Helibars and sporty riding...

I'm interested in getting some Helibars for my 5th gen, but I'm wondering if they'll be okay for riding on the twisties. Does the higher and more rearward position make sport riding and hanging off more uncomfortable. My back starts to ache really quickly which is why I'm considering them, but I don't want to sacrifice the sporty ergos of the bike. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 June 2010 - 12:34 AM, said:

I'm interested in getting some Helibars for my 5th gen, but I'm wondering if they'll be okay for riding on the twisties. Does the higher and more rearward position make sport riding and hanging off more uncomfortable. My back starts to ache really quickly which is why I'm considering them, but I don't want to sacrifice the sporty ergos of the bike. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!


I put Helibars on my 2003 VFR and they in no way detract from handling. Since I am more comfortable, I am better able to throw the bike around in the twisties.

I highly recommend them.

Heli bars came on my 5th gen when I rescued it from the flood (no, Noah wasn't involved).

I removed them after my track day on the bike and swapped them with my cousins standard bars.

That being said, I did not notice any negative affects from the Heli bars in spirited street riding.

I guess it is possible that they enabled me to get into a bad habit of "riding tall" instead of with my arms parallell with the road.

I did it as much to help my cousin out (who had broken his collarbone a few ribs) as I did it to regain that better position for hanging off.

I've run Heli's on my VFR for the entire 74k miles of rippen twisties w/o issue! :fing02:

But I'm old and need comfort too! :blush:

BR

Thanks for the responses, guys. I think I'll try them and see how it goes.

I noticed the difference after going to Helibars when I went back and rode Deal's Gap area with them. They do tend to keep you from getting low and I felt I was sitting up too much. But that is less than one percent of my riding, and they are wonderful for the other ninety-nine percent. I might consider staying with the stock bars if I lived in the area, but Missouri just works better with the Helibars.

Long as you are not building a track bike, you can sport ride all day with them and be comfortable.

Ask hondalover. He seems to do OK with them!