Risers...

[Burger]

Sorry to bring up a subject that I know has been discussed many times over (but across many threads)... but I am trying to decide which risers to purchase and I would like to confirm my findings so far...

Helibars, I believe these raise the bars but at the same time also alter the angle so that the bars are twisted back more. This sounds kinda daft to me and I read that most people like it but some don't.

Genmar, I believe these simply raise the bars and in the process obviously bring them back a little. Sounds better to me, but I wish they made them in a finish that matched the bike... or do they and it's just their pics that are off?

Bike-Quip, look good if you like the idea of black although spoilt with their own advertising on them. Same as the helibars in terms of up and back although I can't quite determine from the info if they also 'twist' the bars together. I guess they do because otherwise it would be hard to get 1 inch up and 1.5 inches back right?

So my question is this? Any comments on my concern over the 'twist' back on the helibars and bike-quip ones? And, are there any others I should have on the list?

Many thanks,

[Pred8tor]

I think any riser that brings the bars back is going to change the angle. It's not a big angle difference, at least for me with the Heli's. I really haven't given it any thought, as far as angle is concerned. I just know the reach is a lot more comfortable for me.

[GRN]

I went w/ MCL's, same as Heli's, 1' up and 2" back. For me, they significantly improve my interface with the bike... more comfortable, much lighter handling feel. All very subjective none the less.

[AuntyGranty]

Sorry to bring up a subject that I know has been discussed many times over (but across many threads)... but I am trying to decide which risers to purchase and I would like to confirm my findings so far...

Helibars, I believe these raise the bars but at the same time also alter the angle so that the bars are twisted back more. This sounds kinda daft to me and I read that most people like it but some don't.

Genmar, I believe these simply raise the bars and in the process obviously bring them back a little. Sounds better to me, but I wish they made them in a finish that matched the bike... or do they and it's just their pics that are off?

Bike-Quip, look good if you like the idea of black although spoilt with their own advertising on them. Same as the helibars in terms of up and back although I can't quite determine from the info if they also 'twist' the bars together. I guess they do because otherwise it would be hard to get 1 inch up and 1.5 inches back right?

So my question is this? Any comments on my concern over the 'twist' back on the helibars and bike-quip ones? And, are there any others I should have on the list?

Many thanks,
Dave,

I bought the MCL risers and had Larry ship them over.
They are of high quality and have a lacquer on them (unlike some others) which means they won't anodise in the salt here, they also have the ram ball mounting hole.
I think his bring the angle back slightly but you can't really see it with the naked eye. They made all the difference to the weight on my wrists and made the bike feel like much more like a 'tourer' with the more upright seating postion.
Would be in the first 5 on my farkle list.

Hope this helps.

AG (Grant)

[crazykz]

I have had people measure the distance to the end of the handlebars with the stock setup, MCL risers, and the Heli risers. They all measured the same distance which I think was 31" but I forget. I do remember they were the same so it does not appear that any of them change the angle of the bars at least on the horizontal axis. I wish someone would angle them out some but none of them do as far as I can see so far. The GenMar (MCL) ones are 1" up and 2" back.

As far as the color I agree that it would be nice to color match the ST bars but the handlebar color is a weird shade of off silver.

If you do get risers be sure so put some wireloom over your brake lines where they run past the bottom of the ignition key housing. It's not obvious that the lines will rub on it but they do. There is some protection already on the lines but I recommend covering it with some wire loom to give it some more protection. This is an issue with the risers on because they stretch out the brake lines more to accomodate the longer handlebar run. Some people actually round off the bottom of the housing but it's hard to get at so us lazy people just use some wire loom and check it periodically for wear.

Curt

[Burger]

Thanks for that Curt. I am confused by one part of your response... you refer to the GenMar(MCL) risers. Being from out of town :) I assume MCL is Motor Cycle Larry? If this is correct then from what I've seen the MCL risers are much closer to the HeliBar risers in design than the GenMar risers. Unless I'm getting very confused the GenMar risers appear to be single blocks that go under each bar whereas all the others appear to add to the whole top yoke.

