Helibar Risers Regret?

2138 Views 57 Replies 37 Participants Last post by KrustyKush, 12 h ago

Roseville Jim

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

Have any of you who put on the Helibar risers regret it? Did you find it adversely effected the bike's handling in anyway?

(As you can guess I am contemplating putting them on but want to be sure before I take the step)

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Tonik

· #2 · 13 d ago

I regretted it, because my body is oddly shaped. It created too big of an angle on my wrists. Went with h8e full Helibar replacement handlebars and I am good.

No, it does not impact handling at all, and they will probably work very well for you as they have for the majority of people here.

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VoicesInMyHead

· #3 · 13 d ago

I was having 2 main issues with stock handle bars:
1) After about 2 hours, the grips would leave a red impression on both hands from having to lean forward slightly.
2) My right hand would go numb every 45min or so, and if I wasn't in a section of road where I could pop the cruise control on, it got pretty bad.

I had planned a ride for last Sat (20th) that turned into 517 mile total. Fri (19th) right before the ride, I installed the HeliBar Risers. Wow what a difference!!! They seem small and ya don't think it's going to be that much of an improvement, but they are!

I had Zero issues for the whole 500+ miles with my hands at all. It was great! Follow the instructions, Torque to specified ft/lbs & they are just as solid as stock. I did a ton of uphill/downhill twisty's & hairpin turns on my run Sat, was perfect in every way!

The only thing I had to adjust, was my mount/dismount. I walk with a cane for my messed up left side hip & knee. I get on & off the bike in a particular way, which I now have to turn the bars about 2" to the right getting on & off. Since I'm crazy & not a psycho, it's not a problem at all.
HTH!

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Reactions: 2

murf

· #4 · 13 d ago

Roseville Jim said:
Have any of you who put on the Helibar risers regret it? Did you find it adversely effected the bike's handling in anyway?

(As you can guess I am contemplating putting them on but want to be sure before I take the step)

Did not regret the installation of Helibars at all. Installation of Helibars does not affect the bike's handling.

Reactions: 2

remoandiris

· #5 · 13 d ago

Roseville Jim said:
Have any of you who put on the Helibar risers regret it? Did you find it adversely effected the bike's handling in anyway?

No and no.

Bulitt

· #6 · 13 d ago

I installed the Helibar risers and after a few months I ended up removing them.

Having them on encouraged me to sit more on my tail bone and removing them allowed me to sit with more weight on my thighs, which for me is more comfortable for the long haul.

virginiawing

· #7 · 13 d ago

Bulitt said:
I installed the Helibar risers and after a few months I ended up removing them.

Having them on encouraged me to sit more on my tail bone and removing them allowed me to sit with more weight on my thighs, which for me is more comfortable for the long haul.

That is an interesting perspective. I was riding last weekend and felt what you are explaining, my bike does have Heli Risers. I left the Airhawk at home and actually plan to add a medical grade cushion on top of a sheepskin which will raise me about an inch to offset the current risers. If that does not help with the posture I may try removing the risers. I will decide in the Winter if I am keeping the bike a while and if so may just send it off to Russell and the risers will be better suited due to the height.

grayelky

· #8 · 13 d ago

No regrets. I think I would like the Heli bars, but, money, or lack of, slows me down. I have noticed no effect on the handling.
Im 6’1”, and a petite 250. The risers are way more comfy. I did as instructed and made sure I had the clearance they specified. Some how, I still acquired the scratch they warned against.

Navy Gator

· #9 · 13 d ago

They turned my wrist in uncomfortably
They did relieve shoulder stretch
So mixed bag for me
I took them off, happier

Reactions: 1

CAM II

· #10 · 13 d ago

I put them on mine and helped tremendously. Quality product, easy to install, highly recommend. I tried several on another bike until I found the right one to meet the reach and height I was looking for. You can always take them off.

Reactions: 1

Fluke189

· #11 · 13 d ago

I always question the riser craze. It seems if you have a sport bike, that 3/4" or whatever the riser does eliminates most discomfort. Sport tourer, bars are already higher, but still the same, that 3/4" fixes them right up. Adventure tourer, bars are higher, yet still need that 3/4" for pain relief. Full tour motorcycle higher bars yet, but still the same complaint, need that 3/4" riser. I think all should just come with those apehanger bars with your hands 6" above the head, but no, if they came that way, 3/4" of riser would still be needed.
Then there is the "I have really long arms, that means riser is mandatory", and the " I have really short arms, so riser is mandatory".
Sorry, but no, dumbest add on ever in my opinion.

