So how many of you use bar risers on your FJ's? I see many of us are in our fifties in this forum. Like many of you, my hands get either sore or numb plus the lower back gets cranky. So what is the consensus among bar riser users? Love 'em, hate 'em, meh? Does it take away some of the sport from our sport/touring motorcycles? Inquiring minds want to know.
Joe
Love 'em. It's amazing how much they affect the weight on your palms.
Rick, you bought the 3/4" RPM risers?
Joe
One of the first things Randy installed on my 1100 were his bar risers. I rode 800+ miles to his shop then rode 2200 miles home. I was 60yrs old at the time and the effect on my neck, back and wrists was a joy. You would not think 3/4 of an inch would make a big difference but it made my bike a lot more comfortable. I have them on both my 1100's and one of my 1200's. The PO of the other 1200 had the stock risers cut and lengthened an inch. No telling what that cost.
Dave
Yep they make a difference, well worth the money.
Helis make a considerable difference.
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 24, 2018, 10:12:18 PMSo how many of you use bar risers on your FJ's? I see many of us are in our fifties in this forum. Like many of you, my hands get either sore or numb plus the lower back gets cranky. So what is the consensus among bar riser users? Love 'em, hate 'em, meh? Does it take away some of the sport from our sport/touring motorcycles? Inquiring minds want to know.
Joe
Joe,
As age and battle-damage creep up on me, I know I will soon ditch the stock handlebars. I also know that bar risers are a lousy, expensive, half-baked "fix" for the problem. I am going to convert to standard two-bolt or three-bolt handlebar clamps, and normal handlebars. Then the handlebar options on spread, height, tilt, and sweep are about endless. Bar risers are just
too limited, there. I plan to fill a stock top clamp with JB-Weld, flush all across the bottom. I might
like to spend the big bucks for large custom handlebar adapter plates, but for me, that is just not realistic.
Install the clamps on the new (standard) handlebars, where you want them spaced. Drill holes to fit the adapters, through the top fork clamp. The top fork clamp is not flat on top or bottom, so I would use JB-Weld to build up a flat surface around the bolt holes for the clamps. When the epoxy is partially set but still soft, add a washer to the top and bottom of the fork clamp holes, then bolt the adapters into place, just snug, not tight. Trim the still-soft epoxy excess to neatness with a hobby knife. Use a release agent (silicone lube) on the bolts and adapters, or you may never get them apart, later.
Once the epoxy is fully cured, you can install the top fork clamp and tighten everything to reasonable torque values.
two-bolt handlebar adapters
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kHQAAOSwsNBbioyP/s-l500.jpg)
three-bolt handlebar adapters
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/CIYAAOSwMtxXr2qW/s-l500.jpg)
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 24, 2018, 10:47:16 PM
Rick, you bought the 3/4" RPM risers?
Joe
Twice (see avatar)
I wanted to get the stock handlebar position when I swapped my front end for a FZR RU set up.
After a load of measuring, I found I could fit the bar risers and handlebars from a 1st Gen (2001-2004) FZ1/Fazer 1000 and get exactly the same positions and angles to match the FJ at the handgrip position.
Used the FJ bar ends and used the rubber riser mounts from the FZ1 and no probs with vibration.
For 10 years I had bar risers, they helped, but...I have found that you will get more options and adjust-ability with tubular handlebars.
2002 oem Yamaha FZ-1 bars are perfect for me.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/49_13_12_09_9_13_36.jpeg)
On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/49_15_03_15_1_50_01.jpeg)
A night and day difference.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 25, 2018, 12:56:36 PM
For 10 years I had bar risers, they helped, but...I have found that you will get more options and adjust-ability with tubular handlebars.
2002 oem Yamaha FZ-1 bars are perfect for me.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/49_13_12_09_9_13_36.jpeg)
On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/49_15_03_15_1_50_01.jpeg)
A night and day difference.
Aahhh - I think I have a language problem - "bar risers" here is also the name for the handlebar clamping units, not necessarily just the aftermarket extender bits that raise the bars above standard.
I really do agree about the FZ1 bars !
Quote from: Millietant on September 25, 2018, 03:27:39 PM
I really do agree about the FZ1 bars !
Yep, and the ends of the FZ1 bars are threaded so the oem FJ end weights fit right in, or even better, the RPM Vibranator bar ends.
(http://rpmracingca.com/prodimages/large/M%20C%20RPMbarend-1.jpg)
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMbarend (http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMbarend)
The 3/4" RPM bar risers took the twinge out of my shoulder blades. I may need something a little closer to me some day, but so far so good.
