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New Handle Bars - Bikemaster Nighthawk, or GP Touring?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by eman1974, Dec 18, 2009.

  1. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    I'm about to order some new handlebars, and wanted to get some opinions. I'm looking at the Bikemaster Nighthawk, or GP Touring bars.

    Good, bad?
     
    eman1974, Dec 18, 2009
    #1
  2. WinstonC

    WinstonC Member

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    I just swapped in GP Touring on my Maxim. The stock 'mini-apes' put my wrists at a weird angle which after an hour began to hurt.

    With the touring, you will need to come up with a mirror solution, unless you are Kate Moss thin. I need to figure it out as well. But the G.P.s feel good.
     
    WinstonC, Dec 18, 2009
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  3. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    Ya, my wrists bother me pretty quickly with the stock bars.

    That's good to know abotu the mirrors. I have a set of stock mirrors and also a set of biker's choice wide angle.
     
    eman1974, Dec 18, 2009
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  4. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    Winston, the Nighthawk as a good 3 inches more rise and 5" more pullback. Think that would make a difference with the mirrors?
     
    eman1974, Dec 18, 2009
    #4
  5. iwingameover

    iwingameover Active Member

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    On the mirrors Len (chacal) has a a pair of long stemmed mirrors. I needed them on my stock bars to see over my shoulders. There's a thread about it I wrote.
     
    iwingameover, Dec 18, 2009
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  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    ANYTHING would be an improvement over the stock bar; I think the Japanese simply have narrower shoulders than we do, I had the exact issue with my SR500s too. Too acute of an angle at the wrists.

    Interesting factoid: The 550 Maxim and 550 Seca came with the SAME handlebar.

    I replaced mine with "European" which are a lot lower than the two you mentioned but I have really long arms and they're perfect for me. Although wider mirrors are a must.
     
    bigfitz52, Dec 19, 2009
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  7. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    Update:

    I installed the Nighthawk bar over the weekend. They seem to be pretty close to stock bars - not a lot of difference. However, they do seem to be a little easier on the wrists. They are a little higher and wider. I'll report for sure once riding season here starts back up again.

    Edit: I'll post pics soon.
     
    eman1974, Jan 11, 2010
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  8. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    Here's a before and after Stock vs Nighthawk (nighthawk on the top). Not a big difference.
     

    Attached Files:

    eman1974, Jan 21, 2010
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  9. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Yeah but your shoulders will know the difference those few degrees of wider angle at the wrists make.

    Between the bar and the grips you should experience a lot less fatigue.
     
    bigfitz52, Jan 23, 2010
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  10. eman1974

    eman1974 Member

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    I hope so, we'll see once riding season ststarts.
     
    eman1974, Jan 24, 2010
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