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Message started by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 00:58:01

Title: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 00:58:01

A couple of days ago, I swapped out my stock drag bars for some '29" HD Drag Bars' and some new grips. The bars are a little wider and a little straighter than my stock bars.

The rotator cuff in both my shoulders is a little dodgy and I had a feeling they were putting pressure on the ol' shoulders ... and I always felt they were a bit narrow anyway.

I found these bars at a bike accessories shop, with a HD section down the back. I think they're a generic type of thing. Man, they make a big difference. My shoulders open up and they pull me forward on the seat a bit too ... that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. The difference for slow riding and slow cornering is just terrific ... more leverage.

I didn't have to adjust any cables or wiring. The straighter style probably offset the extra length. Also, my mirrors are now further apart which makes a big improvement too!

I've only had 'em on for a couple of days so still getting used to them but so far, so good :)

Here's a comparison shot:

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 01:00:20

Here are the new bars on the bike ... the wide angle lens on the phone camera probably makes them look wider than they actually are.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by Papa Bear on 04/12/17 at 05:12:37

Looks good.

I rotated my bar up a little more yesterday and readjusted mirrors.
Looking forward to trying it out today

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 09:58:32

Thanks :)

I'll probably be rotating mine a bit back and forth after a few rides until I find just the right spot too :)

6F6E61606362656467560 wrote:

Looks good.

I rotated my bar up a little more yesterday and readjusted mirrors.
Looking forward to trying it out today

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by LANCER on 04/12/17 at 14:40:22

I ran very similar bars for many years and really liked them.
The riding position felt very comfortable and natural after just a few rides.
I found the slight forward lean to be pretty comfortable in slow trafffic and very comfortable at 50+.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 14:42:33

Thanks for the heads up :)

606D626F697E3E3B0C0 wrote:

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by MMRanch on 04/12/17 at 21:32:25

IslandRoad

I put stock Sportster Bars on my S-40 , they are wider also and WoW ! the handling got way easier ! It was going from 27" to 31" --- only 4" but what a difference ! :o

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 22:21:27

It's amazing isn't it! I find the handling much more natural ... just because of a couple of inches!

And the difference in the view in the mirrors is terrific :)

07150715180B0409024A0 wrote:

IslandRoad

I put stock Sportster Bars on my S-40 , they are wider also and WoW ! the handling got way easier ! It was going from 27" to 31" --- only 4" but what a difference ! :o

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/12/17 at 22:25:16

I've only had a couple of small rides but I reckon the different riding position will help the pain I've had in my tailbone, from the seat.

I'm heading off on a 4 hour trip tomorrow, to a retro bike show (non-competitive track day for pre-70s, pre-80s, and pre-90s bikes) So I'll certainly know by the end of the day.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by ohiomoto on 04/13/17 at 07:28:50

If you have the low risers you can get a similar set up with a set of Superbars. They are wide with a low rise and little set back. Probably a tad lower and slightly more forward than your set up.

I loved them when my LS650 was still stock. Huge improvement over the drag bars and taller risers I had before.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/13/17 at 13:36:36

My next move might be to some lower risers to drop the HD bar a bit. Sounds like it'll create a similar position to what you describe.

I may even get a set of forward controls down the track :)

Riding today. Can't wait to give them a good run through the hills!

5750515755574C57380 wrote:

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by Kenny G on 04/13/17 at 15:10:15

Road,

I have SuperBars on my Buell and I love them and they are quite inexpensive. If I get a burst of ambition I am going to put SuperBars on my S40.

Incidentally SuprtBars are available in both 7/8" & 1".

Kenny G :-/

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by verslagen1 on 04/13/17 at 15:13:58

emgo makes a superbar, chrome or black... between $20 and 25.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by Ed L. on 04/14/17 at 19:23:53

I put a set of clubman bars on my '02 years ago. couldn't stand the stock buckhorns the bike came with. The clubman bars are 31 inches wide and look a lot like the ones that Island installed but have a 3 inch rise. Looks like you picked a nice set of bars.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/15/17 at 23:44:49

Well, I've ridden about 12 hours over the last three days; twisties through the forest and open highway. And, these new bars are the "duck's guts". They've changed the ergonomics completely, for the better.

My shoulders are so much better and my tailbone is getting much needed relief. And the handling is awesome. The 'work' has shifted from my shoulders (deltoid muscles) to my upper back (trapezoid muscles), which is where it should be, to me.

