Changed it up

 

Love those 2 inch bars man!

 

Nice summer look!

BTW, which handle grips are those?

I like the smaller OD vs the thick fluffy look, also helps with smaller hand grip.

 

I'm at a point where the Bars need to be replaced. At 5'10" (under 180lbs), I struggle turning the OEM bars lock to lock without leaning over the tank, and I'm stretched when riding.

I'm looking for bars which will come closer to me but still look good, does anyone have feedback on KST's or similar?

I was looking at KST Spearheads in 12", where one can adjust the bars after mounting them. I contacted KST (great C/S btw) they informed me that their 12" bars will put the grips about 4" higher over stock. However if I adjust the pullback to bring the grips closer, it may compromise the wrist angle. Any feedback on this issue or suggestions on which bars work better with our model?

 

I am 6'1" 180 and wear regular in coat arm length. I also struggled with the stock bars, both in lock and arm height for comfort on long rides. When leaned back on my backrest pad or luggage, feet out of the highway pegs going full starfish, I could barely touch the bars with my finger tips. While seated upright, I had to hunch just a bit to get my hands down on the bars. (I am tall from the hips up) I found the stock bars fine when seated up onto the tank, leaning forward a touch and riding canyons aggressively.

I put the KST Pathfinders 12" on some time ago and could not be happier. They are adjustable at the headset as well as grip width/hand angle so getting them to "fit" was easy. My bike is a 17' so hydraulic clutch. With the 12" bars I did not need extended cables. I did have my local indi mechanic install them. I went into the shop before he buttoned it up and we moved things around until I was happy with the feel. The bars are adjusted (within reason) up and down at riser. The pull back is at the end of the riser cross bar. I small adjustment goes a long way.

While seated upright, the grips are at a comfortable position and allow me better control. I can still scooch up on the bike and ride it hard and for what I do most often, long days in the saddle touring, I can lean back a bit and reach the grips. I have done several multi-day, long distance trips with the bars and have no complaints about comfort.

Handlebars are a sketchy purchase. I can tell you all day long how much I love mine, but you might hate them. I posted some time ago about a wish for a virtual try shop but that is unicorn farts. Best advice I can really offer is 1) find someone kind local who would let you sit on their bike and give it a feel and 2) have a buddy help with the "eyes closed" broom stick measuring method. Is what It sounds like, set your bike upright on a lift or few blocks of wood, while seated with your feet in riding position, close your eyes and hold a broom stick out in front of you where you feel comfortable and have your buddy measure rise and pullback.

Nice thing about the KST or other fully adjustable bars is that once you have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for, you can get them dialed in to near perfect. I will also add that I had my bars in a basket for a while fearing the handlebar buyers remorse (fully visible on offer-up, eBay and craigslist) In doing so, I created an account and got regular emails from KST. I scored big during one of their sales and between the discount and free shipping, I felt I made out like a bandit!

If you search my posts, you will see pics of my 12" KSTs on my 17' RKS. I wish you luck, I know your decision pain!

 

Thanks for the detailed reply Paws!

You are putting me on the search path I originally had in mind, which is to find a local bike gathering or a group ride and hope to find riders with the RKS and aftermarket bars which look fitting and ask them if I can sit in for a feel.

I also thought that for my height, the 10" KST's may be more fitting, but like you pointed out, until I actually feel the bars, it will be a blind gamble.

I like the blind broomstick method, will have to give that a shot.

 

Hi Electo Mike, you’re so right about choosing the most suitable handlebars as being a gamble!
I asked this very question back in March this year, I knew that I wanted KST Spearheads (I had sat on a used RKS which was fitted with Spearheads and thought how comfortable they were) but I was unsure how high to get, at 5’8” I chose the 12” bars and I am very pleased with them.
To be completely honest if I had got the 10” bars I probably would have been just as happy.
To me, they “look high “ but feel very natural when riding.
I have them inline with the rake of the forks and about 7” of pull back, the overall width is 36” the same as the stock bars.
Don’t know if this will help, but I think you will be happy with the Spearheads.
Rob
pictures to follow in a separate post

 

 

To me, they “look high “ but feel very natural when riding.



My pathfinders in 12" do not look as high, but they don't swoop up, which is a specific look. I have my grips pulled into 34 1/5 inches. It's not a lot more than stock but I always felt the stock grips were way too far apart, and that added to the reach when doing full lock turns. The stock bars were just too low, too wide and the grip angle was wonky.

 

I have just fit a pair of ODI Vans grips on my bike, they feel smaller and it's just better for my small hands






I am just waiting after my mechanic to fit the 12" LA Choppers Hammerhead bars, I will come back here with photos when the work will be done...