Hi, all.
New owner of a 2000 VFR800 that's all stock/OEM. I'm 6'1" and am wondering how seriously I should consider Heli bars for the bike. Of those of you that are taller like me, and have ridden with stock and Heli bars, do they make a -significant- difference for you? And, mind you, I don't expect I'll be doing lots of longer rides. If I use up a whole tank of gas on one ride, I would be surprised.
I'm 6'2.. I would not bother with Helis. I have a pair, and they are not on the bike (nor do I plan for them to be). I do 300-400mi rides and the stock bars are fine.
Thanks. My initial thoughts were that they seemed like they would make sense. But, I don't feel like I'm laying forward much at all. I'm wondering if being taller (i.e. having slightly longer arms) makes the need for them less.
I am 6 foot and have never considered raising the bars on my 5th gen. 15 years ago I started out doing "breakfast" rides on my VFR and now I tour frequently. It really depends on you: size, shape & condition. The biggest limiter for me was always the seat which was fixed with a Sargent. Just try the VFR out and see what "hurts" first!!!!!!!!!! I suspect years of bicycle riding has shaped me to fit toooooo!
BTW, I know what higher bars are like as I also have a Wing.
I am 6 foot and have never considered raising the bars on my 5th gen. 15 years ago I started out doing "breakfast" rides on my VFR and now I tour frequently. It really depends on you: size, shape & condition. The biggest limiter for me was always the seat which was fixed with a Sargent. Just try the VFR out and see what "hurts" first!!!!!!!!!! I suspect years of bicycle riding has shaped me to fit toooooo!
BTW, I know what higher bars are like as I also have a Wing.
That was what I was thinking, too. ;)
Well, I for one love Helibars and I am also 6'1". Maybe your arms are longer than mine. I have an LSL kit I would offer to you if you're interested...
Possibly.. I'm not very broad shouldered, so there might be a touch of extra length to my arms.
What's an LSL kit?
Possibly.. I'm not very broad shouldered, so there might be a touch of extra length to my arms.
What's an LSL kit?
Changes the clip on style to a regular handlebar style system. Check out the classifieds. One member already has a set for sale there with a pic.
At 6'1" myself I found the heli's to be a catch 22. More comfy scooching around town, able to look around a little easier, but once highway bound was too much "in-the-wind". Overall though I'd say my experience with them was positive and unless I was heading out on a week-long highway-only romp, I'd be going with them once again.
Along the same lines, I wasn't a big fan of the peg-lowering blocks, but for cruising they were an absolute must!
I sold my earlier 00 with all the accessories before I realized the error of my ways so will be on the hunt to re-accessorize once I gain a clarity on which VFR to keep.
One thing you'll find though is your core is your friend. Work on it before you ride and you'll be happier.
Yes you should. Then go buy a Blackbird and put your stock clip ons on that bike.
At 6'1" myself I found the heli's to be a catch 22. More comfy scooching around town, able to look around a little easier, but once highway bound was too much "in-the-wind". Overall though I'd say my experience with them was positive and unless I was heading out on a week-long highway-only romp, I'd be going with them once again.
Along the same lines, I wasn't a big fan of the peg-lowering blocks, but for cruising they were an absolute must!
I sold my earlier 00 with all the accessories before I realized the error of my ways so will be on the hunt to re-accessorize once I gain a clarity on which VFR to keep.
One thing you'll find though is your core is your friend. Work on it before you ride and you'll be happier.
^^^^ :1: There is much relief for the hands and wrists from holding the bike with the core and lower body, reducing pressure on the bars. I'm 6' 3" and find the Heli's an incremental difference but not radical. I can do a 300 mile day with the stock clipons just fine, but after about 300 and I'm starting to tire, I'm glad to have the Heli's.
I think how you are built affects this greatly. I have a friend who is 6'3". His shoulders aren't that broad and his arms are long so he reaches them easily without bending over. He's done 500 mile days. It's his ass that hurt, not his wrists, neck, or back.
I'm 5'11" and I have a long torso and broad shoulders. My arms don't reach without me leaning forward quite a bit. It gives me pain in my neck and tightness from looking up. It later leads to headaches because of the knotted up muscles. Never had this with other bikes.
I'd ride and see how you get on with the bike. Judge it after the honeymoon period of owning the bike is over. I found that my initial rides I thought I was just tired from riding a lot. Now that I've ridden here and there on the same roads and everything isn't as exciting as the first few weeks I now notice the position more and have come to the conclusion I need to do something about it by raising the bars.
I'm 6'1" and the stock bars are fine for me,if you want an upright riding position buy a bike that has one,I find I hold my weight around town with my torso and legs,on the open road the wind takes the weight off the wrists anyway, seat is an issue though after a while,got my eye on a sargent if I can raise the cash.
I'm not sure about adding a givi monokey rack,it would be useful but I don't want to ruin the sporty looks of the bike.
Are Helibars meant to relieve strain on wrists or the lower back?
My problem has been the lower back a little above the tail bone. Wrists and everything else is fine.