I bought a new 05[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Some things that need improvement are. The handlebars are way too low. It's more like riding a crotch rocket M/C than a quad. Any recomendations for a better and taller set of bars?

I hate thumb throttles! Having a super stiff one is even worse! Within 2 miles of home my thumb and forearm goes numb. Who thought that a stiff spring was good?

Anybody make a twist throttle setup for the bike or am I going to have to have one custom made like I did on my Mojave? Can I use the stock cable?

The fenders bring the suck. They allow dirt and rocks into the foot peg area which is really annoying. Anybody added mudflaps to prevent this? Would adding them affect the engine cooling in any way?

 

There are tons of aftermarket bars out there, I would just find a bar that fits your style and budget and call the mfg. to get what bend you need.
Many people have grafted a 400EX thumber onto their quad since it is viewed as an easier pull? You can get a throttle extender that makes a HUGE difference. I bought a Cascade which replaced the whole lever, but you can also get a more universal clamp on extender from several sources. Moose has throttle extensions too.
I just wear a cheapy raingear to keep dry in the rain/mud. Sticks and rocks don't usually bother me. I also have nerf bars which help cut down on that kind of thing, and wear Alpinestars when I ride. Where I ride Check the link, those explosives are generated by 439cc of Yamaha power. Never had a problem with rocks hitting my feet and what not though!

 

+1 or +2 steering stem help out too especially if you are tall. You could also get Rox Risers for full positioning.

 

I'm only 5ft7! I went on a 60 mile ride today with some friends. I let everyone that wanted to ride it ride it. Everyone complained about the handlebars w/o me even saying anything about them. I thought maybe it was me but it must be the bars instead.

How much $$$ does Honda put into testing a vehicle before they market it? Millions I'm sure but they can't design a decient set of bars?

3/4 of my friends also complained about the stiff throttle too.

Other than those 2 things it ran flawlesly all day. I got 56 miles before I hit reserve

 

Sounds like you need to reposition the bars and controls. Stock bars are not nearly as bad as you describe except they bend easily. I have Renthal ATV bend on all of mine with +1 anti-vibe stem. Just ordered a set of Fasstco Flexx bars though in the ATV bend with 12 degree sweep.

Oh yea, my propegs are back 1" and about 3/4" lower than stock. I am 6' 5.5" to be exact (sometimes I round up and sometimes I round down). You should be fine with the stock pegs except your overall center of gravity will be a little higher than I like.

/Jon

 

quad2xtreme makes a good point, try rolling the bars forward or backward and see if that helps. I can't ride my little bro's quad for long, because he has his bars rolled back and it fells like riding a crotchrocket because they are to low. I have the same quad and same bars though, and mine feels a lot better.