I'm a recent owner of a 2007 Suzuki S40. I"m 6'0 even, and I'm running into issues where after about 30 -45 minutes of riding, I get tension in between my shoulders and my lower back aches. Initially my neck muscles hurt, but that has been fixed by a better fitting helmet. I constantly "make" my arms relax through the ride, so I'm essentially locked into my bike and my arms are just there for steering. I'm on a shoestring budget (around $60-75, birthday money) and am trying to decide if I should get my seat reupholstered ( a local motorcycle shop that i trust recommended someone) or if I should consider going with some 26" superbike bars. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?  

As an FYI, I'm also new to the motorcyle world in general. My S40 is my first bike, having entered the biker world officially in october of 2011 and getting the bike in November (early Christmas present).

Anyone....bueller...anyone?

I had the same issues. I went with a pair of 32" bars coupled with Routy's, 6" Forward Controls. The FC's really stretch you out and make the stock seat comfy. The bars are an added bonus and make low speed maneuvering a cinch. The Santee low XLX style drag bars ~$26.

Super, I'd love to do Routy's control, but I just can't swing the money at the moment, I think the latest I've seen for shipping to TN is $115 (west tn), which I don't have.

However, I will definitely do some browsing based on your recommendations.

Serowbot, those are actually the one's I'm looking at. FYI, the bike did come with a windshield, which the prior owner put on.

For the handlebars you showed me, will I have to buy any additional cables or control lines?  Or will the stock control lines still work?

The bars I got for my build are from a modern Triumph Bonneville. They also use 1" bars, and I really like the way they look and feel.
Might give you a few more options for shape and size....
Search Ebay for "Norman Hyde Bars" or just Triumph bars.

This one is new, and a bit spendy; I found mine used for $30...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handlebars-1-Norman-Hyde-M-type-Cafe-Bars-New-Bonnevi...

If you hurry, these might go pretty cheap....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-handlebars-1-pre-unit-bars-bonny-Bonneville-N...

I also found these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Nacelle-1-handlebars-all-Nacelle-years-97-069...

Supersavage, these are the one's that I'm looking at getting, based on your recommendation.  http://www.jpcycles.com/product/502-210?utm_source=googleproducts&utm_medium=...

Based on what I can tell from picture and manuals, it looks like the right assembly is all one piece (somehow), so if you loosen the control part, the whole thing (grip included) comes off. Am I seeing that correctly?  I've never done this before, and the clymer manual does really show this from what I can tell. A buddy of mine has switched out bars before, but not on s40's. For these handlebars, will I need to get any extensions, additional cabling, etc?

Thanks for everyone for all the tips. Keep 'em coming  

Since I've never done this before...does anyone know where I can get some instructions? The clymer manual does shed any light on this....

Alrighty,.. I'll probably forget a step, but here's a try...

1. Cover the tank with a plush towel...

2. Cover the tank with a plush towel... (can't be emphasized too much)...

3. get some rubbing alcohol under the grips, then twist and wiggle (the grips) take 'em off. You need to set the depth of the the throttle mounting anyway...

4. loosen the screws for the controls about 1/8" out, to release the alignment pins, and wiggle them off...

5. thank me for telling you to cover the tank now that you fumbled on dropped them on it...

6.  carefully hook them somewhere out of the way...

7. pop the plastic chrome covers and pull the bolts out of the bar clamps (hold the bars while you do this0

8.remove bars.

9. put new bars in place.

10. nut'em to the risers but don't tighten (need to wiggle to get controls on)...

11. get controls in place.

12. sit on bike and hold bars where you want them... tighten bars down. and mark the bar where you need to drill for the alignment pins... then remove controls again.

12. drill

13. put 'em back on again, and tighten.

14. lube up the grips with more alcohol and slide them on. put end caps on.

15. adjust mirrors.

16. check everything for tight.

17. remove towel.

18. thank me again for making you cover the tank.

19 ride.

...