Flanders Road Glide Handlebars
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Manufacture: Flanders
Model No: 650-08761 G2: Road Glide® Style Type Bar
Price: About $130.00
URL: Web Site
Submitted By: Gary Mace
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Description: For riders with a shorter arm length, the stock RSV handlebars require the rider to ride in an outreached position which can cause aching in the upper back and shoulder. Many owners have opted for risers by GenMar. Having sat on a bike with these risers, I did not feel they gave me the reach I was looking for. With the help of John Flanders of Flanders Bars, we indentified these bars as meeting the fit requirements of the RSV yet offer a good pullback.
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Just as most using risers have found, it is advisable to replace the stock throttle cables with 2" longer one to prevent the risk of binding. All other cables and wiring harnesses are of sufficient length. I did have to snip a harness guide inside of the faring to obtain sufficient slack for the cruise control wiring harness. A small hole will need drilled for the snub on the throttle housing that prevents it from sliding.
The picture above shows the stock bars and the Road Glide bars to demonstrate the difference. Here are the actual specs on each bar as per the Flanders website:
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RSV Bars |
Road Glide Bars |
| Height |
6" |
6" |
| Width |
31" |
31.5" |
| Pullback |
14" |
16" |
| Center |
7.5" |
6" |
Parts Required
Flanders 650-08761 G2: Road Glide® Style Type Bar.
New throttle cables 2" longer than stock.
Replacement grips. In the example above, I used Kuryakyn ISO grips, part number 6235Y. Stock grips with end weights not usable. *
* If one had a way to weld the threaded plugs from the old bars into the new bars, reusing the stock grips with weight might be possible. I felt it wasn't worth the effort. I have noticed no increase in vibration without the weights.
Work Required
To do this change, you will need to feel comfortable with the following procedures:
Removing fuel tank to get to throttle junction box.
Removing faring front to get to cable ties.
Removing and reinstalling all handle bar control housings.
Installing new grips.
Benefits
As of this writing, two members have done this change. The noted improvements are more pullback than provided by risers. Better grip angle (subjective). Increased leverage on bars which tends to make bike feel more nimble in cornering. Reduced shoulder fatigue.
Notes: A few members have reported the need to also replace the clutch fluid line on the left side as well. Myself and several others were able to use the same line.
Update: After a large interest in these bars by Venture owners, Flanders has now introduced a G2 bar with the same dimensions but with knurls spaced properly for the Venture. The model number is 650-08763 |
Last update: 07:08 AM Tuesday, March 1, 2005
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