I found myself resting my heels on the pegs, which got the weight distribution just right, at last.

So, my next move is to move the foot controls forward a tad, and then maybe make up some risers which are a couple of inches lower. That riding position works well against the wind on the freeway, and is very comfortable for winding roads. Also, bumps in the road no longer make me grunt. I just bounce on the seat a little bit.

I was going to do the bars and risers at the same time but the guy at the bike shop advised me to do one step at a time ... probably some sage advice!

I got to just enjoy the ride (with the carb tuning behind me). The bike was purring on the freeway, and gliding through the forest roads like it was on rails. My girlfriend was following on her Ninja, doing her own thing. And we saw a great retro-bike exhibition while we were away.

"No-one ever says 'are we there yet' on a bike".

I've loved the S40/Savage since I first sat on it. But always had the sense something wasn't quite right ... But I believed in the bike. The change in ergonomics over the last couple days has been a revelation, and sealed the deal!

I bought it as a learner bike, but now, I'd rather put money into mods over time, instead of 'upgrading'.

Aaaand, I had one of those thoroughly enjoyable moments when a stranger asks "So, is she a 400?"

A fun weekend so far :)

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by jcstokes on 04/15/17 at 23:52:18

Don't forget Island Road our bikes started out as a 400.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/16/17 at 14:08:54

Ah, I didn't know that! :)

2B2232352E2A2432410 wrote:

Don't forget Island Road our bikes started out as a 400.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by Kris01 on 04/16/17 at 19:46:15

546E717C73794F727C791D0 wrote:

"No-one ever says 'are we there yet' on a bike".

Amen to that!

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by SoC on 04/17/17 at 22:07:08

The bars look nice, have been looking to replace Buckhorns on my 03. Just ordered a set of risers from an S40, they were cheap enough so I hope they will fit. Anyway, I'm interested in the tach mount and what it is maybe a better picture of it, would like to add one.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/18/17 at 01:46:45

2425203231323D20383A530 wrote:

Hey SoC,

I copied the method to make the mounting bracket from another user who posted the instructions on the forum. I'll look up the thread for you and link to it. Here's another shot from a different angle:

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/18/17 at 01:52:27

The original design was by Todd James. This thread has all the info (and more photos). If you scroll down the page, in that thread, there's another design for mounting them on the other side of the risers, by user T140V.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1409022095/0

If you get the Ryca mini-tach, there is a method for connecting the wiring (with photos) in this thread:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1485674038/0#8

:) :) :)

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by SoC on 04/18/17 at 09:03:33

IslandRode, Thanks for the info and link. I already have the aluminum angle and could knock that out in a couple hours in shop. Though it's not necessary, I like the idea of a tack.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by SoC on 04/18/17 at 12:01:10

So here's a picture of the risers I just purchased to try some other bar ideas on my 03. They were listed for an 05-15 Savage (I assume S40 model). Anyone know of reason they wouldn't work for me?

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/18/17 at 13:06:39

4D4C495B585B544951533A0 wrote:

IslandRode, Thanks for the info and link. I already have the aluminum angle and could knock that out in a couple hours in shop. Though it's not necessary, I like the idea of a tack.

Yeah, it took me a couple of hours too. I felt the same way ... not necessary, but nice. I'd only ever ridden two stroke dirt bikes before the S40, so I didn't really understand the way the the thumper ticks over. It felt so different. I was confident enough riding it, but the feedback from the tach just helped me get more out of it (setting up the idle speed, and the change up speeds etc).

I recently took the tach off until I settle on the handlebar configuration, and really noticed how much better I can read the bike now. I'll experiment with fitting it again once I settle on new risers.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by LANCER on 04/19/17 at 06:42:48

78425D505F55635E5055310 wrote:

[quote author=4D4C495B585B544951533A0 link=1491983883/15#21 date=1492531413]IslandRode, Thanks for the info and link. I already have the aluminum angle and could knock that out in a couple hours in shop. Though it's not necessary, I like the idea of a tack.

Title: Re: HD Drag Bars: Small Change, Big Difference.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/19/17 at 14:28:05

717C737E786F2F2A1D0 wrote:

[quote author=78425D505F55635E5055310 link=1491983883/15#23 date=1492545999][quote author=4D4C495B585B544951533A0 link=1491983883/15#21 date=1492531413]IslandRode, Thanks for the info and link. I already have the aluminum angle and could knock that out in a couple hours in shop. Though it's not necessary, I like the idea of a tack.