Altrider stainless steel crash bars

[troll]

I want to start by saying that I like these bars. Like the design and the materials used to make them. I am a bit critical of the fit and finish. I had to do some hand finishing to get them to go together properly and I had to use a bit of effort to get them in place. I do not want to be too critical yet as I have not communicated with Altrider or the Canadian retailer that I bought them from yet. And I told them that I would comment on fit and finish. I worked for years as a welder/fabricator and heavy equipment mechanic so feel fairly well set to evaluate them. I will post my observations on fit and finish after letting them know my thoughts. The short story is I would buy them again - more on this later.

here are the photos

 

[colorider]

Hmmm, I just noticed that the side panels on the saddle are not black like the US model!!! Am I just now waking up???

The bars DO look nice!!!

 

[troll]

Hmmm, I just noticed that the side panels on the saddle are not black like the US model!!! Am I just now waking up???

The bars DO look nice!!!

No you are OK. That is the low seat and for some reason it has silver side panels. The saddle that came with the bike was all black

 

[colorider]

No you are OK. That is the low seat and for some reason it has silver side panels. The saddle that came with the bike was all black

Oh, okay!!! Now I feel better!!!

 

[~TABASCO~]

Troll,

Those bars do looke nice ! Nice ride !

 

[Brntrt]

Thanks for the pics troll. I'm going to go with the Altrider as well.

 

[sithspice]

Troll, thanks for the heads-up. I bought the Altrider's crashbars and skid plates in black. Happy with the way they look even though I'll probably have to brush on a bit of black paint in the future. Hope they don't need to much elbow grease to get them on, hopefully, later this week.

Looking forward to your next review.

 

[troll]

Troll, thanks for the heads-up. I bought the Altrider's crashbars and skid plates in black. Happy with the way they look even though I'll probably have to brush on a bit of black paint in the future. Hope they don't need to much elbow grease to get them on, hopefully, later this week.

Looking forward to your next review.

They are not too bad, I needed to file the over-run on the welds at the end of the tubing where the coupler slides in to get them together enough for the 4 flat headed screws to fit properly and for the bars to sit together properly. I also had to file inside the tubing where the coupler slides in due to the welder burning through the tubing and leaving a raised knob inside the tube. I also needed to use a drift in one of the 17mm engine mount holes to pry the assembly sideways to get the bolts to line-up. needing to work the assembly sideways seemed reasonable to me, and having to file and hand fit seemed like poor quality control. I also think the welding could have been more attractive. I have worked next to tig welders that could make them look like jewellery. take a look at the welds on a good bicycle frame, these are high end bars and should be "bling, bling"

 

[jajpko]

Troll, sorry to hear your bars showed up in bad shape. I also bought the ALTrider bars and mine are really nice. The powder coat was very good, and the welds were excellent..

 

[~TABASCO~]

They are not too bad, I needed to file the over-run on the welds at the end of the tubing where the coupler slides in to get them together enough for the 4 flat headed screws to fit properly and for the bars to sit together properly. I also had to file inside the tubing where the coupler slides in due to the welder burning through the tubing and leaving a raised knob inside the tube. I also needed to use a drift in one of the 17mm engine mount holes to pry the assembly sideways to get the bolts to line-up. needing to work the assembly sideways seemed reasonable to me, and having to file and hand fit seemed like poor quality control. I also think the welding could have been more attractive. I have worked next to tig welders that could make them look like jewellery. take a look at the welds on a good bicycle frame, these are high end bars and should be "bling, bling"

They do come with all the necessary hardware, correct? When we come up there next year, your bars WILL be Bling-Bling, you will prolly have them Bee-dazzled!

 

[TierHawg]

Troll,

How do you like the low seat? I've got one on order myself, just in case the bike is too-tall. Wonder how the padding compares to the "normal" seat. I have my own built in padding, so not very worried, more curious.

 

[troll]

They do come with all the necessary hardware, correct? When we come up there next year, your bars WILL be Bling-Bling, you will prolly have them Bee-dazzled!

yeppers, the install kit and instructions are very good. Don't get me wrong, these are nice bars to look at from a distance - I am a fussy cus with things I pay a lot for and Altrider wants to be a high quality, made in America, type outfit. If they are gonna brag like that they better step up on quality control... :

 

[troll]

Troll,

How do you like the low seat? I've got one on order myself, just in case the bike is too-tall. Wonder how the padding compares to the "normal" seat. I have my own built in padding, so not very worried, more curious.

Hey TierHawg, I like the seat a lot. It seems to feel pretty much like the stock seat as far as comfort goes. I am pretty short and well still lower the bike with the WaspWerks 1" lowering links. They arrived in the mail yesterday and I will probably get them on this weekend.

 

[Waspworks]

WaspWerks 1" lowering links arrived in the mail yesterday and I will probably get them on this weekend.

Mail or courier troll???
Did they come straight through customs with no charges or tax.

Greg.