What's the point of bar end weights?

MrAtom · August 6th, 2015, 03:11 AM

Are they just for aesthetics? I misplaced one when working on my bike and the bike got kinda squirrely, so I took the other off to even it out and it's doing fine without them. Am I missing out on something by not having bar end weights? I've read some stuff about people taking them off for weight saving and others keeping them on because they stabilize the steering somehow. What's your guys' thoughts on it?

Racer x · August 6th, 2015, 04:01 AM

The are supposed to make the steering more stable. Imagin this. Take an egg carton with four eggs. Put all the eggs in the center. If you shake the carton back and forth . It is easy to move. If you put two eggs at each end. There is resistance. This resistance helps prevent head shake over bumps and could help prevent a tank slapper.

Motofool · August 6th, 2015, 04:36 AM

You have changed the natural oscillation of the steering system.

That means that any tankslapper will happen at a different speed.

Proteus · August 6th, 2015, 06:34 AM

I've heard of people putting on heavier ones much more than taking them off completely. I imagine that if you're concerned about weight-saving you're doing the type of riding where they're very important.

jkv45 · August 6th, 2015, 06:59 AM

Changes the frequency and dampens vibration.

kdogg2077 · August 6th, 2015, 07:18 AM

They're supposed to cut down on vibrations. Some are designed to act as pseudo slides in a drop.

Ghostt · August 6th, 2015, 07:37 AM

They help with bar buzz, as in dampening the effects, the heavy they are the more they dampen. Harmonic oscillator.

As far as protection goes, they might help, but given the design of the actual bar itself, it's gonna be bent in the event of a tip off, at the very least.

I have extra heavy 23oz stainless steel ones on my Ninjette.

Country Joe · August 6th, 2015, 07:49 PM

Now those are some bar end weights!!!

I don't imagine you have much buzz on your bars now....

Ghostt · August 6th, 2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country Joe

Now those are some bar end weights!!!

I don't imagine you have much buzz on your bars now....

They definitely help, that's for sure, also better grips as well help.

I'm also looking into make copies of the OEM bar insert, but in solid steel, or stainless.

cbinker · August 6th, 2015, 07:57 PM

to stabilize steering.

MrAtom · August 6th, 2015, 08:12 PM

I'll go get a replacement set, then. Hmm. Thanks for the info.

Ghostt · August 6th, 2015, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I'll go get a replacement set, then. Hmm. Thanks for the info.

You might want to upgrade those, if you look at the link I posted, mine were made by a fellow forum member over at EX-500.com username Schoolie. He can make the in different sizes, and materials.

Quote:

I'm currently taking orders for these. Once you confirm your orders, I'll put them in the queue and work on them in the order I receive them. When I've got them made, I'll send a message requesting payment. I'll ship them out when I get the money.

I can make them to whatever length you like. Pricing for standard bar ends to length will be as shown in the following table. For anything other than that (bar end mirror grooves, etc.) we can discuss pricing before I get started.

Material Diameter Length Weight (Including bolt) Price
303 Stainless 1.5" 3" 23 oz $45
303 Stainless 1.5" 2.5" 19 oz $40
303 Stainless 1.5" 2" 15 oz $40
303 Stainless 1.5" 1.5" 11 oz $35
12L14 Mild Steel 1.5" 3" 23 oz $42
12L14 Mild Steel 1.5" 2.5" 19 oz $37
12L14 Mild Steel 1.5" 2" 15 oz $37
12L14 Mild Steel 1.5" 1.5" 11 oz $32

Don't buy the 12L14 unless you plan on painting or coating, they will rust if left bare. This just takes a few bucks off if you don't need stainless's rust resistance.

Shipping will be USPS Priority Flat rate of $5.80 for shipments inside the continental US. Contact me for a quote on international shipping.

