Time for a handlebar riser.

MFP

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Lately when I ride for more than 3 hours I get an ache in my shoulders, mostly the right side which is my
dominant side.
I would like to get a handlebar riser, have been meaning to do so but I always put it off. I am looking for a riser
that also brings the handlebars back a bit as well. I am eyeballing the HeliBars riser and it seems like they are exactly
what I am looking for. They also appear to be very well made.
On HeliBars's website it mentions that there is no need to replace the cables and lines for a '13 S10
and that there are just a few simple mods to make which kind of frees up some slack for the cables and lines.
As anyone here installed the HeliBars on their S10?
If you do have HeliBars was the install straightforward using the existing cables and lines and are you happy
with the results with the HeliBars.
I am also open to advice/suggestions for other brands (familiar with ROX) but it seems most just only lift the handlebars.
Thanks,
MFP
 
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Bill_C

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Central Valley California
Not what you asked for but I put 2” Rox risers on my ‘13 and they allow for plenty of adjustment. I bought the clutch and brake lengthen kit from Altrider.




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I did the same this past weekend, but the AltRider kit didn't cut it for me. The amount of slack it offers on my bike is just not enough as my brake line is under way too much stress. I've read that it is hit and miss with that kit. To be fair, it's not the kit's fault though, it's the manufacturing variance in Yamaha's lines. Literally the difference of 1/2" makes all the difference.

OP, to be on the safe side I would plan to buy extended lines no matter what risers you buy. It keeps the hardlines where they belong and removes the stress off the lines. I have had great success just rerouting lines on other bikes but the way the lines are run on this one you just can't pull it off on the brake side.

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fac191

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Have a look at the risers which raise and pull back. Someone on here got some I cant remember from where. No doubt they will pop up. Much cheaper.
 
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Straight up- Tusk work well

Rocking back- RoxRisers work well
 
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twinrider

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I had Rox Risers on my first S10, was never really happy with them as the bars felt too flexy. Using Helibsr risers on my current S10. Much more rigid due to the one piece construction and they put the bars in a perfect place for me. The included brake line works well.
 

MFP

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I had Rox Risers on my first S10, was never really happy with them as the bars felt too flexy. Using Helibsr risers on my current S10. Much more rigid due to the one piece construction and they put the bars in a perfect place for me. The included brake line works well.
I believe the included brake line only comes with the riser kit for GEN2s.
 

Jovak1

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May 5, 2021
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Western Massachusetts
Lately when I ride for more than 3 hours I get an ache in my shoulders, mostly the right side which is my
dominant side.
I would like to get a handlebar riser, have been meaning to do so but I always put it off. I am looking for a riser
that also brings the handlebars back a bit as well. I am eyeballing the HeliBars riser and it seems like they are exactly
what I am looking for. They also appear to be very well made.
On HeliBars's website it mentions that there is no need to replace the cables and lines for a '13 S10
and that there are just a few simple mods to make which kind of frees up some slack for the cables and lines.
As anyone here installed the HeliBars on their S10?
If you do have HeliBars was the install straightforward using the existing cables and lines and are you happy
with the results with the HeliBars.
I am also open to advice/suggestions for other brands (familiar with ROX) but it seems most just only lift the handlebars.
Thanks,
MFP
Just installed HeliBars on my 2016 S10. The directions were excellent. Heli takes the guess work out of how to extend and place the cables for safety. I am very happy with the results. The bars are moved backward and upward and for me at 5'10" it made a significant improvement in comfort.
I also installed them on my FJR1300. This installation was also trouble free and a significant improvement in comfort.
All in all it was worth the investment.

Hope this helps.
 
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MFP

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Just installed HeliBars on my 2016 S10. The directions were excellent. Heli takes the guess work out of how to extend and place the cables for safety. I am very happy with the results. The bars are moved backward and upward and for me at 5'10" it made a significant improvement in comfort.
I also installed them on my FJR1300. This installation was also trouble free and a significant improvement in comfort.
All in all it was worth the investment.

Hope this helps.
Jovak1,
Thanks for your reply. I am pretty sure that I will end up buying the HeliBars for my GEN1.
I just wish that the GEN1 HeliBars kit came with the brake line extension and coupler that
is included in the GEN2 Helibars kit rather than just some zip-ties and a rubber coated bracket.
The instructions look pretty straight forward however my online research indicates that a few
folks mentioned that the OEM brake line and cables are a bit tight with a full handle bar sweep from left to right.
 

