A More Comfortable SF3

[macavity99]

Possibly controversial topic.

It's an uncomfortable stretch to the (standard) handlebars on my SF3. I'm not tall (5'8") but the modern bikes I've ridden are much more comfortable (Buell, Monster, z1000, 690 duke, MT09). My old CB500 also offers a comfortable riding position.

I notice on the Honda, that my hands lie on a straight line drawn across the steering head axis. On the SF3, my hands are somewhat forward of the steering head.

Anyone changed your handlebars and can offer a recommendation? Also wonder if a handlebar geometry similar to he Honda would reduce the steering effort on the SF3?

Cheers, Steve in UK

 

[Harry Lime]

Renthal do a decent job of defining the dimensions of their bars.

http://www.renthal.com/shop/mx-products/handlebars/se-handlebars

Click on the "Spec" box, work out your ideal measurements (A-F)

Then you chose the bar required........for example

http://www.renthal.com/shop/mx-products/handlebars/se-handlebars/trials-se-handlebars

That's the trials bar link. I prefer low motocross bars for my SF.

Doesn't always work out of course - I have several sets of almost unused Renthals in the shed 

 

[Tippie]

I use clipons mounted on stubs I made that extend the fork stanchions above the triple clamp.
I have seen adjustable bars from the triple (usually called "Jota" bars, though they were used on 3C etc.) which can be assembled for less reach (but looks a bit odd).
I also know of people bending back standard european touring bars for a more comfortable angle.
For myself I found that fitting footpegs mounted further back gave much more comfort, as it makes the reach seem less. The bloke in Classic Bike did the same.

 

[Gerald]

seems that long reach has been an issue for the person selling this bike (no association with bike or seller).

http://ww3.autoscout24.de/classified/252844020/?cd=635390366520000000&asrc=st|as

 

[sfcpiet]

It's usually not an issue with the handlebars alone, seat position/height and footpeg location plays a huge role in overall comfort. Generally, stock Laverda twin footpegs are a bit too far forward for a "speedy" rider posture, more suited to cruising, much like brit bikes of the 60s and 70s.  The long tank doesn't help much either, forces an average sized rider into an uncomfortable crouch to the bars.  The rear-sets for the Laverdas are usually too far back for touring, forcing the average sized rider to sit on his nuts for most of the time... somewhere in between would be ideal.

Although the tank on my GTL is the same length overall as the SF tank, the rearmost part is lower and allows a slightly more forward seating position, making the relationship to the stock footpegs just about ideal.  I have swapped the stock, very high handlebar for a slightly lower, just as wide but more swept back bar.  Results in an upright but comfortable seating position.  The bar is a Yamaha SR500 pattern, I could imagine it to work rather well on an otherwise stock SF as well.

piet

 

[coventrykid]

Hi all
I have only 200Km on my SF1 (in two and a half days) but its very comfortable with the semi western bars and standard footrests.
I think it is almost like a american spec early triumph just a bit longer in reach, very easy on the arms and easily reached at 5ft 7inches but would imagine its going to be at bit Gene Romero crouch if the speed hots up.

 

[Yogi]

I have Tarozzi rear sets on my SF2 with Jota style adjustable bars and find it suits me fine.  With the Jota bars, I run the knuckles almost horizontal.  The rear sets make it workable - for me, I could not do it with the standard pegs.  On the SF1, I run standard pegs and slightly higher than standard bars from Andy Wagner's catalogue, which also gives a great riding position that is more touring/cruising than prone.

Yogi