Upgraded Clutch and Brake Levers

[Valkmike]

Can anyone advise what the practical advantage is to upgraded levers, other than they look better than the originals.

The AVS replacements are pricey at $100+ per side and are clearly high quality material but that's a big price to pay simply to look cool.

Is there an advatage to the shorter levers over the original length while riding?

I like the idea of more adjustment range, just wanted to see if there were other riding advantages.

Thanks as always for your insight.

 

[A41Billy]

Levers are another one of those personal preference items. I got some Chinese knockoffs on ebay for $30 or so for the set. They are nice and come in several anodized color options. I happen to like shorty levers, but you can get in either length.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Clutch-Brake-Lever-YAMAHA-SUPERTENERE-2012-XJR-1300-04-09-FJR1300-04-11-CNC-/320954388738?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aba5f5102&vxp=mtr

 

[zenwhipper]

Adjustability. Looks. Super cool. I went with Pazzos on my Oh-Eight. I also did not go for the shortees.

Not my bike... but to give you an idea.

 

[ahchiu]

I went with the Pazzo's shorty levers, I really like the adjustability and feel. the Chinese knockoffs on ebay for $30 or so for the set is a great price, if you want to give it a try and not break your wallet.

 

[puppychow]

I have the chinese knock-off's on my 05. Feeger turned me on to those. The quality compared side by side to my buddy Feeger's original Pazzo's - well we couldn't honestly pick out which were which. I paid $41. He paid much much more.

After over 20K miles on those levers they look exactly as when I had bought them. I can't find the link on ebay anymore, but you can do a search. I loved them so much, I changed out the crappy factory levers on my DL1000 also, it makes a world of difference to me.

I don't like the shorty's either.

 

[HotRodZilla]

When I got my Pazzos, I got a great deal. Thought they were only bling. I was wrong! I got full size levers, and they are very comfortable. Others that have ridden my bike have also noticed the better feel. I don't understand it, but they're nice.

If I had known of the Chinese knockoffs back then, I probably would have gone that route. Those that have them seem to like them just as much.

FWIW, I would NOT pay $200 for a set of levers...No matter how much more comfortable they are supposed to be.

 

[zenwhipper]

I dunno. Not big on Chinese products. Just me.

 

[puppychow]

I agree, the clutch/brake feel and comfort is so good with them than without them, that every new bike I get will get this farkle and at $41 for the set, it is a beyond worth it farkle.

If you wanna pay more and get the originals for $200+, go for it. You won't notice the difference, but your wallet will. As for me, I will save that money and buy more film for my camera and more gas and tires for my motorcycles!

 

[escapefjrtist]

I've got both knockoffs and genuine (bought used) Pazzos. Definitely love the feel with the upgraded levers, not much difference between the Pazzos and knockoffs other than some finish fading after 5 years. With the difference in price you can change as often as needed...

Knockoff pricing has gone up since I bought mine from The2Wheels...looks like they've added more "features"!

YMMV -- Have Fun!

--G

 

[DarkSpirit]

When with Chinese in Ebay version for my '08. They could be adjusted for length and they also fold up if you drop your bike and the handle bar

hits pavement. This feature has worked for me twice. I have had them on the bike for about 4 years and 30K miles and they still look good and

work well. They also can be adjusted for reach. On the stock levers I was always stretching to reach and pull in clutch.

I paid about $80 for them.

Walt

 

[SLK50]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="zenwhipper" data-cid="1107779" data-time="1384999136"><p>

I dunno. Not big on Chinese products. Just me. <img src='https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/sleep.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_emoticon' /></p></blockquote>

Yeah, me too. At least I was. Until I reluctantly accepted the realization

that China IS the source of so many of our products and supplies.

It's no longer China vs The World. In today's global marketplace

I can buy directly from the manufacturer at considerable savings.

 

[zenwhipper]

Granted a motorcycle lever is not that complicated. Likely anybody with the raw material, a milling machine and a way to anodize you're off an running. I'm in supply chain management and China supplied material is a huge risk to our business in terms of quality. We're not making brake levers, but our finished product is used on medical patients and there is a big risk there if we screw up. Across the board, across many industries and many products there are issues with material and product coming from that part of the world. My wife ordered a USB power extention cord from China for six bucks I think and it ended up catching fire.

I've always enjoyed high quality, well made products. The wife says I'm snooty! I even have a hard time buying Kirkland brand tequila! Yah its good quality, but it has no character behind it. Its just a bottle of good value, good quality booze with that silly Kirkland label on it. Man, when you buy Corzo or Tres Generaciones Tequila you are buying a long history and legacy of one of the best tequilas around. Knock off levers on your motorcycle? Kind of like a clip on tie!

ok, having said that, I can kind of see the value in these lower cost levers, I don't see a big downside (unless they use substandard aluminum and they break while you are wipping the bike in the twisties) so yah, I can see why folks would be attracted to them. But there are many other issues to be concerned about to... does the plant in China dump its waste in a river? Do they use child labor? Is the company corrupt with the local officials? On and on and on. Ok, sorry did not want to go there.

Anyway... my point oh two.

 

[bwv]

I think i'd like to try the ebay ones... they look ok

It's sad we cant make that in the USA for close to the same cost.

 

[Valkmike]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Seem like everyone has a positive experience whether they chose the cheaper 'knock off' or the more expense originals.

I'll go ahead and give it a shot and replace the originals.

 

[puppychow]

I've always enjoyed high quality, well made products. The wife says I'm snooty!<snip snip> Knock off levers on your motorcycle? Kind of like a clip on tie!

Yea, most here aren't the Abercrombie & Fitch or Banana Republic types and neither do we care to be. Quality can't be measured by price or by brand name alone, if these Chinese made levers we are talking about were of crappy quality or unreliable or not durable, then you would have a point, but since they are not, then yes it is all just snooty, hipster crap talk, based purely on opinion rather than the fact of the matter at hand, to be brutally honest. As for the other political and environmental talk - don't care and don't care to talk about it here either.

 

[gumba]

I bought Pazzo's 5 years ago in black and they have lost every bit of their color. They are now the same color as my 1922 Remigton 22 cal. Ironically the color really looks cock on my 013. I see very little functional value to them. If your going for it understand that they will discolor and then what will you have.

 

[zenwhipper]

I've always enjoyed high quality, well made products. The wife says I'm snooty!<snip snip> Knock off levers on your motorcycle? Kind of like a clip on tie!

Yea, most here aren't the Abercrombie & Fitch or Banana Republic types and neither do we care to be. Quality can't be measured by price or by brand name alone, if these Chinese made levers we are talking about were of crappy quality or unreliable or not durable, then you would have a point, but since they are not, then yes it is all just snooty, hipster crap talk, based purely on opinion rather than the fact of the matter at hand, to be brutally honest. As for the other political and environmental talk - don't care and don't care to talk about it here either.

 

[HotRodZilla]

My black Pazzo levers have not lost any color, and have absolutely nothing to do with my cock...Thankfully!!

 

[Iris]

Do these levers (with the anodized finish) keep your hands from getting black on them? The plain aluminum ones make my hands black.