Handle Bar rasiers or not? how much?

[mclaw44]

Hello All! Here it is winter in Ohio and my 09’ RS Spyder is in the barn just waiting for its first upgrades as soon as we get through the holiday season, and man do I have a list. The first thing I am looking to do is comfort and that is where my questions start.

Let me put down the ground work first and let’s just say a lot of people refer to me as “FUN SIZED” :roflblack: ok so I’m 5’2” and 160 pounds 39 year old male.

I can’t say I am uncomfortable on my Spyder because that’s a big selling point for someone my size. I can ride 1000cc bike and not have to get lift shoes LOL. As an engineering, continuous improvement is my life and hay I just like to tinker. So my plan is to add a Corbin Seat with a C.H.A.D windshield floorboards and other goodies from ISCI’s but the one thing I am questioning if I need handle bar risers and if so how much I see anywhere for 1” to 4.5”. Thanks for everyone’s help and can’t wait to post my pics of the new and improved Yellow Spyder of my very own. Happy Holidays too all.

 

[Sarge707]

Given your Height ,if your arms are at a natural degree of bend you may not need them? :dontknow: If you do need them I would stay away from the Solid Block type because it will interfere with your vision of the console. OMHO

 

[sealfloorboards]

I found the stock handlebars made me lean over too far. I installed Helibar 5" risers. The brought the bars up 2" and back 5". It made a huge difference in my seating position. After that, I designed the Seal FloorBoard system to give me LOTS of foot move around. Those two mods, plus a taller windshield, gets me about as close to a true "cruising" position as you can get on an RS. I'm 5'8" but love to be able to stretch my legs out and still get to the brake without having to lift my foot off the FloorBoard. Good luck!

Ride in Comfort,

John
sealfloorboards.com

 

[Lamonster]

I put these on about 40,000 miles ago and I wouldn't want to ride too far without them.nojoke
http://www.esicycleproducts.com/SpyderHandlebarRiserKits.html

 

[sabunim5]

I'm not sure you need them, but these offer more adjustment than just about anything out there. I don't have them, but a fellow Spyder Ryder says they made a huge difference in his riding comfort.
http://www.kewlmetalstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=456

 

[ARtraveler]

We put 3" risers on both our 2008 and 2009 Spyders. The 3" risers we put on were custom made by my dealer. They have worked well, and have not presented any problems. The RTS, in my opinion does not need risers. I am 5'5" and 178#--the spouse is 6' and her weight is nobody's business she says. In both cases, we went from the sport bike lean over, to a more comfortable upright riding position. Since we are into long rides and touring--this has worked great for us. Hope this helps in your decision.

 

[ataDude]

... I am 5'5" and 178#--the spouse is 6' and her weight is nobody's business she says...

No offense but that sounds like a lot of fun slow dancin'. hyea:

.

 

[capt jim]

riser for rt

I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE MY BARS ON THE RT BUT DOSEN'T THAT BLOCK YOUR MIRROW AND INSTRIMENTS?

 

[aaronsbs]

I also would like to raise my 2008 GS. any words on the ESI vs. Kewlmetal adjustables?

 

[Neez]

There's no "right" answer that fits every person. A lot depends on your body dimensions and riding habits. As a general rule, I would say that the more long distance ryding a person does, the more they prefer the upright position. Sport ryders might prefer a forward lean. If you look at the different types of motorcycles, built for differing purposes, you can see what I mean. I'm 5'8" and do more short rydes in the twisties than touring, so the BRP 1 inch riser works nicely for me. I'm in the minority, of course, but I notice a lot of touring ryders are now simply opting for the RT. I would say, don't be in a hurry, do your other mods first, see how they feel, then choose.

 

[DragonSpyder]

I think risers are a must for just about any height. With the ESI ones you can sweep them back or have them straight up so you can customize it how you like. You get a ton more leverage and that makes riding more comfortable.

Once you do risers you will benefit from mirror extensions. There are a few options here. I have the Kewlmetal extensions and they work great.

 

[napper39]

i just got the easy risers from esi and for the best price of all the rest,and they look good too.:thumbup:

 

[WackyDan]

The big question is... Are you uncomfortable with the stock bar height/position? After a long ride are your shoulders/neck sore? Then yes, you might want risers... But if you have no discomfort, I don't know why you would buy them.

 

[usurp31]

I'm a short guy and after about 30 minutes my wrists get sore, so I opted for the ESI Easy Risers; I hope to get them installed when the blast of cold weather hits.

 

[Bob Denman]

From what Ive been reading here; the risers allow you to adjust them to bring the bars back closer to you...(More sweep than rise....) Is that correct? That should make for plenty of adjustment for just about anybody.

I heard from someone who has the risers to be sure and figure in the ride height that you'll be using. If you're ordering windshields also, this could get to be important too. :shocked:

 

[DynamoBT]

Just like Neez said, there is no one answer about which riser is best. One thing that went into my decision to get the helibar riser was that I did not want to cut the stock bars. With both ESI type of risers, you do have to cut the handlebars.

See if you can sit on, or even ryde someone else's Spyder that has one of the riser types on it. You will get to see what the Spyder looks like and feel if the riser is right for you.

I don't know which "block" riser someone was talking about blocking one's view of the console. I'm not very tall overall and very short waisted for my 5' 4" height. I have not trouble seeing the console with the helibar set up (which is a "block" type riser).

There are almost too many choices sometimes when it comes down to what to do to mod your Spyder!! Good luck sorting them out, and making your Spyder your own!!

 

[NancysToy]

As was said, there is not one solution for everyone. I expect you will appreciate the risers, though, unless you are coming from crotch rocket roots. My wife is also 5'2", with a fairly long torso. With the stock seat, she did not need risers. Although she sat forward on the seat, she still leaned quite a bit, but it was not uncomfortable for her (with the BRP 1" riser). When she got the Comfort Seat, she was forced to sit with her behind against the bumstop, due to the contour of the seat. That made her uncomfortable without risers. A orbin seat would likely cause the same issue. She added the ESI 3" riser, tilted quite far back, and is happy now. An added advantage is that the steering is much easier with risers, as both elbows remain bent while making gentle turns, instead of having the outside arm straight, and needing to use that shoulder unless you merely pull the bars with one arm.

I highly recommend the ESI risers, but the new KewlMetal risers are fully adjustable, and would be a good choice if your exact needs are unknown.

 

[ArmyJoe]

Where you at in Ohio? I'm in Columbus and if you're close, I'd be willing to drive to your place so you can sit on mine with the ESI risers.

 

[Firefly]

Risers made a bigger difference than I thought they would--- great investment no matter which ones you go with. Don't waste your time with the 1" BRP 'riser' --- not worth it.

 

[Raptor]

I have to agree; how much rise, sweep etc to apply to the bars is a very personal choice. On the RS-S I had them install 2" risers, and I have to say it made a differnce in comfort. I'm 6'3" and it helped much more than I thought it would, just like Firerfly said. My Wife is very petite and she digs it too!

Now 14 is a different matter. There be no riseres here! I am very much in a sport-like posture; but that's how I roll on 14. We go hard together and somehow when I settle into the saddle it just feels perfect. Risers would not fit that setup at all.

So there it is. 2 different Spyders, 2 different setups but they both feel great in their own way. I hope you find the setup that is just right for you. :thumbup: