Pilot Controls

[2XLR8U]

Clip-ons or new bars?  I have an '07 Monster S2R800 with stock controls; I really like the cafe' racer look of Clip-ons but I'm not sure about the comfort.  I ride a lot of city miles and a lot of country roads.  Not much on the freeway if I can help it.  Any suggestions?
~Billy

[Bug]

         The Suburban Machinery Bars are a nice compromise. They have a similar bend but different look than the stock bars on my 05 m1000. They sit about 1 to 1.25 inches lower. 

[twolanefun]

Clip-ons or new bars?  I have an '07 Monster S2R800 with stock controls; I really like the cafe' racer look of Clip-ons but I'm not sure about the comfort.  I ride a lot of city miles and a lot of country roads.  Not much on the freeway if I can help it.  Any suggestions?
~Billy

A lot depends on you sleeve length if you have a 34/35 or higher sleeve length you will probably be fine with clip-ons. If you have a shorter sleeve length such as the average american male of 32/33 the flat magura bars found on both of the S2R models require some help IMHO. I know of two solutions. Gen Mar risers are a cheap solution <$100 and enables the use of the stock wiring and hydralic lines. I have 2" risers on both my M900 and S2R1000, handling is fine, both bikes get me through the twistys plenty quick as well as on the track and both bikes have been ridden on long trips 3-4 day trips. The other alternative I know of is to add some MV Augusta Brutale bars or a similar shape from Renthal, Tim has done this but I understand he had to change some lines and I would defer to him on exactly what he had to do. Hope this helps - Gene

[Cabbie]

Yep, just like Gene said, a lot depends on your arm length... I myself wear a 34 sleeve and am 6'2" so my clipons are fine for me, still not a long distance thing on a regular basis, but Im ok with them.  As Gene also said, he flat out flies with his bikes... For me it came down to a control feeling issue.. I took it on the track with the stock bars and just couldnt deal with the stock position.. I couldnt fold myself up enough and every movement went right to the front wheel.  Went to the clipons and lost a lot of leverage, so it takes a more dedicated movement to get the bike to turn.. I have the front dropped and the rear raised (will go up a bit more here soon) so the steering itself is quicker, but with the clipons, its still not twitchy.  It really is a matter of personal prefernece.. If you are doing it solely for looks, I wouldnt do it.. go with the suburban machinery bars or do clipons above the triples... mine are below and thus are REALLY low..

[zooom]

Cabbie also needs a windscreen...but that is another story!

[Cabbie]

Cabbie also needs a windscreen...but that is another story!

Now why would you say that Zooom?  My insane helmet buffeting while creeping down the front straight?   It sure would be nice though...

[potomacduc]

From my perspective, there are two ways to ride a Monster.  Upright, high in the saddle quasi-dirt track style or tucked into a sportbike like crouch.  If you find yourself trying to tuck in more to get comfortable when riding aggressively, clip-ons might be a good choice, although you may lose some comfort as others have said.  If you are more of a dirtbiker at heart, you might be disappointed. 

Also, remember that rearsets are a big part of the equation as well.  Your upper and lower body are connected after all.   

I learned to ride on an old Honda dual-purpose bike and also had a mid-70s Honda 500.  When I got my Monster, the position felt pretty natural but I did have to adapt a little bit to the slightly more forward lean.  I then switched from a Monster to a Multistrada and had to make an effort to go back to the more upright position.  After a bar swap on the Multi, I think I've gotten it right.

In the end, it comes down to how you are comfortable riding.  By comfortable I mean feeling confident and in control more than being able to do 1,000 mile days.  Some people can adapt to any riding position while others have a narrower range of what makes them comfortable; which are you?

If the cafe racer look is what your after, one easy way to get part of it is with bar end mirrors.  They really clean up the front and give it that "look".

[Ducatista]

I used to think I'd want lower on my Monster.  After all, it's great on the SV, right?  Well, then you look at the purpose.  The SV is for track use only, and never sees the street.  The Monster is the opposite.  I thought that maybe I'd just want it for the looks then and I'd just deal with the reduced comfort.  Then I got to ride my buddy's DRZ.  NEVER WILL I EVER PUT CLIPONS ON THE MONSTER.  Upright riding is so much more comfortable and useful on the street.  Sure, I like to carve up the twisties as much as anyone else, but I'll never get to the point on the street where I'll actually need the geometry change that the clipons provide. 

It still is a matter of preference, but those are my thoughts.

[2XLR8U]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.  I'm going to consider the different options.  I love to tuck and run but don't like having my hands so high and so far apart while I  [moto].  At the same time, I like being able to sit up at red lights and relax through town. 

Someone needs to invent a bar that functions similar to electronic controlled suspension on cars....Sport or Touring modes.  Sounds dangerous

L8er and thanks for the advice!!!!