The ergonomic experiment

I bought a set of Halcyon bar end mirrors. After lots of research the general consensus was that Halcyon and Napoleon were some of the better ones out there that were good with vibrations. No road experience with them yet and not sure I will run them. My no10 tracker bars are already in the neighborhood of 33” wide so these really stuck out there. Also not sure they fit the style of the bike. The flip side is they rotate 360 degrees and fold in nice when storing the bike.
 
Also, I looked through your thread but may have overlooked what bars are you going back to? Are you considering different bars?
 
Also, I looked through your thread but may have overlooked what bars are you going back to? Are you considering different bars?

I went back to my factory original bars, but I have been considering something with a little less rise, like a Euro bend or super bike style.
They both have about the same rise ( about half what stockers are) but the super bike bars are about an inch narrower.
 
Ergonomic experiment update:
1. Taller handlebars with more pullback, and a longer brake line it requires
3. Highway pegs for that kicked back riding position
First up the handlebars, I really really wanted to like them. Just sitting in the garage they feel so comfortable, I’m more upright and it just felt more relaxed. Around town they’re fine, but I wanted them for faster, longer rides.
The reality , for me at least, is that they feel good early on but as the miles pile up, my lower back starts squawking because of my upright seating position, so to compensate I start leaning forward but the bars are high and close so I bend my arms in an uncomfortable way to compensate. In the end they just aren’t working for me, a huge disappointment. Also when you make a U turn the bars felt awkward and they crowd you.
The highway bars, again I really wanted to like them, but I don’t. They made me feel less in control of the bike, it’s probably just me, but I’m not into them.
Later, Bob :bike:

Totally agree about the stability angle...........On my 83 i have the original buck-horns and the bike had highway pegs on it when got it................only time i used the highway pegs was when i had all my gear loaded up on the rear seat that made an armchair affect so that i could rest on my back and have my feet on the highway pegs, only on long straights and if they included long sweeping corners.........The other worry was.......the time it took to get back into position to use the brake and gear lever if an emergency popped up.............tried to explain this to someone else wanting to get highway pegs.......wasn't going to happen:confused:..........wasn't you Bob
 
I've found that I don't much care for the highway pegs on my bike either... pretty much the same reasons. The lone advantage is that periodically I can stretch out my aftermarket knee. So for that reason alone, they'll stay.
 
Found the other thing was, when getting the feet up and off the pegs, was my hands had to take the weigh shift, also making the grip and control quite dangerous........not for me:sneaky: but for all you noviceso_O

Yea for stretching purposes i think they are great also, one leg at a time on occasion
 
If you have any interest, I have a set of cb750 replica bars that you can try. I only used them for mock up before switching to the tracker bend bars. I think they are 4.5” rise and 31.5” wide. They are also pre drilled from factory for internal wiring if you want to go that route. If so, pm me and I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.
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If you have any interest, I have a set of cb750 replica bars that you can try. I only used them for mock up before switching to the tracker bend bars. I think they are 4.5” rise and 31.5” wide. They are also pre drilled from factory for internal wiring if you want to go that route. If so, pm me and I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.
View attachment 170948

Thank you for that kind offer, but those are just about identical to the stock bars I have on now. These are the super bike bars and dimensions.
B92E4185-D2A9-4CFB-BAB0-AB0A9AFC303E.jpeg
Width - 29in..
Rise - 2-1/2in..
Pullback - 4-3/4in..
Center width - 4-3/4in.
 
for years I used Superbike bars and loved them. I switched to a taller style of same style a couple years ago. They are OK but, I'm thinking of going back to the lower bars. Sometimes one just needs a change. No other reason but just for a change.
 
