A few changes made, STM Slipper clutch, Cordona QS, Brembo Clutch M/C and reservoir, Brembo underslung caliper, Braketech floating rear disk, Sato racing lever guards, Rizoma rear reservoir, Driven grips and some Helibars.
very very nice!! are the mirrors any use - IE can you see anything in them? you'll need to order yourself a couple of P-clips and drill a small hole for them for under your swing arm.. will look neater than cable ties. Looking fantastic.. Set of stomp grips required on that tank though..
Thanks Gilesy. The mirrors are a bit tricky but then being an ex Ducati rider I am used to that. May change them but it is not a major issue. Yep the cable ties will have to go, also I need a new number plate with a black underside. May try my Corsa screen back on it to get the wind blast off my helmet.
Thanks KevB, the rear disc should be black, but when I ordered it I did not know you had to run worn pads to keep it black. The garage only had the new ones I supplied so the black came off. I still like the look tghough and the rear brake is pretty good now. Been out again today and getting used to the Helibars, really like them, it makes it feel a bit like a hybrid sports/naked on speed, totally mental.
those Heli bars are not cheap! i really fancy a pair but not sure they would make much difference.. i feel an Exfire write up coming on
Gilesy this is what my first thoughts are (copied from 'what did you do to your bike today) Helibars - Well, I was stressing over these but I am exceptionally pleased with them. I rode for 80 minutes today and no wrist ache, usually they hurt after a very short time. Higher riding position is comfortable and the wider bars seem to make counter steering so easy. Only two small scruples, my aftermarket mirrors are quite short and I am now feeling like I used to on my Ducatis, ie mirrors are difficult to use, so may change them. The second one is the wind blast, my double bubble may have to be changed as the wind blast is right into my face. Might fit my higher Corsa screen to push it over the top or go back to stock which might bring it down to my chest. Still easy to tuck in although tucking elbows in requires a bit more effort, but still easy.
Never had wrist ache on my bike, wonder why some do? To much weight on the wrists I guess?, stomp grips give better "locked in" feel and less weight on your wrist as grip bike with legs more
Speaking for myself, it's a body shape thing. I'm short, but with long legs. I have to sit balls to tank and reach forward quite a way to ride the Blade. So much so that the shoulder cups on my leathers are almost touching the bottom of my helmet. Because of this reach, I can't help but dump a lot of my weight onto the bars. I've tried to sit more upright to ease it but my back can only support it for so long. It would be the main reason for ending my relationship with sport bikes.
In my case Simon I have quite bad arthritis and my wrists are particularly bad. I think the angle of the bars is also relevant in my case, the flatter bar of the helibars seem to place a more even weight distribution on my wrist joints. Gripping with legs is very valid but in my case I could dent the tank and still have aching wrists.
I really thought I would have to give up the Blade and get a naked as I was in so much pain. The Helibars have enabled me to be able to ride the Blade and not be in pain so it is a good result. I can still tuck in when I want but I am loving the higher riding position and the extra width of the bars makes counter steering ridiculously easy.
Do Italians have their shoulders on their elbows...? All I could ever see in the mirrors of my Duc' were my shoulder cups. In the end I bought some mirror riser blocks from Brancato, but I still had to lean to see behind me.
They probably do Ken, I just gave up trying to use them on the Duc's as constantly trying to do the birdy song at speed became dangerous.
