Bar end Weights... not the pretty caps...

[Radar]

Howdy folks,

I found nothing in the archives about the benefit of bar end weights.

I know it's an old idea that substantial weight at the ends of the bars reduces vibration, but I don't know if the theory has held up over the years.

In fact, an internet search yields a wide assortment of the decorative bar ends carved from billet aluminum. (they don't weight much)

They look very nice, but does looking good sacrifice a more "harmonically stable" handlebar?

As far as I know, Monsters have factory installed weights, and I'm wondering if I'm qualified to challenge their wisdom.

Actually, I was thinking I might weigh the factory bar ends and duplicate the weight with a bit of lead inside each bar end...  Of course I'd leave enough open at the ends to allow for those shiny "designer" end caps.

What's your thinking and/or experience?

Monday, Monday-

Eric M.   aka   Radar    My bike is faster than I am.

[Meerkat]

The laws of physics can NOT be broken (mostly): the heavier the weight, the lower the vibrational frequency!

Now whether or not this makes a difference, who knows!?

My own anecdotal evidence suggests that the only difference is in the mirror. Bar end weights reduce the vibrational frequency and my elbows are more clear in the stock mirrors. Damn, those are good looking elbows!

[Howie]

My bike came with plastic bar ends   No vibration problems.  Will heavier bar ends solve a vibration issue?  It is a crap shoot.  

[stopintime]

These are quite heavy...

http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=304

I changed the heavy '07 stock weights for pretty Rizoma (low weight) ends. Can't feel any difference and haven't noticed mirror issues, but that doesn't mean anything - I might just have missed any difference.
Not to mention, you're bike and it's vibration might be totally different.

If you actually have a problem or "need" to freshen up things - try something different - if not, just leave it.

[Radar]

Well, I'm not just trying to change things for the sake of changing things...

The bike I have has been down on the right side, and the weight on that side was lost during the incident, so I need a new set regardless. I was trying to decide whether to buy weights or nice looking caps.

I haven't had any issues with vibration in mirrors, but I do get that tingling sensation in my hands if I'm not wearing good gloves.

This afternoon I ordered a set of Rizoma end caps, the small ones. I have a set of CRG lane splitters, and I thought the caps would finish off the bars nicely.

So, I guess it's a moot point now...

Thanks for the input.

Eric M.

[BMacG/billymcgrath11@gmai]

I pumped silicon into the bars of a vibey kwacker vulcan 500,found it helped alot and still does 10yrs later.