There have been some really good replies here. Thank you very much. So my first take away is that the aftermarket bar risers do work. However, the second take away is that there are better options, maybe more work and money though? I think I shall go with the 3/4" risers for the remainder of this season. Provided I can make the Fall Rally, I'll try to update this thread with real world results.
Joe
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 25, 2018, 10:24:14 PM
I think I shall go with the 3/4" risers for the remainder of this season.
Provided I can make the Fall Rally, I'll try to update this thread with real world results.
Joe
All the more reason to make it, you can ride over without them and ride the rest of the weekend with them. That is about as close to back to back testing you can do.
Randy - RPM
Joe, try Randy's Vibranator bar ends the same way.....or, do what I did...put one on one side and leave your oem bar end on the other side. 1/2 way through your trip, switch sides. They work.
Randy, bar risers already ordered and Robert mailed them today.
Pat, I think my debit card is overheating. I've spent a lot of money on bike related stuff recently. I'll keep the Vibranators in mind.
So what were the results of your scientific experiment?
Joe
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 26, 2018, 06:47:00 PM
They work.
Here's cool thing to do: Install the Vibranators, go for a ride, at freeway speed, take your left hand and feel the Vibranator bar end, lots of vibrations huh? The thing really hums. That's the counter weight wiggling on the bar shaft. Now compare those vibes on the bar end to the vibes coming thru your hand grip.
A significant reduction in high frequency vibes.
More things to purchase I suppose. I don't want to contract moditus. Supposedly it's incurable.
Joe
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 27, 2018, 10:53:04 PM
More things to purchase I suppose. I don't want to contract moditus. Supposedly it's incurable.
Joe
Ask me about my shift indicator... and heated grips... and relays... and driving lights... and clear lenses... and dashcam... and...
Bar risers were received today and installed. Feels a bit more comfy, I won't know for sure until I take it for a freeway jaunt.
Rick, someday heated grips may get installed. Either that or these;
https://www.motosport.com/racer-dynamic-ii-goretex-gloves (https://www.motosport.com/racer-dynamic-ii-goretex-gloves)
As far as a headlight relay, I'm actually impressed with the headlight that is on the FJ. Perhaps it's not stock, I don't know. Better vision in dark than my FZR with aftermarket bulbs.
I'd like to cast up a set of front lenses....someday.
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 28, 2018, 09:19:05 PM
Bar risers were received today and installed. Feels a bit more comfy, I won't know for sure until I take it for a freeway jaunt.
Rick, someday heated grips may get installed. Either that or these;
https://www.motosport.com/racer-dynamic-ii-goretex-gloves (https://www.motosport.com/racer-dynamic-ii-goretex-gloves)
As far as a headlight relay, I'm actually impressed with the headlight that is on the FJ. Perhaps it's not stock, I don't know. Better vision in dark than my FZR with aftermarket bulbs.
I'd like to cast up a set of front lenses....someday.
Do some research here on the board regarding headlight mods. Most everything has been tried, with varying degrees of success. I finally settled on a simple 80/100w Sylvania replacement bulb for the factory bulb, and installed the headlight relay to protect the wiring, and it has performed as good as anything else I've tried (LED, HID, etc.) I added a pair of LED driving lights mounted to the leading edge of the engine bars that completely changed riding on a dark road. I wired them through the high-beam switch to be able to kill them quickly for oncoming traffic. They've saved me a few times from deer standing in the road on my early morning commute through Niles Canyon.
(https://i.imgur.com/CwB28C9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AUnxAsO.jpg)
I think you've only owned that bike for a year, maybe less. It's impressive the amount of changes you have made in that time. If I can make it to the rally, I'll be interested in checking out your machine.
Occasionally I ride to work, not often. But, when I do ride it's at oh-dark thirty. Like you I suspect. Even on low beam whatever my FJ has for a headlight seems to do the job on Highway 280. There are sections that are darker than a coal miner's a$$.
I've driven Niles Canyon during the day. A very nice drive.
Joe
Quote from: Tuned forks on September 29, 2018, 09:05:28 AM
I think you've only owned that bike for a year, maybe less. It's impressive the amount of changes you have made in that time. If I can make it to the rally, I'll be interested in checking out your machine.
Occasionally I ride to work, not often. But, when I do ride it's at oh-dark thirty. Like you I suspect. Even on low beam whatever my FJ has for a headlight seems to do the job on Highway 280. There are sections that are darker than a coal miner's a$$.
I've driven Niles Canyon during the day. A very nice drive.
Joe
Well, most of the credit goes to the original owner, and Randy, who kept it lovingly tucked away in his warehouse just for me!
It has been nice working on modifying a clean platform. I also had the experience of the previous bikes with the same mods that made it go much smoother.