| Author | Message | ||
     Elff |
I was wondering if any S owners have used the LSL Superbike bar conversion for the r models. The reason I am asking is because I am curious if you could just unbolt the clamps on the S models and drop these bars in vs replacing the whole triple clamp like you do with bars such as the crossroads. Thanks | ||
| Typeone |
Elff, if you're looking for a lower, dirt-bar sorta setup def. consider the Azonic CR Lows. Bunch of BadWebbers have 'em and love 'em. Myself included. They were only like $30 at cyclegear.com  | ||
| Elff |
I can see from the pic that they will fit exactly how I was hoping they would. That looks sweet and the price is hard to beat Im looking to convert the front end to the R fairing and need something a little lower to clear the plastic but dont want to go all the way to Clip ons. | ||
| Al_lighton |
Just to clarify, the crossroads don't replace the top triple tree, they bolt on top of the saddles on the existing triple tree. They mirror the shape of the triple tree, so it does kinda look like it is a new tree. I certainly think the dirt bike bars are better than the stock bars, but be advised that some riders that have gone that route have complained of the poor wrist angle that the lack of pullback angle creates. It puts a jog in wrists if you keep your forearms in a natural position relative to your shoulders. If you take out the wrist bend, then it puts your arms in a kinda funky, well, dirt bike riding position, with an elbow up position like the way the supermotard riders tend to look. That is why I like the crossroads bars so much, they give you the forward lean without compromising wrist angle. But everyone is shaped different, and the price is certainly right. But price is meaningless if the position isn't what you're looking for. Al | ||
| Spatten1 |
I tried the Azonics and they were great for riding around town and mild backroads, and perfect for wheelies. However, when I had to move my butt around on the bike the incidental steering inputs gave me some scary wobbles. I installed the Crossroads recently and they seem to have solved my problem. I'll know better after tomorrow's track day. While they don't move you too much compared to the dirt bike bars, the angle is different they just feel like normal sportbike bars. | ||
| Typeone |
All great comments to consider, Elff, and basically the reason i went with them... Price and positioning over stock. I grew up racing dirt bikes so its a throw back to my elbow-up style. Much more comfy for me. Where i ride and my body position seem to work well with them. Track would be a different story. I also cut them down about an inch on each side, I didn't want them overly wide. Someday I'd like to go the crossroads route, just wanted to spend the cashish on other mods before going there. $30 and quick delivery was hard to beat  | ||
| Elff |
Al how is that in comparison to the stock Lightning bars?? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Yeah, I had a tough time justifying the price of the Crossroads, but I decided that If I was not comfortable moving around on the bike I had to do something. I just didn't feel safe. However, we do all have different styles and bodies. If the Azonics work for you then you are lucky. | ||
| Gearhead998 |
Typeone, Is there any lose in structural integrity in removing the cross bar? or did you just not like the look? Just curious. Liek the bars though | ||
| Spatten1 |
Gearhead, With the cross bar you can land after jumping a triple at the LA Coliseum. I think that you'd fine without it on the street. Mine seemed plenty stiff, but I didn't crash with them either. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Elff, there is a clearance issue to be aware of with the R fairing. It cut my turning circle down when going to the left because the Mastercylinder would contact against the fairing and support under the mirrors. That was with both the crossroads and a set of lower height dirt bars. When you look at the plane the R bars travel through, they sit anywhere from 2-4 inches lower then bars mounted to the S top triple, even a straight dragbar had clearance issues. So before you decide on the bar change, might I recommend the Crossroads 54mm lowheight clip-ons. They had the most clearance of anything I fit, to bad they were on loan or I would have left them on. | ||
| Elff |
Wyckedflesh I was all set to go that route, but then I discovered the LSL Superbike Bar Conversion for XB9/12R off the trojan horse website Which got me to thinking about having to do less to the bike to get everything to work. As it looks like it bolts on similar to the stock setup, I was wondering if I could go one more step and just use the bar and nothing else The description on their website is as follows LSL Superbike Bar Conversion for XB9/12R Kit consists of new top yoke and LSL Superbike bars to give a new 'Streetfighter' riding position. Includes new front brake line and mounting instructions. Bars available in colours: red, blue, silver, titanium, black, gold, violet. Please state colour choice when ordering. Price: £255.00 # XCR120BU04 | ||
| Typeone |
Gearhead, Spatten said it all. I haven't crashed with them yet either (fingers x'd) but I did have a tipover with the stock bars and they bent pretty bad. by the way, i didn't have any clearance issues with the 'tank' or the brakeline like I believe Spatten did. Must have been the trimming of an inch off each side. (?) One thing to keep in mind going with dirt bars is you will need to drill new holes to secure the controls like the stock bars. I didn't think and ground the little pilot nubs right off. they're fine when ultra-snug but i will eventually install little screws where the nubs were so they're rock solid. some have just wrapped tape around the bars to prevent spinning and say it works OK. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I believe the LSL top triple is of a different design that takes into account the height clearances, overall I think it is thinner then the stock triple. Keep in mind, for the S triple the ignition switch mounts very different then on the R. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I did a track day with the Crossroads today. I couldn't have done very well with the dirt bike bars. For me, the closer and higher the bars are, the more inadvertent input I give the bars when moving around on the bike, creating bad wobbles. Even the Crossroads were too high, but it is a great compromise if you are also riding on the street and don't want the full sport position. | ||
| Elff |
Spatten1 You make a really good point that backs up my decision today to keep my stock CityX bars. At the moment 100% of my driving is on the street. This summer I will get into a couple of racing classes because it is money well spent but until then, having my bike optimized for my comfort and confidence on the street is the most important. Today I went to Schaeffers HD + Buell in PA to participate in one of their Buell Demo days. It was a load of fun and I got to ride both firebolts(12r and 9R) and the 2 lightnings I dont own(12s and 12scg). I found that the CityX handlebars give me the most confidence and stability for Street driving. If I have inadvertent input with them I am not noticing it, but man can I slam turns, both fast and slow much better. The firebolts felt heavy and to me, required alot of effort to turn in. I am 5'5" so I believe the reach is just a tad long. I felt much better on both lightnings and it seems like the CityX was built for me. Everything is right where it needs to be now that I have a corbin seat. So for me, If I want to do a Firebolt front end conversion, It looks like I will have to cut some plastic or pass. | ||
| Trac95ker |
I bought some Bikemaster bars. Tucker Rocky pt.# 110510. They cost around $25.00. I like the lower position. The bars have a good amount of pullback so it does'nt get uncomfortable. Their is more weight on your wrists but its feels fine. The only drawback is that the controls touch the airbox cover at full lock. I could raise the bars but I like the height. I thought about using a heat gun to dimple the cover. It's not that annoying. If they made this bar with a wider clamp width, it would be perfect. 5'11" 200lbs. 32 inseam (Message edited by trac95ker on June 12, 2005) (Message edited by trac95ker on June 13, 2005) | ||
| Trac95ker |
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/Trac95ker/XB009.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/Trac95ker/XB010.jpg[/IMG] | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Here is an idea. Posts on this subject might be a bit more useful if the rider posted her or her height and weight, that way, some of the issues of riding position and so forth might make more sense. BTW, I am 6-2, 210# and like my stock XB9S bars fine both for street and the once a year track day. I liked my nephews XB9R on the track, but wouldn't want them on the street - I am too old to spend all day in a crouch. | ||
| Elff |
Gentleman_Jon That is a great point. I am 5'5" tall and weigh 145lbs and have a 29" inseam. The first and last measurement make the firebolts a very tough riding position for me from both a comfort and performance point of view. The lightnings, however, seem to be designed perfectly for me. |
