Triumphrat

Lucky13 · 12-03-2012, 02:12 AM

I noticed a couple posts in another thread recently about the ST and GT riding positions, specifically the handlebars:

"Posted by Yak1050:
The bars on the GT are quite a bit further back than the later ST. When I test drove the GT before buying, I also tried a 2007 ST. The GT is significantly more upright.

Originally Posted by DaveM:
I agree with Yak on this one too"

...And this got me very interested because I think shifting the handlebars back a bit on my '08 ST (if possible) might be a big improvement in comfort for me. I'm pretty short @ 5'6" and have always felt the reach to the bars to be quite far for me. I tried the 1.25" GenMar risers for a while, but they didn't really help -- which is why I'm thinking it's more the reach forward to the bars than their height.

So, two questions for those of you who are familiar with the ST and GT models:

1. Are the GT bars definitely farther back than the ST? A couple of you have now said so, and plugging the two bikes into www.http://cycle-ergo.com seems to confirm this. So, I guess I'm just looking for more detail/description on the GT's handlebar position & ergos, please.

2. Does anyone know if it's possible to swap the GT handlebars onto my '08 ST? The bolt patterns look similar & the gas tanks I think are the same? I'll ask the guys at my dealer, but on the chance that anyone here has tried it or looked into it, I'm asking here as well!

Thanks in advance for any info.

XL1200R · 12-03-2012, 11:43 AM

I'm nearly 100% positive that the GT bars will fit on an ST, but I can't guarantee it. The triple clamp appears to be the same to me, aside from the color (GTs are black).

As for cycle-ergo.com, it's important to take into consideration that they list the ST for 2005-2011, but the based on the fairing design the bike they use is specifically a 2005 model (and an early one at that) whereas the 2007-onward bikes had higher bars installed OEM. I trust Yak's and Dave's input on this that the GT is a bit more relaxed than a late-model ST, but the difference will not be as great as cycle-ergo illustrates. I believe the bars on the 2007-2011 STs are roughly 3/4" taller than the 2005-2006 bikes.

Lucky13 · 12-03-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XL1200R

I'm nearly 100% positive that the GT bars will fit on an ST, but I can't guarantee it. The triple clamp appears to be the same to me, aside from the color (GTs are black).

As for cycle-ergo.com, it's important to take into consideration that they list the ST for 2005-2011, but based on the fairing design the bike they use is specifically a 2005 model (and an early one at that) ...I believe the bars on the 2007-2011 STs are roughly 3/4" taller than the 2005-2006 bikes.

Thanks for the info, and good catch on the cycle-ergo Sprint data, I hadn't noticed that!

Yak1050 · 12-03-2012, 05:15 PM

Based on my seat time on the 2007 ST and the 2011 GT, I would estimate the difference in bar height at 3 to 4 cm higher on the GT. Higher bars (i.e. GT) on an ST may run into clearance problems with the fairing - the cutouts on the plastic is designed for the lower bars. I know people put risers on but be aware there is a limit to the fairing clearance. Good luck.

Lucky13 · 12-03-2012, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak1050

Based on my seat time on the 2007 ST and the 2011 GT, I would estimate the difference in bar height at 3 to 4 cm higher on the GT. Higher bars (i.e. GT) on an ST may run into clearance problems with the fairing - the cutouts on the plastic is designed for the lower bars. I know people put risers on but be aware there is a limit to the fairing clearance. Good luck.

Thanks Yak. Would you agree with others' description of the GT's bars being farther back than the ST's, or are they just higher?

Any possibility you or another GT owner could post some pics of the handlebars from a few different angles?

Yak1050 · 12-03-2012, 11:10 PM

Because the triple clamp surface is not horizontal, any rise also results in rearward displacement. If no one else posts pics, I'll pull the cover off and try to get pics this weekend.

DaveM · 12-04-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak1050

Based on my seat time on the 2007 ST and the 2011 GT, I would estimate the difference in bar height at 3 to 4 cm higher on the GT. Higher bars (i.e. GT) on an ST may run into clearance problems with the fairing - the cutouts on the plastic is designed for the lower bars. I know people put risers on but be aware there is a limit to the fairing clearance. Good luck.

Sorry I am a bit late jumping in but I agree with Yak on this too and also would be concerned the fairing may hit the bars.

It would be handy if someone could actually try the GT bars on the ST.

cheers
Dave

Sparky65 · 12-04-2012, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Thanks Yak. Would you agree with others' description of the GT's bars being farther back than the ST's, or are they just higher?

Any possibility you or another GT owner could post some pics of the handlebars from a few different angles?

Just in case my recent thread on the subject of fitting risers to a 2012 GT helps: http://www.triumphrat.net/sprint-for...rs-for-gt.html

You'll see a link in the post which goes to some pictures I took.

They may not take you too much further on in terms of information but there you go anyway.