Handlebar placement

zenbutcher · 04-29-2010, 01:14 PM

I have another n00b question...

Has anyone tilted their handlebars back toward them?

I'm a short guy and when I'm on a long ride, I like to kick back. But, my short arms aren't really reaching the bars as well as I'd like. It looks to me like I could just loosen some bolts and rotate the bars toward me a little.

My concern is this: when I turn the bars as far as they go to the right, the cables from the left grip are pretty tight already. I'm thinking that if I rotate the bars back 2-3 inches then that may make the cables too tight.

Anyway... advice please?

zenbutcher · 04-29-2010, 01:16 PM

Now that I think about it, rotating them back may even make the cables looser?!?! idk... It's hard to visualize with my bike at home and me at work...

bonehead · 04-29-2010, 02:03 PM

Just four bolts, go for it and see what happens.

Water Warrior 2 · 04-29-2010, 02:26 PM

Have a go at it. If the bars feel good in the driveway then adjust the levers and mirrors etc for your comfort and go for a ride. If any cables or lines are tight at full lock left/right look for a way to find some slack. There is always some built in slack somewhere.

Mercutio57 · 04-29-2010, 07:22 PM

I recently pushed mine forward a few degrees, and didn't have any problems with the cables. It handles better, is more comfortable, and, I think, looks just a bit cooler.

New GZ250 · 04-30-2010, 12:05 AM

Yup, just pulled the four caps off the allen screws and loosened them and pulled the bars towards me. Made my ride a lot more comfortable plus the bike handled better. Had absolutely no problems with wires/cables , etc. Did have to adjust mirrors, break and clutch handle. I wish the Dealer fitted me to the bike when I bought it. Took me a long while to figure out why I felt so uncomfortable, made a big difference!, etc. Just do it, you will think you bought a new bike.
:2tup:

Water Warrior 2 · 04-30-2010, 01:57 AM

The foot controls are also adjustable for different size feet and length of leg. Sometimes a little fine tuning makes the bike worlds more comfy.

zenbutcher · 04-30-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

The foot controls are also adjustable for different size feet and length of leg. Sometimes a little fine tuning makes the bike worlds more comfy.

Yeah, my rear brake lever feels too high. With my foot level on the peg, my foot is actually under the brake lever. I know this isn't recommended, but it's that or constantly hold my foot up at a 40 degree angle or so.

I think I'll adjust the bars and rear brake tomorrow afternoon. I'll report back!

alantf · 04-30-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenbutcher

With my foot level on the peg, my foot is actually under the brake lever.

It seems like ALL bikes come from the factory this way. When the handbook specifies that the brake pedal should be 45 - 55 mm (around 2") above the foot peg, I can't understand why the factory ALWAYS sets them far too high.

blaine · 04-30-2010, 04:16 PM

Adjust shifter & brake pedal to were they are comfortable for you.

04-29-2010, 01:14 PM	#1
zenbutcher Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 57	Handlebar placement I have another n00b question... Has anyone tilted their handlebars back toward them? I'm a short guy and when I'm on a long ride, I like to kick back. But, my short arms aren't really reaching the bars as well as I'd like. It looks to me like I could just loosen some bolts and rotate the bars toward me a little. My concern is this: when I turn the bars as far as they go to the right, the cables from the left grip are pretty tight already. I'm thinking that if I rotate the bars back 2-3 inches then that may make the cables too tight. Anyway... advice please? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-29-2010, 01:16 PM	#2
zenbutcher Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 57	Re: Handlebar placement Now that I think about it, rotating them back may even make the cables looser?!?! idk... It's hard to visualize with my bike at home and me at work...
	0

04-29-2010, 02:03 PM	#3
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Handlebar placement Just four bolts, go for it and see what happens. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-29-2010, 02:26 PM	#4
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Handlebar placement Have a go at it. If the bars feel good in the driveway then adjust the levers and mirrors etc for your comfort and go for a ride. If any cables or lines are tight at full lock left/right look for a way to find some slack. There is always some built in slack somewhere.
	0

04-29-2010, 07:22 PM	#5
Mercutio57 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York Posts: 95	Re: Handlebar placement I recently pushed mine forward a few degrees, and didn't have any problems with the cables. It handles better, is more comfortable, and, I think, looks just a bit cooler. __________________ "What are you rebelling against, Johnny..?" Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-30-2010, 12:05 AM	#6
New GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 297	Re: Handlebar placement Yup, just pulled the four caps off the allen screws and loosened them and pulled the bars towards me. Made my ride a lot more comfortable plus the bike handled better. Had absolutely no problems with wires/cables , etc. Did have to adjust mirrors, break and clutch handle. I wish the Dealer fitted me to the bike when I bought it. Took me a long while to figure out why I felt so uncomfortable, made a big difference!, etc. Just do it, you will think you bought a new bike. :2tup:
	0

04-30-2010, 01:57 AM	#7
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Handlebar placement The foot controls are also adjustable for different size feet and length of leg. Sometimes a little fine tuning makes the bike worlds more comfy.
	0

04-30-2010, 04:16 PM	#10
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Handlebar placement Adjust shifter & brake pedal to were they are comfortable for you. __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
	0