them in the event of a blow from the left unlike a motorcycle.
There is little difference than looking up to see in a mirror than looking down, either takes only a split second and one shouldn't need to move the head but just the eyes to achieve this, however above bar mirrors have one major problem - half of the view is blocked by the riders shoulders and to correct this the rider must lean the opposite way to get a clear view or they can install longer/wider mirror steams which then they must move the head to accommodate for the shoulder block. with mirror's under the bar the view of passage is below the arms more in the mid body area therefore giving the rider a clear view of the entire mirror surface. Bar-end mirrors makes the rider slightly turn their heads to see the Mirror therefore taking away from peripheral vision on the opposite side of where the mirror is located.
Whatever your choice in Mirror placement the number one objective should be safety and needing to lean the body and/or twist the body or to move the head to see into a mirror is not the best placement of the mirror.
I'm sure someone will say "well you need to move your head to see through the right mirror in a car" and that would be correct but by doing so one still has a cage around them in the event of a blow from the left unlike a motorcycle.
