Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech handlebars

So it seems that my bike is about half a size too small. Power is fine performance and acceleration is awesome but bars are about 2 inches too low and about two inches too far away. Already have aftermarket risers and new bars mean changing clutch brake and throttle lines. How hard and expensive is it?

I found a much better ride when I learned to sit way up on the front of the seat. Better control, can grip the knee pads with my knees better, and it puts me closer to the forward foot controls...then when I put my feet back on the rear pegs and ride "Thruxton style" on the highway, I slide back in the seat a little and lean over the tank to the bars.

Then it's like riding a fast horse flat-out in a dead run. Everywhere.

But that may be the difference in an America and the Speedmaster, too.

I will try the forward positioning. Right now the way I ride it seems like my arms are about 2 inches to short and im barely holding on.

What yr is your bike and is it a speedy or an america? The reason I ask is that I have an 02 and had to slightly reach for the bars and last yr I changed over to 2012 bars and. Now I set back relaxed I also have the JM spacers and didn't have to chnge any wires or cables. Some bars don't require any cable changes there is even a set of apehangers available that dosnt require any changes. So you might not need them.

07 with arlen ness risers

Its an america

I had a similar problem, I used America bars on my SM and HD 4 1/2" risers with 1 1/2" pull back with the BA cables routed to the other side of the frame for distance. Still running it that way.

I put older speedmaster risers with stock america bar and no problem with cables just need to rerout them position is comfy for long distances and I'm 5 foot 8

Sounds like a lot of work. Sitting more forward sure is a lot cheaper ands lot less work. Im still learning how to ride so it could be me and not bike.

Comfortable riding position is very important. Very very important. I reconfigured mine several times till I got it right.

I ran a short errand today and really focused on sitting closer to the bars basically all the way up on the stock seat. felt a little awkward at first with my knees on the tank but was able to reach the bars a lot more comfortably and lean back rather than forward and it felt remarkably comfortable. I probably do need to think about chaning the bars at a later date. But looks like im deploying in July and don't wanna fool with swapping parts until I get back.

I was going to change my risers. Actually,Eddie had ordered them but they weren't first quality.The champion he is,he e-mailed me pics and I decided not to take them.[Great Service from FAST EDDY ]. I'd bought a corbin seat.I'm glad I didn't change the risers first as I'm sitting just right now with the stock bars/risers and corbin.
Do things one step at a time is my tip.