Cant decide which handlebar. Anyone have input?

[collinjet]

Hey guys!

I've been putting a lot of miles on my bike and its time to get a new handlebar set up as the sock ones are not right for me. I usually choose to ride the faster backroads instead of the highway because I find it more enjoyable but I also find myself on the highway quite often. I usually cruise around for a few hours when I get out or use my bike to get to and from my parents house and my college house about two hours away. Originally I was looking at the ProTaper Carmichael bars or the Renthal medium street bars but the more I looked into it I was seeing the Renthal street lows and ultra lows were also solid choices. I like the upright position as I have arthritis in my lower back but I think I want to be moved SLIGHTLY forward. I think the ultra lows might move me too far forward? As of now I think Im leaning towards the Renthal street lows.  Not sure if it matters but im about 5'10-5'11 and fairly skinny. Any recommendations or pictures are much appreciated!

Have a good one! 

[stickshift]

Slightly forward? Just rotate the stock bars in their clamps. Free and easy to try.

[cornerslider]

I was skeptical about the Renthal ultra lows, but many people are very happy with them. I decided to try them. They did exactly what I was looking for- slightly forward..... They are slightly wider than OEM, so cable length may be a factor. I think the "lows" (might) be a problem, unless you cut them down slightly. I can't say , as I have the "ultra lows". I wanted slightly forward, and definitely wider. I didn't want to risk having to cut the width to get the OEM cables to still fit properly. I'm VERY happy with the ultra lows! Hope that helps you out-

[Tony9020]

1 hour ago, cornerslider said:

I was skeptical about the Renthal ultra lows, but many people are very happy with them. I decided to try them. They did exactly what I was looking for- slightly forward..... They are slightly wider than OEM, so cable length may be a factor. I think the "lows" (might) be a problem, unless you cut them down slightly. I can't say , as I have the "ultra lows". I wanted slightly forward, and definitely wider. I didn't want to risk having to cut the width to get the OEM cables to still fit properly. I'm VERY happy with the ultra lows! Hope that helps you out-

So you didn't have to do anything extra to install them? I just ordered the ultra lows today 

[cornerslider]

16 minutes ago, Tony9020 said:

So you didn't have to do anything extra to install them? I just ordered the ultra lows today 

Good choice ..... I did nothing, I installed them hassle free, and never looked back.

[Tony9020]

14 minutes ago, cornerslider said:

Good choice ">..... I did nothing, I installed them hassle free, and never looked back.

Really? The controls went on just fine? 

[1down5up]

44 minutes ago, cornerslider said:

Good choice ">..... I did nothing, I installed them hassle free, and never looked back.

Any pics of the Renthals?

[InsaneDawe]

@1down5up Here are a bunch. I drilled and taped mine for factory bar ends.

 

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by InsaneDawe

[1down5up]

7 minutes ago, InsaneDawe said:

@1down5up Here are a bunch. I drilled and taped mine for factory bar ends.

 

 

Looks great man. I want a more aggressive stance and looked at several bars, including the Ricky Carmichael. Some bar end mirrors and you're set.

[InsaneDawe]

6 minutes ago, 1down5up said:

Looks great man. I want a more aggressive stance and looked at several bars, including the Ricky Carmichael. Some bar end mirrors and you're set.

If you do a search, many people have mentioned that the Renthal Ultra Lows are a just a little lower, little wider and little more sweep than stock. Enough to feel aggressive yet still relaxed enough for everyday. Will not hit the tank.

At 5'11" helps me keep weight on the forks when riding aggressive but still able to sit back comfortably.

The Ricky Carmichaels are more aggressive since they have less sweep and height. More of a drag bar. I thought that I should have gotten that instead because I wanted something more of a sport bike seating position but I don't regret the Ultra Lows after some time with them.

[1down5up]

4 minutes ago, InsaneDawe said:

If you do a search, many people have mentioned that the Renthal Ultra Lows are a just a little lower, little wider and little more sweep than stock. Enough to feel aggressive yet still relaxed enough for everyday. Will not hit the tank.

At 5'11" helps me keep weight on the forks when riding aggressive but still able to sit back comfortably.

The Ricky Carmichaels are more aggressive since they have less sweep and height. More of a drag bar. I thought that I should have gotten that instead because I wanted something more of a sport bike seating position but I don't regret the Ultra Lows after some time with them.

The vast majority of my experience is with super sports, so a barmore similar to clip ons with enough room to relax some would be nice. It's a tough call for me, love the clip on feel but the back doesn't like it on really long rides. I'll definitely have to go compare bars again. Thanks for your input!

