Rearset question

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mike996

mike996

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Oct 29, 2006
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A nice ride yesterday convinced me (again) that I want rearsets. I had planned to buy a set some time ago but I never did it. But yesterday's ride got me thinking about rear sets/lower bars again. BUT, I'm most comfortable on the bike with my feet on the pass pegs. As far as I can tell, the commonly available rear sets - like those from Clubmans - still have the footpegs well forward of that position, with the pegs even with the Z-plates. Am I seeing that correctly with those rear sets?

I have euro bars but they are too high for what I'd like. Basically, my most comfortable position is with my feet on the pass pegs and my hands down about even with the bar clamps. So some sort of basically straight bars would seem to be about right.

I was looking for some bars but Old Britts only shows US/Euro available.

So I'm looking for bar/rearset suggestions. I have heard that a "straight Vincent bar" may be what I want. I'd like to be able to get the bar and rearset from the same place if possible. Any thoughts/suggestions?
 
I have euro bars but they are too high for what I'd like. Basically, my most comfortable position is with my feet on the pass pegs and my hands down about even with the bar clamps. So some sort of basically straight bars would seem to be about right.

Mike, what it sounds like you want is a standard "Drag" bar that is available at any of the major parts suppliers for the mass market. They're inexpensive and made by most of the big name manufacturers.

As to the rear-sets, why not copy the Dunstall set and make your own? I'm happy to provide the info from mine. I believe you have seen the pics on my post about my winter project. The pegs may not be far enough back for you based on your pic but unless you find full-on racing rear-sets, I doubt the street variety will be rearward enough without some modification anyway.

Cheers, Frank
 
Before you go all out, start with the rear sets and see how it goes. I went with drag bar when I got my rear sets and quickly went back the regular bars. I am not sure of the type (US/Euro) but they are slightly narrower and slightly lower being 5" up, 5" Sweptback, and 29 across. I am 5'11'' 225 pound and have a 850 roadster sets. For me this setup is perfect.

Again, the rear sets alone will make a huge difference.
 
I don't recall what Mike looks like now but in his avatar he appears to be one lanky fellow. Still the passenger pegs might be too far back for everyday riding. You have to be careful of where you weight rests. Feet too far back and your wrists will hurt (and back).
 
My Seeley has the footrests as a n extension of the swing arm spindle and clip-ons which are at the top of the fork stanchions. It is difficult to get your feet up onto the footrests as you start off. Once you are moving it is the perfect position for very high speed, however it would be hopeless on a road bike. I suggest a better option would be a set of ace clubman's bars set high, with the footrests a couple of inches back from standard, still at the same level. Even then you need to get your backside back a bit to be comfortable, and might have too much weight on your wrists for normal riding. Personally I have a strong dislike for higher and wider handle bars . If you get into trouble it is too easy to over-correct. If you proceed to fit low bars, you need to see where your elbows are in relation to your knees when you crouch to get out of the breeze. On my Seeley, I have a couple of inches clearance. It is essential that your hand position on the bars is not ahead of the steering head, and that your hands do not foul the tank at full lock.
 
I use a set of BMW R90S bars and bought a pair of Norman Hyde rear sets many years ago. That setup has worked for me for a long time.

I have a MKIII so the electric starter is handy as the kick starter sets low under the RH rear set and doesn't give much throw for starting.

Flat bars don't work for me as I still use the MKIII master cylinder.

Good luck in your search.
 
Mike996,
I rode for countless years on a Commando with rearsets from Clubman Racing, and they are fantastic. I'd consider the position to be just right. I also had clip ons mounted, but I'm sure that a set of Atlas bars or similar would be great as well. Most folks call them drag bars. You may need to cut a bit off each end so they don't look stupid, but they should suit your needs.
With the Clubman Racing rearsets, I could fold down the passenger pegs and my heels would be on those, and the balls of my foot on the rider pegs. Just to give you a sense of their position. Riding with a passenger is cramped, but you know what they say; you buy a bike to get away from it all, not to take it with you.
 
Thanks guys, good info.

I think I'll start out with a set of the clubman rear sets, see how they work with the existing euro bars and then if I want some more "lean" I'll try the drag bars.
 
Mike,
madass also makes a set of rearsets that look good.
YING
 
Rearset question


http://choppahead.com/store/detail/78-drag-bars-black/
 
When playing with lower bars I found the biggest problem is the master cylinder (hose area) hitting the fork tube top nuts. Norton bars are wider than most to prevent this.

