View Full Version : Risers... Yes or No?
I've had my '05 for a week now and have put almost 400 miles on it. One minute I think I'm going for the risers, the next, I'm not so sure. I've heard that it takes awhile for a newcomer like me to the ST scene to get used to the riding position (former Valk rider). How long did it take for you guys to know what route to take? :confused:
Thanks,
Elmo
jeffmiller
03-05-2006, 10:59 PM
About a 2.5 hour ride....I knew immediately I needed to get them. And, an extra five minutes of reading on the forums.
Jeff
I fell into the riding position right away and I love the way it feels. I have no need for the risers. In fact, I dont like the way the risers change the "angle" of the bars, feels wierd.....:confused: To each their own:D
Same here.......
HOG SLYR
03-05-2006, 11:08 PM
I fell into the riding position right away and I love the way it feels. I have no need for the risers. In fact, I dont like the way the risers change the "angle" of the bars, feels wierd.....:confused: To each their own:D
Me three! It's really a personal thing. Some like it stock and many don't.
Firehawk
03-05-2006, 11:10 PM
Elmo,
It really depends on your "dimensions" I am 6' 2" and mostly upper body. My pants size is 38W 32L. Again, my height is in my upper body. I ended up installing the Helli Bar Risers and it has dramatically improved my riding experience. I can now ride for hours!
Remember, you can always purchase risers. If you don't like them or want a change they are easily removed for more of a "lean" position.
Here's the link for Heli. Make sure you order the cover plate with the ram mount option. http://www.helibars.com/index.php
Austin city limits
03-06-2006, 12:11 AM
I agree with adding Risers...
I kinda agree with ACL...
But.. no risers here, fine without them...
Putt..
Burger
03-06-2006, 02:47 AM
I've got MCL risers on their way to me but as I went for a ride yesterday I tried to imagine my seating position with them, and I don't know I'm actually going to want them. There again, I get too much pressure on the palms of my hands, and so maybe I will. Also, my Sargent seat should be hear any day now and I'm interested to see how that affects my riding position if at all. I think the only real way to be absolutely sure, if you have any doubt, is to get some and see for yourself... we're all different.
Regards,
It took me about 700 miles over five rides to decide I wanted the MCL risers. Only after really paying to attention to, and trying to adjust, my riding position did I determine I needed more help. Despite my attempts to use my body core and legs to reduce weight from my wrists and shoulders, I would get very sore (mostly wrists and shoulders) within 50 miles. After adding the risers, this problem disappeared immediately.
P.S. Undoubtedly some of this has to do with height and arm length - the grips were just too much of a reach for me.
No risers here. A lot of design went into the riding position of the ST.
When I got my ST1100, I had wrist and shoulder blade pain. It was because I was putting weight on my arms and wrists. Big mistake. Actually a common mistake. One needs to learn to bend their elbows and take the weight off of their wrists. Once you learn this, the sport touring riding position is very comfortable and actually advantageous. It takes weight off of your butt unlike a straight up riding position. You will also find longer riding time possible without the weight on your butt.
I found no difference when I got my ST1300. Very comfortable stock.
Another huge mistake often made is running the windshield too high. This will create a back pressure pushing you forward that you will have to fight causing wrist and shoulder blade pain.
Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif
:o: "Another huge mistake often made is running the windshield too high. This will create a back pressure pushing you forward that you will have to fight causing wrist and shoulder blade pain :o:
Like they say at the Senior Center...BINGO
Magna
03-06-2006, 11:40 AM
I guess I'm one of the few that likes the bar and seat position just the way it is on my 2005 ST1300A. (seat set at lowest position) I'm 6'1", 195 lbs., 31" inseam. Wife rides with me about 99% of the time, and she likes it, too.
I did add a sheepskin cover on the seat, like I have on all my other bikes for the last 20 years.
