My Aching Back -- Are There Risers That Go Back Further And Higher Than Helibars?

Unfortunately, most of the riding I do now involves longer slab runs, and my back has been getting worse for a while. I have ridden with heli-bars a while, which help, but would like something that goes up even higher and back further. Do such risers exist???

I think they are called an ST1300. Really, the bars you describe would hit the tank at full lock, I think.

[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Mar 24 2009, 11:10 PM, said:

I think they are called an ST1300. Really, the bars you describe would hit the tank at full lock, I think.
Yes, first you unbolt the bars from the VFR and replace them with the bars from the ST1300. Then you unbolt the bike from the bars and mount the rest of the ST1300 in its place--problem solved!

Ciao,

[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Mar 24 2009, 07:10 PM, said:

I think they are called an ST1300. Really, the bars you describe would hit the tank at full lock, I think.

My bars do now just about. I would think if they're up a bit more, it may even give it some more space.?.

I think Convertabars(?) offer more options, but body mechanics probably play a major role in your discomfort. :unsure:

[image: View Post]cbennett5199, on Mar 24 2009, 07:01 PM, said:

Unfortunately, most of the riding I do now involves longer slab runs, and my back has been getting worse for a while. I have ridden with heli-bars a while, which help, but would like something that goes up even higher and back further. Do such risers exist???


Yep. LSL


http://www.customfighters.com/forums/imagehosting/16249c182400d577.jpg

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/imagehosting/16249c691617476d.jpg

if you're slabbing most of the time, it's time for a different bike. ;)

Vario bars are adjustable. They are $$$$$. And a pain to install. You can change the up and down angle, move them forward or back, change raise on them 60, 70, 80 and 100mm. Comfortable , yes.

[image: View Post]Hobie1dog, on Mar 24 2009, 06:08 PM, said:

if you're slabbing most of the time, it's time for a different bike. ;)

:+1:

I don't know what gen you have but the 6gens fairing will accept much higher bars; especially if you go with longer throttle cables. This was about as far up and back I could go when I made my own using all the stock units just unbolted or rerouted.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1163625717/gallery_611_2287_97522.jpg

[image: View Post]chonsey, on Mar 24 2009, 08:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Hobie1dog, on Mar 24 2009, 06:08 PM, said:

if you're slabbing most of the time, it's time for a different bike. ;)

:+1:


Not sure on these guys thinking but I, unfortunately, live in area that requires serious slab droning to get to the good twisties and it's one of the MAIN reasons I own one. What about the VFR commuters? Do you suggest they buy a scooter? :dry: :biggrin:

Here's some pic's of the Vario bars. I ended up with using the 60mm raisers. I don't have any pic's of them yet.

Bars and raiser kit
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/russandler/VFR/DSCN0380.jpg

100mm raisers, TOO much.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/russandler/VFR/DSCN0384.jpg

70mm raisers, still too high.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/russandler/VFR/DSCN0524.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/russandler/VFR/DSCN0523.jpg

Thanks for the ideas. Get a 1300? Not going to happen. While I'm stuck on slabs a lot these days, my riding of choice is aggressive twisty/mountain riding. Unfortunately, I'm about 2 hours away from that, which means I've got 4 hours of transit to and from. Whenever I get the chance, that's where I go. The VFR is a great bike, and would like to see if I could mod it to fit my taller (6-4) body -- which also seems to breaking down somewhat from desk jobs and aging, I suppose. I stay in decent shape, so that's not really my problem. Also, the last thing I want to do now is to fork out thousands of dollars on another bike. So, I'll check out some of these ideas you guys shared. If anyone has any others, I'm all ears!

[image: View Post]cbennett5199, on Mar 25 2009, 06:51 AM, said:

The VFR is a great bike, and would like to see if I could mod it to fit my taller (6-4) body -- which also seems to breaking down somewhat from desk jobs and aging, I suppose.

If anyone has any others (ideas), I'm all ears!

CB - for my 2�, I think I know what you mean. I've actually been thinking Hard about an ST-1300 myself & for similar reasons, but each time I climb onto the VFR it makes a "new" convert out of me!

I'm not quite as tall (6'1"+), and I have Heli's as well. I've actually wanted to try something else, but I don't have the stock bars and some of the other configurations just don't seem right for me. One issue I have is my arm length - I take a 35" or 36" sleeve, so the Heli height actually Bothers me. It kind of makes me feel like I'm in between where I really should be. Weird...

For your Back situation, perhaps here's another thought. Give a look at the following link:

http://www.vfrdiscus...showtopic=44940 :idea3:

That should link you into BLS's (BusyLittleShop) Peg Lowering Block thread. It's actually something that I've been contemplating for myself. For you, given your height, maybe it's not the Arms that are your real issue, perhaps it's the Legs... Maybe this would be something that could help.

