Pro Taper handlebars revisited...

[AZ_Scott]

So I always wondered why people were having trouble getting Pro Taper Henry/Reed bars to fit on their HM's, when they worked perfectly fine on mine...

Well, I figured it out!

Apparently, somewhere along the line, Pro Taper changed the design of the bar! While the key specs are presumably the same - width, rise, and pullback - what they changed was the length of the taper from the fat part of the bar to the skinny part.

On a newer bar I was looking at, the taper is stretched out longer than on my bar, which makes the length of the straight part shorter. My bar has 8-1/2" of straight bar before it bends, while the new one has only about 7-3/4" of straight.

No wonder they don't work!

For reference, I checked a Carmichael bar, and while it's a little bit lower than the Henry/Reed, it appears to have enough of the straight bar to fit all the controls.

I don't know which of the other Pro Taper bars will work, and which ones won't, and there's really no way to tell without physically measuring a bar in person. They don't list the pertinent spec in the charts.

There's another good reason to shop locally, instead of online!

So anyway, mystery solved...

[disgo duc]

i always thought the same scott they fit well on my hyper as well..now i have renthall fat bars cr high and they are pretty close to the same feel try to make my hyper somewhat close to my mx bikes.

[Brainfry]

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

So I always wondered why people were having trouble getting Pro Taper Henry/Reed bars to fit on their HM's, when they worked perfectly fine on mine...

Well, I figured it out!

Apparently, somewhere along the line, Pro Taper changed the design of the bar! While the key specs are presumably the same - width, rise, and pullback - what they changed was the length of the taper from the fat part of the bar to the skinny part.

On a newer bar I was looking at, the taper is stretched out longer than on my bar, which makes the length of the straight part shorter. My bar has 8-1/2" of straight bar before it bends, while the new one has only about 7-3/4" of straight.

No wonder they don't work!

For reference, I checked a Carmichael bar, and while it's a little bit lower than the Henry/Reed, it appears to have enough of the straight bar to fit all the controls.

I don't know which of the other Pro Taper bars will work, and which ones won't, and there's really no way to tell without physically measuring a bar in person. They don't list the pertinent spec in the charts.

There's another good reason to shop locally, instead of online!

So anyway, mystery solved...

So you're saying the Pro taper Carmichael will work? Cool... I want a bar a bit lower too... though do you remember if it it puts my arms/hands more forward as well... I hate the cramped feel I get... especially on the track when I'm trying to get my torse low and inside...

Thanks AZ,

B

[08hyper]

I just mounted the Zeta aluminum "low"motard bars, the bars feel good & everything fits, really nice bars IMHO Aloha Alex

[Brainfry]

Originally Posted by 08hyper

I just mounted the Zeta aluminum "low"motard bars, the bars feel good & everything fits, really nice bars IMHO Aloha Alex

Would you mind posting some pics?

Thanks,

B

PS: How long are the bars? 31"?

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by Brainfry

Would you mind posting some pics?

Thanks,

B

PS: How long are the bars? 31"?

I'll try, but I'm not good with the picture stuff, (old school)

The stock bars are 31" wide, the Zeta "low"Motard bend bars are 31- 1/2" wide, but feel wider than the 1/2" would suggest. The grips on the stock bars are "in" 3/4" per side from the end of the bar, because of the factory hand guards.
The Zeta low bars are "flatter" than stock and have a more Motocross feel to them. Hope this helps Alex

[Brainfry]

Originally Posted by 08hyper

I'll try, but I'm not good with the picture stuff, (old school)

The stock bars are 31" wide, the Zeta "low"Motard bend bars are 31- 1/2" wide, but feel wider than the 1/2" would suggest. The grips on the stock bars are "in" 3/4" per side from the end of the bar, because of the factory hand guards.
The Zeta low bars are "flatter" than stock and have a more Motocross feel to them. Hope this helps Alex

Will you send me the exact model number/sku? Did you drill anything or just tighten the crap out of everything? Are they straighter than stock? Also, how much lower? I'm trying to lengthen the distance to the bars... long arms! I know I'm asking a ton of questions, but I've been looking for something like this for awhile, and getting close!

b

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by cassos

The Ducati Hypermotard Owners Club is glad to offer this Zeta package deal at $165 (or $240 with carbon fiber upgrade) thanks to Forrest at Wheeling Cycle Supply. This package has been carefully customized to perfectly fit the Hypermotard. Remember the stock bar is crap with many holes, and these handguards can clear the longer clutch levers, while shorties are perfect on front brakes.

You just have to contact Forrest at Wheeling Cycle Supply

The Hypermotard package includes

Zeta SX Handlebar "Motard Medium" bend in black
http://www.zeta-racing.com/controls/sx3_bar/index.html


Zeta Armor Handguard, "bent" type, in "black" hard anodized color
http://www.zeta-racing.com/controls/armor/index.html

customized with the long bar clamps


Zeta XC Protectors with turn signals in black
http://www.zeta-racing.com/controls/armor/index.html

in orange and smoke


Here is a slide show of the final product, enjoy.

Originally Posted by Brainfry

Will you send me the exact model number/sku? Did you drill anything or just tighten the crap out of everything? Are they straighter than stock? Also, how much lower? I'm trying to lengthen the distance to the bars... long arms! I know I'm asking a ton of questions, but I've been looking for something like this for awhile, and getting close!

b

I used the Motard "low" from the Zeta websight.
I ground off with a dremel tool all the locating "tits" from the controls, so I did not have to drill the bars.
The bars are 1/2" lower & wider when measured at the ends of the bars, the raise is about the same, but the Zeta's are flatter.
You will be slightly forward, lower, & wider, creating a little more room.
Aloha Alex

[scooter]

So you're saying the Pro taper Carmichael will work? Cool... I want a bar a bit lower too... though do you remember if it it puts my arms/hands more forward as well... I hate the cramped feel I get... especially on the track when I'm trying to get my torse low and inside...

The Carmichaels worked for me and they do have the added benefit of putting me into a bit more of a forward crouch. With the DP windscreen and these bars, noise and buffeting are reduced noticeably. And, for me, it's also more comfortable. If Pro-Taper has changed their bars recently it's probably worth measuring the new ones though. The ones on my bike were purchased in early 2008. There's enough space for everything, but just barely.

[Brainfry]

Thanks all... now it's time to make the big decision!

B