Mirrors, yay or nay?

[Philbomoog]

I walked past Gromit in the garage and accidentally 'tapped' the back of the right mirror with my elbow; the slightest of knocks and the glass exploded outward under the pressure of a big spring that's inside . I'm glad it didn't happen whilst I was out riding.

As we drive on the left (correct) side of the road, its the right hand mirror that I actually use (whenever I need to check my elbows), and its the right mirror that has the left hand thread, making the replacement options limited.

Having temporarily removed both mirrors, I must admit that Gromit looks much nicer. So the big question is..do I replace the mirrors or or keep the much better looking 'mirrorless' style or fit bar-ends?

[SRL790]

Not sure about the UK but mirrors are a legal requirement in most, if not all, US states.  I got pulled over in Florida some years back for no mirrors.  As it happens I was riding home after buying a pair and had them bungied to the back of the saddle so the cop let me off.

Andy

[Thumper]

I vote for bar-ends! In my younger days, I just did without. Now I'm too nervous to do that.
   
Matt

[Arizoni]

Phil:

As you drive on the left side (I almost said 'wrong side') of the road, your right side mirror is the one that lets you know if your right elbow (or some other kind of 'elbow') is passing you.

The RE's, not being the swiftest bird in the nest seem to get passed (in the US) quite often by envious cage drivers who obviously want a better look at a fine machine or people wishing to keep up with the other cages zipping down the byways. 

At least for me, that is the one mirror that is essential for safe riding. 

[barenekd]

Yay for mirrors, too many people coming behind. These things don't go fast enough to not need them!
Yay for barends, Napoleons are my recommendation. They will easily adapt to any type bar end mount you have, the stock bars, or any 7/8" hollow bar you might want to use. Don't forget to leave the barend weights on!   
Bare

[The_Rigger]

So the big question is..do I replace the mirrors or or keep the much better looking 'mirrorless' style or fit bar-ends?

Bar-ends...  *MUCH* nicer look, much better function.

[tooseevee]

As we drive on the left (correct) side of the road, its the right hand mirror that I actually use (whenever I need to check my elbows), and its the right mirror that has the left hand thread, making the replacement options limited.

             Why is the left side any more correct than the right side?

[Lwt Big Cheese]

I don't have mirrors.

Everybody says I must use them because you need to see whats behind.

But there's always someone behind. So what?

If you're manoeuvring you have to look over your shoulder anyway.

[AgentX]

Not running mirrors here in India.  I did for a while.  But 1) they're just superfluous given the conditions and speed here, since it's a constant quick-check scenario and 2) the bar-ends I was using on my low-ish Euro bars were harder to see than just turning my head and required me taking my eyes off the road for a long time to use.

And the standard lollipops only gave a good view of my shoulders anyhow.

When I get the bike back to the US, I might be tempted to slap a mirror back on.

[barenekd]

In India, you can get away without them.
In the US, when your doing 65 on the freeway and the traffic behind is coming at 80, you need a bit more than the glance over the shoulder.
Bare

[Rob Vespa]

Bikes may look nice without mirrors, but I wouldn't want to ride one without them.  It seems that here in Ohio, a bike is like an invisibility cloak.  I check them all the time.  That typed, you can always replace the mirrors with a style more to your liking.  My bike has bar-ends, like others have mentioned.  They look sharp and are functional.

Here's what the ones on my bike look like:

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3930

[The Garbone]

Convex bar ends are very nice.

[Lwt Big Cheese]

In India, you can get away without them.
In the US, when your doing 65 on the freeway and the traffic behind is coming at 80, you need a bit more than the glance over the shoulder.
Bare

So what do you do differently if there's something coming?

[AgentX]

In India, you can get away without them.
In the US, when your doing 65 on the freeway and the traffic behind is coming at 80, you need a bit more than the glance over the shoulder.
Bare

When I get the bike back to the US, I might be tempted to slap a mirror back on.

yup.

Then again, the speed differential is even greater when I'm riding my bicycle, and I don't have mirrors on that...

[barenekd]

So what do you do differently if there's something coming?

I don't change lanes to put me in front of him!
There are a few occasions I actually have to move over to pass people!
Bare

[Lwt Big Cheese]

I don't change lanes to put me in front of him!
There are a few occasions I actually have to move over to pass people!
Bare

But as you have to do the "Life Saver" look over the shoulder before any manoeuvre...

[barenekd]

I can see back about 120 degrees with the goggles on and turning my head as far as it'll go. I can see what's beside me, apparently better than Hamilton can.
I need to know what's behind me! The mirrors are for that.
Bare

[Lwt Big Cheese]

OK got it.

[Philbomoog]

 Managed to get a pair of Napoleons off a well known auction site for £15. A bit of modification was needed and as the mirrors weigh much more than the original bar end weights I've left them on the shelf. First test run completed.. verdict..nice.

[Rob Vespa]

Managed to get a pair of Napoleons

Nice. Those mirrors are sharp.

Out of curiosity, have you plugged the stock mirror holes?  It may be unnecessary, but it's something I plan to do that keeps slipping my mind.  If I don't forget (ha), I may hit up a hardware store, shorten a bolt and fabricate a cap.

[barenekd]

What stock mirror holes? The bolt goes through the stock holes.
Bare

[The_Rigger]

What stock mirror holes? The bolt goes through the stock holes.

I believe Rob is talking about the threaded holes in the clutch & brake lever housings from the OEM lollypop mirrors, left empty by converting to bar-end mirrors...

Rob (and all): Check your local NAPA auto parts store; Balkamp part #665-2391. Little plastic plugs, just nice for plugging those empty mirror holes, as postulated originally here by Sub.

[Rob Vespa]

Thanks - Good tip.  There's a NAPA not too far from me.

[ridgerunner]

Put on a set of ape hangers and your bar-ends can look down on the people behind you

[mattsz]

Rob (and all): Check your local NAPA auto parts store; Balkamp part #665-2391. Little plastic plugs, just nice for plugging those empty mirror holes, as postulated originally here by Sub.

My wife picked some up today at my local NAPA - I haven't tried them yet, but they look like they ought to fit.  They cost around $5 for a package of 18 - NAPA didn't have any smaller quantities.  If anyone needs just a couple of these, you might try a body shop, or, since I seem to have a sudden abundance, send me a PM and I can mail some on...

[Rob Vespa]

My wife picked some up today at my local NAPA - I haven't tried them yet, but they look like they ought to fit.  They cost around $5 for a package of 18

They fit.  I picked up a pack and also have plenty to spare.  The first one I put in worked like a charm.  The second must not have gone in right and I'm going to have to cut it out (they are in there good).  After removing some unnecessary US market afterthought devices on another bike, I may see if these fit.