Bar end mirrors

[Guest]

Hi,

 

Another question from a noob, the stock mirrors on my bike are rubbish, at best angle i have like 40-50% visibility and i'm not a particularly wide guy, just about average. Is it best to get mirrors that are a bit longer or bar end mirrors?

Also, does this count as a mod and do i need to let insurance know?

[husoi]

Sounds like the ones you have are either flat or very little curvature.

Would it be the case for new ones with proper convex mirrors?  

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, husoi said:

Sounds like the ones you have are either flat or very little curvature.

Would it be the case for new ones with proper convex mirrors?  

i literally have no idea if that would be better, all i know is i can't see alot out of the stock ones and think maybe a wider mirror would do the trick? And i do change the mirrors does it count as a "modification" for insurance?

[Old-codger]

I doubt very much it would count as a modification for insurance purposes you would be alright there. It sounds like you need a combination of longer stem/arm and a better mirror head. It can be a bit of trial and error trying to find one that works. If you have a decent old fashioned bike shop near you they may have a few different types in stock that you could try for size. But if not take a few measurements of your existing mirrors and the start looking on line for mirrors that have the spec you need. Ps check your thread size in the mounting as this can range from 8mm um to 12mm and could be right and left hand threaded. Good luck. 

[husoi]

Insurance company would creat problems if you would fit smaller ones.

Better quality mirrors are a safety improvement.

Besides, I don't believe they would go check it if you have an accident.

 

If you would post a couple pictures of what you have then we can give better advice 

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, husoi said:

Insurance company would creat problems if you would fit smaller ones.

Better quality mirrors are a safety improvement.

Besides, I don't believe they would go check it if you have an accident.

 

If you would post a couple pictures of what you have then we can give better advice 

This is me and mirrors.

[Simon Davey]

Those mirror arms do look a little short, however, that's not an awful view by any means.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

Those mirror arms do look a little short, however, that's not an awful view by any means.

Really? so it's just the norm to have rubbish rear view?

[KiwiBob]

Try this!... 

[Simon Davey]

15 minutes ago, KiwiBob said:

Try this!... 

 

Genuine question.... Is that you?

I've always thought Lambrettas and Vespas were awesome decked out like this.

[KiwiBob]

1 minute ago, Simon Davey said:

 

Genuine question.... Is that you?

I've always thought Lambrettas and Vespas were awesome decked out like this.

Not me!.. I never really liked scooters .. My mates had scooters and bikes .. I had a car!

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, laughsatcats said:

Really? so it's just the norm to have rubbish rear view?

 

Pretty much, you just get an idea of what's behind you, and use your life-savers to double check when you manoeuvre.

 

How much do you reckon I can see in these, it's mostly elbow, but the more I ride, the more I have an understanding of the little that I'm seeing.

 

Edited March 17 by Simon Davey

[bonio]

I think you're rear view is bit rubbish with those mirrors. If it were me, I'd want the mirrors to tell me whether there's someone behind me or not.

You can solve this with mirrors that are placed further out; either mirrors with longer stalks or bar end mirrors will do the job. I think it's largely up to which style you prefer. But be aware that you'll also have to look further away from straight ahead if you opt for the bar ends.

[KiwiBob]

 

[Guest]

Yeah i watched that vid, mirrors are at 90 degrees and right angle, still can't see alot.

 

I'll have a little look at type of screw and ask when i go back into bike shop for a few bits.

[RideWithStyles]

Well its all relative, some bikes are better than others.
Those I would say are short but not terrible…permanent set Italian bikes.

You could get extension or adjustable versions online but id use locktight on the bolts when they are set to the correct place.

 

changes to the mirrors should be mentioned to the insurer, most of the time they won’t change/mind if you say it when looking for a new policy.

personally I don’t like the bar end mirrors, make the bike a lot wider, have to look further away to see them, most of the time your hand/ forearm blocks the view rather than the reflection of from the mirror and theyre more likely to get knocked or be int the way.

 

oh could be the picture but to note the left lever (clutch) looks abit high, certainly than the right (brake) one, the bar looks to to off centre and positioned really close/lower as its tapered bar (to you so you’ll might be excessively bending your arms (blocking mirrors?) unless you’ve got very short arms?

Edited March 17 by RideWithStyles

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, RideWithStyles said:

Well its all relative, some bikes are better than others.
Those I would say are short but not terrible…permanent set Italian bikes.

You could get extension or adjustable versions online but id use locktight on the bolts when they are set to the correct place.

 

changes to the mirrors should be mentioned to the insurer, most of the time they won’t change/mind if you say it when looking for a new policy.

personally I don’t like the bar end mirrors, make the bike a lot wider, have to look further away to see them, most of the time your hand/ forearm blocks the view rather than the reflection of from the mirror and theyre more likely to get knocked or be int the way.

 

oh could be the picture but to note the left lever (clutch) looks abit high, certainly than the right (brake) one, the bar looks to to off centre and positioned really close so you’ll might be excessively bending your arms (blocking mirrors?) unless you’ve got very short arms?

Never though about arms bends, yes my arms are a bit bent, maybe i'll adjust bars a bit. Everything else is centred though i think, but now i am doubting it, i'll check tomorrow, thanks.

 

[Richard]

I have always tended to to put bar ends on , but they do tend to make the bike wider for filtering if you have the mirrors in the traditional splayed set up. You could put your mirrors under the bars after checking they won’t catch the tank on full lock. Again much better view but not a natural way to look

[Mold]

I seriously doubt the insurance would even check your mirrors, if anything they might just glance that mirrors were actually on the bike. If the mirrors are not working for you, your best bet would be to get ones that do. I've had mirrors like those on your bike and I used blind spot mirrors that stuck on the corner of the mirrors you already have, I've used them on every bike I've had since I first tried them. They're no substitute but they do give you a better idea of what's behind you. I use them at a slight angle that gives me a wide view. They're only about £2.50 and can be bought on ebay with free delivery. It might be worth trying them before you buy new mirrors.

[KiwiBob]

Just so you know, there is NO legal requirement for a motorcycle to have mirrors!

 

My first motorcycle never had them and I survived!... Mind you I could twist and turn my neck a lot more back then!

 

 

 

 

[husoi]

1 hour ago, KiwiBob said:

Just so you know, there is NO legal requirement for a motorcycle to have mirrors!

That's true.

Although anything fitted to the bike will must be in working order.

Exception for additional lights or additional break lights, however, they need to be road legal.

Same exception goes for accessories like satnav, tmps, USB socket etc.

[RAYK47]

personally I don't think any bar end mirrors will give you a better view than the ones with arms.  At least that is my opinion.  Bar end mirrors look good but I don't think they are great functionally.  

 

 

[husoi]

Add to that making it worse for filtering 

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with Ray.
Sat on some bikes over the years that had different types just out of curiosity- over, under and stick outs. they were worse for every aspect other than just being odd and looking different for the sake of it. 

Removing mirrors while not illegal will make a claim and any court decision affected if they thought your lack of mirrors would have contributed to the accident or having them could have avoided it in the first place.