Magna
SupraSabre
03-06-2006, 04:42 PM
I added the HeliBars as one of my first farkles. I didn't like the lean, and putting the seat on the lowest setting didn't help. I'm 6' with a 33inch inseam.
http://www.hamptonrpi.com/Sabre/MCPics/ST1300-HeliBars.JPG
I also replaced the skinny hand grips with some foam types.
http://www.hamptonrpi.com/Sabre/MCPics/ST1300Grips.JPG
I'm still waiting for my Russell and I should be set for comfort. I should have it in late April. :p:
oldfartracer
03-06-2006, 05:03 PM
I think the stock position is a very good sport touring position and I road for a year that way. I do have arthritus in my neck and just picked up a set of MCL risers that I'll be installing before spring.
tccox
03-06-2006, 05:10 PM
Love it just the way it is. 5'9" and fat old fart
JReviere
03-06-2006, 05:23 PM
I rode GoldWing for nearly 20 yrs... They just got to be too BIG and too ORNATE for me... I have owned 3 ST1100 and now one ST1300... the forward lean is very UNCOMFORTABLE for me at 5'7&1/2" w/ 27" inseam, 32"sleeve... On the 1100s, I used HeliBars for their adjustability and built my own saddle for a COMFORTABLE upright riding position. On the present ST1300, I have a MCL Riser Plate and have built my own saddle for a COMFORTABLE upright riding position. A "Roger Racer Wannabee" I'm not. I got that silliness out of my mind by riding a Bandit for a few years. A cruiser poser I'm not. I got that silliness out of my head by riding a couple Magnas for a couple years. The riding position of the cruiser wasn't the problem, the way it was with Bandit and ST until I adapted the bikes fit to my ergonomic needs. The peanut tanks and short range of the cruisers were just UNACCEPTABLE.
WOE is the life of the designer trying to fit a bike to the near infinite variability of rider ergonomic needs. They do their best, the individual rider has to do the rest... adapt the machine to the human requirements or put up with the pain.
JR
STOC 394
ORF 13
03ST1300A
Lake Livingston, TX
Fastraveller
03-06-2006, 05:30 PM
I've got 'em and I love 'em. I ordered mine from heli the Monday after I bought the bike. I liked them from the minute I put them on the bike. I didn't hate the stock bars, but thought the position could be improved upon. I was exactly right and wouldn't care to go back to stock. I think the preference is strictly personal choice. Perhaps someone with risers lives close to you that would swap out bikes for a ride.
ligito
03-06-2006, 07:51 PM
I'm 6'2", 260 lbs, 32 in inseam.
Old and fat.
Heli risers took the pain away from my arms and lower back.
The Russell seat helps my butt, couldn't take the stock seat.
Kempo-STer
03-06-2006, 08:27 PM
WOE is the life of the designer trying to fit a bike to the near infinite variability of rider ergonomic needs. They do their best, the individual rider has to do the rest... adapt the machine to the human requirements or put up with the pain.
JR
STOC 394
ORF 13
03ST1300A
Lake Livingston, TX
JR is spot on here...
Just like certain gym equipment is made to 'fit' people who are in the middle of average, the same with the ergomics..
Believe over time you'll know. If nothing bothers you and you continue to be comfortable then do nothing...If you start getting twinges here and there (like I did in my shoulders and right wrist) then change them out. It is very subjective to each rider.
I really appreciate all the info. You guys are a big help.
As I said in another thread, the ball's in my court. I'll get a couple thousand miles under my belt and put all this knowledge to use!
Thanks again!
PS If anyone ever plans to pass by (or settle in for a night) in the Bowling Green, KY area, give me a shout. Got some great resturants here! :eat1:
Elmo
ccryder
03-06-2006, 09:08 PM
Hey Elmo:
Have I got a deal for you. You and your Wife can try out my seat and MCL risers anytime you want. You loved the seating position of the Rick Mayer seat but maybe you forgot that I also had the risers. Give me a shout and we can burn some turns. The offer is still open for the headlight upgrade. I can do that in maybe 10 mins.
Later.
Neil
TLTONEY
03-06-2006, 09:16 PM
I went with Heli for a little more upright postion. It's like everyone says YMMV.
Trey
:biker:
vnsfxr
03-06-2006, 09:26 PM
I've had my '05 for a week now and have put almost 400 miles on it. One minute I think I'm going for the risers, the next, I'm not so sure. I've heard that it takes awhile for a newcomer like me to the ST scene to get used to the riding position (former Valk rider). How long did it take for you guys to know what route to take? :confused:
Thanks,
Elmo
10 minutes into the test ride. I had the risers in hand before I took delivery of the ST.
Me.........6'1".......pant size 34 X 34.........shirt sleeve length 34/35
As stated before they do change the angle which took some adjustment. Perfect would be the set back and rise increase without the angle change but this is not a perfect world:(
I'm also an Ex-Dirty rider who is now paying for the immortatility of his youth. So to much fwd lean is not good for me.
rgatling
03-06-2006, 09:29 PM
1st post...
