handle bar risers, which one

[montaseri]

Hi,
I just purchased a 2014 FJR 1300. Seems like my arms are too short and I am finding myself leaning forward too much, feeling pain in my palms.
Seems like the solution is handlebar riser / extender kits. Except there are so many of them, hence this posting.

I think I need to raise it by an inch or so and bring the bar towards me a couple of inches.
Q- Is there a way to measure a comfortable position vs guess work or buy-try-return-buy-try-return ?
Q- What are some of the products out there that resolve this issue ?
I did a quick search at Amazon and tons showed up, thought I'd ask around to narrow it down.

Thanks
Medi

[jwilly]

I have run HeliBars risers on my Gen 3 bikes and have been very happy with them. My best recommendation is watch for rides or events in your area and see if you can sit on someones bike with various risers. Welcome to the forum.

https://www.helibars.com/products/HeliB ... s/588.html

[gixxerjasen]

Love my MV Motorrad risers, nice adjust-ability and they work very well, also great service from the company. Faster shipping than I imagined from where they are shipped from.

https://www.mv-motorrad.de/en/MV+Handle ... ension.htm

[montaseri]

Thanks everyone...seems like the MV Motorrad riser (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxyjGeeU3sY) has solved the break and clutch fluid line extensions nicer than Heli (not requiring an extension piece). I'll keep looking and see if I can do some pre-measurement before committing.

Cheers
Medi

[gixxerjasen]

FYI, they solved it by having you remove them from their brackets so you get more play out of them. Not that it's caused any issues in the tens of thousands of miles since I installed mine, but just for clarification.

I like them because being able to adjust the sweep of the bars is nice in addition to them being brought up and back. The ram ball is a nice added bonus.

[Redfish]

The HeliBar Bridge also has the lines removed from their brackets but it moves, or has the potential to move, the bars farther back from the original starting point. In the forward part of the adjustment range the HeliBar can be used without the brake line extension. Mine has been like that for the last 25K miles or so.

Both the HeliBar and the MVMotoradd are Excellent Products. You cannot go wrong choosing between those two.

The GenMar riser blocks help but they don't move the bars back significantly.

[FJRoss]

You might want to consider this option from AuburnFJR...
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3369&hilit=bars

[D-Eagle]

People seem to love the MV and Helibar setups.
On my 3rd FJR I finally installed the Helibars and a Russell seat. As I had gotten older the forward lean and hard seat were just getting in the way of a good time and I was ready to sell the bike. The Helibar and Russell seat saved the bike. (And cruise....oh I love the cruise).

As I'm raw as a mechanic, I found the directions of installing the helibars to be a little vague in places. After doing it once it all makes sense and would be easy the second time through....but the first time was a bit confusing. My suggestion is to get a phone number of someone that did the install already if you need to call for advice in any steps (or you can post here if you can wait for a response). And take pictures along the way of anything you disconnect and will put back together (throttle cables). It's worth it and if I can do it anyone can.

Don.

[Redfish]

The Most Important Advice I can offer for the installation of any risers or riser blocks is:

Cover the gas tank with towels. Thick towels. Use at least two layers of towels. You will need to set the bars there, you will probably knock one of the bars against it, you may drip brake fluid if you do the HeliBar brake line extension.

The second best advice I have is to get a Friend. This friend can be completely useless mechanically but you will need an extra pair of hands at a couple points in the process.

[montaseri]

Thanks everyone for the overwhelming response. Very helpful. An important parameter for me is the horizontal tolerance (or play). While MV gets the bar up to 1,5 inches, Helibar provides up to 3 inches of horizontal play. They both provide up to 1 inch of vertical displacement.

On the other hand, the break fluid line extension is a negative. Generally fluids love to find their way out of connections and joints. The extension concerns me but I think that is why Helibar can give up to 3" of play.

Frankly, though Yamaha take pride in their "from follow function" philosophy, seems like they dropped the ball on this ergonomic factor. Next time I am in Japan, I'll stop by and tell me so.

[raYzerman]

While the Helibar requires an extension, the connections are quite secure as any of the banjo fittings and bleeders. It doesn't look the prettiest, but you can install it such that it doesn't look all that bad. If you'd rather not use it, you can replace your front (rubber portion) brake line with one developed by HEL that is 3" longer, a stainless braided line (~$50).
Whether Helibar or MV, you have to remove the clutch line clamp at the left side of the steering head to allow maximum slack and also adjust the wire harness south of the ignition switch (lots of wire available, just loosen the wire ties, adjust and re-tie).
For the HEL brake line, you have to call them directly as it's not listed on their website. You can use it with either Helibar or MV.
The Helibar 3" adjustment is rotationally, so full forward the bars are wider, full back they are narrower. I started in the middle, but ended up rotating mine full forward... they are still further back than stock.