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T120 wider bars and/or risers

7K views 31 replies 18 participants last post by  maloya 
#1 ·
I have a 2016 T120 and find the steering a bit slow / less responsive compared to my old Honda Magna cruiser. The Honda has much wider bars. Will wider bars make the bike more responsive? What is the widest you can go without messing with the cables and wires? I’d also like some risers to sit a little more upright but maybe with wider bars this won’t be needed. I saw a thread where some guys just put washers on the stock risers to gain some height. Again, I don’t want to mess with the cables or wires. Thanks!
 
#6 ·
What ETC120 said. I had to steer my bike with the stock Pirellis on it. After I put the Avon Spirit STs on it I can basically steer it via mind control.

I think you'll find that longer bars will be counterproductive if faster steering is your goal. Geometry dictates that longer bars will require more bar movement to do the same thing. Leverage will make it easier to turn, but the added radius from the pivot point to grips will mean the grips will have to move farther to accomplish the same turn.

Pete
 
#11 ·
I made up some 20mm risers , no problems with cables etc,
much more comfortable for my lower back problem,
they'll look much better when i get around to painting them
Did you have any problem finding the longer bolts? I wanted to do something similar to my previous bike, a Scrambler 900, but the bolt heads were the tiny ones (JIS?).
 
#9 ·
Actually, shorter handle bars will make it easier, not longer ones. Not because of any geometry of the bars, but it will change your riding position, making you have more direct input to the handle bars.

If your press on the handle bar is mostly horizontal, then you will get better steering input. If it is more vertical, the bike will seem to not be responding well.

Try leaning your head and shoulders down and into the side in which you are turning more than normal. If this makes the steering seem easier, then it is the direction in which you are pressing the bar that is the problem. Then, you can think about changing the ergonomics of the bike in a way that allows you to give a more horizontal input into the bar in your comfortable riding stance.

If you find that you are pressing downward more than you are pressing outward on the bars, then handle bar risers may improve your situation.
 
#12 ·
ETC120 and PGR: Yes, I have the stock Pirelli tires. I’ll try those Avons when the Pirellis wear out.

ranger995: Yes, I definitely have to lean into the turn, putting my shoulder and head into it. I guess that means I’m pushing down on the bars, which makes total sense, and a good solution to bring the bars up a bit. I’ve rode cruisers for the last decade and never had to do that. Maybe I just need to get use to the different body position of the Bonny but I will also add some spacers at the handlebar riser to bring the bars up. Hopefully that will make the twisties more effortless and quicker to turn.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!
 
#14 ·
ETC120 and PGR: Yes, I have the stock Pirelli tires. I’ll try those Avons when the Pirellis wear out.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!
Don’t wait. The Pirellis seriously compromise handling. I waited for my front to wear out before switching to Continental Road Attack3s. They completely transformed the bike. I was stunned at the difference. This may be all you need to fix any handling issues. Fatigue is of course another problem.
 
#21 ·
Coming from a Magna, your riding position is quite a bit different. Before getting into modifying the bike, I'd suggest concentrating on your body position. It took me a while to get used to the Sprint after my V65 Magna. After concentrating on using my core to support my upper body and relaxing my shoulders and elbows, I found the steering became MUCH easier and more responsive.
 
#24 ·
I cannot find the Jack Be Quick risers online and the links many people have posted do not work. I live in the US (not sure if that matters). Can anyone help me find these? Is there a distributor’s website I should search or do they come directly from Jack Be Quick?
 
#27 ·
Thanks jb44. I actually found Jack-Be-Quick on eBay and he confirmed he deleted his website. He also didn't have the T120 risers listed on eBay but after reaching out to him, he put up a posting for me and included the bolts. Very responsive and nice guy. I hope the risers will make my steering more responsive and reduce some upper back pain.
 
#29 ·
I got the Jack Be Quick spacers installed and it really helped with upper back fatigue and slightly helped with steering response. Moving the bars up / changing the angle in the handlebar clamp helped more with steering response, but it increased upper back fatigue (always a compromise). The Ikon progressive fork springs and Hagon 2810 shocks helped even more with steering response. I'm going to wear down the stock Pirelli tires before replacing (I've spent a lot on this bike lately...). Thanks guys.
 
#30 ·
Handlebar spacers are again available.
Bob

www.ebay.com

Triumph water cooled Bonneville handlebar spacers / risers | eBay
They are powder coated matte black for a good looking & durable finish, and are the maximum height (. 90" / 23 MM +-) that will fit without extending wiring or cables. Longer M10-1.25 X 90 MM bolts are included, and detailed installation instructions are provided.
www.ebay.com
 
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