Give it some thought, and see what happens. Keep us posted, if you will. Maybe we can pick something up, too.

Good Luck. :wheel:

Try these. They seem comfy.

http://fc50.deviantart.com/fs32/f/2008/211/9/f/HUGE_ape_hangers_lol_by_Hanyuu_Furude.jpg

I'm a hair over 6'5" so I've seen some issues with life on a VFR. Get some BLS lowering blocks. I resisted them for some reason, I don't know why, the first time I rode with them it was like I was dragging my feet, my knees felt so much more stretched out. I took off the drag pegs that hang from under the pegs when I installed the lowering blocks, just in case.

Anyway, if you haven't, get a better seat. The stock 6th gen seat (and maybe other generations, I don't know) is a big turd from my point of view. I've got a Sargent, I like it, some like Corbin better, and some get good results from rebuilding the stock seat.

After that you're probably going to want that LSL bar kit or something similar. I've gotten away with Gen-Mar bar risers but if you aren't happy with Helibars then these won't help. An LSL kit with a different bar, something with a ton of lift, would probably be your best bet. You'll need longer control lines & hoses if you do this. Give the Renthal catalog a good look, I'm sure there is something they offer that would give your controls increased height, and you should be able to rotate the bar in such a way that clears the fairing & the tank. It's something I'd like to eventually do with my bike but for now I'll keep on keeping on with the Gen-Mars.

All of the above should make life easier with the 6th gen. One other thing is, get a gym membership, and use it. Increased back strength will help a lot here, as well as other aspects of life. Humans weren't designed for cube life, try to make up for it when you can.

I'm 6'4" and bought my vfr used with convertibars already installed.... They provide great adjustability and I've had them set up many different ways over the years. Other tips about the seat and peg lowering provide even more comfort without any real sacrifice.

Convertibars website

Good luck.

I've got Genmars and the lowering pegs and they work great. I'm 6'3"ish with a herniated disc at c6/7 plus something else going on down in my lower back. When I went to a therapist for the c6 issue she gave me some exercises to do that have helped immensely with my riding comfort. You may want to look into this.

[image: View Post]cbennett5199, on Mar 24 2009, 07:01 PM, said:

Unfortunately, most of the riding I do now involves longer slab runs, and my back has been getting worse for a while. I have ridden with heli-bars a while, which help, but would like something that goes up even higher and back further. Do such risers exist???

I feel your pain. For years, my back has been getting worse. About six years ago, we were headed to the beach for a week of golfing with my Dad and step-Mom. I was at work and my back went out. I mean, OUT! The pain was unbearable and I could not even walk 30-40 ft. to our nurse's station. After a MRI and therapy along with steroids and pain killers, I got well enough to take our vacation.I always felt that my back was weaker than before this situation and even though I was without pain, I still felt these "stingers" from time to time. So I gave up golf, water sports, sold our boat and stopped jogging. I also sold all my bikes during this time and slowly, I felt my back was returning to it's normal self.
Then one day, my wife and I were working out and BAM! To my knees I went and I am ponding my fists on the floor! Enough of this crap. I looked into surgery but with my deal it isn't a real option. I researched the web and discovered Inverison Tables and bought a Teeters/Hang Ups Table and my life has changed for ever. Sorry for the long reply but if you try this, it will not only help while riding your VFR but with the quality of your life. I have no ties to this company and there are several different brands out there. Sears has a great table at a reasonable price and it is a Nordic Track model. Hope this helps and good luck, JD

[image: View Post]cbennett5199, on Mar 25 2009, 05:51 AM, said:

Thanks for the ideas. Get a 1300? Not going to happen. While I'm stuck on slabs a lot these days, my riding of choice is aggressive twisty/mountain riding. Unfortunately, I'm about 2 hours away from that, which means I've got 4 hours of transit to and from. Whenever I get the chance, that's where I go. The VFR is a great bike, and would like to see if I could mod it to fit my taller (6-4) body -- which also seems to breaking down somewhat from desk jobs and aging, I suppose. I stay in decent shape, so that's not really my problem. Also, the last thing I want to do now is to fork out thousands of dollars on another bike. So, I'll check out some of these ideas you guys shared. If anyone has any others, I'm all ears!

How about this: go out and find a good (licensed depending on state) massage thersapist...tell them that you want to focus on your back , neck, shoulders, and gluts(the ass muscles) SI joint area....you might find that loosening up the soft tissue will help you out considerably! If you are interested in trying, let me know and I can give you some sites to find yourself a legitimate MT. Stay away from spa and salons!

