bar end question
 

this may sound kinda dumb but what is the actual purpose of bar ends?
ive HEARD lots of things. they help give leverage when turning, they are just there to save the bike if it falls over, and other random stuff. anyone say actually what their real purpose is???

They make you go faster lol

Their main purpose is to dampen the vibration from the engine (or alter its frequency to a less bothersome one).

+1 dampen vibrations and if you buy longer after market ones they help with tip over damage but not fully

cool. one of my friends has been giving me crap for not having them on my bike. ive never liked the way they looked and was in need of new grips so i got a nice set of dirtbike grips with closed up ends and just left the bar ends off completly. looks tons better i think.

When I got my bike, it had aftermarket bar ends on it. When I took my bike for service they noticed that they were loose. So I had them put the factory
ones back in. I noticed a bigger difference with the stock ends because they
are heaver and do a better job at dapening the viberation in my hands.

In the event of a crash, a hollow bar will pierce your flesh much more easily than one with a bar end (unless the bar end is pointed).

are bar ends supposed to be tight or loose

Tight.

I just placed an order for a Throttlemeister bar end. So now if I go down I have another $140 part to replace.

You will miss those bar ends in a crash. They are substantial in protection. I had a buddy with a lathe make me some delrin (frameslider material) ends. I crashed and had little damage to the bike; they held it up just enough.

heavy bar ends installed nice and tight will dampen vibes. hands will not fall to sleep as fast. ride will be smoother. you will ride longer without getting as tired. seat of the pants speedo will be off - you will be travelling faster than you thought.

i hate those dumb aluminum after market bar ends!

One of the first attempts I made at quieting the bars was 11.75 oz stainless bar ends. It helped but not completely. Eventually went to Heli's with the heavy ends and it's all good now.