I know that plenty of people are happy with their Renthal U/L's but I'm curious as to how they feel about them when doing longer rides, say 4 hours and up? (is it even possible?)
I stand 5"10 and have a 6' wingspan and a 32" inseam, so I'm particularly interested in anyone's opinions that is of a similar build. (seems like most of you guys are are #250 and well over 6'!)
My stock bars actually treat me pretty well, but I've been afflicted by some need to modify...
5'10 170 lbs. long arms. No issues, but I dont do rides more than a couple of hours in the saddle. Much better than stock in my opinion. Ultimate in adjustability would be the Thar bars, I like the more trad look of the UL's though.
They are great - cant you forward and down a bit from a stock position so you are less of a wind sock. Consequently they are more comfortable.
Plus I find the extra width better as the stock bars are weirdly monkey-bike narrow.
I'm 6' 170 lbs. I really like mine. The width Is great. It puts your wrist in a more natural position. Even better is putting bar end mirror on. Removing stock mirror got rid of the wind turbulence.
First set I did not cut - first time you ride it it is like WOWWWWW I'm on a big arse trail bike! But then you get used to it and it is excellent.
Second set I was not going to cut but I measured the throttle hole three times (fitting bar-end mirrors so allowing for that) and still buggered it up! So I needed to move inboard a bit more and ended up cutting off 12mm. Combined with the bar-end mirrors the throttle and left grip would be in 24mm from where I'd had the first set without bar-end mirrors.
First ride -WOW these are narrower, I need a bit more input for steering. Indeed I was very surprised at the difference a inch makes, but I asked my wife and she said a inch can make ALL the difference ........
Anyway I digress, second ride - all used to it again and it is excellent.
Long story short - either all! I will say if you are cutting them don't take off much.
Location: Santa Maria, CA Otherwise known as heaven on earth.
Posts: 1,797
The only problem with the UL's, at least for me (normally proportioned 6' tall, 188#) , is they are made by Renthal, primarily a dirt bike handlebar manufacturer. True to their dirt designs, most of their street bars have the control ends that rise, not drop. This makes perfect sense for dirt riding as much of the time is spent standing on the pegs, and some rise is essential for that riding position. On the street, however, the rise necessitates rotating them back to get drop, and this places the ends of the bars grips too far back for my delicate sensibilities.
I am also an advocate of bars as narrow as they can go, but that's my personal view -- if others want to feel like they are hanging onto a rototiller that's their preference and who am I to argue?
The point is if they can be set up for a comfortable riding position for you they are just right, that is if they allow a 4 hour ride without needing a chiropractor when you arrive! Unfortunately the only way to determine this is to buy a pair and go on a four hour ride -- preferably 2 hours out, see how you feel and either press on or turn around. That second two hours will tell you if they are right for you or not.
Infinitely adjustable, made of the finest materials available, and completely sourced from local suppliers -- gotta support the local economy! Order today and know handlebar Nirvana.
I'm 6'1", 195lbs, 34" inseam, and ran U/Ls for a long time on two 919s and was quite happy with them. Bar width is personal preference, and I usually cut most bars down down 3/4-1" (20-25mm) on each side.
I eventually swapped them for adjustable clip-ons since I like making adjustments all the time.
I'm 5'11", 31" inseam, 240ish and have been running the UL for 2 1/2 years. Left them long for the first bit then cut the down. They're about as narrow as you can get and still mount the controls properly. Like where they sit and the reach but have found that on long rides it puts my right hand to sleep. I think it's the angle it places my wrists at. Going to try something different one day.
I've been running the UL's for about 2.5 years and approx 45K km's. I love e'm. This is being on the bike almost everayday. I have done loads of one day trips, around 500km's (500km's takes a lot longer in NZ than in countries like the US). I have never had any issues with my hands or upper body. I'm about 6ft.
