dookie wrote:Hey Tempest why did you remove the renthalls ? didnt you like the riding position?
Im gonna put some bars on mine and im interested why.
Dont suppose you wanna sell your bars and risers?
Hi Dookie.
Ok, in answer to your question
I've got a Yamaha TDM850 Twin, which is REALLY comfy to ride (I did not realise HOW comfy till I rode the Firestorm for a week then got back onto my TDM. It was like sitting back on a comfy sofa)
Note. I'm not "Having a go" at the Storm with that comment. i'm just stating a fact that I don't suppose anyone would dispute.
The Storm is a racing (style) bike and the TDM is more a sports tourer (that's my own description).
I'm keeping my TDM as it's in Superb condition, I have a top box on the rear, and also have some throw over soft panniers, so if I want to go for a nice relaxing ride and carry some stuff with me (a Picnic perhaps?) The TDM is THE bike to use.
Not quite a quick off the mark and lacking the raw PULL of the Storm, but still nippy enough to loose your licence in seconds, and has the low end pull we all love from our Twins
Anyhow.........................
I bought the Storm as a kinda spur of the moment thing. The bike was local, the price was right and I was impressed by the performance.
The thing was, the Renthals (whilst a superb idea) were a bit in-between for me.
They were not high enough to be anywhere near as comfortable as the TDM, and they were not low enough to keep your weight on the front end during hard acceleration.
Yes, without question, if you want to keep a Storm as your only bike, and you want MORE comfort than you currently have, then yes, they are a lot better on your arms than the standard clip-ons.
I can say this, as I've ridden with Renthals for about 2 weeks (only short journeys) and now the Clip-ons are back on, WOW, I can see why people feel it makes their arms ache.
Though, to be fair, that's not a comment that can be levied at the bike cos it's a Storm. I've sat on MANY sports bikes in P&H Motorcycles Crawley and the storm is no worse than any other sports bikes out there.
In actual fact, some bike I've sat on have been FAR worse than the storm. So much so that I've almost felt like I'm falling off the front of the bike in the showroom when I've sat on them.
Also, I accept part of this is my lack of being used to bars like this.
I've gone 23 years without bikes, then a TDM for 8 months, and now a Storm with clipons.
I'm thinking in time my arms will get used to it. It's all a bit new this seating position on the bike.
Now, a personal viewpoint. I think the storm looks a hell of a lot better with the original bars on it.
I know looks are a personal thing, and hey, who cares what they look like if your back and arms are not killing you. but a sports bike with wide Renthals on just did not look right.
Now I've changed them, a few people here (who know nothing about bikes I may say) have said how much better the bike looks now.
Ok, It's not as comfortable, but the originals (or similar clip-ons) just look right.
But, that's just some people's views. To each his or her own. If you liked to look of "Ape Hangers" on a storm, hey, go for it
Finally, there was a clearance problem when you tried going near to full lock. Even though the Renthals had been fitted well, and the fairing modified, It was a bit dodgy coming home and turning into my drive, as my hands (on the grips would hit the mirrors ifI turned in too quick.
If I'd not had my TDM, I'd probably have kept the Renthals on.
However, I have my TDM for my comfy riding, so my Storm is for my short nutter runs. (not really the best way to describe it, but it kinda felt right!)
So, I wanted to get the Storm back to how it's supposed to look and be.
Just a few cosmetic tweaks now and I'll be there.
Oh yes, I did mention it a while back, but I did find, under hard acceleration (if you felt like it) you really had to hold on with Renthals as you no longer had the weight on the front end so much.
Also today, I removed the stock 41 tooth rear sprocket and replaced it with a 43 tooth one. which will give even more of a kick to the pickup. So it all kinda tied in together.
As for what I'm doing with my Renthals.
To be honest, it did cross my mind about selling them on, and recouping the cost of putting the bike back to standard, however, I'm honestly thinking for the amount I'm going to get. It's probably worth hanging onto them for the future.
When I come to pass the Storm onto some other lucky owner, it may be quite a plus point to have the Renthals with the bike as an extra, then I can explain the bike is standard, but I'm also suppliying the higher bars in case the future owner feels they'd like a slighty easier on the wrists and back position.
If they were worth a LOT then I'd sell em on, but for the money they seem to go for (as I said) It's probably better longer term to keep them with the bike as the bike has already had the mods (fairing trimmed, top yolk drilled and longer front brake hose) ready to take them again in the future if needed.
Phew...
How's that for an answer
)
