Handlebar Risers

[rikkitik]

Greetings,

New 05 ST 1300 that is awesome, but I have a issue with the riding position and looking for the best solution. After a fairly short ride I notice muscles tightening between the shoulder blades with resulting soreness the next day. I'm 6'2" 218 lbs with a 33" inseam.

My bet is a change in handlebar position allowing me to ride more upright with less pressure on my hands from leaning forward.

Recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm still researching and learning about all the farkleing possible.

Thanks

[Ken]

There are many posts about the pros and cons of adding risers. But it all comes down to what makes you comfortable. Personally, I installed the MCL risers within a month of purchasing the bike. Any ride over 50 miles caused extreme discomfort in my shoulders and eventual numbness in my wrists. I tried many different ride positions, including the ones that favor using the thighs and core body muscle groups, and different placement on the seat(s) as welll. Nothing worked for me. As soon as the risers were on, there was no discomfort, whether 50 miles or 500 miles. FWIW, I'm 5'10" with a 32" inseam.

[BeBeep]

I agree with Ken and did the same thing of adding the MCL Risers. It made all the difference and I could not be happier.

Good Luck,
Bob

[GRN]

My bet is that you're right on. I have the MCL's. The change of position changes the handling feel... some folks find that objectionable, I find it gives the bike a lighter feel. Far less upper body fatigue overall for 200+ mile rides.

My bet is a change in handlebar position allowing me to ride more upright with less pressure on my hands from leaning forward.

[Buckeye Rich]

Are you guys using the riser blocks or the riser plate? What are the benefits of each?

[GRN]

Are you guys using the riser blocks or the riser plate? What are the benefits of each?

not sure what the difference is... mine are 1" up, 2" back. I guess there are some that just bring them up... but up and back works well for me.

[crazykz]

Are you guys using the riser blocks or the riser plate? What are the benefits of each?

Riser blocks are 1" up. Riser plate is 1" up and 2" back. I think most people are using the riser plate but some use the blocks.

Curt

[Kempo-STer]

I've got the MCL Riser Plate..

Rick ---I had the same issue as you describe. Leaned forward riding position causing some numbness in my right hand and then it would shoot up to my shoulders and cause soreness in my traps..

After the riser plate, proble was resolved. BTW MCL = www.motorcyclelarry.com

I'm 5'11, 32" inseam and 34/35 sleeve length. My fighting weight right now is 265 :rolleyes:

[jackpine savage]

I'm 5'11, 32" inseam and 34/35 sleeve length.

I think arm (sleeve) length is the key measurement. I'm about 5'10" with relatively short legs but have apehanger arms at 37". The ST has always felt perfect to me as is.
David

[Kempo-STer]

I think arm (sleeve) length is the key measurement. I'm about 5'10" with relatively short legs but have apehanger arms at 37". The ST has always felt perfect to me as is.
David


Yes David Agreed..(About you dragging knuckles :D )
Since you have longer arms, it definately will make you sit upright and take the weight off of your hands and put it over your butt.

[Fastraveller]

I installed the Heli Riser plate and got rid of most of my problems. The heli moves the grips 1" higher and 2" back, but they also alter the angle of the bars and that helps a lot. I'm not sure that MCL changes the angle from stock. I'm going to install some larger diameter grips next and that should take care of slight pain in my wrists and palms. I'm 5'10", 185 lbs, 29-30" inseam (long torso) with 33-34 sleeve length. I fully recommend the Heli's and they'vre reduced their prices in the last several months to be comparable with MCL. There is an optional RAM Ball mount that screws onto the center cover that is worth the $10.50.

[ALANT]

Greetings,

New 05 ST 1300 that is awesome, but I have a issue with the riding position and looking for the best solution. After a fairly short ride I notice muscles tightening between the shoulder blades with resulting soreness the next day. I'm 6'2" 218 lbs with a 33" inseam.

My bet is a change in handlebar position allowing me to ride more upright with less pressure on my hands from leaning forward.

Recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm still researching and learning about all the farkleing possible.

Thanks

Rick,
I had the same problems as well as numbness in the hands and a stiff neck. I might have switched back to a cruiser had I not installed the MCL riser plate, it made all the difference in the world. I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and 33" sleeve length.

AlanT :04biker:

[g17]

another vote for MCL risers. Also, make sure that your seat is installed correctly. When I bought my ST, I just assumed that the rear adjustment of the front seat was where it landed dependent on the front adjustment.......put the front of the seat where you want it, and put some forward pressure on the rear of the seat to allow the rear adjument to fall where it suits you best.

[GRN]

another vote for MCL risers. Also, make sure that your seat is installed correctly. When I bought my ST, I just assumed that the rear adjustment of the front seat was where it landed dependent on the front adjustment.......put the front of the seat where you want it, and put some forward pressure on the rear of the seat to allow the rear adjument to fall where it suits you best.

also good advice... I think a lot of us overlooked that at first.

[CruisingDog]

I installed the Heli Riser plate and got rid of most of my problems. The heli moves the grips 1" higher and 2" back, but they also alter the angle of the bars and that helps a lot. I'm not sure that MCL changes the angle from stock. I'm going to install some larger diameter grips next and that should take care of slight pain in my wrists and palms. I'm 5'10", 185 lbs, 29-30" inseam (long torso) with 33-34 sleeve length. I fully recommend the Heli's and they'vre reduced their prices in the last several months to be comparable with MCL. There is an optional RAM Ball mount that screws onto the center cover that is worth the $10.50.


Who sells the Heli risers ?

