Pros and Cons of Clip-ons

[Fez]

Disclaimer: I'm an utter noob.

Due to my recent encounter with the furred kind, I need to get a new handlebar (considering mine is a tad bent now). I've been toying with the idea of switching over to a set of clip-ons but I'm not 100% sure.

Basically as far as I can gather they give you a more agressive, lower position and if damaged you only need to replace one as opposed to getting an entire new handlebar. What I'm mostly interested in is the sacrifice to ride comfort, I understand there will be some but how much? How is your general balance affected (ie are you more/less balanced on the bike)? Finally, for those of you who made the switch, what was your experience going from handlebars to clip ons like?

[stopintime]

1. More weight forward
Good for our bikes, since they tend to lack a bit of front grip.

2. Different position
Depends on your skills. If you already control the bike with your core, by thigh hugging the tank and by foot pressure on the pegs - it will be better (more control). If not - you will rest on your arms, and that will make steering much harder - like you're fighting against turn ins.

3. Different body ergonomics
You need to keep your body up by using core/leg muscles - to avoid leaning on your hands. More so with clip ons than with stock bars. Some people find that difficult/hard - at least at boring highway riding.

4. Different hand/wrist ergonomics
Usually, hands will grip the bars with a more natural straight wrist. This is good - it allows you to ride with loose elbows.

5. Overall considerations
The position clip ons require is good for spirited riding through turns. An upright position with stock bars and elbows slightly raised is better for city/hooligan riding. It takes a bit of learning to make the best of it.

I changed mine only because I needed the improved hand/wrist angle, but I'm very happy about the other effects because they opened up a new chapter of learning and has made me a much better rider.

[Veloce-Fino]

1. More weight forward
Good for our bikes, since they tend to lack a bit of front grip.

2. Different position
Depends on your skills. If you already control the bike with your core, by thigh hugging the tank and by foot pressure on the pegs - it will be better (more control). If not - you will rest on your arms, and that will make steering much harder - like you're fighting against turn ins.

3. Different body ergonomics
You need to keep your body up by using core/leg muscles - to avoid leaning on your hands. More so with clip ons than with stock bars. Some people find that difficult/hard - at least at boring highway riding.

4. Different hand/wrist ergonomics
Usually, hands will grip the bars with a more natural straight wrist. This is good - it allows you to ride with loose elbows.

5. Overall considerations
The position clip ons require is good for spirited riding through turns. An upright position with stock bars and elbows slightly raised is better for city/hooligan riding. It takes a bit of learning to make the best of it.

I changed mine only because I needed the improved hand/wrist angle, but I'm very happy about the other effects because they opened up a new chapter of learning and has made me a much better rider.

+1

This is a more philosophical way of putting it but I feel more "connected" to the bike while riding. More feedback while riding and more control when turning.

It took some getting used to and initially I was riding like I did with the stock bars. This led to sore wrists and numb hands. However once I learned to support myself with my legs and core, the riding became much more comfortable.

To date, this was the #1 best thing I have done to my monster.

Not to mention it looks good.. 

[Raux]

I think you have to look at how you are going to use your bike before deciding.

as a commuter/tourer... no
as a commuter/sport... yes

it's tiring to ride with clipons. you use more muscles.

i definitely could not do a 2-up ride to Italy like I do with bars not that I have clipons.

That being said, I love the change. The clipons with the short cam throttle have made a WORLD of difference for my wrist. I am more connected to the bike. I feel myself getting stronger. and the more I ride, I  think i'm getting a sixpack back.

so first decide what kinda riding you are going to do then look at the change

[stopintime]

...............
.................

I feel myself getting stronger. and the more I ride, I  think i'm getting a sixpack back.
...........

hmm, that's not quite working for me  

[Veloce-Fino]

hmm, that's not quite working for me  

Bwaha, it doesn't work so well when you have to pick up your gut and place it on the tank in order to ride.

[Monster Dave]

Bwaha, it doesn't work so well when you have to pick up your gut and place it on the tank in order to ride.

Oh SNAP! 

[Raux]

I'll give him an out.. I don't think he has the zero rise clipons mounted below the triple.. so not nearly the workout I have

[Veloce-Fino]

I'll give him an out.. I don't think he has the zero rise clipons mounted below the triple.. so not nearly the workout I have

I never asked you, how much did you lost in steering radius as a result of the zero-rise?

[Fez]

Wow, awesome replies! +1

The first one especially was exactly what I was looking for.

As is, I basically control the bike only with my core and legs to the point where I'm starting to think I should be doing more with my hands. So no worries there.

I don't really tour long distance on the bike, definately not between cities. I usually rack up a couple of hundred kilometres on my dedicated riding days though. Not sure if that counts as touring or not.

Since my favourite thing on the bike is going through the twisties at a "spirited" pace, I think I'm gonna do it and go for clip ons.

Thanks for the quick replies.

[Airborne]

I just threw on some Apex fully adjustable clip ons. At first feel I thought it was ridiculous and hated it. After 4 or 5 rides I was convinced and I will never go back to the original Maguras.

And they look cool too.

[suzyj]

I've got zero rise clipons, mounted above the triple.  I lost a little steering lock to do it, but the position is much better.  My bars are now about 2" lower than stock, 2" further forward, and 2" further inboard.  I'm fairly tall (178cm - 5'10), and the clipons let me stretch out more over the bike.  My only positional issues now are the seat-rearset distance.  My legs are a bit folded up.  I'm on the lookout for a seat from a larger monster (s2r or whatever) as they're a little higher than my stock 695 one.

[Raux]

I never asked you, how much did you lost in steering radius as a result of the zero-rise?

maybe it's the woodcraft or maybe i don't have they pulled back as far as others, but pretty sure my radius would be the same if not for my new light mounts. once i have a different front end clip on I think it will go back to the stock radius.

[Veloce-Fino]

maybe it's the woodcraft or maybe i don't have they pulled back as far as others, but pretty sure my radius would be the same if not for my new light mounts. once i have a different front end clip on I think it will go back to the stock radius.

Interesting, From what I can deduce looking at your photos, it appears that the controls at full lock sit below the widest section of the tank. This would allow for greater sweep angle while maintaining the turning radius.

With my risers, the controls at full lock are in the bottom 1/3 of the cut outs on the tank so my sweep is more restricted. Maybe ill try the clipons below the triple with the risers removed.. That would be super aggressive though.

/thread jack.

[Raux]

actually i think they are in line with the upper frame rail not the tank.