[cornerslider]

22 hours ago, Tony9020 said:

Really? The controls went on just fine? 

I just had to drill for the "nub" to keep the controls from rotating, but nothing more than that... I chose to "roll" my bars slightly higher than the pictures, for more of a naked bike feel.... If I crashed tomorrow, I'd re-order the exact same bars-

[bullwhip66]

I just bought the Renthal Lows and went to install them tonight. Seems like there isn't enough slack for the throttle cables... has anyone done these without cutting them? Not really looking to cut them, I'll return them and buy something else if i have to. I like the feel of the lows rather than ultra low but the cable seems way too tight. Any advice?

[topazsparrow]

4 hours ago, bullwhip66 said:

I just bought the Renthal Lows and went to install them tonight. Seems like there isn't enough slack for the throttle cables... has anyone done these without cutting them? Not really looking to cut them, I'll return them and buy something else if i have to. I like the feel of the lows rather than ultra low but the cable seems way too tight. Any advice?

What year bike?

 

my 2015 fits totally fine. I don't think they changed that part of the bike at all. if anything there should be MORE slack with the bars being lower. double check how they are routed.

Edited May 9, 2020 by topazsparrow

[collinjet]

I ended up going with the lows. Should get them sometime next week. I hope I made the right call!

[bullwhip66]

9 hours ago, topazsparrow said:

What year bike?

 

my 2015 fits totally fine. I don't think they changed that part of the bike at all. if anything there should be MORE slack with the bars being lower. double check how they are routed.

2015, as well. glad you made it work. I'm going to take another look today. I was thinking last night, I didn't drill the housing for the cables yet (bc i wanted to be sure it'd work before i went drilling/dremeling). However, that might have caused the cable to bind... 

 

Gonna try to get creative today. I'll let you guys know how it works. I think I'm also going to try what @InsaneDawe mentioned above and take a tap to the bar ends and see if i can make threads for the factory bar ends...

[Kyuzo]

Ive gone through a couple handlebars some I have from other bikes as well (Suburban Machinary, Woodcraft clipon, Renthal drag bars, Renthal Streetfighter, Stock) 

On this bike my favorite so far are these. Also I like Renthals website you can compare bars in overlays and degrees and stuff. Really helpful!

(I also flipped the handlebar perch around so its more forward. I have longer arms. IM 6' with a 33" reach)

Renthal Aluminum 7/8" Handlebar KTM 65SX Mini Racer Bend (#823)

KTM 65SX

---

7/8 Handlebars from Renthal

 

Edited May 10, 2020 by Kyuzo

[bullwhip66]

18 hours ago, collinjet said:

I ended up going with the lows. Should get them sometime next week. I hope I made the right call!

I ended up getting them to work. Couple things I realized though:

I did not need to adjust cable slack on the engine for the throttle or the clutch. The clutch seems to be fine at all locations of turning the bars, with just enough play so it's not grabbing at any point. I think its like 5-10mm in the manual. As for the throttle, I tried to use the motion pro R6 throttle tube. No matter what i would do, or how I put it, the throttle would not snap back closed. I then tried the stock throttle tube and it worked fine. I think because the cables are much tighter than they used to be, so with the extra diameter of the R6 tube, it's just pulling on it too much. I tried getting more cable from behind the headlight, but they're pretty tight stock with not a lot of extra pull. So I ended up not using the R6 throttle tube I bought (though i'd like to) and just stuck with stock for now. My free play in the throttle did go down from where it was, I think because the cables are pulled more, but there still is about 1-2mm of free play in the throttle before it starts to twist the throttle body housing on the left side of the engine. 

As for levers and mirrors, they went on fine. I have them pointed a little more downward then they were previously because it seems to fit everything better and not pull on the cables so much. You might notice this when you go to install, but from just sitting on it it actually feels more comfortable.

I ended up drilling holes in the bars to fit the little nubs, instead of dremmeling the plastic nubs off. This wasn't too hard, I just used the electric tape method i saw on Jake the Garden Snake's youtube video.

Going for a test ride tomorrow and if i notice anything else I'll let you know. But definitely let me know if you're able to get the bars on and an R6 throttle tube if that's your thing.

Still going to order a M16 x 1.5 tap and try to tap threads for the factory bar ends... local stores didn't have any so maybe that'll be a next weekend project.

