I run the later bars too and like you say hard to understand. It seem small amounts of degree changes can make a vast difference on motorcycles.

Personally I wouldn't bother with VFR bars. IMO that's a step too far away from the sport feel and style, plus it compromises the fairing. Yes there is more comfort being more upright but for me the next step would be Apex bars if only I could justify the price. That gives one the best of both worlds then with positioning them with whatever works for the riding style ones doing at the time.

For now I am more than happy with the later VTR clip on's and there's the added bonus of them being fast Black LOL. IIRC there is 7 degrees more rise with them. Combine that with a HRC quick action throttle tube and your laughing, no more wrist strain.

There's quite a lot of subtle differences between the early and late models. Only the other day I discovered that the later model (Black) top yoke sits slightly higher over the headstock adjuster rings, allowing one access with a hammer and flat blade screwdriver to fine tune bearing adjustment if needs be. On the early model top yokes there is a recess cut into the base so it sits further down and over the rings more. This means having to loosen the clip on's, top yoke etc and then tap the yoke up a bit to gain access. The thickness of the yokes are the same but because the later one is cut more flush underneath and the early ones are recessed, the later one's appear to sit slightly higher. This suggests to me that it's going to also have a slight affect on handling/rake and trail or at least may affect the amount one drops their forks if fine tuning suspension set up.

(:-})