Author Topic: Clip ons - comfortable down angle (Read 6331 times)

Seeparkfly · « **on:** October 27, 2011, 09:40:38 PM »

Which down angle have you guys found to be comfortable out of these brands? I just started checking so please correct me if my angles are wrong. I'm aware there are other brands like Tarozzi and Tommaselli but I like the way these look.

Also, I'm 5'9" 150 lbs, are clip ons gonna make my back and wrists hurt?

Woodcraft - 7 degrees
Vortex - 7 degrees

LSL - 5 degrees

Apex - 0, 4.5, 9 (adjustable)

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:46:24 PM »

I am around you size and weight, i have owned plenty of these bikes {all 750's} and only ever put clip ons on one of them. They were very uncomfortable and hard on the wrists, even worse on my back, mainly due to the standard foot peg position, i imagine they would be more tolerable with rear set footpegs... I wouldn't be doing any distance riding with them and you will need shorter cables....

Rigid · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2011, 03:00:28 AM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on October 27, 2011, 09:46:24 PM

I am around you size and weight, i have owned plenty of these bikes {all 750's} and only ever put clip ons on one of them. They were very uncomfortable and hard on the wrists, even worse on my back, mainly due to the standard foot peg position, i imagine they would be more tolerable with rear set footpegs... I wouldn't be doing any distance riding with them and you will need shorter cables....

+1 lowering the seat with rearsets will make them tolerable. Best bet if you are custom making them is to sit on the bike, lean over, and measure the angle that works for you in a natural wrist position.

andy750 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:01:59 AM »

As you probably already know Tommaselli work great (for me at least 6`4, 200 lbs, long arms) with stock peg position. Last weekend I had a 500 mile round trip and no problems. Clubmans on the other hand I couldnt ride for more than a mile!

Me last weekend

How they look...

Good luck!
Andy

Tews19 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2011, 08:20:28 AM »

The back being sore is completly subjective. I have a bad back for 30 years old. L1-L4 fractures, c4-c5 fractures and DDD. If i stay straight up my back stiffens horribly. If I am lurched over it helps. Relieves the stress on my disks. One draw back of this is when I do get off the bike after a long drive I have a hard time straightening up... That being said, I am comfy being lurched over. Some are different.

crazypj · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2011, 08:51:52 AM »

I'm 5'11" and 'variable weight

(around 220)
Clip-on's without rear sets WILL make your back hurt
Tews19 is worse than me, I only have L4/L5 messed up
I find clip-on/rearset combo pretty good for my back
You will develop a 6-pack and take some weight off your wrists (if you out of shape your wrists will hurt, particularly if you have bad ergonomics)
As for clip-on question, I made my own mounts with 10degree angle but it wasn't 'steep' enough so I cut new bars out of some old 'cruiser style' steel handlebars. (cut about 2" down from first bend)
Now I have mufti-adjustable bars

I just checked, they are set at 20 degree angle, but, I think I'll buy some different bars and go a bit 'steeper (probably round 25~30 degree's)
Here's a pic from when I started showing original bar height.
Clip-on's are about 10" lower and 7" further forward. (this was before I rode it and tilted them further down)

DYSKORD · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2011, 11:03:45 AM »

Replaced my clubmans with vortex clip-ons. What a huge difference. The clip-ons are way better! The only issue I had with the Vortex is that with my 76 Cb750F tank, I had to mount the the bars above the top triple because when mounted below the mounting block at the forks contacts the tank. No Bueno. I am 5'9" and 160/5lbs and find it plenty comfortable. My seat is much lower than stock and with standard footpegs my hip flexors get awfully tight. So lowering the seat may help your back but it also pulls your legs up higher and tighter creating some discomfort for me (which is the same for clubmans or clipons). So as far as wrist and comfort, clipons are fine. I am investing in rearsets next to solve the cramped leg issue.

Seeparkfly · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2011, 11:49:58 AM »

Thanks for the great info guys. Really helps me in making the best decisions for now. Sounds like the sporty look of clip ons comes with a price. I definitely want to avoid hurting my back and writst, so if I'm going clip ons I need to lower the seat and get some rear sets. Those aren't cheap either. I'm gonna work on the seat first.

Also good to know about mounting blocks hitting the tank, didn't expect that would be an issue. Does anyone know if Woodcraft would have the same problem?

Seeparkfly · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2011, 11:55:02 AM »

Quote from: andy750 on October 28, 2011, 05:01:59 AM

As you probably already know Tommaselli work great (for me at least 6`4, 200 lbs, long arms) with stock peg position. Last weekend I had a 500 mile round trip and no problems. Clubmans on the other hand I couldnt ride for more than a mile!

Me last weekend

How they look...

Good luck!
Andy

Cool photos Andy, looks like it was a fun weekend. Also, very helpful to see your riding position with that setup.

Cheers.

Tews19 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2011, 12:09:10 PM »

Andy, where did you get your grips? Those are sweet and I need to get rid of my BMX grips

DYSKORD · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2011, 12:40:17 PM »

Quote from: Granuc on October 28, 2011, 11:49:58 AM

Thanks for the great info guys. Really helps me in making the best decisions for now. Sounds like the sporty look of clip ons comes with a price. I definitely want to avoid hurting my back and writst, so if I'm going clip ons I need to lower the seat and get some rear sets. Those aren't cheap either. I'm gonna work on the seat first.

Also good to know about mounting blocks hitting the tank, didn't expect that would be an issue. Does anyone know if Woodcraft would have the same problem?

