Need to raise clip-on handlebars on 2003 XB9R ~ Arms too short! Help!

[Dave~D]

I just purchased a very nice '03 Firebolt XB9R. The riding position with the stock clipons, however, is so radical for me (I have shorter arms) that I can hardly see ahead underneath the brim of my helmet! Not too safe, and all my weight is on my wrists. Is there an aftermarket "dogleg" clipon replacement that moves the bars up and back a bit? Or a top triple tree yoke with a traditional bar mount that will still clear everything? Will my cables still be long enough? Any other solutions out there? As it is, the bike is almost unrideable for me.

Thanks!
Dave~D

 

[Cooter]

Hey Dave, welcome to the forum. You have options but most of them will cause fairing clearance issues.

Look at where the grips are when the steering is at full lock. Not much room to go up Try a Lightning XBS!

1) You can get ebay clip-ons that clamp to the fork tubes and have risers, but you'll need to cut off the mounts on your upper triple for clearance
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODCRAFT-...h=item3f8ad5f069:g:wngAAOSw3fZZ-ymY:rk:3:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC-Replac...32785056560?hash=item1eea9b2b30:rk:4:pf:0&var
2) You can get the upper triple from a lightning and get whatever bars you want (check tube diameter, IIRC your '03 is special). You'll have to do something with your key as well.
Listed wrong, but what you need. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-XB9S...h=item1a695ef52f:g:TcEAAOSw9~RcDW9n:rk:1:pf:0
3) Replacement clip-on tubes with a "Z" (Ebay) but IMO I don't trust them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Hay...riorityFlatRateEnvelope!90245!US!-1:rk:6:pf:0


The links are just examples of what I'm talking about, but really you should go get a Lightning and make sure to test ride it first!:applause:

 

[Outlaw]

He already purchased the Firebolt. I rec a Hellfire 1%er exhaust system. After purchase of the exhaust system stay tuned for upcoming upgrades for your Buell from Fabio, chief designer of the Hellfire Corp. Their products will take your mind off those uncomfortable bars.

 

[user_deleted]

dave: you can find tons of links and info on modding firebolt clip-ons with risers....welded-on gizmos....lightning top triple clamps with ignition switch mods.....the list is long. most fail to mention you'll need to replace all 3 cables with lightning cables, the mods are time consuming and labor intensive, very frustrating for a novice who inevitably irreparably F's something up.
here is the ONE tried and trued solution. not cheap. quality never is.

https://spieglerusa.com/controls/handlebar-conversion.html

 

[Cooter]

Plus one for The Lunatic! This question has been asked a bunch and I never knew those existed from Spiegler:up:

OP: Even though that seems expensive up front, I bet doing anything else would add up to about the same money and still end up not working or looking as good. If the kit includes everything and clears the fairing, you just found your answer.

 

[Dave~D]

Hey Dave, welcome to the forum. You have options but most of them will cause fairing clearance issues.

Look at where the grips are when the steering is at full lock. Not much room to go up Try a Lightning XBS!

1) You can get ebay clip-ons that clamp to the fork tubes and have risers, but you'll need to cut off the mounts on your upper triple for clearance
https://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODCRAFT-...h=item3f8ad5f069:g:wngAAOSw3fZZ-ymY:rk:3:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC-Replac...32785056560?hash=item1eea9b2b30:rk:4:pf:0&var
2) You can get the upper triple from a lightning and get whatever bars you want (check tube diameter, IIRC your '03 is special). You'll have to do something with your key as well.
Listed wrong, but what you need. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-XB9S...h=item1a695ef52f:g:TcEAAOSw9~RcDW9n:rk:1:pf:0
3) Replacement clip-on tubes with a "Z" (Ebay) but IMO I don't trust them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Hay...riorityFlatRateEnvelope!90245!US!-1:rk:6:pf:0


The links are just examples of what I'm talking about, but really you should go get a Lightning and make sure to test ride it first!:applause:

Thanks everyone for all the input and advice! Seems it might be easier to just have my arms extended!

It appears that the simplest way is to use those "Z-bars" you listed (although those are for a Suzuki Hyubasa—will they fit the Firebolt clipon receivers?) I've got a good inch leeway upward to the fairing edge and even more rearward, which might be just enough to relieve my arms and wrists of my weight being on them. Would I still need new cables from a Lightning? Can't imagine a one-inch difference up and back would be limited by the standard cables. At least I'd retain the ignition switch as stock and the clean look of the XB9R clipon mounts integrated into the top yoke.

The only advantage to the Spiegler kit over buying a used Lightning top yoke is that it retains the stock ignition switch location. You still have to install a longer brake line (but apparently not the clutch and throttle cables). Anyone out there done this conversion with this kit or any other methods?

 

[34nineteen]

Like Cooter said, you could have issues with the handlebar hitting the fairing.

A Z-bar or heli-bar may be a better solution so you can move the bar position around as needed for fitment.