[collinjet]

1 hour ago, bullwhip66 said:

I ended up getting them to work. Couple things I realized though:

I did not need to adjust cable slack on the engine for the throttle or the clutch. The clutch seems to be fine at all locations of turning the bars, with just enough play so it's not grabbing at any point. I think its like 5-10mm in the manual. As for the throttle, I tried to use the motion pro R6 throttle tube. No matter what i would do, or how I put it, the throttle would not snap back closed. I then tried the stock throttle tube and it worked fine. I think because the cables are much tighter than they used to be, so with the extra diameter of the R6 tube, it's just pulling on it too much. I tried getting more cable from behind the headlight, but they're pretty tight stock with not a lot of extra pull. So I ended up not using the R6 throttle tube I bought (though i'd like to) and just stuck with stock for now. My free play in the throttle did go down from where it was, I think because the cables are pulled more, but there still is about 1-2mm of free play in the throttle before it starts to twist the throttle body housing on the left side of the engine. 

As for levers and mirrors, they went on fine. I have them pointed a little more downward then they were previously because it seems to fit everything better and not pull on the cables so much. You might notice this when you go to install, but from just sitting on it it actually feels more comfortable.

I ended up drilling holes in the bars to fit the little nubs, instead of dremmeling the plastic nubs off. This wasn't too hard, I just used the electric tape method i saw on Jake the Garden Snake's youtube video.

Going for a test ride tomorrow and if i notice anything else I'll let you know. But definitely let me know if you're able to get the bars on and an R6 throttle tube if that's your thing.

Still going to order a M16 x 1.5 tap and try to tap threads for the factory bar ends... local stores didn't have any so maybe that'll be a next weekend project.

I already have an oem r6 throttle tube (which is even wider than the motion pro) on the bike and I dont want to go without it. I had to adjust the slack at the engine to even get it on the stock bars. A buddy of mine just put clip ons on his MT07 and we had to adjust the slack to get the r6 tube on there. I hope I can figure it out when the time comes!

Edited May 10, 2020 by collinjet

[bullwhip66]

Yeah, i was being dumb and didn't think to do that. I'll tackle it tomorrow.

Amazing how taking a break from something and stepping away makes you think... "wow, i missed that simple step to solve all of my issues" lol

[DewMan]

1 hour ago, bullwhip66 said:

Yeah, i was being dumb and didn't think to do that. I'll tackle it tomorrow.

Amazing how taking a break from something and stepping away makes you think... "wow, i missed that simple step to solve all of my issues" lol

It happens to all of us. 

[Beemer]

If you have arthritis in your lower back leaning forward will just put more strain on it. Have you considered just buying bar risers instead? They would be less work, too.

[InsaneDawe]

On 5/9/2020 at 7:58 PM, bullwhip66 said:

Still going to order a M16 x 1.5 tap and try to tap threads for the factory bar ends... local stores didn't have any so maybe that'll be a next weekend project.

Ayyyye, you figured it out. Yeah just a M16 x 1.5 tap will do.

I ordered a kit with a 14.5mm drill bit (recommended) but it wasn't reduced to fit a 1/2" chuck.  Ended up buying a 9/16 in (14.2875 mm) drill bit from my local hardware store and that did the trick. You just have to be more careful tapping.

The Ultra Lows already have a hollow center about ~13mm so you don't have to drill out a lot of material but be extra careful about drilling & tapping straight and true. Also, I took off ~10mm off the Renthal bar on each side to maintain the Renthal bar width w/Bar Ends

[collinjet]

On 5/9/2020 at 10:01 PM, bullwhip66 said:

Yeah, i was being dumb and didn't think to do that. I'll tackle it tomorrow.

Amazing how taking a break from something and stepping away makes you think... "wow, i missed that simple step to solve all of my issues" lol

You ever get the r6 tube on there? My bar came today but wont be able to install it for a bit. Is it much different than stock? How are you liking them?

[bullwhip66]

12 hours ago, collinjet said:

You ever get the r6 tube on there? My bar came today but wont be able to install it for a bit. Is it much different than stock? How are you liking them?

I haven't tried the R6 tube yet, but now that i realize all of the various adjustment points i don't think it'd be an issue at all. Overall I really like the bars and I'm happy i went with the Low instead of Ultra-Low. The lows are definitely wider than stock, which is good, but they aren't a ton lower than stock depending on how you mount them in the clamps. For me, I like this because i didn't want to be laying down too much on my wrists.

I got one of the holes drilled with the tap I bought for the bar end, I will be trying to alter the bar-end just a little bit since I don't have bar-end mirrors yet. I'll try to take a picture this weekend but it was not hard to tap the hole at all.