You coud always start with drag bars until you get the rest sorted out. They look great and give you a semi-aggresive look without the issues. I have them on a CL350 and a Kawasaki H1 triple and love the subtle "modified stock" look.

longshanks · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2011, 01:45:48 PM »

Andy-

I'm also 6'4" and I need a good jacket. Where did you get yours?

andy750 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:34:21 PM »

Quote from: longshanks on October 28, 2011, 01:45:48 PM

Andy-

I'm also 6'4" and I need a good jacket. Where did you get yours?

Its a good jacket but not cheap - same price as a Rev It Union jacket (which I also have and it also fits well - the Weise though is better leather and comes with a better back protector)

http://www.twowheel.co.uk/weise-brooklands-jacket.html

I bought mine here locally at MotoMkt, Acton, MA

Hope this helps
Andy

andy750 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:34:48 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on October 28, 2011, 12:09:10 PM

Andy, where did you get your grips? Those are sweet and I need to get rid of my BMX grips

Bought at Dennis Kirk years ago. They are super comfy!

Andy

longshanks · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:41:27 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on October 28, 2011, 02:34:21 PM

Quote from: longshanks on October 28, 2011, 01:45:48 PM
Andy-

I'm also 6'4" and I need a good jacket. Where did you get yours?

Its a good jacket but not cheap - same price as a Rev It Union jacket (which I also have and it also fits well - the Weise though is better leather and comes with a better back protector)

http://www.twowheel.co.uk/weise-brooklands-jacket.html

I bought mine here locally at MotoMkt, Acton, MA

Hope this helps
Andy

Ya, I've been shopping around for a vintage-looking jacket that has under-armor and a back protector. I have long arms and a skinny chest. I'm really skinny at 6'4" 170lbs so any idea what size would be good? What do I sacrifice? Chest room or arm length??

Seeparkfly · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:56:53 PM »

Quote from: DYSKORD on October 28, 2011, 12:40:17 PM

Quote from: Granuc on October 28, 2011, 11:49:58 AM
Thanks for the great info guys. Really helps me in making the best decisions for now. Sounds like the sporty look of clip ons comes with a price. I definitely want to avoid hurting my back and writst, so if I'm going clip ons I need to lower the seat and get some rear sets. Those aren't cheap either. I'm gonna work on the seat first.

Also good to know about mounting blocks hitting the tank, didn't expect that would be an issue. Does anyone know if Woodcraft would have the same problem?
You coud always start with drag bars until you get the rest sorted out. They look great and give you a semi-aggresive look without the issues. I have them on a CL350 and a Kawasaki H1 triple and love the subtle "modified stock" look.

Definitely worth checking out. Do they come pre drilled?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2011, 03:31:53 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on October 28, 2011, 08:20:28 AM

The back being sore is completly subjective. I have a bad back for 30 years old. L1-L4 fractures, c4-c5 fractures and DDD. If i stay straight up my back stiffens horribly. If I am lurched over it helps. Relieves the stress on my disks. One draw back of this is when I do get off the bike after a long drive I have a hard time straightening up... That being said, I am comfy being lurched over. Some are different.

I was only 19 when i had clip ons on my K6., i had no back problems at all at the time and the clipons still hurt my back over short distances. I have had GSXR's and other stock bikes with clipons and didn't have that problem at all because the ergonomics were better on the more modern bikes, they were built for clipons....

andy750 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:27:14 PM »

Quote from: longshanks on October 28, 2011, 02:41:27 PM

Ya, I've been shopping around for a vintage-looking jacket that has under-armor and a back protector. I have long arms and a skinny chest. I'm really skinny at 6'4" 170lbs so any idea what size would be good? What do I sacrifice? Chest room or arm length??

I am 6`4, 200 lbs, 36`arm length and I got the UK-46 size. Fits very well though a hair short on the arms but only by .25`. Not a real problem when wearing gauntlet gloves. I really like this jacket and had good elbow, shoulder and back armor - better than the Rev It jacket. This kind of jacket will age well with years. Like I said I still have my original biker jacket that is now 23 yrs old - and looks great!

The only thing I dont like about the Weise jacket are the zippers but hey cant have everything.

longshanks · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:47:13 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on October 28, 2011, 05:27:14 PM

Quote from: longshanks on October 28, 2011, 02:41:27 PM

Ya, I've been shopping around for a vintage-looking jacket that has under-armor and a back protector. I have long arms and a skinny chest. I'm really skinny at 6'4" 170lbs so any idea what size would be good? What do I sacrifice? Chest room or arm length??

I am 6`4, 200 lbs, 36`arm length and I got the UK-46 size. Fits very well though a hair short on the arms but only by .25`. Not a real problem when wearing gauntlet gloves. I really like this jacket and had good elbow, shoulder and back armor - better than the Rev It jacket. This kind of jacket will age well with years. Like I said I still have my original biker jacket that is now 23 yrs old - and looks great!

The only thing I dont like about the Weise jacket are the zippers but hey cant have everything.

How's the chest size though? I suspect it would be pretty big on me. And this can be ordered only from the UK yes? It'd be nice to try on.

Seeparkfly · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:54:40 PM »

I've seen some switches with a trough for the wires so no handlebar drilling is required, what year did they start making those?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2011, 06:01:48 PM »

Its pretty easy to file a groove into the controls so the wiring is run outside the bars....

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Author Topic: Clip ons - comfortable down angle (Read 6331 times)