| Author | Message | ||
     Brad_buell |
I just got the XB Zero Degree Crossroads Bars installed on my bike. I couldn't be happier with the way they improve my riding position. If anyone is contemplating these bars, don't hesitate to get them. Not only is the position more comfortable, but wind resistance is dramatically reduced. I took it for an hours ride at 75-80mph and couldn't believe the difference. I'm sure that they won't be for everyone, but the majority WILL find them a vast improvement over the stock bars! I also want to thank Al, at American Sport Bike, for offering the Zero Degree option on these bars. I don't think that I could handle the -7 degree standard option. -Brad | ||
| Creeater |
How difficult was it to install? Did you have to reroute any cables? | ||
| Brad_buell |
No rerouting of any cables. It took just over two hours. -Brad | ||
| Monorad |
I rerouted my cables through the side of the aluminum plates (below the dash). I just drilled them out so the throttle cables would have less weird bends to go through. Works fine. The bars are pretty cool. Still a bit wide feeling (compared to clip ons), but certainly comfortable and much better high-speed wind aerodynamics. | ||
| Tommy_k |
Brad or Stephen, Do you have any pics of the zero degrees installed? I'd like to see them on an XB. Thanks, TK | ||
| Ratyson |
I just bought some crossroad bars on Ebay. Used, $150. The only thing I need to do is paint them black. I can't wait till they get here!! I have been wanting these things since I got my bike over a year ago. However, the wife says that I cannot put them on the bike till Xmas, since they are a present from her. I also have some bar end mirrors coming for Xmas too! | ||
| Rpmchris |
Pics, with Buell Traction grips, CRG levers, and 3rd Eye mirrors:   (Message edited by rpmchris on November 22, 2005) | ||
| Nutsosane |
Hey that's my bike! That's why I'll be painting the crossroads riser the same color as the frame this winter. Do you think that damper is "necessary"? NIce bike brother.NUTS | ||
| Rpmchris |
Thanks, NUTS! "Necessary"...maybe not at normal speeds, but it did take away any hint of sphincter-puckering issues I had before I installed it! I'm a much better and more confident rider now - at any speed. I've been toying with the idea of painting my riser "translucent amber" but need to find the paint to match. | ||
| Skymonkeyone |
I have definitely been contemplating the steering head dampener too. Think it's worth the money? The one American Sport Bike sells is definitely on the pricey side as far as dampeners go. Am I wrong here? Ultimately, I don't care what I have to spend. I have definitely been in a couple of situations where my front end wobbed out on me at speed; disconcerting to say the least. Chuck | ||
| Jpxb9 |
Hi Rpmchris, Did you use internal adapter for the CRG mirrors and what about rerouting ? Nice bike ! Thanks JP | ||
| Skeeter_xb |
I am getting more vibration to my hands with the crossroads than with the stock XB9S bars. Are any of you experiencing this? What did you do to lessen it? etc... Thanks | ||
| Midmofirebolt |
Adapters for bar end mirrors-yes Rerouting-you do end up dropping the forks down to fit the throttle cables and the wires on the clutch side into the tiny spaces in between the top of the forks and the instrument cluster. I was a bit worried about it at first, but it ended up being pretty easy, just make sure you've got a jack. The instructions are pretty good, but the pics suck, I couldn't really tell how things were supposed to go by the pics, so I just made it work. The bars definitely make the bike easier to ride for me, but I'm also coming from a XBR, got the 7 degree down and it's pretty close, but the bars are wider. Not that that's a bad thing, it feels like I have a lot more control in the corners now. All in all, definitely recommended. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Quick question: With the Crossroads installed can you still get to the preload adjusters or do you have to remove the plate to get to them? This is the earliest I've ever been late! | ||
| Rackman |
I just installed my set of 0 degree bars as well, I concur about wondering why it took me so long to decide to change, but IMHO, you will need to remove the plate to be able to tell how much you have adjusted the bars, the rings are not visible. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Ahh I suspected as much. It doesn't sound like too big of a deal. Thanks for the answer  I'm wanting a set more & more | ||
| Luckydevil |
Just ordered the 7 degrees from Al. i had the ops to sit on a couple of bikes. One had the zero degree and one with the sevens. not much difference to me. but my hands fell onto the sevens more naturally. little bit wider too which i like, cause my right arm has two metal plates eight pins and a bone graft from my hip. But they were so similar that i had to do it a couple of times to actually feel much difference. I got to ride the zeros and that was great, sold me then and there. | ||
