26-JUN-2011
convertibars front view
We can clearly see that the convertibars are higher, comparing to the same picture taken with the Helibars.
23-JUN-2011
Convertibars versus Helibars
The left side is Convertibars. The right side is Helibars. Note that I raised the Helibars about 1/2 inch above the fork top for more height.
02-JUL-2011
Longer bar end bolts
I had ThrottleMeister installed on the Helibars. The bar end bolts go into a female thread inside the bars. The bolts were too short at 60mm (as the female thread inside the Convertibars is much deeper than Helibars)so I had to get another 2 M6 - 1.0 thread x 80mm flat head stainless steel cap screws for them to reach the thread. 80mm is the longest bolt available and they fit just fine.
80mm is the longest bolt available in the world with M6-1.0 thread. The 80mm bolt just barely reached the female thread inside the Convertibars to reinstall my ThrottleMeister bar ends. Just barely. May be the ThrottleMeister heavy bar ends are longer than stock, as I don't have the stock bar ends anymore to compare with.
27-JUN-2011
Side by side comparison at a glance
Click on the picture to see a larger version. I put together this picture to show the difference between the Helibar (pictures on the left column) and Convertibars (pictures on the right column).
Test drive with Convertibars
After 2 days of commuting to work for a total of 100 miles, I have the following observations on these Convertibars comparing to the Helibars:
1) The weight was off my arms by at least 70-80%
2) The steering is so much lighter (due to less weight applied to the handlebars from my upper body) and I felt I could steer faster and easier
3) Counter-steering is easier because of more leverage due to higher bars
4) My neck is more comfortable as I didn't have to bend up my head to look straight
5) More wind blast
6) Turning my head when lane change is easier as my body is straighter
More notes after a 500-mile ride...
I just got back from a 2-day 500-mile ride to Salton Sea with the Convertibars.
- In twisties, I felt so much more confident as the lighter steering was so much easier to control and the bars gave me much better leverage while making turns.
- I did not feel any soreness on my back. Nor on my arms.
March 1, 2012 - After 5000 miles...
I put in 5000 miles since I installed the Convertibars. These 5000 miles include a few multi-day long trips averaging 400-500 miles/day. I absolutely love these bars. I no longer had a sore and stiff back at the end of the day's ride. I wish I did this years ago instead of enduring 12 years of Helibars. Helibars simply cannot compare to the flexibility and the adjustability of the Convertibars.
No, I don't work for Convertibars, I did not get the bars for free and I did not get paid to write this review either. I'm just a motorcyclist like everybody else... and I'm putting up this site just for fun, among other things...
