Question re Handlebar Width

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

Hi S Volks!

What do you guys think about the feasibility of widening the handlebars of the S, to facilitate superior leverage and control in cornering?

I have done little experiments by moving the palms of my hands to the extremeties of the handlebars, with my palms mostly on the end weights, and maybe a finger or two on the grips. Taking corners at speed, I get the feeling I have greater precision in control, and getting the bike turning in is easier.

Your thoughts appreciated,
Rattus

dsl · 01-19-2003, 08:11 PM

I move my hands out for the twisties as well, but only a finger or two on the bar ends - so I can keep 2/3 fingers on the clutch/brake. In the twisties I agree that it is noticeably easier to get the bike to turn in, maybe even feel more precise. However, I'm comfortable with the current width. At 5'8'', widening would increase an already long reach to the bars for me and possibly create too much sensitivity on straights. Just my $0.02.

Don in Oz · 01-19-2003, 10:05 PM

Rattus,

Whilst I havn't actually widened the bar width, I have recently fitted the new bars that I bought from a guy in USA. They sit above the triple clamp & for my money look heaps better than just moving the stock bars to the top. They are also not as high as the goose neck on them is more shallow than the underneath triple clamp stock bars.

Whilst I have only had them on for a couple of weeks, I would never go back to the old set up. I don't know whether it is just a confidence thing but I would guarantee that my bike handles better. I also find on the longer rides that my neck gets nowhere near as sore. I've attached a picture of the actual bike they came off, which as I remember is pretty close to how yours looks.

Bails · Bails's Garage

Were is the PIC

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

Hi Don, sounds interesting. Do please post that pic.

Don in Oz · 01-20-2003, 01:13 PM

Rattus/Bails

The original picture is 435 KB. I got a message that it's too large to get through the portal. Any ideas on how to reduce the size. Please keep it simple for the dummies in the class.

Dave Hopkins · 01-20-2003, 01:30 PM

At one time I had a Suzuki Bandit bar mounted to a conventioanl handle bar clamp on an R1100RS by drilling its holes that are in the bottom of the tripple clamp up thru and using a set of late '70's Husqvarna mounts. When I first swtched to the "S" I tride this for a short time on it as well. It must have moved each grip out an inch as well as up. Much like a Ducati Monster, Apprilla Turno (sp?)
If you feel you need more leverage you are probubly fighting a rear tire that is "profiled" or worn flat in the middle. When the tires are good it take very little effort to initiate the turn.

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

Hi Don to resize images I use programs like photoshop or utilities like Thumbs+, but the default utilities in Windows are limited with regard to this sort of thing. If you want to email the image to ratt@ihug.com.au I'll resize and post it (and appreciate it in its full resolution).

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

Firstly, thankyou Don for sending images of your setup. I've attached a downsized image including the components and the way it looks on the original bike.

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

Secondly, I have found something on the Wunderlich site that may be of interest. In addition to providing a taller setup, its wider as well. Perhaps this would mimic the great ease of turn-in that I experienced when I was test riding an 1150R. What do you guys think?

This is the original link which was great practice for my high school German.
http://www.wunderlich.de/shop.php?rubrik=D&produkt=323&art_id=782&PHPSESSID=141694c6c1efe1ce70400720c226f711

pdonnell · 01-28-2003, 08:21 PM

Looks like sheet Patrick.

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

True, it doesnt look as good as the stock ones. I wont argue that

Dave Hopkins · 01-29-2003, 10:49 AM

If that is the riding position you want that is a very nice piece. The end result is identical but tiddyer that what I described above. When I had my prior "S" set up like that it was very comfortable to ride but really needed a bigger windscreen?

Don in Oz · 01-30-2003, 01:04 PM

Rattus,

I know the Wunderlich set up. It was one of the things I looked at when I was thinking about changing the handle bar set up. For me, I thought it was a good option but ooooooh the cost of that mounting bracket. My recollection is that the bracket itself is around $500 Ozzie pesos to which you need to add the cost of the extended cables. If you ever go that route, let me know as I would love to see it in real life.