I'll do my best to get these done as quickly as I can once you ask for them, but please understand that I'm fitting this in in my spare time. I'm trying to give you guys a good deal, please don't buy from me if that doesn't work for you.

http://www.ex-500.com/index.php/topic,39410.0.html

At the very least they look cool, and kill the buzz.

cbinker · August 6th, 2015, 10:39 PM

@Ghostt how do your hands feel after a long ride? I rode ~300 miles the other day on my S1000RR, and at one of the fuel stops I could tap my palms and feel a springing sensation. my thoughts were that was being caused by the vibrations the bars made during the trip.

psych0hans · August 7th, 2015, 12:33 AM

Another way is to inject silicone Caulk into the bars to reduce the vibrations. It should weigh a lot less than the bar ends and give similar/better results. I'm planning on doing this.

Ghostt · August 7th, 2015, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbinker

@Ghostt how do your hands feel after a long ride? I rode ~300 miles the other day on my S1000RR, and at one of the fuel stops I could tap my palms and feel a springing sensation. my thoughts were that was being caused by the vibrations the bars made during the trip.

I can ride all day with no issues, my longest was my trip to the North Carolina coast 13 hrs straight.

August 6th, 2015, 03:11 AM	#1
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	What's the point of bar end weights? Are they just for aesthetics? I misplaced one when working on my bike and the bike got kinda squirrely, so I took the other off to even it out and it's doing fine without them. Am I missing out on something by not having bar end weights? I've read some stuff about people taking them off for weight saving and others keeping them on because they stabilize the steering somehow. What's your guys' thoughts on it?

August 6th, 2015, 04:01 AM	#2
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	The are supposed to make the steering more stable. Imagin this. Take an egg carton with four eggs. Put all the eggs in the center. If you shake the carton back and forth . It is easy to move. If you put two eggs at each end. There is resistance. This resistance helps prevent head shake over bumps and could help prevent a tank slapper. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 6th, 2015, 04:36 AM	#3
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	You have changed the natural oscillation of the steering system. That means that any tankslapper will happen at a different speed. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

August 6th, 2015, 06:34 AM	#4
Proteus Daily Ninjette Rider Name: Steve Location: Hollywood, FL Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402	I've heard of people putting on heavier ones much more than taking them off completely. I imagine that if you're concerned about weight-saving you're doing the type of riding where they're very important. __________________________________________________ Check out my music at http://www.proteusmusic.com

August 6th, 2015, 06:59 AM	#5
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Changes the frequency and dampens vibration.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 6th, 2015, 07:18 AM	#6
kdogg2077 ninjette.org sage Name: Alex Location: Ebensburg, PA Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Yamaha FZ07, Ninja 250r 2012 Limited Edition (Sold) Posts: 529	They're supposed to cut down on vibrations. Some are designed to act as pseudo slides in a drop. __________________________________________________ "Take it easy driving. The life you might save might be mine."

August 6th, 2015, 07:37 AM	#7
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	They help with bar buzz, as in dampening the effects, the heavy they are the more they dampen. Harmonic oscillator. As far as protection goes, they might help, but given the design of the actual bar itself, it's gonna be bent in the event of a tip off, at the very least. I have extra heavy 23oz stainless steel ones on my Ninjette. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

August 6th, 2015, 07:49 PM	#8
Country Joe Grouchy Old Squid Name: Joe Location: Clinton, Ar. Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 1993 Yamaha FJ 1200 ABS, 1990 Yamaha FJ 1200, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT-S Posts: 37	Now those are some bar end weights!!! I don't imagine you have much buzz on your bars now....

August 6th, 2015, 07:57 PM	#10
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	to stabilize steering. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

August 6th, 2015, 08:12 PM	#11
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	I'll go get a replacement set, then. Hmm. Thanks for the info.

August 6th, 2015, 10:39 PM	#13
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	@Ghostt how do your hands feel after a long ride? I rode ~300 miles the other day on my S1000RR, and at one of the fuel stops I could tap my palms and feel a springing sensation. my thoughts were that was being caused by the vibrations the bars made during the trip. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

August 7th, 2015, 12:33 AM	#14
psych0hans ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Hansveer Location: Bombay, India Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.	Another way is to inject silicone Caulk into the bars to reduce the vibrations. It should weigh a lot less than the bar ends and give similar/better results. I'm planning on doing this. __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this.

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