I even convinced my Dad (also owns a 919) to go UL from stock and he said he should have done it sooner.
i have thought about the UL's but i love the seated up position of the 919 stock bars and would think the UL's would cause it to be more sport bike hunch over am i wrong?
ULs will have you a little more hunched over than the stock bars, but they are A LONG WAYS from sport bike bars. ULs height is listed as 75mm (2.95"). Sport bike clip-ons would be a few inches lower than that.
Thanks for all the replies. I went ahead and ordered a pair, as it seemed like the only rational thing to do. Soon as i get them on I will update. Thanks again.
I installed the renthal UL's this weekend, along with some bar end mirrors, progrip model 699's and some cheap adustable levers off of ebay. I'm really pleased with the results. I took her for a 100 mile ride yesterday, with speeds averaging over 60 mph, and I would say she is the most comfortable she has ever been. I couldn't discern anything but improvement. What suprised me the most is that the constant battle between my "junk" and the seat and the tank seems to have been resolved.
This morning on my commute, going a lot slower in stop and go traffic, with a pack on my back I would say it was less comfortable than the stock bars, with the exception that the "interaction" with the seat was still noticeably better (Given the opportunity to pick my location of discomfort shoulders seem the better choice).
I would not say these bars are buzz free for me, but they are definitely no worse than stock. And that's pretty good considering I am not running bar ends.
So thanks for the advice! It seems to have been good.
I love the height of the ULs, but the leverage of the width is also great for me. I have a lengthy wingspan for my height and the stock bars jammed my elbows in tight during tight turns. ULs keep my arms nice and wide giving leverage for control.
I would not say these bars are buzz free for me, but they are definitely no worse than stock. And that's pretty good considering I am not running bar ends.
I have LSL bar ends in my ULs and the bars have no buzz at all.
I'm running bar end OD clamp CRG mirrors as well.
Hay guys, I'm 6'5" 215# with a 36 inseam... would the Ultra Lows be to low/uncomfortable for a tall chap like me??
I'm about 6 with longish arms and legs.
I have the ULs.
Very nice, great for hours at a time.
I have a Corbin, so my seat height is at least an inch higher than stock.
I would not want the bars any higher than they are.
If I was to tour cross country, I'd probably put a set of risers on, noting I'd be going slower on such a trip.
The ULs give a nice balance of wind support and forward lean at road speeds that help keep one awake and attentive.
Does anyone have the stock bar dimensions? I'm trying to compare the renthal ul's to renthal streetfighters and compare to stock. Really don't need a big handlebar change, just looking to go more custom
Does anyone have the stock bar dimensions? I'm trying to compare the renthal ul's to renthal streetfighters and compare to stock. Really don't need a big handlebar change, just looking to go more custom
Just get the Renthal dimensional sheet for the various bars.
You can easily do some measurement of your stockers and quickly see where the big differences are in comparison.
In a nutshell, certainly in terms of ULs, the stock bars go further back, squeeze in from sides, and have a more noticeable drop.
Just get the Renthal dimensional sheet for the various bars.
You can easily do some measurement of your stockers and quickly see where the big differences are in comparison.
In a nutshell, certainly in terms of ULs, the stock bars go further back, squeeze in from sides, and have a more noticeable drop.
Does anyone have the stock bar dimensions? I'm trying to compare the renthal ul's to renthal streetfighters and compare to stock. Really don't need a big handlebar change, just looking to go more custom
I had all three. I went back with the UL (most comfortable). Streetfighter bar had my nuts against the tank. Higher rise than the UL, but less sweep.
I like my UL as well. Since 9er doesn't have any wind screen I used to find myself leaning forward to deal with the wind. UL gave me that riding position where it's the most comfortable for my posture.
So what was it about the Thar Bars that you liked better? Different riding / wrist / arm position, or ??
I like to ability they offer to set them up for the riding I'm doing. When I did my track day last summer I moved them forward. When I was done I moved them back to a more comfortable position thats easier on my wrists. From track to touring in minutes once you have them figured out.
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