Ducati Monster Forum

So this past weekend I decided to do a long distance ride from San Francisco to LA via some mountain roads for a total of 1k back and forth. This is on my 696. The little annoyances you feel on short rides REALLY become apparent after a long ride.

Basically, my clutch wrist is swollen and painful right now, and its been 5 days. I've come to realize that the bars setup perfectly horizontal is really bad for long rides. I went ahead and rotated the bar backwards a little bit, so the grips are slightly angled down and that brought a bit of relief, but not enough.

Add on top of that the stock levers that are about a mile away in reach, hundreds of clutch pulls a day and its a recipe for carpel tunnel. Bought and installed CRG shorties this week. What a relief!!

Anyone know of bars that have the grip part more angle down, maybe like a really subtle clubman bar?

http://www.suburban-machinery.com/hbindex.htm (http://www.suburban-machinery.com/hbindex.htm)

If you've got 1 1/8 dia. clamps or even the 7/8 dia clamps, you can put pretty much any handlebars that are comfortable to you on there.  I've got Pro Taper Hawkins Woods High off road bars on and the bike is very comfortable.  I've also got a set of Pro Taper Carmicheal moto bend, about the same height, but a bit more straight across, I like them to come back a little bit, so the Hawkins bars are staying on.  I've noticed that anything that says it is specifically for Ducatis costs about 3 times as much.  The Suburban Machinery bars, while looking like a nice job of making them, are $175.   I bought my bars on sale at Cycle Gear for $34.95.  Lots of different manufacturers out there, lots of different bends, get what fits you. 

The SM bars are the same price for all bikes not just Ducati and the OP wants more pullback which you won't find with dirt bike bars.

It depends on where you look.   Flattracker bars have a lot of pullback, but are probably a little wide for the street.  There are all sorts of regular bars being made, I'm sure he can find something acceptable.   

Rides like this are why I no longer make fun of Goldwing riders.

As for bars, I've become a big fan of adjustable one, since what works great for a short spirited ride is rarely what's great for 1K trip.

Thanks for the replies guys..

I suppose I should change the title.

So thats cool that I can pretty much use any bar that fits the triple clamp. But Im wondering if there's a bar maker that has a variety of bend angles to choose from, instead of buy, try and return. Anyone know of such company?

For me, distance or posture isn't the problem with the monster, Its mainly the angle I have to contort my wrists to.

Have a look at Renthal Street medium.  Higher and more pullback than stock.  My wrists liked them.

Try and take a look at the rizoma bars, i find them to be very comfortable especially when combined with pazzo levers.
If you look through past posts you'll find that Lazarus has covered this subject  [thumbsup]

 [coffee]

I bought the tommaselli adjustable clip-ons and they have probably been my best purchase yet, as far as comfort is concerned.The can move up/down, back and forward to you preference.
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/TOMM-BAR/Bars-Mirrors/TOMM-BAR.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/TOMM-BAR/Bars-Mirrors/TOMM-BAR.html)

Don

I went and looked at a few Renthals today at a gear shop and while they do look comfy, I dont think Id dig the upright position.. Looking at the Suburban Machinery bars, those look closest to what Im looking for- comfortable angle down, but the same lean forward.. Too pricey though. Actually I just saw this http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/handlebars.cfm (http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/handlebars.cfm) website. This is perfect. A bunch of different sizes and angles. Funny, the "superbike bars look the comfiest, having the most sweep back. Tilted down, they'll have a nice downward angle.  The sport tourers look good too..


Thanks for all your suggestions.

Watch out for interference with the tank at full lock, especially with bars swept back and rotated down. Do report your findings.

On a 696? :-\

Before I found my "City" bars, I bought a couple of pair from JC Whitney.  Like $19.95 or something.  One is called "clubman" which, IIRC, is kind of the bend you're looking for.  The other, "Euro".  more rise, more horizontal.  How far away are you.  You can have one of 'em for shipping if you're close to las Vegas.  Otherwise it might be cheaper to order from JC Whitney.

pm'd

Tommaselli makes (or made) adjustable clubman bars that will give you some options without having to go to full clip ons.


google "tommaselli adjustable clubmans" and you get a ton of results, a quick glance showed a site selling them for 150$.

[thumbsup]

http://guzzino.stores.yahoo.net/tocoadba.html (http://guzzino.stores.yahoo.net/tocoadba.html)

What's the diameter of the stock 696 handlebar again? I got confused somewhere along the line. But these Tommaselli clubmans look fabulous.

should be 7/8, just measure the top to be sure it will fit right. if the middle is to short you will need to look for another option or possibly run it with riser blocks, could look weird.

Thanks. Good point...