Bike: 2011 DL650A
Old setup: stock bars with 1 1/4" risers
New setup: ProTaper Adventure High with 1 1/8" adapter and new longer brake line
After reading lots of specs and reviews I chose the bar type I wanted (ProTaper 1 1/8") and then narrowed that down to three patterns. I wanted wider bars, higher bars, less pull back, and no cross bar. I went to my local shop who stocks these to really see what they feel like. They only had two of the patterns in stock and they let me borrow them to take home and see how they fit on my bike. One of the bars was the new EVO Adventure Low. Pics 1-4 below show some OEM comparison. My wife rides a F700GS and this bar matched her stock bends almost perfectly. I found this handle bar to fit me real well except is was too low. I called the shop and had them order the EVO Adventure High bars for me.
I stripped down the old bars and removed them. Drilled a couple new holes on the bottom of the new bars to receive the left and right control housings then started to put everything back together. ProTaper sells a 7/8" to 1 1/8" bar adapter for these. I did not put my bar end weights back on and don't plan too. I had to release the wiring right and left from the little spiral holders on the tank side of the bars (I don't think this is a big deal). I did position my new grips 1/4" in from the end of the new bars and will cut off the extra.
The one thing that did not reach was the brake line. I ordered a new 22" brake line (OEM plus 4") from SV Racing. Blair is great to buy from and work with. Since it was custom it took about 6 business days to get to me. I installed it and found that 4" was maybe one inch too many. It has a little extra line that isn't necessary, 21" would be perfect.
In the end, these bars are amazing. Even without the weights there is less vibration than stock. For me the pull back is perfect (no more numb hands) and the rise is amazing for when I'm up on the pegs. I am 6'-0" tall. I know that the bars plus adapter plus brake line is a little pricey and more than some want to spend but for me it is totally worth the cost. Plus one for ProTaper and SV Racing
Old setup: stock bars with 1 1/4" risers
New setup: ProTaper Adventure High with 1 1/8" adapter and new longer brake line
After reading lots of specs and reviews I chose the bar type I wanted (ProTaper 1 1/8") and then narrowed that down to three patterns. I wanted wider bars, higher bars, less pull back, and no cross bar. I went to my local shop who stocks these to really see what they feel like. They only had two of the patterns in stock and they let me borrow them to take home and see how they fit on my bike. One of the bars was the new EVO Adventure Low. Pics 1-4 below show some OEM comparison. My wife rides a F700GS and this bar matched her stock bends almost perfectly. I found this handle bar to fit me real well except is was too low. I called the shop and had them order the EVO Adventure High bars for me.
I stripped down the old bars and removed them. Drilled a couple new holes on the bottom of the new bars to receive the left and right control housings then started to put everything back together. ProTaper sells a 7/8" to 1 1/8" bar adapter for these. I did not put my bar end weights back on and don't plan too. I had to release the wiring right and left from the little spiral holders on the tank side of the bars (I don't think this is a big deal). I did position my new grips 1/4" in from the end of the new bars and will cut off the extra.
The one thing that did not reach was the brake line. I ordered a new 22" brake line (OEM plus 4") from SV Racing. Blair is great to buy from and work with. Since it was custom it took about 6 business days to get to me. I installed it and found that 4" was maybe one inch too many. It has a little extra line that isn't necessary, 21" would be perfect.
In the end, these bars are amazing. Even without the weights there is less vibration than stock. For me the pull back is perfect (no more numb hands) and the rise is amazing for when I'm up on the pegs. I am 6'-0" tall. I know that the bars plus adapter plus brake line is a little pricey and more than some want to spend but for me it is totally worth the cost. Plus one for ProTaper and SV Racing