Handlebar raisers, does 1.5 inches make a difference?

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by surfandski, May 30, 2021.

  1. surfandski

    surfandski New Member

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    This question is for people that have added handle bar raisers.
    An inch and a half seems a very small increment. If you have bought such raisers, did you notice a big difference ? Was it worth it ? Which ones did you buy (and if you could post a pic). Thank you.
     
  2. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Not really a VFR-related answer, but when I had my 1996 Suzuki RF900R I purchased some Helibars; these were a stepped-tube arrangement and replaced the original straight tube bars in the original clamps. I was pretty unexcited when I saw what I had spent my money on, but the result was really very good, and took the bike from being too wristy for comfort to being a very decent long-haul ride. These bought the bars up by 1.25" and back by 1" IIRC.
     
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  3. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    It depends what you call a big difference, it is certainly noticeable and if you are having trouble with weight on your wrists it certainly helps. Mine are 1 inch high. Available in 3/4inch and 1 1/2 inch. Can’t remember the brand and I can’t find the invoice. They were advertised on either this forum or VFRDiscussion. CEAD6E43-AABF-4220-A8A4-A61CF0D3E3DE.jpeg
     
  4. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    They were from Motopumps. D9D3F6A4-DFAD-411C-AAB4-FE0060E3958F.png
     
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  5. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    The short answer is YES.

    But for best impact you really need the stock bars moved a bit closer and a bit higher - which is what the 6th Gen Helibars do.

    When I installed genuine Helibars on my 6th Gen they made a substantial improvement over stock and can contemplate 600 mile plus riding days without arriving in severe pain.

    Previously the standard bar postion made riding from more than an hour truly painful - especially on my wrists and back. Before laying out a heap of cash for Helibars, I did try and rapidly sold on some much cheaper bar risers. However unlike Helibars, they only lifted the bars about half inch as that avoided any need to mess with cables etc, but sadly had only marginal benefit on riding comfort.

    Back in 2016? I think Helibars did consider producing a riser set for the 8th Gen - presumably they were hoping to repeat the 6th Gen combination of moving the bars both upwards and nearer to the rider - but thus far nothing came of that idea. So if you own an 8th Gen then the main choices seem to be between various firms offering riser pads of different thickness which will probably help a bit but perhaps not anywhere near as much as any solution which can also bring the bar placement nearer to the rider.
     
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  6. surfandski

    surfandski New Member

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    Thanks, I like the price ! unfortunately they don't have it for the 6th gen.
     
  7. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    These aren't cheap options, but give you the rearward placement you need.

    Helibars claim 1.25" up and 1.5" rearward, keeping stock cables/lines. They are fixed not adjustable rotation-wise.
    https://www.helibars.com/products/helibars-handlebar-risers-for-honda-vfr800-vfr800-vtec.html

    Convertibars offers more adjustments, rotation, etc. and I have these on my Gen5. You can keep stock hoses, etc. but will likely have to re-route. I eventually just got 2" longer stainless lines. I got mine used, and I'd have been OK with the Helibars too.
    http://convertibars.3dcartstores.com/Honda-VFR-80002-13-Bike-Specific-Kit_p_168.html
     
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  8. vfrgiving

    vfrgiving New Member

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    Have you been to cycle-ergo.com and pulled up the 6th gen? You can add your measurements as well as modification changes to see how that would change the seating position. The following would be me on a 6th gen:

    stock6th.JPG
    hurr16th.JPG

    I recently installed Hurricane Police kits on my Fifth gens. Rides are so relaxed now, I can never imagine going back to hunched over clip-ons.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2021
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  9. mofo

    mofo New Member

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    Helibars did make a big difference for me. 6th generation bike even better on long rides after the first 20K miles, over 80K miles by now.
     
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  10. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Helibars on mine. Notice a difference, no, until you take them back off then it's. No no no, back on.
     
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