Clip-ons v. Standard/original bars

[the_Journeyman]

Not another how to or what's out there, plenty of that available.  More like an open talk so we can talk the pros & cons of the change from one to the other.

Currently, I ride a Monster 750 with TBR clip-ons.  There were on the bike when I picked it up.  The original owner had thrown it down, bending the orignal bars.  I've never ridden a Monster with standard bars.  After talking to a past Monster rider, I got to thinking it might be fun with the starndard bars.  I can't decide if it is worth the work & purchasing a handlebar & clamps (the original clamps & bolts are long gone) and converting it back to original bars.  My fiancée and I are discussing her riding as well which is part of why this came up.  Options amongst our riding group felt the 750 could be an ok road bike for her.  We're looking at the possibility of my buying a newer bike & giving her the M750 or picking up a GS500, Ninja 500 or possibly a Monster 600 (if I can find one) for her 1st bike and me keep my 750 ~

From what I understand:

Reasons to have original bars:  More relaxed riding position, more clearance over tankbag, more comfortable 2-up, more leverage on bars resulting in less effort to counter-steer and such, more new rider friendly (should my fiancée desire to ride the 750)

Reasons for clip-ons:  More aggresive riding position, more weight forward (I read somewhere Monsters needed more forward weight bias), body lower and out of the wind.

Ok.  Now, what else is there concerning why one is better than the other?  Please give me info/why to back up a reason.  "It looks trick" is not a valid reason.  I do 200-300 mile rides on a regular basis, so function is far more important that anything when it comes to the bars.

Things to know about my riding:  I commute, ride the twisties, ride 2-up and pretty much do everything but off-road.  I've never had any track time either.  I have no problem controlling the bike with clip-ons.  Just examining some options ~

JM

[mmakay]

Now, what else is there concerning why one is better than the other?  Please give me info/why to back up a reason.  "It looks trick" is not a valid reason.

One is not better than the other, they are just different.  And "looking trick" is most definitely a valid reason!   

[Drunken Monkey]

I just installed a set of variobars on my bike, and they're pretty awesome.

Adjustable through a wide range, so I can go from sit up to lay down with just a few minutes of tinkering.

Downside: European, so they cost a few $$$.

Or should I say € € € 

[ducatiz]

I was not impressed with the stock riding position on my S2R, so I swapped to clipons from Motowheels.  The difference is like night and day for me.

For me, it is an ergo issue, I am tall and need the extra reach.  I like the riding position much better anyhow.  My back hurts less when I ride, go down the list.

[zarn02]

i swapped bars for clip-on's on my 900, and i found it much more comfortable. yes, more wrist-strain when riding two-up, but being able to lay down on the tank on the highway without my elbows turning into little orbs of pain made everything worth it.

i enjoyed the forward weighting on the bike, more aggressive position, and longer reach (for reference, i'm 6'2".)

[akmnstr]

Opinions are like assh*les, everyone has got one, so here is mine.  Being an old fart with a bad back I hated the riding position when I got my bike
back in 2000.  I went with taller dirtbike bars for several years with a Corbin seat.  When I upgraded to superbike forks I considered going back to the original bars to get rid of the dorky look of the dirt bars.  The originals and dirt bars would not allow access to the adjustments on the superbike forks. 
I considered a switch to clip-ons but when I determined the cost (already had $1k into the fork conversion) I simply purchased taller risers and went with the original bars.  I'm happy with the setup.  I love to tour and can do 300 mile days with tolerable pain and a bottle of ibuprofen.   

[Jnaids07]

An unintended consequence of me changing to clip ons is that my posture when not on the bike has improved dramatically.  Stomach and back muscles have definitely strengthened since the conversion.

Unfortunately I now have a SBK without the performance/wind benefits.  Whoops!  

[timmer357]

Opinions are like assh*les, everyone has got one

After reading this, maybe it is possible that a human could suffer from being born without an a**hole.  Who knows, it could happen.

http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/267/atresia-ani-no-anus-or-no-rectum

[spinned]

Clip-ons are not the same either.  Most have some adjustment forward and back.  Cycle Cats had one that you could also change the angle of the bar itself.  And... most importantly you need to figure out the "rise" height for your own comfort and sight clearance.  As an example, the Vortex is very cool but it will sit below the triple with no rise.  This is very aggressive but you will have to put the bike in neutral and stand up when you stop at a light just so you can see the light... yes, because you are leaned over that far.  Others will have a riser built in to bring the height up to various dimensions.

[the_Journeyman]

As an example, the Vortex is very cool but it will sit below the triple with no rise.  This is very aggressive but you will have to put the bike in neutral and stand up when you stop at a light just so you can see the light... yes, because you are leaned over that far. 

This is how my TBR clip-ons are, but the angle is adjustable.  They are nice, but I just wonder how the original bars might be ~

JM

[teddy037.2]

This is how my TBR clip-ons are, but the angle is adjustable.  They are nice, but I just wonder how the original bars might be ~

JM

the OE bars do a good job of keeping you upright, and it seems you hit alot of the major points in the OP

just going from stock to suburban machinery bars I noticed a loss of leverage, as subtle as it was.

I am also short, so I don't like overly aggressive clip-ons, as they tend to put pressure on my hands/wrists. but even for that, I mostly blame video games 

[big ed]

My $.02...

I went with clipons for comfort.  Got the motowheels clipons with risers and they allowed me to both stretch out (I'm 6 ft) and change the angle of the grips to relieve wrist pain caused by the stock bar.  Oddly enough the stock bar was swept back too much for my wrists. 

I commute about 60 miles round trip and the clipons are very comfortable around town.  With the risers I'm still upright enough that I can use the wind on the highway to help support me if I'm being lazy. Then again when I'm not being lazy it's sooo much more comfortable to hug the tank.

A friend of mine who's about 5'8" hates them though-too far of a reach for him.

Oh, and they look better....IMHO.

[akmnstr]

After reading this, maybe it is possible that a human could suffer from being born without an a**hole.  Who knows, it could happen.

http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/267/atresia-ani-no-anus-or-no-rectum

The condition is self limiting in that death invariably ensues. It is not worth attempting surgical repair because the artificial opening closes again.

Well, it could happen but the prognosis of such a condition is not promising.  We should all be thankful for the little things that we have. 

[Ohmic]

I like both type of setup. That is why i keep one Monster stock and the other with Clip-ons. To tell the truth I enjoy both equally. Depending on my mood i'll pick one Monster over the other to ride for that day. Sometimes I really want that aggressive cafe  racer feel to the Monster. And sometimes i like the less aggressive standard position to ride around town.  Just my $0.02.

BTW: If you're going with clip-ons I highly suggest getting some new rear sets go along with it. The stock ons are too forward. They need to be set back some.

[Sause]

I had the originals bars and went to clip ons for style. I ended up with the Tommaselli Adjustable Clip-Ons from monster parts. About $200 after you get the adapters for the brake and clutch master cylinders. These are fully adjustable and take a while to get right but man they are so right!!!

My first time out the angle was too steep but my confidence on the bike increased 10 fold. After adjusting them a little more for comfort they are awesome as in 400+ miles in a day is cake. Yes you loose some leverage but I really feel like I'm working with the bike now not just pulling it around the road.

Wind protection is still crap as I run no fairing but, I am leaned into the wind instead of sitting up and looking at it head on so my neck does not get sore anymore after 90+ miles.

I'm 5-8 165 and 22 years old so some would say I can put up with the crouched over stuff better.

hope this helps