Ergonomic experiment update:

As you might recall, if you’re reading this, in an effort to make my bike a more comfortable highway rider, I made a number of changes aimed at relaxing the riding position and dropping high speed RPM’s. I did the following,

1. Taller handlebars with more pullback, and a longer brake line it requires
2. Foam handgrips
3. Highway pegs for that kicked back riding position
4. A 31 tooth rear sprocket to drop rpms at highway speed
View attachment 170928
So now I’ve had time to rack some miles up. I have taken it out a bunch of times now for a couple hours or more each time, all rides have included long stretches at 60 - 65 mph. And I’ve reached some surprising ( to me at least )
conclusions.

First up the handlebars, I really really wanted to like them. Just sitting in the garage they feel so comfortable, I’m more upright and it just felt more relaxed. Around town they’re fine, but I wanted them for faster, longer rides.
The reality , for me at least, is that they feel good early on but as the miles pile up, my lower back starts squawking because of my upright seating position, so to compensate I start leaning forward but the bars are high and close so I bend my arms in an uncomfortable way to compensate. In the end they just aren’t working for me, a huge disappointment. Also when you make a U turn the bars felt awkward and they crowd you.

The highway bars, again I really wanted to like them, but I don’t. They made me feel less in control of the bike, it’s probably just me, but I’m not into them.

The foam grips, Love em, they’re fat and squishy and do a great jobs of neutralizing vibes, plus they’re very comfortable.

The 31 tooth rear sprocket, Love that too, the motor feels very relaxed at highway speeds.

Replying a little later than folk in US time zones but I wanted to say a big thank you for your very honest assessment of the changes you made.

I really wondered how you would get on with high bars and highway pegs. That set-up is not traditionally favoured in Britain though these days I see people on H-D and Japaneses cruisers with pull-back bars and highway pegs. Can look like the triumph of style over function - sooo cool but how far do you actually ride? However, there has always been the suggestion that works well in the US with longer distances, less traffic, fewer bends, villages, roundabouts, etc?

But you have confirmed my suspicion that taller, pulled-back bars are a pain in the lower back. For some people anyway. Interesting too your observations on the forward pegs.
 
Take two! :cool: or is it take three? I don’t know, I’ve lost count.

So, the high handlebars are now hanging high on the wall, I went back to my OEM handlebars and a fly shield,
and now.........

A set of Emgo super bike handlebars and bar end mirrors. The super bike bars have about 2.5 inches less rise than stock and less pullback also. They were also supposed to be one inch narrower but they turned out to be the exact same width. Here are the stock bars, next to the new super bike bars,
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I got the handlebars and mirrors both from Amazon. The mirrors are universal fit for both 7/8” and 1”
They have an expandable rubber plug to hold the mirrors in place, so they come with two plugs for both size bars.
They seem nicely made and I believe I have seen these exact same mirrors sold under different brand names, I could’ve had chrome for the same price.
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So here are some comparison shots , before and after.
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I didn’t get a chance to ride it today, I’ll try and get it out early tomorrow and see how she goes. It definitely cants my upper body forward more and my hands are lower, which is what I was shooting for. I’m really hoping that I’m going to like this.
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Stay tuned........
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-Bob
 
Lookin' forward to the road report... particularly what help, if any the mirrors do for vibes in the bars.
I like the look.:thumbsup:

Thanks Jim, I do to. What got me thinking about this was, when Triumph first introduced the new Street twin Bonneville, I took one for a test ride, and it had bars like these. I remember really liking the stance.
 
I feel ya on the highway pegs too. Not only do I feel less in control, but having my feet and legs up at that angle raised holy old hell with my back.

Slight thread drift: Can somebody explain the concept of ape hangers to me? I see guys on full-sized Harley's running them and I think they'd be seriously detrimental to already sketchy handling. Not to mention a giant pain in the back.
 
Slight thread drift: Can somebody explain the concept of ape hangers to me? I see guys on full-sized Harley's running them and I think they'd be seriously detrimental to already sketchy handling
Be open minded. Ape hangers are perfectly acceptable for some bikers needs..
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:rolleyes:
 
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