bar risers

[Tuned forks]

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

[ZOA NOM]

Love 'em. It's amazing how much they affect the weight on your palms.

[Tuned forks]

Rick, you bought the 3/4" RPM risers?

Joe

[TexasDave]

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

[Bones]

Yep they make a difference, well worth the money.

[FJ Flyer]

Helis make a considerable difference.

[red]

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

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


three-bolt handlebar adapters

[ZOA NOM]

Rick, you bought the 3/4" RPM risers?

Joe

Twice (see avatar)

[Millietant]

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.

[Pat Conlon]

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.


On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:


A night and day difference.

[Millietant]

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.


On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:


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 !

[Pat Conlon]

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/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMbarend

[Country Joe]

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.

[Tuned forks]

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

[racerrad8]

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