Author Topic: Handlebars height and angle (Read 1557 times)

Michael · « **on:** September 22, 2018, 03:48:20 pm »

For a bike that markets itself as xxx touring the handlebars are downright terrible. Too low and too much pressure on the outside of the palms. I'd like to raise them and adjust the angle. Is there much room in the control cables? Does anybody know of any pre-engineered solutions? Thanks for your time.

Road Runner · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2018, 06:36:23 pm »

Quote from: Michael on September 22, 2018, 03:48:20 pm

For a bike that markets itself as xxx touring the handlebars are downright terrible. Too low and too much pressure on the outside of the palms. I'd like to raise them and adjust the angle. Is there much room in the control cables? Does anybody know of any pre-engineered solutions? Thanks for your time.

Of course this is where the "risers" and "wedges" come into play, to meet you needs. Other forum info available on this subject and some of our industry liasons offer solutions/suggestions.

Steiny · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2018, 06:37:40 pm »

https://www.helibars.com/products/HeliBars%C2%AE-Horizon%E2%84%A2-ST-multi%252daxis-adjustable-handlebars-for-Kawasaki-Concours14/582.html

Charby · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2018, 10:38:44 pm »

Where are you located? Always could hook up with local riders to get some ideas.

Fix ur Critter · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2018, 02:40:27 am »

Hello Michael

As others have mentioned, there are the two inch risers for about $100 and the horizon for $700. The 2" will work with stock cables.

I have/had both. I am not sure The Horizon bars are quite worth the money as they do have limits in there adjust-ability, but I like them and had a custom russel DL seat made for their height- they are much taller than the 2". you will need to extend the cables, which come with kit.

The 2" risers worked well for me, I just wanted to try the horizon and they are better for my 2 up riding style.

But the ultimate cure for me was when I learned that you are not supposed to put much weight on your hands to begin with.

Hug the tank with your legs and keep back straight- lot less force on wrists.. Any way I have a set of 2 inch risers i would sell

PM me if interested.

Be kind,Spay/Neuter always

smooth_operator · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2018, 02:54:31 pm »

I believe the most you can adjust without changing the cables are a 2" riser with setback and a 1/2 wedge.

philipintexas · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2018, 02:07:39 pm »

I can tell you from experience, if you get handlebars that allow you to sit upright, you will probably also need a different seat. Sit upright and your butt will slide forward. You need the “straight arms” to hold you from the forward slide.

Jerdurr · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2018, 05:44:53 pm »

Quote from: philipintexas on September 24, 2018, 02:07:39 pm

I can tell you from experience, if you get handlebars that allow you to sit upright, you will probably also need a different seat. Sit upright and your butt will slide forward. You need the “straight arms” to hold you from the forward slide.

Side note: Phil, I love your rack! (there goes something I never thought I would say!) Cheers buddy! sorry for the slight thread hijack

connie_rider · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2018, 10:09:24 pm »

I have risers that are 1 5/8" tall and a additionally 1/2 riser with a 1" pullback. (I think I got mine from Murph)
Altogether, mine are 2 1/8" tall.
If you correct for the 1" pullback that's probably equal to about 2 1/2" tall.
Cables are plenty long..
AST offers risers that are 2" tall, or 1 that is 2" tall and also has a 1" pullback...

I tried the wedges. The change in angle wasn't for me. Removed them quickly...

As you can see there are many options to change your bars.
Just need to pick your option.
If you near Charby, talk with him, or find out about a COG event and attend it.
You'll be able to see others choices.

Ride safe, Ted

Jacquelyn · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2018, 11:30:24 pm »

I have AST pull back risers, and they are about perfect for me.

cuda · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2018, 12:08:53 am »

Quote from: Michael on September 22, 2018, 03:48:20 pm

For a bike that markets itself as xxx touring the handlebars are downright terrible. Too low and too much pressure on the outside of the palms. I'd like to raise them and adjust the angle. Is there much room in the control cables? Does anybody know of any pre-engineered solutions? Thanks for your time.

I lowered mine

https://spieglerusa.com/handlebar-conversion-kit-4314.html

strum · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2018, 11:17:44 am »

Quote from: cuda on September 26, 2018, 12:08:53 am

Quote from: Michael on September 22, 2018, 03:48:20 pm
For a bike that markets itself as xxx touring the handlebars are downright terrible. Too low and too much pressure on the outside of the palms. I'd like to raise them and adjust the angle. Is there much room in the control cables? Does anybody know of any pre-engineered solutions? Thanks for your time.

I lowered mine

https://spieglerusa.com/handlebar-conversion-kit-4314.html

This I the best option Ive seen . it looks like after the initial install of the brackets then you can try all kinds of bars .

Hosspower · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2018, 01:20:31 pm »

Spiegler LSL conversion kit is top quality stuff. Used it on my VFR. You can also used other handlebars to get more pullback if you like.

Charby · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2018, 11:56:41 pm »

????? Michael where are you?

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2018, 08:13:42 pm »

Quote from: cuda on September 26, 2018, 12:08:53 am

Quote from: Michael on September 22, 2018, 03:48:20 pm
For a bike that markets itself as xxx touring the handlebars are downright terrible. Too low and too much pressure on the outside of the palms. I'd like to raise them and adjust the angle. Is there much room in the control cables? Does anybody know of any pre-engineered solutions? Thanks for your time.