Reactions: 2

UALCapt

· #12 · 13 d ago

I installed them concurrently with a RDL. The new seat moved me rearward about 1.5", and the risers compensated nicely. The combination is perfect for me (5' 11", 190 lb, long legs).

Reactions: 1

Martyn

· #13 · 13 d ago

I initially had the risers but as several have stated, they turned the bars inwards and gave me wrist ache. Changed them out for the expensive Horizon bars and that was the answer for me. I say expensive. Not as expensive as plan B, which was to get rid of the Wing I could'nt get comfortable on for something I could.

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dansgl1800

· #14 · 13 d ago

I have them and I wish they pulled the bars back farther. I still get some shoulder pain. My next step would be the horizon bars but I just don’t like the look of the round bars. I haven’t really taken a long trip on my 2023 Wing yet. That will be the test for me I guess. Im 5’8” with short arms and need the bars back another inch at least. Ironically, a friend of mine who is about my size with a 2021 Wing has the same issue with the risers and wishes it pulled the bars back farther.

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virginiawing

· #15 · 13 d ago

dansgl1800 said:
I have them and I wish they pulled the bars back farther. I still get some shoulder pain. My next step would be the horizon bars but I just don’t like the look of the round bars. I haven’t really taken a long trip on my 2023 Wing yet. That will be the test for me I guess. Im 5’8” with short arms and need the bars back another inch at least. Ironically, a friend of mine who is about my size with a 2021 Wing has the same issue with the risers and wishes it pulled the bars back farther.

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The round bars don’t look nearly as clean because they have no covers to hide the wires, this is the one thing that would keep me from buying them. A couple members have installed them and used a loom to hide the wires well. I had the Horizons on my Concours and the Form/Function argument definitely comes into play depending on one’s pain level.

headpeon

· #16 · 13 d ago

I wouldn't have need them with the stock seat but since I replaced the seat that moved me back? Definitely. What a difference and love them.

Reactions: 1

charleetho

· #17 · 13 d ago

The previous owner put some on my bike. I'm 6'3" 260lbs. He is something like 5'9".
The barends hit my knees at full lock. Felt like the grips were in my lap. Took them off and sold them. Wish the bars were up and forward an inch or so.

Most people seem to like them.

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EasternSP

· #18 · 13 d ago (Edited)

The risers help some folks but not others.
I tried them and wasn't really comfortable with them. Sold them.
I mentioned the bars I replaced the risers with but that highjacks this thread so I deleted it.

Rick H.

· #19 · 13 d ago

If it hasn't already been shown by the responses, bar risers, bar-backs, different handlebars, foot pegs, highway pegs, seats, windshields, etc. are all a personal opinion on what's comfortable. I had risers on my K1600 GTL's and liked them and put them on my new Goldwing. So far I like them on the 'Wing, but a couple of weeks ago a leak developed in my final drive which downed the bike. I only have 750 miles on the 'Wing and roughly 200 of those miles were with the bar risers, so I really can't say if I like them or not yet. If my 'Wing ever gets fixed I should be able to give a better opinion on the risers if the bike holds together long enough to do so. In the end it's all a matter of personal opinion. Even the uber-expensive replacement adjustable handlebars may not be the end-all cure for riding comfort. Chasing comfort can be nothing more than a game of roulette in many instances. You pay your money and take your chances, but something that works for one may not help you out at all.

Rick H.

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KrustyKush

· #20 · 13 d ago

I got a new Corbin saddle a few weeks ago. Corbin specifically recommends the Heli riser, saying the riser, in combo with its saddle, will put the rider into the “sweet spot.”

This kind of bugs me because every rider has his own sweet spot.

I determined to delay buying the Heli riser until I had put a couple thousand miles on the new saddle. And could make up my own mind about a “sweet spot.” I have now done so.

I do need the riser. Got it ordered and it will get here tmrw. Hope I don’t end up taking it back off!

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