We use the OSUBSGS (Ohio State University Bright Spiral Galaxy Survey, Eskridge et al. 2002) and NIRS0S (Near-IR S0 Survey, Laurikainen et al. 2005) data to study the connection of bars and outer spiral structures. Using near-IR images, the non-axisymmetric gravity perturbation associated with the bar is evaluated at various distances outside the bar, and compared to the local m=2 Fourier amplitude of spiral structure at the same distance. A statistically significant correlation between local bar perturbation and spiral amplitude is found up to about 1.5 bar lengths. This work is supported by the Academy of Finland.