Replacing bars on a GN?

**ZK-Awesome** · 11th December 2008, 16:59

Hey,
Today I test-rode an '87 GN250 as a possible upgrade to my A100. I really liked how it performed (especially the gearbox, much more precise than mine). I would buy it, but I didn't like the riding position particularly, it was too upright and closed-in, compared to my A100, or the CBX250rs that I also had a ride of recently.

So would it be a goer to replace the bars if I bought it, to make it less upright? Perhaps some flatter ones like These clip-on ones or flatter ones like these.

Is it a hard job to change handlebars, and does this affect the control cables much (The new bars would mean the cables may become too long?

**The Baron** · 11th December 2008, 17:28

Hi. If you want to change bars do so. Its not to much of a problem but ride the bike for a little time before changing as all bikes feel different to ride. I recently got a bike with low bars and was going to change them but now love them low. If your cables are a little long thats not to much problem and you can always get shorter cables (at a price).

**The Pastor** · 11th December 2008, 20:45

afaik changin the bars makes the handling way better. talk to squiggles hes a gn expert

**Squiggles** · 11th December 2008, 21:18

Yer, flatter bars are almost a neccessity on the gn's... the stocks come way too far back. Very easy to change them for other bars (shouldnt need new cables or anything else), dont go with clipons. Left grip might be tough to get off, heat helps.

**xwhatsit** · 11th December 2008, 22:07

BANZAI has my old CB250RS bars on his GN250, seems to work quite well, apart from having to grind off the little locating stubs on the inside of the control blocks to get them to seat OK. Alternatively you could drill some holes in the bars.

Clip-ons might be a little too low, won't work well with the pegs and probably hit the tank.

I'm not sure of the measurements of the stock CB250RS bars, but they're flatter than those Bandit bars. Probably pretty similar to a CBX250RS, I would imagine.

Nice bikes the GN250s, very relaxed and well-mannered. I'd be slightly bored coming from an A100 though -- even if the GN is faster and nicer, A100s are just so much fun

**BANZAI** · 12th December 2008, 07:46

Go for the Clipons!!!! Jokes

GN fork is sould be smaller than 41mm so I guess it wouldn't fit anyway...

If you really want clipons you gotta put it above your triple clamp, it will give you "better handling"(Aka nervous handling)

I would love to see clipons on GN myself but I think squiggles gonna give me Red rep if I talk about it more

Shorter handle bars, up right bars are great. Handling just improves so much, easier to flick around, easier to countersteer, easier to hang on, easier to lane split too

Btw do you want my fairing? It's perfectly fit for GN

EDIT:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/-CLIP...41310007r25110

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=6&gl=nz (servers down or something so google cache, pity it won't show any pics)

**ZK-Awesome** · 12th December 2008, 12:58

That GN Cafe racer is awesome! And yes if I got the GN I would be very keen on a fairing Banzai

It shouldn't be too hard to get some nice flat bars for it from a wreckers surely. I did find the handling a bit clumsy with the current bars.

However I get the feeling that I might get bored with it in 6 months time. Perhaps I should save my money and get an old ninja or something with a bit more go.

**BANZAI** · 12th December 2008, 17:11

Originally Posted by ZK-Awesome

That GN Cafe racer is awesome! And yes if I got the GN I would be very keen on a fairing Banzai

It shouldn't be too hard to get some nice flat bars for it from a wreckers surely. I did find the handling a bit clumsy with the current bars.

However I get the feeling that I might get bored with it in 6 months time. Perhaps I should save my money and get an old ninja or something with a bit more go.

You wont get bored depends how you ride it. I take it to openroads every so often and I try to keep up with my mates on bigger bike and thats good fun

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th December 2008, 09:54

The bars you need are the 75mm rise Ventura . They are stamped as VH2. --They are perfect for the GN

**joshy28** · 20th December 2008, 09:37

im wanting to change my handlebars as well on my GN250. Im a big boy and just feels a little awkard...any good places to shop, tradme, wreckers???? and whats the best style/handlebars?