Handle bar risers vs alternative

[Desert Spyder]

I was helping a friend yesterday install a pair of Rivco handlebars on his 2012 RSS. He is in 70's, doesn't ride the bike much (600 mi in 2 years), and gets worn out riding the bike early. I rode the bike to the nearest dealer 30 mi away last week for its first service while he followed behind in his truck. I am spoiled by my RT after owning a RS. The RSS was an animal, a bucking bronco. I couldn't wait to get to the dealer. At least he didn't have the sports shield on it. He claimed he also had changed to the comfort seat. Must be me but I wasn't too comfortable. I told him a few improvements might enhance his riding experience: an AirHawk 2 seat cushion, some handle bar risers and maybe some mirror extenders. He bought the cushion and the extenders from Rivco. Instructions were simple enough but doing the job was a PITA. First of all no matter what you do to a Spyder you have to take half the plastic off and some plastic is more brittle than others and EVERYTHING sold by BRP is pricey. Cables bound by hidden zip ties and after cutting them it still is clinched in a fist. Slack is needed to put on the extenders. Then you go to secure the plastic housings on the bars and they don't go together right. My mechanic asked why we didn't go with Heli bars. "I hope your buddy got his handle bars addressed, those handle bars are poor at best. They give the bike a very uneasy feeling when turning at speeds, applying too much pressure to the DPS..."

Has anyone encountered this situation and has anyone replaced their extenders with the Heli bar or something similar?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THE REAL ISSUEHERE

I was helping a friend yesterday install a pair of Rivco handlebars on his 2012 RSS. He is in 70's, doesn't ride the bike much (600 mi in 2 years), and gets worn out riding the bike early. I rode the bike to the nearest dealer 30 mi away last week for its first service while he followed behind in his truck. I am spoiled by my RT after owning a RS. The RSS was an animal, a bucking bronco. I couldn't wait to get to the dealer. At least he didn't have the sports shield on it. He claimed he also had changed to the comfort seat. Must be me but I wasn't too comfortable. I told him a few improvements might enhance his riding experience: an AirHawk 2 seat cushion, some handle bar risers and maybe some mirror extenders. He bought the cushion and the extenders from Rivco. Instructions were simple enough but doing the job was a PITA. First of all no matter what you do to a Spyder you have to take half the plastic off and some plastic is more brittle than others and EVERYTHING sold by BRP is pricey. Cables bound by hidden zip ties and after cutting them it still is clinched in a fist. Slack is needed to put on the extenders. Then you go to secure the plastic housings on the bars and they don't go together right. My mechanic asked why we didn't go with Heli bars. "I hope your buddy got his handle bars addressed, those handle bars are poor at best. They give the bike a very uneasy feeling when turning at speeds, applying too much pressure to the DPS..."

Has anyone encountered this situation and has anyone replaced their extenders with the Heli bar or something similar?

To be brutally honest here.....300 miles per year....in Calif,.....I'm surprised He owns a TRUCK.....He should realize his limitations and forget any kind of Motorcycle and stick to Caddy's and Rolls Royce's......There is nothing on the Planet that is going to make the Spyder ...any Spyder comfortable enough for Him to ride much less enjoy.............Do him a favor and convince Him to sell it A.S.A.P. before it loses any more value....JMHO.....Mike :thumbup:

 

[Desert Spyder]

To be brutally honest here.....300 miles per year....in Calif,.....I'm surprised He owns a TRUCK.....He should realize his limitations and forget any kind of Motorcycle and stick to Caddy's and Rolls Royce's......There is nothing on the Planet that is going to make the Spyder ...any Spyder comfortable enough for Him to ride much less enjoy.............Do him a favor and convince Him to sell it A.S.A.P. before it loses any more value....JMHO.....Mike :thumbup:

I don't disagree with you. He has a scooter that is older than the Spyder that has less than 100 miles on it. But he does have that for sale but never advertises it. Only word of mouth. One of the reasons he hasn't put too many miles on the Spyder is his wife is a cancer survivor and he took care of her during those months, God bless him. She is better now thank God.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Brian, Joe installed the Heli bars on a friend's RS and they seem really great. I know that she really likes them. When I had a GS I put a riser on it and it didn't really make a big difference to my riding position. The Heli bars can be adjusted to the rider's liking.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am also one who modified our first GS/RS models.

Handlebar risers (3"), Mirror extenders, different seats. A Corbin on one and the BRP comfort seat on the other. Also eventually added Corbin fairings. The mods made for a more upright ride, but the GS/RS versions do not give you the softer ride that the RT does.

The GS/RS and I am sure the RSS are more like riding a sport bike than a tourer.

 

[Blue Star]

I installed the risers on my RS, never had any issues with my DPS, or the steering. Made my riding much more enjoyable.