Ok so I just bought my first cruiser which is a 2003 savage. It only has 3,500 miles on it, it's in awesome shape, and I'm looking to do some upgrading/customizing.

    First i'm looking for some dragster handlebars. I found some on JCWhitney, but I'm wondering how much of a rise I should get. Is there any other websites good for handlebars???

    Second i've been reading through alot of posts on this sight and I think I know what performance parts I will be purchasing...... K&N Filter, Mac Exhaust, and a Dynojet Jet Kit, does anyone have any recommendations for other performance parts or custom accessories???

    I'm thinking about changing the color of the bike from black to candy orange this winter. Any input on any of this would be greatly appreciated.  8)

skip the dynojet kit.  waste of money, unless you want to use the dyno tune coupon...  you can get the right jets at any dealer for a few $$$ each.  I keep a large range on hand for myself. #4 or #3 washers shim the carb needle well.

further go fast upgrades:  better carb from lancer or ebay, cam regrind from lancer,  also, see 'piston group buy" thread. port and polish.

handling:  progressive rear shocks, fork brace, good tires (metzler, IMO).

see tech, sect, esp the table of contents at top.

V

And also how about the handlebars, any input???

I'd like to do more than just a drop in K&N, but I was unable to find anything else?

I live in Montana so the elevation is probably between 3,000-5,000 feet.

Is there any good websites for handlebars???

Doen't the '03 have dragbars and risers already?

Personally, I found the stock dragbars to narrow.  A wider set will allow the mirrors to see behind you.

I went with a set of EMGO low rise HD type bars with the stock high risers.

Any 1" diameter bars will work.  Get them without the dimples.

HD risers use a larger mounting bolt.  But I think the Metric bikes are all the same.  If you have the low risers, do a search for 'z' and 'h' bars.

Mussolini1996 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:06:


I don't blame you for wanting rid of the "buckhorn" style bars. So far, you've been given some good bar buying advice in bits and pieces. Let me try and seam them together:

To get the bars to fit YOU... you need to know how high and far back you want them. This will determine what risers you want. The stock Suzuki drag bar risers are about 3-1/2" tall and maybe have 1" to 1-1/2" of pullback. That works out alright for people of a medium size and arm length. But as someone already mentioned, the stock 24" wide bars are too narrow. All you can see in your rear view mirrors are your own shoulders, and that's not of much help. You might want risers that are taller, and have no pullback if you have long arms.

So... as instructed, either get a friend to hold the bike, or block it up to where you can sit steady and upright on it. Hold your hands up and out to a position where you think they might be comfortable. Take visual "guesstimates" or actual tape measurements, of how high/wide and angled back your hands are in relation to the triple tree. From your hand's position, work backwards in imaginary bar and riser parts to your triple tree.

I don't recommend "broomstick" straight drag bars with absolutely no pullback, as they eventually make most riders wrists hurt. You want a bit of angle/pullback, but the degree is up to you. As for width, I recommend no less than 28" and I really like 32" wide or more myself. Anything wider than 36" seems to be a bit much to me, but some folks like them. I also prefer no pullback in the risers with straight bars. In fact, I'm playing around with the idea of turning the pullback around backwards on my old 87, as some of the other riders around here do. These bikes are so short that sometimes it feels like the bars are right in your lap...

Here is my current favorite bar setup... High and wide:

Thanks, I liked the flanders handlebars, but the risers were pretty pricey, any other good sites for handlebars and such???