I just got my 2005 ST1300 on Saturday afternoon. After 250 miles of riding, I've decided to buy risers. I'm 5'10", 190lbs with a 32" inseam.
I'm also ready to replace the vinyl on the seat. That stuff is so slick I go sliding all over the seat under acceleration/braking. I'm looking to get some vinyl similar to the "carbon fiber" stuff that Sargent uses.
Burger
03-07-2006, 04:02 AM
Perfect would be the set back and rise increase without the angle change but this is not a perfect world:(
That'll be the GenMar or MCL riser blocks that you need then... they raise the bars without changing the angle.
Regards,
Burger
03-07-2006, 04:23 AM
Well, just as I was typing that last response, there was a knock on the door and man standing there with my new MCL riser plate in his hand... so I guess I'll soon see if they're for me or not.
I've read all the comments and have to agree there is no single ideal solution to the problems some of us suffer. For example, I always ride with my screen fully down and on it's lowest position as I like a bit of wind in the face (although I am going to fit a flip top screen at some stage). This does nothing to relieve the pain I get between my thumbs and forefingers on both sides. The BMW grips helped a lot, but still didn't fix it completely. And before anyone suggests otherwise, I don't grip the bars too hard at all and in fact have a very relaxed, loose grip on them. There is though the possibility that my gloves are too tight.
As for the pain I get between my shoulder blades I am convinced this is more to do with holding my head at what for me is an unatural angle to see straight ahead than anything to do with my arms being in the wrong position.
Now, I have to balance all this against the fact that I just can't imagine feeling as in control, or at one with the bike, with the bars raised and I agree that the stock position forces the rider to look 'right'.
With the riser plate and my Sargent seat arriving tomorrow I hope very much I am going to find a set up that means I can ride for more than an hour without feeling any discomfort.
Funny thing is, I don't remember any of these problems when I was in my 20's :)
We'll see :)
Jefro
03-07-2006, 10:27 AM
Within 5 minutes of riding away from the Dealer I knew I made a big mistake buying this bike. The sport-ergos hurt my knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and the hard little grips hurt my palms.:(
But after installing the soft Grip Puppies, the Helibar riser, and later adding the MCL peg lowering kit, I'm good to go for weeks of 800 mile days.:)
Now I'm just waiting on a more comfortable seat.
Jefro.
...and later adding the MCL peg lowering kit, I'm good to go for weeks of 800 mile days.:)
Just be careful in the twisties and just tight turns in general. More than one rider has got into trouble with the peg lowering kits.
On the stock ST1300, the peg scrapers touch first, then the lower cowl and brake lever or shift lever, and finally the tipover wing. This cannot happen with the peg lowering kit.
Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif
racer1735
03-07-2006, 01:45 PM
The stock seat really hasn't bothered me, and i've always had a bike with a sporting crouch (even the Concours leans you forward more than the ST). But I've recently purchased a set of Gen-Mar risers from a member of this forum. Have been out of town the past week, but either tonight or tomorrow I'll be installing them. And it appears that this weekend will be the first ride of Spring!!! Now I just need time to wire those dang driving and fog lamps (don't know when I'll get around to the Cruise installation)!
jdpfms
03-07-2006, 09:32 PM
Just be careful in the twisties and just tight turns in general. More than one rider has got into trouble with the peg lowering kits.
On the stock ST1300, the peg scrapers touch first, then the lower cowl and brake lever or shift lever, and finally the tipover wing. This cannot happen with the peg lowering kit.
Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif
I've not put the peg lowering pieces on yet but have them. Are there some first hand experiences of accidents etc. when cornering using these? If so, maybe I had better hold off. :confused:
JDP
dduelin
03-07-2006, 09:40 PM
No risers, I'm 5' 7" with 30" inseam. I liked the stock position from the first ride. It's all in what works for you.
John Anthony
03-07-2006, 09:49 PM
Both Maggie and I outfitted our 1300's with Russell seats and Heli Risers. Both additions gave us more comfortable rides. I put 650 miles on during a summer ride last summer and woke up the next day ready to do it again. I was pleasantly surprised at how little fatigue I felt the day after.
John
HankSTer
03-08-2006, 05:30 AM
No risers here. I'm 5'8" and 30in inseam. Rode almost 250miles yesterday. Actually I'm happy to find you need to get into a "sport" position on the ST, that's where alot of the fun is :)
But you can also sit back and enjoy the scenery, and stay at sane speeds, which keeps the wallet from being lightened up ;)
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