What makes a handlebar on a motorcycle feel heavy, and what makes other handlebars on motorcycles feel light. For example, I test drove two bikes over the weekend. Both were in the sport bike category.One was the Kawasake FZ6R. The steering was light and easy. Then I test drove a similar, but different, bike, the FZ6. The handlebar felt heavy. As yet another example , I took a Suzuki Marauder for a drive.The steering felt so heavy it felt like it was going to pull me down onto the pavement if I didn‘t manhandle it and kept it straight. So why the differences in steering? Is it the handlebar design? Especially curious about the two similar bikes FZ6R and FZ6. I hate the heavy steering feeling.
Actually, it has less to do with the actual weight of the bars, as it does with the weight of the bike, and the steering head's rake and trail. The difference you probably are feeling, is mostly the handling of the bikes and the wheelbase differences. Positioning of the bars will make it feel different, but the center of gravity, and the actual wheelbases, tire sizes, and weight of the bikes is where you are going to feel the differences, along with switching riding positions. The FZ6 also has bars with a riser mount, this makes the rider sit a little higher, and the bike a little more top-heavy. The FZ6R has triple clamp allen bolt mounts, that sit just a little lower, and you have to lean forward a bit more, so the steering would be a little more responsive with the weight thanfer to the front of the bike.
Mark's Answers are very good, and the only thing I would add is to remember there is a big spinning gyroscope there on the other end of the forks. So the weight and speed of the tire and wheel also affects the amount of force it takes to steer. In my opinion, though, the fork geometry is the biggest factor.
Actually, it has less to do with the actual weight of the bars, as it does with the weight of the bike, and the steering head's rake and trail. The difference you probably are feeling, is mostly the handling of the bikes and the wheelbase differences. Positioning of the bars will make it feel different, but the center of gravity, and the actual wheelbases, tire sizes, and weight of the bikes is where you are going to feel the differences, along with switching riding positions. The FZ6 also has bars with a riser mount, this makes the rider sit a little higher, and the bike a little more top-heavy. The FZ6R has triple clamp allen bolt mounts, that sit just a little lower, and you have to lean forward a bit more, so the steering would be a little more responsive with the weight thanfer to the front of the bike.
Mark's Answers are very good, and the only thing I would add is to remember there is a big spinning gyroscope there on the other end of the forks. So the weight and speed of the tire and wheel also affects the amount of force it takes to steer. In my opinion, though, the fork geometry is the biggest factor.
