I bent the handlebar on my 696 a few months ago and decided to try and bend it back over the weekend. It didn't budge and I was about to snap the vise grip off the table. I want to just replace the handlebar and wanted to know if there were any good aftermarket options available, or if I should just get a replacement from Ducati? I wouldn't mind a slightly more touring-oriented handlebar.
I went to the nearest shop that sells motorcyle accessories and found a handlebar with the almost identical bend to the stock bar for $19.65. Same wall thickness and good chrome.
Several different bends were available for around this price. If you go for a more upright riding position, you may be putting a strain on your wiring and hydraulic lines.
you should move this to acc and mods and do a quick search.
there are a lot of options, rizoma, DP, etc. but I like the idea of an off the shelf 3/4" bar.
I may doing this soon as well. but yeah you may need longer brake line and throttle cables
Gotta drill holes for controls if your use a "standard" bar, which is a serious PITA to get right on a cylinder (or get the adapters)... I'd look into Suburban Machinery or get a used bar off EBAY... or use this as opportunity to switch to clip ons...
Quote from: Raux on September 07, 2011, 10:21:13 PMI may doing this soon as well.
Really? You no like your clipons?
Quote from: 2-Skinny on September 08, 2011, 12:11:07 AM
Gotta drill holes for controls if your use a "standard" bar, which is a serious PITA to get right on a cylinder (or get the adapters)... I'd look into Suburban Machinery or get a used bar off EBAY... or use this as opportunity to switch to clip ons...
OP would still have to drill holes (or grind off the control-switch nubs) with clipons. Hole drilling really isnt
that much of a PITA.... measure thrice and drill once. At least ;).
I think I'll just go to the stock replacement bar. Less hassle.
Quote from: ungeheuer on September 08, 2011, 05:28:37 AM
Really? You no like your clipons?
OP would still have to drill holes (or grind off the control-switch nubs) with clipons. Hole drilling really isnt that much of a PITA.... measure thrice and drill once. At least ;).
True.
Put a dab of white-out on the nubs, place all the controls where they belong, remove, drill where you see white dots.
+1. I bent my bars and switched to these. I love them and they look good.
Also, when I bent my bars the first time I used a really long metal pipe and was able to bend it back. After the second time I decided to just put some new bars on.
Quote from: Carbon 14 on September 07, 2011, 11:11:37 PM
Take a look at Suburban Machinery.
How well do the Suburban Machinery handlebars fit into the air intake cutouts on a 696?
Sort of digressing, but how much clearance does everyone have between their throttle and the right air intake vent screen on the stock handlebar?
about an eigth of an inch...
I think they fit fine. I could try and snap a pic if I remember.
Quote from: ManaloEA on September 08, 2011, 02:02:38 PM
How well do the Suburban Machinery handlebars fit into the air intake cutouts on a 696?