Experience/opinions on drag bars?

[ric9469]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum but like what I see so far. I recently bought a 1990 VT1100 and am considering swapping the stock bars for drag bars. I found these on Ebay and wanted some opinions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...TRK%3AMEWA%3AIT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4550190349&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT)

I like the look of drag bars but am concerned w/comfort and handling. I will be using the bike for some fairly long hauls (100 - 300 miles). I am pretty tall so I don't thing the grip position will be too far forward w/something like these. They have 8" of rise and 6" of pullback. All opinions welcome.

Regards,
rich f.
Atlantic City, NJ
"Semper Paratus"

[Menace]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum but like what I see so far. I recently bought a 1990 VT1100 and am considering swapping the stock bars for drag bars. I found these on Ebay and wanted some opinions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...TRK%3AMEWA%3AIT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4550190349&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT)

I like the look of drag bars but am concerned w/comfort and handling. I will be using the bike for some fairly long hauls (100 - 300 miles). I am pretty tall so I don't thing the grip position will be too far forward w/something like these. They have 8" of rise and 6" of pullback. All opinions welcome.

Regards,
rich f.
Atlantic City, NJ
"Semper Paratus"

They look sweet. I would do it, but I don't do very long trips. I guess it's a gamble when it comes to comfort.

[navillustoo]

ric,
Comfort is the main consideration, but another one is you'll have to change both of your master cylinders if you go to drag bars on your 1100. The stock m.c. mounts at an angle to compensate for the angle of your stock buckhorn bars. If you try to mount these on drag bars, they won't be level and may not operate properly. Not to mention how funny they would look!

I have read where others have mounted drag bars on their 1100's and they solved the m.c. problem with ones off of a Valkyrie or a Goldwing, I can't remember for sure. They'll have to be made for mounting on relatively flat bars, so when researching this, look for bikes with flat bars and hydraulic clutches.

Oh yeah, Welcome to the forum!

Brian

[ric9469]

Thanks Bri,
I hadn't really looked at them too well. I was thinking of replacing these anyway since the stock ones have some corrosion and pitting. Guess I'll have to add some dough to the bike fund :wink_2:.

[Reverend]

Check out this thread

http://www.shadowriders.net/forums/showthread.php?t=315

[Vicious1]

I know I'm late, but I have drag bars on my 90. They were on there when I got it, but I love them. If you look at the pics, you'll see that the MCs are at the angle, but I haven't had any problems. I will be getting new controls at some point, and will probably replace them as well as they are pitted and corroded. I can get more pics if you want...

http://www.viciouscustoms.com/gallery/d/161-2/S4020213.JPG

http://www.viciouscustoms.com/gallery/d/149-2/S4020226.JPG

[ric9469]

I like it Viscious. Tks for the delayed response. Of course it's been over a year since I asked the question and I still haven't swapped out the bars !!! I do have set and think I'll try and get them on this week. Your ride is exactly like mine minus the stock bars and the scratches and dings in my tank. Mine's even the same color except for your tank graphics. I'll post some pics when I get the bars on. Tks again.

[Vicious1]

Not a problem. Glad I can help. My tank has a couple of small dings in it. Doesn't bother me, I love to ride. Plus, I'm looking into getting a new tank, to try and get a few more miles out of it. It could use 2" in width and and another 1-2" in height. But I can't wait to see some pics of your bars.