He would be welcome to come on down to North Georgia; I suspect that's not close enough to New England. I have Heli Bars on my '18 Tour, and they were the thing I needed to bring my grips back far enough for me to be comfortable. I think it will depend on what he needs the bars to do; sit him more upright (like I needed), raise/ lower the grips, change the angle of the grips, etc...
I haven't regretted dropping the cash to make my ride work for me. YMMV

Safe Travels,
Jeff

 

I think if you posted this on the 2018+ Board, you're more likely to get responses. It would be helpful to specify what type of Helibars set-up he's interested in: the simple risers or the set-up that's replaces the handlebars with a completely adjustable kit. I know at 2 guys in Massachusetts that have the Helebars risers.

 

I’m in Arizona, so that will not help your friend and I have 2017 Goldwing not a 2018. I don’t think sitting on someone else’s bike are going to do your friend much good unless they are willing to adjust the bars to him. Everyone is different and that means everyone setup is different. The Helibars help me to straighten out the grips, so my wrists were at a natural angle for me to hang onto the bars. It also pulled back and raised up the handlebars eliminating the pain I used to get in the shoulders. On my other wings before the last one I used handlebars risers which worked very well and were a lot cheaper. I highly recommend Helibars if you want all the different adjustments they have to offer. If not, I would just get handlebar risers.

 

Had the standard Heli bar risers on my 2018 Tour. Also have "standard" risers on my FJR and K1600GT. The multi-axis risers go "above and beyond" on my 2021 Tour DCT.

Actually bought the risers prior to finding my '21... purchased in December and took advantage of Heli's 10% discount sale.

The multi-axis risers (and handlebar) have transformed the bike... almost limitless options in setup. Money well spent.

 

The bars are so adjustable that trying someone else's bike with them may not give the desired results unless the person with the bars is willing to re-adjust for them to try and then put them back for themselves. Some like to raise and bring back, I primarily just moved them back by about 2.5 inches and no rise at all, maybe a slight drop if at all. Grip angle is also adjustable and may affect a "let me try yours" result without readjusting anything.

 

Some of the best money i've spent on my 2015. Sitting on someones bike isn't really going to help, the point of them is to put the bars exactly where "you" want them.

 

Never figured out why they cost so much, there isn't much to them

 

The tooling to make all of the hardware that allows the adjustability is expensive to make. That cost has to be built into the price. With a smaller total market to sell to that cost per sale drives the unit price up.

 

Check with Harry at HELI. He has a 2018 that he rides and could have it in the showroom with some notice. He will also do the install with an appointment. Couple good places for a RTE (breakfast or lunch!) right there in Cornish.

 

Just a suggestion, that just might save your friend the $800.00 and not have to purchase the expensive bars..
for under $10 - 20.00 dollars... I went to Walmar# {or any place that sells seat cushions} and purchased a seat cushion, that I just placed on top of my stock seat ( I lock it down with a bungee cord) I now sit a inch or two higher, This allows me to sit much more comfortably, and I don't have to stretch my back, to reach for the grips.. I now can, Iitterly ride hours longer, w/o any sore back problems..... It's the best/because even the seat was not too comfy, and that also saved me from having to buy a new seat as well.. SO to me it was a TOTAL Win/Win situation.......... All w/o spending lots of $$$

Ronnie
1/11/24

 

What? No Chinese knock-offs?

 

First thing I tried were a set of risers. Changed the angle somewhat and brought the handlebars higher.
Did not help me at all.
I did go with a new set of Heli bars.
That was the best fix for me.
Need to work with them some because the adjustments that can be made are almost limitless. You have to find what fits you.
Once I found my "fit", the Helibars are great. very comfortable, and very tight and stable.
I would not give them up at all.

 

If I was in the market for them, I would not hesitate. I had 12 in bars on my old street glide and thought they were perfect. Chris never had higher bars so he doesn’t know exactly what he wants. I got a set of risers for Christmas and will ride those for a year knowing that the full bars are still an option. Andy, thanks for letting me know. We just might take a ride up there this winter to try them out. If we do I will definitely let you and Jack know. Maybe head out for a DRE. DRIVE TO EAT. Do you happen to have an address and phone number for this place?

 

I have the Helibars on my ‘06. I was ready to give up riding because of shoulder pain, but the Helibars eliminated the pain. They also make tight turns a lot easier. It was well worth the investment.
Your friend is welcome to try mine. I’m still riding even though it’s winter.

 

Thanks Jack. I let Chris know. We will let you know when we want to go up. I still have this perfect guards for you and maybe some head lights if you need them. No cost to you

 

I have them on my '15, paid $770(ish) when I got them, more expensive now but soon am ordering another set for my '14. Heli bars and RDLs are for me, money very well spent.

 

Harry is the owner. He does offer discounts from time to time and sometimes offers promos during NH Bike Week. The only aftermarket item on my bike that I did not install myself since he offered to do it himself.

Heli Modified, Inc.
20 Industrial Way
Cornish, ME 04020, USA

HeliBars

www.helibars.com

800-289-1047

 

Installed a set on my '08...best decision ever. Kinda speedy but well worth it .... IMHO.

 

Best after market product I've installed on my 13. worth every dollar.

 

I have a set in Cleveland Ohio on a 2018 if he gets out this way.

For me the risers didn't cut it. I still ended up with shoulder and wrist pain. Bad pain. Sit in a rest area and wait for the ibuprofen to kick in pain.

Without the Helibars I would have had to sell the bike. I would have paid twice what I did to save the bike I love.

 

I would try the helibar risers first, mine worked fine.