Bucked the trend towards higher bars ("ape hangers" per Dolson) and picked up a new set of lower '06 bars and cables from WardenRoss for my '08 Sprint. The install was really quick and easy because all my original cables are retained and seem to fit very well. I've always had low bars on bikes and wanted to put a little more "sport" back into the sport touring Sprint
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Results: The bars are about 1.5" lower, which doesn't seem like a lot but it is significant. I find it forces more weight on the hands when moving slower than highway speeds and so is not as comfy around town and stop-and-go traffic Both bars still numb my hands rather quickly though which is something I can't figure out. This is the only bike that does that so I'm blaming it on the angle
One thing I despise about the Sprint is it's porkeriffic weight (even though it's perhaps the lightest bike in the sport-touring segment)
I use my Ducati daily and save the Sprint for two-up and out-of-town treks, and it seriously feels like a Goldwing after hopping off the Duc, especially around the garage and driveway and very low maneuvering speeds. Somehow, the low bars seemed to remedy some of the top-heavy feel to me. Probably something to do with leverage.
At higher speeds, which is what I use this bike for, the lowbars are delightful
: In the twisties, the lower bars ROCK! It just feels so much racier, while dropping my head and shoulders down to that sweet spot of non-turbulent and relative calm behind my Powerbronze double bubble.
So while the higher bars are fine and good, so are the lower ones. Each have strenghs and weaknesses, it just depends on your priorities. (The pic shows the height difference between the two bars)
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