SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

Wanted cb550 std height handlebars

<< < (3/5) > >>

JamesH:
The reason I'm looking for std us bars is because its a us bike. Simple as that. The secondary benefit is that it's a decent riding position for a slightly over weight 40 year old ha ha!

ST1100:
Isn't a more vertical position causing more pressure/road bump transfer onto spine & disks whilst reducing steering feedback & precision??

The 'Merricans install all kinds of (very) tall handles (like Heli-Bars) and raisers to various bikes originally designed on the sport side...
Made me wonder that a 550 should have such OEM...

deltarider:

--- Quote ---Isn't a more vertical position causing more pressure/road bump transfer onto spine & disks whilst reducing steering feedback & precision??
--- End quote ---
Yes, it is. The lower bars will give you the feeling you are riding a bike. You're more in it and not on it. I suppose it was a marketing thing to let the US Honda's have the higher bars. Honda knew their markets and that in the US motorcycles were more of an extra plaything next to the car everybody owned. Moreover, it was dead easy for US citizens to get a licence and ride a motorcycle. In those days bikes were cheap, Americans were loaded with money, craving for toys and Honda wanted to make their bikes as accessible as possible, meaning to all kinds of people, including those that actually were a bit afraid of riding (women maybe?) and preferred to sit upright (the 'sit up and beg position' as a British Motorcycle magazine commented). Maybe Honda also calculated there were more fat bellies than elsewhere or that bikes were more used for shorter rides like around town than in other markets. If you're not obesed, I recommend to have the lower bars and ride the bike as it was ment. Much better for your butt too. I can understand one wants an original bike. I'm a bit like that myself. But not at any price: inferior things have to go. My CB is almost stock but I replaced the rear shocks by Koni's the first year I owned the bike and I fitted an audible horn.

wolfheze:
Steering 'feedback', you've got to be joking! The front suspension on these bikes is basic in the extreme. When I changed the bars on mine I can honestly say the difference in feel was non existent because there ain't much to start with. To me trying to ride a 40 year old road  bike like your at the tt is pointless because A. They are slow B. You will probably end up in a ditch. Labelling women riders as afraid is a bit harsh, While I'm not exactly Marc marquez I'm not slow either but I'm sure Georgina Polden, Maria Costello or Jenny Tinmouth would lap Donington faster than me one handed!

AshimotoK0:
This is what I like about this forum ..the poor bu**er only asked if anyone had a spare set of bars !  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page