Aren't you kind of resting on your balls with the legs that far back? Owwww.

:)

Russ
 
Had fit rearsets and those dragbars back as a teenager and yes noticed the family jewels were suffering. Sold rearsets to Jim Hunter's son Doug a very big boy and fit some European bars as yes wrists were also starting to hurt after an hour or more of riding about. Whenever someone is thinking about buying a particular bike and drags me along for opinion I get them to sit on it and imagine how they would feel about that stance for more than an hour of it.
 
Racers have run rearsets and clip ons for a long time now, and I guarantee all those guys have big balls!
 
I am most comfortable on the Norton for long rides with my feet on the pass pegs and leaning forward a bit. But that requires bending my arms which is NOT workable for long periods. I totally agree that everyone has to figure out what is most comfortable for them but I know what works for me and what's comfortable for one person may not be for another. My wife loves her 2012 BMW F650GS, finding it very comfortable for however long she is in the saddle. For me, I can stand her BMW for about 30 minutes and I can't wait to get off the dang thing. I find it to be a VERY uncomfortable seating position.

Of recent bikes I have owned (last 15years) I found my 1992 Ducati 900SS to be fine for long distance. It's subsequent replacements in my garage - 916 and 996 - were a bit too extreme and the seats were much harder so they were not particularly comfortable to me. In all three cases, the clipons meant there was not enough steering lock for comfortable low speed maneuvering.

The Commando is fine for what I'd call "Harley-ing," putt-putting along in town or up to maybe 50mph or so. Beyond that it's more of a "hanging on for dear life to avoid being blown off the bike" sort of exercise. :)

So for me I'm thinking rear sets/drag bar - or clipons that WON"T foul the tank, if such a thing exists.
 
Understand the wind cupping effect at sustained speeds. When hitting the highway sometimes sliding the derrier backwards helps to straighten out the arms and lying a tad down of course.
 
mike996 said:
I am most comfortable on the Norton for long rides with my feet on the pass pegs and leaning forward a bit. But that requires bending my arms which is NOT workable for long periods. I totally agree that everyone has to figure out what is most comfortable for them but I know what works for me and what's comfortable for one person may not be for another. My wife loves her 2012 BMW F650GS, finding it very comfortable for however long she is in the saddle. For me, I can stand her BMW for about 30 minutes and I can't wait to get off the dang thing. I find it to be a VERY uncomfortable seating position.

Of recent bikes I have owned (last 15years) I found my 1992 Ducati 900SS to be fine for long distance. It's subsequent replacements in my garage - 916 and 996 - were a bit too extreme and the seats were much harder so they were not particularly comfortable to me. In all three cases, the clipons meant there was not enough steering lock for comfortable low speed maneuvering.

The Commando is fine for what I'd call "Harley-ing," putt-putting along in town or up to maybe 50mph or so. Beyond that it's more of a "hanging on for dear life to avoid being blown off the bike" sort of exercise. :)

So for me I'm thinking rear sets/drag bar - or clipons that WON"T foul the tank, if such a thing exists.
Click to expand...



You might be interested in products from this place. www.discovolantemoto.co.uk
I've used the high clip ons on a couple of bikes, mostly for master cyl clearance, they work very well with rearsets.

sam
 
Racers don't use clip-ons because they have big balls, quite the opposite. If you get an oscillation with big bars, you tend to over-correct and make it worse then crash. Also low bars help you get down out of the breeze, so the bike goes faster. If your hands are close to the tank, comfortable not too low and not in front of the steering head, you have much more control especially if you have a functioning steering damper. These days if I ride a road bike, I usually feel all high and wobbly even if I haven't been drinking.
I get the impression that a lot of you guys have never ridden a racing bike - it is part of your education if you love bikes. Gives you a different perspective. Road bikes are good, usually nice and fairly safe unless you really fang them, then you find their limitations. If you cannot think beyond that point, you have an obstacle to deal with. One of the worst experience I ever had was when I was a kid. I was riding a very hotted up 650cc pre-unit Triumph which dropped the rear chain as I accelerated coming around a corner. The ape hanger bars went berserk, and it threw me down the road splitting my helmet at the back. If I'd had clip-ons I would have stayed on it.
 
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