What's the purpose behind getting triple clamps

[bullet boy]

- Seems a bit too expensive of a mod just for the bling factor

perhaps you don't understand the concept of 'bling'?

[IdZer0]

And what I meant was being able to bring the grips in closer to the tank, though, there's the potential for them to be too close to the tank as well.

That's a thing that has got me puzzled for a long time. I mean the monster's turning radius is already so large because of how early the handlebars hit the the tank. (the 695 is even worse at this than an S*R I think)

Two problems I see are these:
1. using clipons means you lower the grips to a point where the tank is wider then where the stock handlebar was. This results in a smaller angle you can turn your clipons compared to handlebars.
2. bringing the clipons even closer to you means you additionally decrease the space between the grips and the tank, resulting in even less movement ability for steering.

Is this correct or am I missing something?

[bullet boy]

you are correct, tho it has never been an issue for me except when maneuvering the bike around in my garage.

[Norm]

Don't forget the option with custom triples to change the offset and thereby the trail of the bike. Some aftermarket makers even include shims so you can try 2 or 3 different angles.

[Monstermonkey]

I went with clip ons below the triple for a few months but it was too uncomfortable riding around town.  Now I have Suburban Machinery bars, which give a clip on like angle but is nearly the same height as the stock bars.

[mmakay]

(the 695 is even worse at this than an S*R I think)

Nah.  With the exception of the bikes with fatties (S4R only?), they all use the same handlebar AFAIK, and the tanks are the same, etc.

[jesse370]

Don't forget the option with custom triples to change the offset and thereby the trail of the bike. Some aftermarket makers even include shims so you can try 2 or 3 different angles.

THE only reason I would ever consider this mod.

[Dannog]

Which parts didn't make sense?  I'll try to explain.

I'm not sure what you're contemplating do.  The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to change your riding position.  That's a question of personal taste.  Try riding some other bike and see if you like the bars angled inward toward the tank or lower.  Maybe begin by rotating your bars so that they are lower and closer to the tank.

You then need to decide if you want a more aggressive riding position or something like the stock position but just tweaked a bit.  For a more aggressive riding position, you might only need clip-on handlebars.  For something like the stock riding position, it might be that you just need to change out the bar for a different brand of bar.  But if you decide that you want to keep the stock height and have a lot of adjustability, you might need to look into either aftermarket risers and an aftermarket bar or a triple/clip-on/riser combination.

But like I said initially, the first question is what riding position you're looking for.  That will determine what you need to purchase. 

P.S.  Here's a post I wrote last week about clip-ons.  It might provide some more information.  I'm trying to put it together into a FAQ.  I'll see if I can add some information about triple clamps.

Nice write up Spidey,

you might like to add that another reason for changing to clipons is when you do a SBK fork upgrade as I've done. With SBK forks extending above the triple too far to allow standard bars to be fitted and many of the custom triples don't have this option anyway.

I've swapped a few emails with the guys at Woodcraft who make this clipon. They currently have 50mm options however they have a prototype in the works for a 53mm option which will be available soon.

The woodcraft clipons are black and adjustable and there also in 3 pieces meaning you can mount them without having to take off the triple.

[DarkStaR]

That's a thing that has got me puzzled for a long time. I mean the monster's turning radius is already so large because of how early the handlebars hit the the tank. (the 695 is even worse at this than an S*R I think)

Two problems I see are these:
1. using clipons means you lower the grips to a point where the tank is wider then where the stock handlebar was. This results in a smaller angle you can turn your clipons compared to handlebars.
2. bringing the clipons even closer to you means you additionally decrease the space between the grips and the tank, resulting in even less movement ability for steering.

Is this correct or am I missing something?

Keep in mind, clip ons usually move the bars, and controls forward = away from the tank.

[rockaduc]

Nice write up Spidey,

you might like to add that another reason for changing to clipons is when you do a SBK fork upgrade as I've done. With SBK forks extending above the triple too far to allow standard bars to be fitted and many of the custom triples don't have this option anyway.

I've swapped a few emails with the guys at Woodcraft who make this clipon. They currently have 50mm options however they have a prototype in the works for a 53mm option which will be available soon.

The woodcraft clipons are black and adjustable and there also in 3 pieces meaning you can mount them without having to take off the triple.

I was considering the LSL's w/ rise.  However, after seeing the Woodcraft pieces, I think I will wait for the 53mm clipons to become available.  Any time frame??

[squidwood]

Ducati does include a triple clamp.  It's called a triple clamp because it has three holes and it clamps.



People upgrade for a different reasons.  For many, it's cosmetic.  The stock triple clamp isn't all blingy and many don't like the shape.  So they upgrade. 

Others will tell you they do it for weight and for strength.  I don't get that explanation.  A billet aluminum triple clamp (which is much stronger than a stock triple) might make a difference on an SBK at the edges of performance, but not on a monster as a street ride. 

Others get an aftermarket triple clamp as part of a set of above-the-triple clip-ons.  It's hard to find clip-ons that will fit above the triple clamp and onto the fork legs.  Most clip-ons go on the fork legs below the triple clamp.   So, if you want above-the-triple clip-ons, you get a special triple clamp with an attachment that allows you use clip-ons above the triple.  Below is a Rizoma triple/riser/clip-on set-up.  Below that is a bike with a CycleCat triple, risers and clip-ons.  Both are above-the-triple systems.





Does that answer your question?

The purpose of fitting triple clamps  is to strengthen up the front end and to reduce fork flex under heavy braking.If you run your bike hard and slam on the anchors your front end will go all over the place like a wet noodle.I have the speedymoto triples fitted on my bike and the bottom triple is massive in comparison to the stock part.I have also upgraded my braking system so having a set of brakes that will toss you over the bars in a splitsecond I am happy to have a front end that does not flex.I have also upgraded the forks with the DP adjustable forks which had new springs, shimstacks and valves fitted and set up for my weight. I can run clip ons above the triple if I want to with those forks as they are 1.5 inches longer than stock.
The main purpose of after market triple clamps is not bling ,but to reduce fork flex and smooth out your ride if you push your bike hard in corners .
BTW it does make one hell of a difference to have better triples fitted to a monster.

[Spidey]

The main purpose of after market triple clamps is not bling ,but to reduce fork flex and smooth out your ride if you push your bike hard in corners .
BTW it does make one hell of a difference to have better triples fitted to a monster.

Sure, it can make a slight difference for some.  But few people are riding their monsters on the street hard enough for it to matter, and if they are, they're likely riding too hard for the street.  It's basically bling for most people.  If you're one of that small minority for whom it radically changes the feel of your bike, good on ya.    I don't buy it, but I'm not the one who judges the "feel" of your bike or whether it is money well spent.  But the fact is that the main purpose for the vast majority of folks is (a) bling or (b) above-the-triple clip-ons. 

BTW, if you "slam on your anchors", your front end is going to feel like dogshit regardless of what set-up you're running. 

[Dannog]

I was considering the LSL's w/ rise.  However, after seeing the Woodcraft pieces, I think I will wait for the 53mm clipons to become available.  Any time frame??

According to they guy I was speaking with it will likely be in Jan 09. Not too long to wait at all!

[rockaduc]

According to they guy I was speaking with it will likely be in Jan 09. Not too long to wait at all!

Right around the corner!
Thanks for the info.

[corey]

suburban machinery bars are the dog's bollocks.
http://www.suburban-machinery.com/duchypmoto.html

got 'em on my S2R. nice sporty lean, plenty of weight over the front end now. they rock.