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Handlebars and grips - need some info, please

Fri, 2008-09-19 21:02 — IslandGuy

Hi everyone. I love the new ride - have put about 400 miles on since I picked it up. Love it. Now, I have read tons here about the bars, and I agree that the ergonomics for someone my height (5'7")are not great. I have talked to my dealer and he is willing to work with me to tweak the bike - no charge for labor to install new bars, and he will give me a pretty good price on Yamaha parts, too.

I have a few questions -

1. What is the consensus on the best replacement bar? Is it the RSTD bar? If so, what's the model # of that bar, so I make sure I order the right one?

2. Grips - my old ride had custom grips and I planned to replace the stock grips with the Kuryakyn (I always forget how to spell that) ISO grips. My question is - what is all this I hear about bar end weights??? What are bar end weights, why do I need them and what do I do about getting new ones if I go to the RSTD bars (or any replacement bar, for that matter)? Sorry if this sounds like a silly quesiton - I have never taken motorcycle handlebars apart and I have no idea what's inside those things.

Thanks for the input. I think that the new bars will be modification number one on this bike.

FYI - the weather here on Long Island has been perfect for riding - and the weekend is looking just as good :)

‹ Oil leak Weirdness ›
Mon, 2008-09-29 08:07 — J.S.

I just put the RSTD bars and

I just put the RSTD bars and ISO grips on this morning and it is f'in great! the bars are just right for me(im5-8) and the grips feel great,you dont need bar weights and I got my bar and grips from S&S Cycle.The RSTD bars dont have a part # if u get them there,just order as RSTD,look on there website to get the ISO grip #.I'v done a few mods and this is the best yet.

Mon, 2008-09-22 07:01 — IslandGuy

Lucky coincidence

I took a ride today down to the beach here on Long Island. Sunday mornings at this particular beach is a regular gear-head hangout - lots of bikes, muscle cars, exotic sports cars, antique cars, etc. A nice place to ride to on Sundays, hang out, talk with and meet people.

Anyway, here comes the point of all this. While there, I ran into another Long Islander who rides a 2007 1300 Tourer - we started talking and it turns out he has already made the switch to RSTD bars and Kuryakyn grips. I was fortunate to be able to sit on his ride and see first hand the difference between the stock bars and the RSTD.

WOW. I am certainly going to be making this change, and soon. I didn't think there could be such a big change, but I am a believer now. As many others have stated, that's the one real complaint about the bike. After just a couple of weeks, I can see how this will be a necessary modification.

He also said it is a really simple install - but my dealer already said he would make the change for me at no charge, so I will probably have it done with the first service.

Thanks for all the info - I have really learned alot on this board.

IslandGuy

Fri, 2008-10-03 06:51 — kapplet

Don't know where to go next :(

Hi Guys, I really need some help. I think my problem is with my handlebars and tried going to the dealer to take a look at the RSTD bars. I have already bought a replacement seat "Ultimate" that fixed a couple of nerve problems but created a shoulder blade and neck problem. I love the seat but I think its changed my possition from the bars. I am 6'2 with a 32" inseam so most of my height is in the upperbody.

So my big question is will the RSTD bars help someone thats taller in the upperbody section or will I have the bars to close to me while ridding? I mean the current bars have to go... when turning full left or full right I have to throw my knee out of the way of the handlebars.

Tonight I will be trying to secure my bike so that I can sit on it while trying figure out the correct riding position for the handlebars and then move forward. :( I love this bike but its killing my back.

Fri, 2008-10-03 22:28 — subnuke

The RSTD bars should work fine.

I'm not sure how the Ultimate seat changed your position, forward? higher?, but the RSTD bars should be OK. They will provide additional pullback even if you decide to position them a little higher (due to your height). I am only 6'0" but I have found that the RSTD bars give me a range of about 2" of vertical position option that I am comfortable with. When I first installed, I positioned as high as I could, still allowing my hands to be slightly lower than my elbows. I found that position comfortable. Since then, I have moved them down and like that position as well. With that much range in my positioning, I can't imagine them not working for you. I think the pullback should be fine as well. Someone would really have to have ape-arms for these bars to be too close.

Fair winds~

David

Sat, 2008-09-20 08:40 — drag79stang

The factory puts in 'bar end

The factory puts in 'bar end weights' (supposedly), to dampen vibration in the front end/handlebars. (you've looked under your car/truck and seen large weights attached to exhaust and some suspension pieces? (same deal). Dampen vibration.
Anyway, OUR 1300s (as beautiful a bike as they are), do not need the end weights. There (unless I got really lucky with my 1300), they dont need the bar end weights, so if/when you DO the handlebar swap, do not worry about putting the weights back in.
The bar end weights are different from our stock 1300 bars and the RSTD bars. I HAVE heard of people going thru the hassle of making some weights work, and/or getting different grips so the RSTD weights will work, but again, why bother?

My .002

Fri, 2008-09-19 23:27 — Dave in Savannah

RSTD Bars

For what it's worth, my dealer quoted me a price of $150.00 to swap my bars out for the RSTD bars and that includes having me sit on the bike so that they can "custom" fit the RSTD bars to my riding position.

-Dave

Fri, 2008-09-19 21:35 — Tipi

RSTD

RSTD bars (Part #1D6-26110-01-00
Kuryakyn ISO grips (Part #6235)

No bar ends needed with this setup

Wed, 2008-09-24 04:16 — drjekyll

QUESTION?

can a throttltmeister be installed on kuryakyn ISO grips?

Wed, 2008-09-24 05:42 — paulinokc

put the palm rests on the

put the palm rests on the grip

Fri, 2008-10-03 07:43 — drag79stang

For sure. Just installed the

For sure. Just installed the iso palm grips (little cool resting places for your palms), besides the fact that it's MORE chrome/cool stuff for your bike, they REALLY work!!!
I didn't think I'd see much of a difference, but WOW. Very cool stuff! Two thumbs up!