I lowered mine

https://spieglerusa.com/handlebar-conversion-kit-4314.html

I've always liked the looks and combo bars of those the best, as expensive as they are... I wish they would sell the mounts only.
I have no issue with my OEM bars on my C14, they were a greatly improved angle and width/feel over the OEM's on the C10 models, which I promptly replaced with the tubular bar mounts from Murph's... and In stalled Superbike 'style' bars on, (I also used Daytona style bend, and found it comfy), I wanted a wider, flatter grip width/angle, with less wrist bend inwards... and those bars did just that.. allowing a 'wider' arm spacing and reducing the pain between my shoulder blades from having that narrow grip, forcing my elbows inwards to my sides...

https://cdn.spieglerusa.com/pub/media/catalog/product/1/2/120k130_english_rev00_dv_1.pdf

which bars are you running? the FatBars they show in the photo?, I believe those are the 'Superbike bend'....
I think if more people experimented, they woud find they really don't need Higher bars, with drastic pull back, and may find the wider grip to be very comfy, and still allow some bend to the spine to soak up bumps, and be less jarring/fatigueing.

Cali Cruiser · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2018, 10:00:55 pm »

Quote from: Charby on September 22, 2018, 10:38:44 pm

Where are you located? Always could hook up with local riders to get some ideas.

You can lead a horse to water.....

gPink · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2018, 11:20:33 pm »

Quote from: MAN OF BLUES on September 27, 2018, 08:13:42 pm

I've always liked the looks and combo bars of those the best, as expensive as they are... I wish they would sell the mounts only.
I have no issue with my OEM bars on my C14, they were a greatly improved angle and width/feel over the OEM's on the C10 models, which I promptly replaced with the tubular bar mounts from Murph's... and In stalled Superbike 'style' bars on, (I also used Daytona style bend, and found it comfy), I wanted a wider, flatter grip width/angle, with less wrist bend inwards... and those bars did just that.. allowing a 'wider' arm spacing and reducing the pain between my shoulder blades from having that narrow grip, forcing my elbows inwards to my sides...

https://cdn.spieglerusa.com/pub/media/catalog/product/1/2/120k130_english_rev00_dv_1.pdf

which bars are you running? the FatBars they show in the photo?, I believe those are the 'Superbike bend'....
I think if more people experimented, they woud find they really don't need Higher bars, with drastic pull back, and may find the wider grip to be very comfy, and still allow some bend to the spine to soak up bumps, and be less jarring/fatigueing.

Rich, I think Speigler will sell the adapters and risers separatly. I bought a set from a member a few years ago and are using them with old C10 Heli-bars. Works very well

strum · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2018, 05:39:43 pm »

On this subject . I broke my right wrist many years ago . I have no issues at all with my left and I like the ride position Im currently running. Stock bars with 2" risers no wedges throttlemessier bar ends) My issue is my right wrist starts hurting and I have found all the pain is on the outside at the ball area. (dont know what thats called but lets say pinky side)
If I slide out as far as possible and turn my arm so the pressure is on the thumb side of my wrist It relives the pain some.This is ok but i cant ride technically this way. So im thinking I need a little wider bars and they need to go out a little bit . I think thats less pullback? I rode a C14 with the adjustable bars . they wernt wide enough for me . What are my options here? Spieglers and Daytona bars?

cuda · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2018, 09:21:54 pm »

I had a machine shop make a set of risers for the LSL set up but later I removed them .

cuda · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2018, 09:35:31 pm »

Ok the first time I saw a C14 it had two inch risers and was a major turn off to me

Fix ur Critter · « **Reply #20 on:** September 30, 2018, 08:50:23 pm »

Quote from: strum on September 28, 2018, 05:39:43 pm

So im thinking I need a little wider bars and they need to go out a little bit . I think thats less pullback? I rode a C14 with the adjustable bars . they wernt wide enough for me . What are my options here? Spieglers and Daytona bars?

Strum- Ill be back up there in May.. you can try the Horizons again, there are a lot of adjustments to try to see if they work for you.

connie_rider · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2018, 01:30:32 pm »

Quote from: connie_rider on September 24, 2018, 10:09:24 pm

I have risers that are 1 5/8" tall and a additionally 1/2 riser with a 1" pullback.
Altogether, my total stack is 2 1/8" tall and has a 1" pullback.

Since the old posting, I've been experimenting with my handlebars height and pull back.
ie; I had a spare riser to experiment with {evil grin} and thought I might be able to add more adjustability to my set up.

Reasoning; When I enter a turn, I sometimes find that I'm setting to far back from the front.
Gives me an uncomfortable feeling.
Leaning slightly forward fixes the uneasiness and I can make the turn easily.
I thought a little adjustment might make me lean a bit more forward...

With that in mind, I removed 1/4" from a the (1 5/8") risers, and installed them yesterday. (risers are now 1 3/8" tall)
I'm still using the 1" pullback, so the (new) total stack is now 1 7/8" tall.

Haven't got to ride the bike yet because of rain, but the tiny adjustment seemed to make a difference..

Ride safe, Ted

Inshan · « **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2018, 01:34:35 am »

Quote from: philipintexas on September 24, 2018, 02:07:39 pm

I can tell you from experience, if you get handlebars that allow you to sit upright, you will probably also need a different seat. Sit upright and your butt will slide forward. You need the “straight arms” to hold you from the forward slide.

My bike has Horizon Helibars and I am experiencing this symptom. My seat is the Kawasaki Touring seat. The seat padding is comfortable but the shape does not work well with the Helibars, for me.