[MidLife]

Who sells the Heli risers ?

Bought mine directly from Heli.

http://www.helibars.com/pics/honda/05st1300-e.html

Installed it last week and what a difference: Pain and numbness in right hand are gone.

[acebradley]

Bought mine directly from Heli.

http://www.helibars.com/pics/honda/05st1300-e.html

Installed it last week and what a difference: Pain and numbness in right hand are gone.

Ditto to these sentiments. May have been just me and my big clunky hands and fingers, but I needed help getting the lower fasteners off and back on for the change. My 16 year-old son (and his more nimble hands) was a great asset then as he is most of the time. Otherwise, quite a painless exercise, maybe took most of an hour and the result very noticeable in my lower back and wrists.

[MidLife]

...maybe took most of an hour....

Took me most of the afternoon for the install due to trip to the hardware store. Did not have the tools to handle the 45 ft-lbs it took to break the screws and bolts loose!

[Clair]

Since I have an ST1100 ... any recomendataions here?? MCL seems to have some, 1" and I see that Sampson has 1" and 2". ANyone have any experience with them?

http://www.sampson-sporttouring.com/handlebar-risers.html

I'm thinking 2" may be better for me ... 5'8, 30" inseam, 31/32 arm length

[GaryWayne]

Clair, Heli Bars are great on the ST1100 (much better than the ST1300 even) because you can adjust them in a almost endless ways. They are not as nice looking as the stock set up but they work great. I had them on both of my St1100's.

Gary

[Horst]

if you do install the Heli's you will have to get rid of that plastic contraption ... not a bad thing, but it is usefull for mounting switches :) and after all this time I've almost grown fond of it :eek:

[mbrewer566]

I've also got the risers and they make a world of difference. One more thing that makes the ride comfortable is gel palm gloves. I've got a pair of Olympia perforated gel palms and they are very comfortable and reduce pressure.

[Moby]

It's pretty sad when you plunk down $14K on a bike and then have to buy aftermarket products just to make it rideable. I also have the Heli risers and find that a 2" rise/2" backwould be perfect for me.(Does anyone make them?) I also purchaced the peg extenders by MCL even though my inseam is a squat 30 ". It just feels better for me.
Now all I need is a new seat nad hopefully my $14K investment ($15K with goodies) will be PERFECTION!?


Moby :p:

[mbrewer566]

It's pretty sad when you plunk down $14K on a bike and then have to buy aftermarket products just to make it rideable. I also have the Heli risers and find that a 2" rise/2" backwould be perfect for me.(Does anyone make them?) I also purchaced the peg extenders by MCL even though my inseam is a squat 30 ". It just feels better for me.
Now all I need is a new seat nad hopefully my $14K investment ($15K with goodies) will be PERFECTION!?


Moby :p:


I don't think any bike every made or ever to be made will be perfect for everyone. There's too much variety in body size, shape, etc. Some like lounge chair cruisers, some like laying down on a crotch rocket. We seem to be somewhat in between, wanting the best compromises from all worlds. Thank heaven for the aftermarket producers who can take a great starting package and modify it to our personal tastes and needs!

[Clair]

Thanks Gary. The Helibars are a consideration, but I actually like the stock bars on my ST1100, how they're angled and so on. I justneed an inch or two of rise to make things a bit more comfy. I would think, and could be wrong, that risers would be a less expensive way to go, especially since I like the stock bars. But I am considering the Heli's. I have a friend in Houston who has Heli's on her ST1100 and she loves them.

It all comes down to $$$ and me NOT winning the Powerball is seriously hampering my effort to farkle up the bike and add to my gear wardrobe !!!

[Horst]

Yeah just regular 1" risers are cheap and easy to put on the ST1100 but you will still loose the plastic cover ... unless you make some modifications :)

[JReviere]

I've owned 3 ST11's. All three had HeliBars. The difference from stock was wonderful... one problem... the more upright riding position (I have 5 days in excess of 1K on ST1100 behind me) put the weight distribution pattern on my bum more to the back and less on the bottom of the thighs. This caused a "hot spot" with intense pain on stock seats (unmodified) and on several Corbins I tried. I finally had to fabricate a saddle for myself by taking an ST1100 seat pan, the rubber core out of a custom saddle for an 81 Wing, and using the deft strokes of my electric carving knife, recontour it to fit me bum... then I had a local upholstry shop in Albuquerque make a cover for me ($85.00 as I recall) and all was well. The problem was exacerbated by my physiogomy: 29" sleeve length and significant "inseam impairment" at 26". A big belly didn't help either... but that's gone now...

I can't say enough GOOD STUFF about HeliBars on an ST1100.

JR a grumpy old curmudgeon STOC 394

[JReviere]

I'm familiar with Heli and their products for the ST1100. I just today put in a bid on a 1300. I am in the learning mode. I see reference to some sort of a "BALL" device of some sort, even on the Heli site... WHAT is this gizmo? What does it do or not do? Elucidate, please.

JR
STOC 394

[Ken]

The RAM ball mount can be used with a cradle to mount devices such GPS's, iPods, etc. They work VERY well.

[JReviere]

Thanx, Ken. When I know not, ask I do. Someone asked about the plastic handebar cover on ST 1100 when Helibars are installed. The best deal is simply bolt it together and stash it on a shelf somewhere. You can, however, cut/trim and ugly the ignition switch stalk hole in it so you can clamp it on if you want. I've done it both ways and found just parking it in some dusty corner the best... or maybe selling it to someone who wants it.

JR
03 ST1300 A