Regards,

[crazykz]

Thanks for that Curt. I am confused by one part of your response... you refer to the GenMar(MCL) risers. Being from out of town :) I assume MCL is Motor Cycle Larry? If this is correct then from what I've seen the MCL risers are much closer to the HeliBar risers in design than the GenMar risers. Unless I'm getting very confused the GenMar risers appear to be single blocks that go under each bar whereas all the others appear to add to the whole top yoke.

Regards,

I equated them because I thought they were the same. I think I made a mistake there. I thought GenMar was the MCL ones but since you're looking at them I'm guessing they are not. Sorry about the mix up.

Curt

[Diggers1300]

Just run across this thread so I haven't checked the validity of my statement but I believe MCL makes a knockoff of the Gen-Mar and the Heli-Bar risers. This may be the source of your confusion.

[oldfartracer]

MCL makes both, the blocks like Genmar and the plate like Helibars. I ordered a set of the MCL blocks last week. Just a note, if you call Larry be ready for a good conversation. He likes to talk about ST's and many other things.

[Burger]

Yep... that's sorted that confusion... looking closer on his site I see they are his own and not the GenMar ones I thought they were. So in fact that's two more to add to the list...

Helibars
GenMar
BikeQuip
MCL (Helibar style)
MCL (GenMar style)

Any others? I guess at the moment I'm favouring the MCL helibar style ones based on Grants comments.

Regards,

[crazykz]

I have the MCL risers and really like them also.

I think you've got the full list now. Good reference. You should put the links to them all there too.

Curt

[Burger]

My pleasure...

Helibars (http://www.helibars.com/proddetail.php?prod=HC0303g)
GenMar (http://www.zianet.com/GenMar/)
BikeQuip (http://www.st1300-accessories.co.uk/st1300_handlebar_risers.html)
MCL (Helibar style) (http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/st1300rp.aspx)
MCL (GenMar style)
(http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/ST1300R.aspx)
Regards,

[Burger]

I just ordered the MCL helibar style risers... the plate in other words. Hopefully when I get these and my Sargent seat I'll be all set for riding much longer distances.

Regards,

[Highrider]

From a service standpoint - the Heli risers will not allow the fuel tank cover to be raised without hitting the handlebars. Not that this is done often, but its a pain to remove the handlebars just to get under the tank cover for filter service other maintenance.

Dave
:biker:

[crazykz]

I just ordered the MCL helibar style risers... the plate in other words. Hopefully when I get these and my Sargent seat I'll be all set for riding much longer distances.

Regards,

I did both of those but I added a sheepskin pad to my Sargent for total comfort.

Curt

[lbo]

I have the "heli's" and like them. I don't have any experience with any others.
At my age they have helped remove the Crik in my neck and upper back as well as the numbness in my wrists. With the electric windshield on my 06 it has become a pleasure.
I was a lot younger when I used to ride the stock riser position.
Larry

[JReviere]

Highrider is partially correct. I have the MCL Riser Plate installed. To raise the tank for access to the air cleaner there is conflict. I removed the mounting bolts holding the LEFT handlebar to the riser plate, with the steering turned to the left, I had plenty of room to raise the tank.
To clarify what is what:
GenMar makes only riser blox.
MCL makes a like item to GenMar riser blox.
Heli Modified makes a riser plate.
MCL makes a like item to Heli Modified's riser plate. It is superb quality, fit and finish are excellent. He's a great conversationalist on the phone. He sells his products slightly cheaper than those with whom he competes. My Riser Plate was $10.00 less than the same item from Heli Modified. Larry also shipped it FREE by Express Mail. I got it from SoCal to Texas 3 days.

The hand grips are back about 2" closer to my seating space and about 1" higher. They do bump my GIVI magnetic tank bag with it all the way aft when the steering is turned full stop.