Bill_C

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Central Valley California
Jovak1,
Thanks for your reply. I am pretty sure that I will end up buying the HeliBars for my GEN1.
I just wish that the GEN1 HeliBars kit came with the brake line extension and coupler that
is included in the GEN2 Helibars kit rather than just some zip-ties and a rubber coated bracket.
The instructions look pretty straight forward however my online research indicates that a few
folks mentioned that the OEM brake line and cables are a bit tight with a full handle bar sweep from left to right.
If you're ordering from Helibars then I suggest you save yourself the headache and order the hydraulic line extension at the same time. You'll save on shipping and you'll feel a lot more comfortable knowing your hardlines aren't going to develop a stress fracture from rubbing up against the back of the neck of your frame.
You might also consider throwing in the universal adapter for the clutch side as well (https://www.helibars.com/helibars-accessories/brake-line-clutch-line-universal-adapter/). That way you don't have to mess with removing that line from its holder on the left side of the neck. I'm a big fan of keeping hardlines in their rubber isolated mounts if at all possible.
I know it adds up but I prefer to cry once rather than save now and risk spending more down the road.

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MFP

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Location
NYC, NY
If you're ordering from Helibars then I suggest you save yourself the headache and order the hydraulic line extension at the same time. You'll save on shipping and you'll feel a lot more comfortable knowing your hardlines aren't going to develop a stress fracture from rubbing up against the back of the neck of your frame.
You might also consider throwing in the universal adapter for the clutch side as well (https://www.helibars.com/helibars-accessories/brake-line-clutch-line-universal-adapter/). That way you don't have to mess with removing that line from its holder on the left side of the neck. I'm a big fan of keeping hardlines in their rubber isolated mounts if at all possible.
I know it adds up but I prefer to cry once rather than save now and risk spending more down the road.

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Bill_C,
I like the way you think!
Big thanks to you for your advice and the pertaining parts info as well.
 

JamesGang

I'm Rick James
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Cape Breton Island
For your viewing pleasure I will post some photo's of my Helibar riser installation. I have been perfectly satisfied with their product and the included brake line extension (w/ bleeder valve) was been trouble free since 2018.
DSCN0768.JPG20180729_133241.jpgDSCN0769.JPG
 
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frofroten

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Litchfield, MN
for what it's worth, imho I was having the same issue with the shoulder pain. I'm about 6 2 (188 cm). I purchased the heli bars but all they did was move the shoulder pain lower. They also made it easier for me to slouch. I removed them and bought a pair of 20 mm risers from sw motech. I also made sure I had good posture when riding (sitting up straight and adopting a slight forward lean) After a month, I no longer get shoulder pain. My butt still gets sore (seat kit is on the way). Of course it all depends on how you want to sit in the bike. Just my 0.02.
 
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MFP

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for what it's worth, imho I was having the same issue with the shoulder pain. I'm about 6 2 (188 cm). I purchased the heli bars but all they did was move the shoulder pain lower. They also made it easier for me to slouch. I removed them and bought a pair of 20 mm risers from sw motech. I also made sure I had good posture when riding (sitting up straight and adopting a slight forward lean) After a month, I no longer get shoulder pain. My butt still gets sore (seat kit is on the way). Of course it all depends on how you want to sit in the bike. Just my 0.02.
Thanks for your reply. It has been suggested to me by some other folks that I might just need to have the bars lifted not lifted and pulled back.
What you mentioned about just redirecting the pain to a different area in my shoulders has definitely crossed my mind.
Did the SW riser require you to you
modify the brake line or anything else?
Hopefully I will figure out what will work best for me.
 

frofroten

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Aug 18, 2020
Messages
41
Location
Litchfield, MN
Thanks for your reply. It has been suggested to me by some other folks that I might just need to have the bars lifted not lifted and pulled back.
What you mentioned about just redirecting the pain to a different area in my shoulders has definitely crossed my mind.
Did the SW riser require you to you
modify the brake line or anything else?
Hopefully I will figure out what will work best for me.
The lines became a little tight at full bar lock. Any tighter and I would replace them but they should be fine as is. I actually plan on removing them now that I have my posture figured out to see if the shoulder pain returns.
 
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lund

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Jul 8, 2019
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Okanagan Valley, Canada.
I have the Heli bar on my bike and absolutely love them. For the same reason the original layout gave me shoulder and neck problems.
The Heli bars did not resolve the problem 100% but it did allow me to have longer stretches, ride time pain free.
In the original layout I would get 1 1/2-2hrs max then it started and would get bad. The Heli bar allowed me to ride easily 2-3hrs pain free, after that well, it didn't matter I generally take a 1/2hr break.
I found for me riding much more then 2-3hrs solid riding becomes very uncomfortable and no longer enjoyable, so taking a break is nice.
 
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