[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on Mar 25 2009, 07:53 AM, said:

How about this: go out and find a good (licensed depending on state) massage thersapist...tell them that you want to focus on your back , neck, shoulders, and gluts(the ass muscles) SI joint area....you might find that loosening up the soft tissue will help you out considerably! If you are interested in trying, let me know and I can give you some sites to find yourself a legitimate MT. Stay away from spa and salons!
:+1:
MT's are awesome. Helped me with lower back issues due to a swollen disc. Hurt like hell when they were working on me but walking out of there it felt like Heaven. Combined with exercises they tailor to your individual back issues and you are a new person. :fing02:

Sorrry, when I suggested getting a different bike, this comes from someone who has back injuries/issues so I feel your pain literally.

Having a "sport bike" with it's looks of a "racing bike" may be important, but I've been on several group rides where the one guy who smoked EVERYONE through the twisties was on a Suzuki Bandit( he also is crippled and walks with a cane), and another ride where the fastest guy was on a Honda 500 inline 4 , 1980's bike. My point being that the twisties can be negotiated just as fast as any VFR with just a standard upright position street bike. Before you start flaming me, I love the looks of a VFR just as much as anyone, and the engine is worthy of writing home about, but I bet my left testicle that you can put Freddie Spencer on a upright streetbike and whoop-ass every VFR rider that comes near him.

I have installed the Convertibars on a VFR, but when you raise the bars up to where they are really comfortable, it looks kinda silly on a sportbike, and you run into clearance problems when the bars are close to full lock as they hit the windshield as it sweeps back, the newer Generation of VFR's have alot more clearance than the earlier bikes do. I also had the LSL riser bars that enable you to put a standard handlebar as pictured earlier. Alot of this has to do with the asthetics if you want to maintain that "sportbike look".

Guys looks like im in land of the giants im only 5'8" and found the VFRs riding position a little uncomfortable so installed a set of vario bars found them to be Excellent bit pricey but well worth it

Guys, would like to suggest you could have done a Public Service for many of the Brethren here, including CB. I didn't have time to get into it earlier when I gave him the link to BLS's Lowering Pegs, but thought that was a good way to go, perhaps, and why I mentioned the Legs, too.

I had a Serious back issue 20 yrs ago this year. Had all the symptoms aptly described by Leanit due to big issues in L4/L5 spinal area. Refused surgery, even had traction for a while.

What put me on right direction was a Massage Therapist (lifelong friend now, btw) and not just what was done physically, but what I learned through the association. Biggest help to me was my own regimen of Stretching, esp'ly the Legs - Achilles, Hamstrings, and Quads. I do to this day, but not as diligent anymore until "things" tell me to get back into it. :blink:

Was explained to me that Tight Leg Muscles actually Pull Down on the back and cause much of the problem(s). When we get spinal compression (I, Leanit, and others), it affects our nerves and causes ancillary pain & even More problems.

SO - I agree with what's here Wholeheartedly. CB should look at an upgraded seat - my Sargent is Much better than stock, but still think I need to re-contour a but. A Bar upgrade may well help, too, and the BLS Peg mod, at 6'4" tall, might Well help CB, also.

BUT - I couldn't agree More with your physical-based suggestions here. I Loved the Teeter table the few times I was able to use one - the Decompression of the Spine and stretching of the surrounding area(s) is Marvelous. Yet - my work on getting my legs stretched out and many other muscles out of spasm & working properly again (Ask the Massage Therapist) was what put me over the top. A good and consistent walking regimen helps, too.

Also sorry for the Long Post, but hope that this may well help others. Without it (all these Physical things to regain my own Health), there's no way I'd have the distinct pleasure of Life on the Road (at least once in a while) with my VFR! :fing02:

Good luck to all, and give things a Serious thought. None of you will be displeased with the positive results and usable benefits you will receive, as to which so many of our fellow VFRD Crew can attest!

:wheel:

[image: View Post]vfrobb, on Mar 25 2009, 07:07 PM, said:

Guys looks like im in land of the giants im only 5'8" and found the VFRs riding position a little uncomfortable so installed a set of vario bars found them to be Excellent bit pricey but well worth it
Tell me about. LOL What raiser did you go with?

Great ideas -- clearly, I'm not the only one that loves the VFR but finds the ergos just off somewhat. And, the ideas about stretching, working out, MT, etc. are very well taken.

I'm trying to be much better about stretching in particular. I've almost always concentrated on strength when working out, at the expense of flexibility. Now, my hip flexors, quads, and hammies are really tight; so tight I do think they are torquing my back. I'm working on that every day now.