| Tleighbell |
How does the bar position and ergonomics with the crossroads bars compare with the R? Also, the handling of the bike since I understand (and also felt from only a brief experience with the R) that the stock S steers lighter and easier but may be a little less stable than the R? Reason is I need to replace my S and am trying to decide whether to get another S or an R. The S I found great for any sane street riding but I also want to do track days and my local track is pretty fast. | ||
| Rackman |
I have an SS and can't really reply to how this compares to the R, I can say that on my SS I am a tall person, extremely long waisted, and with the SS, standard bars, i was not comfortable pushing the bike in the twisty's because I felt that the stock handlebars were underneath me, I was not comfortable with that position, I changed to the 0 degree crossroads, and instantly felt much better. i believe it moved the hands 4+ inches forward and down, elsewhere on the site here it discusses the exact inches, I would not fit on a standard S or the R, but I would like the wind coverage of the R if they would make it in a long... Sorry I did not have the exact response you were looking for, but I would guess that the crossroads are slightly wider than the stock R bars, and I would think the R stock clipons stretch your body out more, and still lower just because of the mechanical installation of the clip on versus the crossroads. I would also think there is more back fatigue with the R if you are riding on the road versus track. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
05 XB12S application: I'm only 5'7", but with the stock bars I was always jammed against the back of my Corbin saddle and felt like I was sitting too upright. The 0 degree Crossroads gave me the room on my saddle I was looking for in addition to a more sporting ride position. I agree that the wideness of this bar set feels a bit awkward at first, but I got used to it quickly. It also gave me more confidence in using my body to steer the bike in the twisties because I feel like I have more leverage. I was at a BBQ at Independence H/D & Buell in College Station, TX this past Saturday and got a chance to ride their 06 XB12R test ride bike/loaner. I believe the -7 degree bars would be a little closer to the R. I have to say that it was a pleasure to ride that bike after being on my S for a year and a half. I immediately felt more a part of the machine than I have ever experienced on my S. Overall, the Crossroads bars are an improvement for the S. They weren't too difficult to install. It took a few test rides to get the controls like I wanted them and had a little trouble getting the throttle and idle cable working properly due to the pinched manner in which the cables are ran, but all is well that ends well. It was just a matter of finessing everything around until it all fit. I also figured out that the end of the torque grips I installed on them has to be cut out properly in order to avoid dragging on the end of the bar and causing the throttle not to snap back to neutral position. Last, I would recommend wrapping the clutch cable in some rubber hose or something because it rubs on the left bar end mounting bolts underneath the bar. | ||
| Mxer83 |
I am having a hard time with the throttle cables on the cross roads, I dont have instructions, because I bought them used. No matter what I do the throttle cables bind when turned to the left any pics or suggestion appreciated, thanks | ||
| Al_lighton |
Getting the throttle cables to lay in the right position takes a bit of playing around with them, but it shouldn't be too tough to get them working smooth. One thing that I've found is that it makes a difference how the adjusters are set. You can adjust the free-play out of the throttle by any combination of the idle cable fully out, the throttle cable fully in, or the throttle cable fully out and the idle cable fully in, or both of them partway out. One of the above positions will prevent the cables from binding more than the other positions. I wish I could tell you which it was, but I don't have my XB-S at the shop these days, it's been living up at Vallejo being a mapping mule for Terry, and I can't remember which it was. Al | ||
| Surewin |
I don't have crossroads, but I did find that by removing the horn the throttle cable snapped back much more firmly when cranked left. So I removed the horn bracket and installed the horn where the bracket used to be, and cranked as far over to the side as I could. Works like a charm, but like I said, thats with stock bars. While on the topic. . . I want some different bars. Can't afford crossroads this season so I was thinking some drag bars. The most likely fit I've found so far is 31 wide, 0 rise, 3.5 pullback, with a 9 inch center. I think I'll clear the airbox, but not sure. Any one tried anything similar? |
