Aftermarket Handle Bar Options

[aviationfred]

I have noticed that there have been a few FJ owners that have sold their FJ's because age has crept up on them and the OEM handle bars are a bit too low and forward for them. A bad back or arthritic hips can make even a slight forward lean to the bars unbearable.

I have found a number of great solutions. None are inexpensive, but ALL of these choices work to increase the joy of riding our beloved beasts.

1: The simple and easiest riser to install. The RPM riser http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AHandleBarRiser

2: The solid handle bar mod. Gives you the ability to change the angle of the bar and the use of different bars with different pull back heights. http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ASpieglerHandleBarKit

3: After Market Clip-on bars. Gives you choices on the rise height and diameter when placing your order. Whether you have OEM forks, YZF, FZR, GSX-R or any other, you can order the needed diameter that fits the top of the fork. These are true clip-ons that allow you to slide the forks up or down in the clip-ons. You can also rotate the clip-ons forward for a wider position for max leverage while riding the twistys, or rotate them towards the rear which will narrow the clip-ons a bit and gives a more upright and relaxed riding position for the long Super Slab rides. http://www.fastfromthepast.com/56-0022

4: Another Clip-on option. Not as adjustable as the Tarozzi bars, but IMO these look better. https://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/products/bike-controls/hand-controls?filtercache=e9153084-b5e4-46ca-af59-752714a91cd2


I have personally used all 4 of these options.   

Fred
   

[Tuned forks]

I had to use the RPM spacers for the health reasons you listed.  That, the Vibranators and rebuilding my forks with RPM internals made a big difference.

Fred, check your last link.  Doesn't seem to work.

Joe

[aviationfred]

I had to use the RPM spacers for the health reasons you listed.  That, the Vibranators and rebuilding my forks with RPM internals made a big difference.

Fred, check your last link.  Doesn't seem to work.

Joe

The link is fixed. Thank you for pointing that out.

Fred

[krusty]

I'm 6'1" and find the stock FJ riding position just right and more comfortable than my GL1500 Goldwing.  I find the GL riding  position too upright.

[Dieselman7.3]

I like the idea of the "super bike" bars, or a one piece bar like an mx style. My problem is that I do t want to keep buying bars until I find one I like.  With the rpm riaser can you change the angle of the stock bars (ie. Less pull back. More of a straight bar)

[ribbert]

I like the idea of the "super bike" bars, or a one piece bar like an mx style. My problem is that I do t want to keep buying bars until I find one I like.  With the rpm riaser can you change the angle of the stock bars (ie. Less pull back. More of a straight bar)

Be careful what you wish for.

I'm fortunate that I find the FJ comfortable, I still pull up well even after a 1000km day (which says a lot about the bike at my age) but there's no denying there's something very comfortable about an upright riding position. I have such a bike and following the first day of a recent big ride I was hurting and aching in places never before experienced.
The distance itself was something I ride regularly and was no big deal but this ride had been nearly all in 2nd and 3rd gear and occasionally 1st, it was literally nothing but corners for 14 hrs.

I figured out that gunning it out of every corner and from low speed, the acceleration was rapid. Sitting upright I literally needed to hang on and hold my entire upper body forward. Hanging on of course also requires a tight grip on the bars which is no good either.

If you do the sort or trips or ride as described above, it is something to consider, you literally have to hang on under acceleration. The thing I most disliked was constantly coming into the next corner still with the death grip on the bars from the exiting the previous one. As the day wore on it became increasingly difficult to relax my grip.

Noel

[Dieselman7.3]

I find the Fj to be very comfortable but I do feel like I'm leaning forward or stretching my arms straight. I think if the bars were an inch or so higher and back an inch or so (not bent in but straight back from where they are) I think that would sit or I would sit very comfortable

[ribbert]

I find the Fj to be very comfortable but I do feel like I'm leaning forward or stretching my arms straight. I think if the bars were an inch or so higher and back an inch or so (not bent in but straight back from where they are) I think that would sit or I would sit very comfortable

You're right, the benefits of that amount up and back are well documented, without compromising  the slightly prone position.

I'm also one of the weirdos that has no complaint with the seat. 200k on it and I've never had the slightest inclination to change it. On the BMW is was the first thing I got rid of.

Noel

[Bud Wilkinson]

Fred,
This is exactly the information I have been searching for to go with my front end change. Very  timely indeed.
Thanks.

[T Legg]

Quote from Noel
I'm also one of the weirdos that has no complaint with the seat. 200k on it and I've never had the slightest inclination to change it. On the BMW is was the first thing I got rid of.


  My first fj has a Corbin gunfighter seat and it's comfortable and looks good. My second fj has the stock seat and I think it is more comfortable especially on longer rides.It is also much lighter than the Corbin.

[mtc]

I like the idea of the "super bike" bars, or a one piece bar like an mx style. My problem is that I do t want to keep buying bars until I find one I like.  With the rpm riaser can you change the angle of the stock bars (ie. Less pull back. More of a straight bar)

Be careful what you wish for.

I'm fortunate that I find the FJ comfortable, I still pull up well even after a 1000km day (which says a lot about the bike at my age) but there's no denying there's something very comfortable about an upright riding position. I have such a bike and following the first day of a recent big ride I was hurting and aching in places never before experienced.
The distance itself was something I ride regularly and was no big deal but this ride had been nearly all in 2nd and 3rd gear and occasionally 1st, it was literally nothing but corners for 14 hrs.

I figured out that gunning it out of every corner and from low speed, the acceleration was rapid. Sitting upright I literally needed to hang on and hold my entire upper body forward. Hanging on of course also requires a tight grip on the bars which is no good either.

If you do the sort or trips or ride as described above, it is something to consider, you literally have to hang on under acceleration. The thing I most disliked was constantly coming into the next corner still with the death grip on the bars from the exiting the previous one. As the day wore on it became increasingly difficult to relax my grip.

Noel

small tank grips cured the death grip for me