JR
STOC 394
ORF 13
03ST1300A
Lake Livingston, TX

[Elmo]

Highrider is partially correct. I have the MCL Riser Plate installed. To raise the tank for access to the air cleaner there is conflict. I removed the mounting bolts holding the LEFT handlebar to the riser plate, with the steering turned to the left, I had plenty of room to raise the tank.
To clarify what is what:
GenMar makes only riser blox.
MCL makes a like item to GenMar riser blox.
Heli Modified makes a riser plate.
MCL makes a like item to Heli Modified's riser plate. It is superb quality, fit and finish are excellent. He's a great conversationalist on the phone. He sells his products slightly cheaper than those with whom he competes. My Riser Plate was $10.00 less than the same item from Heli Modified. Larry also shipped it FREE by Express Mail. I got it from SoCal to Texas 3 days.

The hand grips are back about 2" closer to my seating space and about 1" higher. They do bump my GIVI magnetic tank bag with it all the way aft when the steering is turned full stop.

JR
STOC 394
ORF 13
03ST1300A
Lake Livingston, TX

Does any of the risers let you raise the tank without having to deal with them?

Thanks,

Elmo

[andybiker]

I have recently fitted Helibars and they seem to be doing thier job. With the stock handel bars I had some back pain in the middle of my back after about an hours riding. Which I never got on my ZX11. The back pain has now gone and I seem to be sitting more comfortably. Maybe because I have less wind on my chest. I'm 6'2" tall.
We are doing a 5000Km trip in 10 days, starting on March 13, so that should be a good test of the comfort levels.

Andy.

[Elmo]

I have recently fitted Helibars and they seem to be doing thier job. With the stock handel bars I had some back pain in the middle of my back after about an hours riding. Which I never got on my ZX11. The back pain has now gone and I seem to be sitting more comfortably. Maybe because I have less wind on my chest. I'm 6'2" tall.
We are doing a 5000Km trip in 10 days, starting on March 13, so that should be a good test of the comfort levels.

Andy.
Please keep us posted. Have a great trip!

Elmo

[AuntyGranty]

I have recently fitted Helibars and they seem to be doing thier job. With the stock handel bars I had some back pain in the middle of my back after about an hours riding. Which I never got on my ZX11. The back pain has now gone and I seem to be sitting more comfortably. Maybe because I have less wind on my chest. I'm 6'2" tall.
We are doing a 5000Km trip in 10 days, starting on March 13, so that should be a good test of the comfort levels.

Andy.
5000kms around NZ Andy?
Where are you going?
Get the big ride in before the winter? :)

[timblanch]

My bike came with a "Tour Performance" riser plate. I like it, but I haven't a clue how it compares to others.

[Burger]

My bike came with a "Tour Performance" riser plate. I like it, but I haven't a clue how it compares to others.

That'll be the Helibars riser plate then I believe. I'm pretty sure Tour Performance is one of Heli's trade marks.

Regards,

[oldfartracer]

My MCL risers came in the door 10 minutes ago and they look great. Larry does nice work. I can't wait to put them on but I guess there's no rush since it's snowing again.

[Burger]

Well, I fitted my MCL riser plate today for 10 minutes and then took it off again. They are definitely not for me and definitely not with my new Sargent seat that also arrived today.

First off they make me sit far too upright and I didn't like it at all even if it does take some pressure off my hands. I would rather be in a slight lean forward sports position and learn to adjust my posture to reduce pain than to be sitting that upright. More importantly though, I have a few technical problems with them...

I don't think I could live with the amount of flex they introduce to the bars. I understand where this comes from, with the increase in pivot distance etc. and perhaps I wouldn't notice it so much when riding, but I don't like it.

There is no way on this planet that I could find a way to make the riser plate work with the stock brake and clutch lines. Yes I slackened all the clamps off, yes I made sure everything flexed in the right place etc etc. The problem is that on full lock (which I actually couldn't get the bars to) the brake and clutch lines are being severly stretched. Looking down the side of the steering head you can see the lines straining on their coupling blocks. At this position there is absolutely no more line available and yet the bars are not against the stop.

So for these reasons I took them straight off and will learn to live with the standard set up.

If anyone's interested in an MCL riser plate, perfect condition, used for only 10 minutes, I have one for sale :D

Regards,