Another big factor is my IT job, which I like, but keeps me glued on my ass. I try to stretch during the day and get up, but sometimes I find myself hyper-focusing on some data or code for too long. (Kind of like when I ride, I often keep pushing to the destination, rather than getting off for a bit and walking around. Guess it's part of my personality type :dry:.)

My first mod will be to get some peg lowering blocks -- I'm #8 on the list Larry of BLS tells me. I'll see how those feel, and if that doesn't do it, I'll move on to some new risers, as many of you suggest.

I thought I'd add one more thing -- I talked with the guy (forgot his name) at Convertibars (Invex Corp). Very nice and helpful. Sounds like they'd be good to do business with. The Convertibar setup, however, costs about $650. I'll spend it if I have to -- that's better than buying an ST :biggrin: -- but for that amount, seems to make sense to try the peg lowering blocks first.

[image: View Post]cbennett5199, on Mar 27 2009, 05:42 PM, said:

Great ideas -- clearly, I'm not the only one that loves the VFR but finds the ergos just off somewhat. And, the ideas about stretching, working out, MT, etc. are very well taken.

I'm trying to be much better about stretching in particular. I've almost always concentrated on strength when working out, at the expense of flexibility. Now, my hip flexors, quads, and hammies are really tight; so tight I do think they are torquing my back. I'm working on that every day now.

Another big factor is my IT job, which I like, but keeps me glued on my ass. I try to stretch during the day and get up, but sometimes I find myself hyper-focusing on some data or code for too long. (Kind of like when I ride, I often keep pushing to the destination, rather than getting off for a bit and walking around. Guess it's part of my personality type :dry:.)

My first mod will be to get some peg lowering blocks -- I'm #8 on the list Larry of BLS tells me. I'll see how those feel, and if that doesn't do it, I'll move on to some new risers, as many of you suggest.

One thing that would help you is to buy one of those inflatable balls to sit on at work.....FYI.......John

[image: View Post]vfrobb, on Mar 25 2009, 07:07 PM, said:

Guys looks like im in land of the giants im only 5'8" and found the VFRs riding position a little uncomfortable so installed a set of vario bars found them to be Excellent bit pricey but well worth it

Glad someone else said it!! I didnt want to be the pansy that, at 29 years of age I think the VFR is uncomfortable. I'm also 5'8, and find the VFR downright uncomfortable anything over 150 miles. (sargent seat and helibars installed) I love it, but an ST1300 may be in my future. I'm getting some good ideas in this thread though :cool:

One thing that would help you is to buy one of those inflatable balls to sit on at work.....FYI.......John
[/quote]

My wife said that an IT person in her building uses one of those. :+1:

With that being said, Friday, I held a Safety Committee meeting with our 3rd shift team. One of the team members asked me about my back issues. She was working the night I hurt my back. I told her I still use the Inversion Board and strongly believe it is the one thing that saved me from years of pain. Evelyn told me she bought her husband a board for Christmas last year and her whole family uses it. She then told me that one of our maintenance techs had slipped a disc dancing on New Years Eve. The next week he bought an Inversion Board and has felt great since. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse but if you buy one, say at Sears; use it for a week or two and feel it has not helped, simply return it. Just make sure to keep the packaging in perfect shape. later, JD

PS - If you're having that much discomfort or pain in your lower back; new handle bars, new seats and lower foot pegs will help but you still have not dealt with the physical part of your problem. My wife is laughing at me because I am acting like I get a kick back if I sale 20-30 units a week! :idea3:

I used to have an inversion board, but I didn't see any noticeable results. But, then again, maybe I wasn't using it "correctly." For you guys who find an inversion table helps, what is your routine and frequency of use? Sometimes the COSTCO where I live has those for about $125, and they're really nice ones. Maybe that's worth another try, though I'm curious to hear what a "successful" routine looks like if one of you doesn't mind sharing. Thanks.

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Mar 24 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

I think Convertabars(?) offer more options, but body mechanics probably play a major role in your discomfort. :unsure:

I have to agree with Bailey here. I am 6'5" and have standard bars and standard pegs. When I first started riding the VFR, I was having lower back pain, arm pain, leg cramps and numbing in my fingers and wrists. I didn't change anything on my bike, I changed the way I sat on it. I have some mild chronic back pain associated with a high speed cage tumble about 10 years ago, but nothing that stretching and occassional heating pad can't minimize. My legs are very comfortable on the pegs as they are, and sitting differently on the bike has helped with everything else. When I am riding, especially on the slab, I have very little weight on my arms. It's all on my legs and I keep my back pretty straight. When I stopped leaning on my arms so much, it changed everything about my experience. I ponied up for a Sargent seat and that's a blessing compared to stock, but I still could use more support. My butt hurts on long rides, but my legs, arms, wrists and hands are usually good to go. Just my thoughts.