DRZ400SM Stock Handlebar Angle - BARF

B-mtrd · 01-17-2019, 05:11 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has some guidance on what could be the best angle to setup the handlebar of the DRZ for a tall person. I have already changed the seat to an SDG tall seat but the handlebar feels strange.
It is currently set for the mid range (3 I believe) which seems to be the same angle the forks are (parallel to the forks).
I'm not planning on changing the current fatbar it comes with unless there is no other option.
Thanks in advance.

motomania2007 · 01-17-2019, 07:06 AM

Handlebars and the angle thereof is individual. Get on the bike, put the handlebars in the location and angle that is comfortable for you. There are risers to change the height and a myriad of optional handlebar bends to choose from. Keep in mind width is selectable by trimming the ends off...

m0t0_ryder · 01-17-2019, 07:31 AM

As George said...

Also... keep in mind that if you do go taller (risers or bars) you will reach a point that your current cables(s) will not reach.
Taller and wider exacerbates this.

Once mounted make sure you have cable play from steering lock to lock.

B-mtrd · 01-17-2019, 08:59 AM

Thanks folks

ST Guy · 01-17-2019, 11:07 AM

Don’t forget to change lever position if needed after adjusting the bar.

Cornfish · 01-21-2019, 07:26 AM

Loosen the clamps a bit while seated on the bike. When you rotate the bars forward and back you will see your elbows either come out and away from your body or in towards your body because bars have sweep and rise. I've helped countless people do this on mountain bikes, same bar shape on your DRZ. It is very personal, but there is a lot of theory that shows having a natural bend in your elbows causes less fatigue. Also, having your shoulder to elbow to wrist relationship somewhat neutral will prevent you from making unnecessary inputs into the motorcycle. As said above, once you get to a position you like, adjust the levers accordingly. Obviously this doesn't apply to sport bikes, but works well on dirt bikes, or any bike with a dirt style bar mounted on clamps above the triple tree.

01-17-2019, 07:06 AM	#2
motomania2007 MSF/MTC CMSP Instructor Join Date: May 2008 Location: Merced, CA Motorcycles: BMW R1200R, FZ09, FZR400, CR250R Name: George	Handlebars and the angle thereof is individual. Get on the bike, put the handlebars in the location and angle that is comfortable for you. There are risers to change the height and a myriad of optional handlebar bends to choose from. Keep in mind width is selectable by trimming the ends off... __________________ <stands, raises hand> Hello, my name is George and I am a motorcycle addict! Please come to one of my MSF, Total Control or CMSP classes and allow me to share my addiction with you. Total Control MTC, IRC and ARC instructor http://www.valleymotorcycletraining.com/signup.html The best performance upgrade is upgrading the operating system of the operator. It is cheap, easy, fast, safe and works on every bike you will ever ride. I am also a Patent Attorney so if I can help you with any IP matters, please just ask.

01-17-2019, 07:31 AM	#3
m0t0_ryder RYD! Contributor + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cupertino Motorcycles: Big to small. I like 'em all. 950ADVS-450EXC-R100GS-TW200-YW50P-XR600-Z1-ST90-model165Hummer Name: John	As George said... Also... keep in mind that if you do go taller (risers or bars) you will reach a point that your current cables(s) will not reach. Taller and wider exacerbates this. Once mounted make sure you have cable play from steering lock to lock. __________________ A gooD VoyagE Needs The Unexpected RoutE! It didn’t look that far on the map. Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do!

01-17-2019, 11:07 AM	#5
ST Guy Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Bay Motorcycles: Honda ST1100 ABS (tweaked here and there) Name:	Don’t forget to change lever position if needed after adjusting the bar. __________________ It's not the answer that enlightens, but the question. - Eugene Ionesco Let us not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless when facing them. - Rabindranath Tagore A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it. - Rabindranath Tagore

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01-21-2019, 07:26 AM	#6
Cornfish Veteran AMA #3288739 3% Contributor Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Central Oregon Motorcycles: 2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S, 2016 KTM 250 XC-F Name:	Loosen the clamps a bit while seated on the bike. When you rotate the bars forward and back you will see your elbows either come out and away from your body or in towards your body because bars have sweep and rise. I've helped countless people do this on mountain bikes, same bar shape on your DRZ. It is very personal, but there is a lot of theory that shows having a natural bend in your elbows causes less fatigue. Also, having your shoulder to elbow to wrist relationship somewhat neutral will prevent you from making unnecessary inputs into the motorcycle. As said above, once you get to a position you like, adjust the levers accordingly. Obviously this doesn't apply to sport bikes, but works well on dirt bikes, or any bike with a dirt style bar mounted on clamps above the triple tree.