Clip-Ons VS Bars

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#1 Unread post by **Sev** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:51 pm

Okay, so I have to ask, I've heard a couple of people disparage clip-ons. And since the only ones I've ever had experience with involve my glasses (clip on shades) I was wondering what the positives and negatives of clip on handlebars are.

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:09 pm

The net result of changing tubular bars to clip-ons is to change the location on the bike where your hands make contact with said bike. But you knew that.

What it does is force the rider to bend over farther down and forward, adding weight bias to the front tire and dropping the center of gravity as a whole. That tends to increase responsiveness, and with more bite on the front, the bike turns sharper and sticks better. Rear-set footpegs adds to this effect some and raises the footpegs to gain cornering clearance.... that you can now use.

***Then you want to hot-rod your motor so you can hit the gas harder, sooner when leaned over farther than you were before. So now you have to slap some full bodywork on the thing to make it more efficient at high speed. And so you have someplace to put the number when you go racing.***

And your in a permanent half-racing-crouch all the time. Except for when your in full-on racing crouch.

ronboskz650sr · Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:17 am

On my bike, clip-ons require a different master cylinder as they are too short for mine to clear the tachometer housing. Mine is a trapezoidal sahape with the line cming out toward the forks, and there just isn't room for it. Also, they can hit the tank in a full lock turn on some bikes. To avoid this you have to enlarge the diameter of the stop under the tripple tree to make the steering stop short of hitting the tank. I think that's why Chris's cbr doesn't turn as tight as my kz in the middle of the road, or pushing it around the garage. On older bikes, you have to get pretty creative to make everything fit on those short bars. I think that's why guys use clubman bars more often for cafe' conversions.

mysta2 · #4 Unread post by **mysta2** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:56 pm

if you are changing from stock rubber risers to clipons, the clips will give you better feel for the bike... and more vibration. also with an aluminum clip and steel/aluminum/carbon bars they will likely weigh less.

if one kind doesn't fit there are others that will... you can find them with all kinds of rise and pull.

Nibblet99 · Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:14 pm

The wierdest thing for me was, when I tried out the bike with clip-ons, I suddenly realised that I was only looking forwards, and less aware of what was around me.... Don't fall into that trap, make sure you force yourself to check around

BuzZz · #6 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:57 pm

So does this mean your thinking of swapping your bars out, Sev?

The thing about tubular bars, is that aside from the less hunched position, you get better leverage over the front end. This is helped by the body position. So abrupt moves, either squidly or avoidance derived, are easier to effect.

For guys built like us, leverage is your best friend.

mysta2 · #7 Unread post by **mysta2** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:08 am

BuzZz wrote:...The thing about tubular bars, is that aside from the less hunched position, you get better leverage over the front end. This is helped by the body position. So abrupt moves, either squidly or avoidance derived, are easier to effect...

that depends on where your' bars are mounted... the best leverage (theoretically) is when the bars are at the same level as your' hips.

BuzZz · #8 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:32 pm

mysta2 wrote: ...... the best leverage (theoretically) is when the bars are at the same level as your' hips.

Theoretically, I don't know about..... in the real world I disagree mightily.

But the leverage advantage actually comes in from the bars being wider(longer lever to multiply your effort) than clip-ons. The fact that they are higher and therefore closer to your chest give you another leverage advantage by the fact that our musculature is designed to provide the most power to our arms from our chest rather than our hips.

ronboskz650sr · Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:56 am

My drag bars give me the best of both...wide bar, and low riding position. It really made a difference, and I've rotated them lower since I put them on. Another handling improvement! I guess the old UJMs were pretty conservative, with lots of untapped potential in the handling department. I'm actually considering the pricier tires now that i see how much difference the bars made. I think I'm set up to take better advantage of some softer ones now. I really notice the lack of leverage on Chris's cbr...even though I still love the way it handles. At lower speeds (parking lot) it really makes itself known, compared to mine.

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:16 am

I haven't really considered putting on clip-ons though I've looked at getting a pair of lower bars. Renthals I believe they're called. I know there's an American company that makes them for my bike, which is in and of itself an amazing thing. Only problem is I'd like to try before I buy.

I'm pretty happy with my current set up, and I don't really want to spend a ton of cash on a new set and find out that I don't like them at all. And considering the amount of "touring" that I do, the current conservative seating position might be best as it is.

Maybe I'll wander out to the bike wreckers next season and see if a pair of lowered bars is hanging around for relatively cheap. That would be perfect.