'21 MT09 - Lowering the headlight - and also the handlebars - has someone already done this conversion?

43639 Views 86 Replies 17 Participants Last post by jasonsbk1, 3 d ago

TripleX

Discussion Starter · Oct 2, 2021

I'm an owner of a 2016 MT-07 and I think about to switch to the new MT-09 at some point.
But in my opinion the headlights are attached too high and so are the handlebars.

Is it possible to relocate the headlight maybe two or three inches lower and fit some shorter handlebar risers?

Just like this:

Does anyone have experience with such a conversion on the new MT-09?

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GreatHolio

· #2 · Oct 2, 2021

This is one dudes subjective opinion. If you agree with him, then maybe the bike is not the one you are looking for. Perhaps a sport bike is more to your liking.

To me, the bike is fine as is. Everyone will have a different opinion/taste.

Reactions: 1

Moto26

· #3 · Oct 2, 2021

He thinks the headlight is too high, so he should get a sportbike instead? Seriously? That’s quite a leap. When someone asks about mounting saddlebags, do you suggest they buy a Harley bagger? 😝

I think the headlight on my XSR is too high as well, but not once have I thought that I should have bought an R1. Instead, I fixed it (more to come on that…).

Reactions: 2

LOZT

· #4 · Oct 3, 2021

Anything is possible.

You could MAKE the headlight mount lower. Nothing is going to stop you. However, the handlebars is another issue entirely.

I believe you have 2-3 options for the handlebar because of clearance issues with the gastank/air intakes.

1 - Remove the air intakes and lower the bars. You don't have to change the steering lock and you just have a different hole for the air to come into.
2 - Replace the stock handlebar clamps and limit the steering lock even further. Lowering the bars will hit the air intakes and to prevent that. Just keep the bars from turning as much lol
3- Screw everything and just lower them. Just lower them and risk turning your bars far enough to hit/damage your intakes. You also may hit your hands on your air intake/tank if it's too low.

That video does make a good point. A windscreen does help the bike look a little better as well as perform better. But, I'm not lowering the handlebars if it's going to hit something. As for the headlight, it's fine where it is. Toss a windscreen/flyscreen on it and enjoy the bike

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astcyr

· #5 · Oct 3, 2021

Does anyone have pics of how much space there is between the air intakes and the bars with the bike at full lock? The pictures I've looked at make it seem as though there is quite a bit of clearance between the bars and the intakes in the stock position which would make me believe there's room for the bars to drop down and maybe forward a bit. With how big the riser clamps are on the 2021 it seems like some custom risers would be an easy way to acheive a new handlebar position if there aren't any compatible drag bars that did the trick.

Reactions: 1

Moto26

· #6 · Oct 3, 2021

I wonder if the Hurricane Swallow bars would work…?

Reactions: 1

LOZT

· #7 · Oct 3, 2021

astcyr said:
Does anyone have pics of how much space there is between the air intakes and the bars with the bike at full lock? The pictures I've looked at make it seem as though there is quite a bit of clearance between the bars and the intakes in the stock position which would make me believe there's room for the bars to drop down and maybe forward a bit. With how big the riser clamps are on the 2021 it seems like some custom risers would be an easy way to acheive a new handlebar position if there aren't any compatible drag bars that did the trick.

Issue is the controls. Full lock you get very little space. Maybe half an inch

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astcyr

· #8 · Oct 3, 2021

Apparently if you flip the risers 180 degrees it pushes the bars more forward. Nice little feature Yamaha put on the 2021.

I would think if the bars are moved forward you'd gain a fair bit of clearance for lowering an inch or so. Someones gunna have to experiment one way or another, that or contact woodcraft industries and offer your bike up for some product development. I'm sure you'd get a healthy discount out of it.

Reactions: 1

Moto26

· #9 · Oct 3, 2021

astcyr said:
Apparently if you flip the risers 180 degrees it pushes the bars more forward. Nice little feature Yamaha put on the 2021.

I assume all the ‘21 owners have read the manual, and already knew that… right?

Reactions: 1

LOZT

· #10 · Oct 4, 2021

Moto26 said:
I assume all the ‘21 owners have read the manual, and already knew that… right?

Oh trust me I know. But, still you're not getting anywhere near what that concept video is trying to do

But, feel free to try it

Dante

· #11 · Oct 4, 2021

Moto26 said:
I assume all the ‘21 owners have read the manual, and already knew that… right?

Well actually the manual tells you to visit a dealer to do it,it doesn't mention how it's done

I didn't know that you flip the risers.I thought that it had an extra hole to bolt them at another position or something.

LOZT

· #12 · Oct 4, 2021 (Edited)

Dante said:
Well actually the manual tells you to visit a dealer to do it,it doesn't mention how it's done
I didn't know that you flip the risers.I thought that it had an extra hole to bolt them at another position or something.

I bought a copy of the service manual, but yeah you flip them around. I haven't done it because I don't need it.

But, I saw on one of the review sites that it moves the bars about 10mm forwards

But, I'm sure you could replace the risers completely with a pair of angled ones that are lower and angled away from the intakes. You could get the Woodcraft Clip on Adapter for the bike and run clip ons really low and forward. If you want to fab it, you can do it. It's just going to be much more involved than just "lowering" the existing bars.

Moto26

· #13 · Oct 4, 2021

Dante said:
Well actually the manual tells you to visit a dealer to do it,it doesn't mention how it's done

LOL! Are you allowed to adjust the height of the rearsets, or does the dealer have to do that, too? 😂

Reactions: 1

Dante

· #14 · Oct 4, 2021

Moto26 said:
LOL! Are you allowed to adjust the height of the rearsets, or does the dealer have to do that, too? 😂

It s too risky to do it alone 🤣

Reactions: 2

LOZT

· #15 · Oct 4, 2021

Dante said:
It s too risky to do it alone 🤣

Yeah it's 4 bolts, if it was only 2, maybe 3 I'd do it. But, 4 bolts I'll take it to the experts to move

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Dante

· #16 · Oct 4, 2021

LOZT said:
Yeah it's 4 bolts, if it was only 2, maybe 3 I'd do it. But, 4 bolts I'll take it to the experts to move

Chester did a whole guide in order to put 2 bolts for that helmet holder.
I'm not sure anyone alive can remember the whole instructions for 4 bolts.

Reactions: 1

Moto26

· #17 · Oct 4, 2021

That's like Kevin Cameron levels of motorcycle knowledge!

Reactions: 1

MasterFavelado

· #18 · Oct 6, 2021

LOZT said:
I bought a copy of the service manual, but yeah you flip them around. I haven't done it because I don't need it.

But, I saw on one of the review sites that it moves the bars about 10mm forwards

But, I'm sure you could replace the risers completely with a pair of angled ones that are lower and angled away from the intakes. You could get the Woodcraft Clip on Adapter for the bike and run clip ons really low and forward. If you want to fab it, you can do it. It's just going to be much more involved than just "lowering" the existing bars.

It almost does not seem worth it for just 10mm. I wonder if a flat bar would fit.

soulkitchen#9

· #19 · Oct 6, 2021

Turned risers fwd, Rizoma Drag Bar rotated +3 up. Back sweep can be rotated down. No clearance problems at full lock.

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LOZT

· #20 · Oct 7, 2021

soulkitchen#9 said:
Turned risers fwd, Rizoma Drag Bar rotated +3 up. Back sweep can be rotated down. No clearance problems at full lock.

View attachment 167479

So how far down did that lower them from stock?

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