Heli Bar "Re-design"? Wrist Pain Relief
11-28-2009, 05:07 AM
#1
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
Heli Bar "Re-design"? Wrist Pain Relief
Greetings! I'm new to forum yet I've been using it a while for Hawk information leading to my purchase of a 98! Im 6" tall and weigh 230lbs
This is my first "lean forward" bike design but I do find the riding position comfortable. My wrists are sore consistantly from work so Im not blaming the Hawk for my problem. Its simply exposing a problem that already exists. My right hand fingers have gone numb on all my bikes.
After my first 60 mile ride I had considerable wrist pain. I've seen handlebar swaps and gel gloves to help. Im willing to try anything that doesnt require bike modification. There's no way in hell Im giving up on my hawk. It's just to awesome!
I noticed on the Heli-Bars site the VTR bars are under "Re-Design" and to call for details. Unfortunately they are closed today and I'm not a very patient person. Anyone know what the re-design entails or why they would do it?
This is my first "lean forward" bike design but I do find the riding position comfortable. My wrists are sore consistantly from work so Im not blaming the Hawk for my problem. Its simply exposing a problem that already exists. My right hand fingers have gone numb on all my bikes.
After my first 60 mile ride I had considerable wrist pain. I've seen handlebar swaps and gel gloves to help. Im willing to try anything that doesnt require bike modification. There's no way in hell Im giving up on my hawk. It's just to awesome!
I noticed on the Heli-Bars site the VTR bars are under "Re-Design" and to call for details. Unfortunately they are closed today and I'm not a very patient person. Anyone know what the re-design entails or why they would do it?
11-28-2009, 08:20 AM
#2
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,132
The original Heli Bars hit the fairing and will turn on your high beam for you in the parking lot when fully turned.
That would be my guess for a reason to redesign.
There are bars from a few other bikes that fit too, but I expunged that info from my brain when I did my fork swap since it no longer applied to me. (TL Heli bars and a Ducati of some sort, 900ss I think but I could be wrong)
That would be my guess for a reason to redesign.
There are bars from a few other bikes that fit too, but I expunged that info from my brain when I did my fork swap since it no longer applied to me. (TL Heli bars and a Ducati of some sort, 900ss I think but I could be wrong)
11-28-2009, 08:36 AM
#3
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 1,548
new bars out called swat bars (you can search for them) offer a variety of rises that should work. I think the best overall solution is a superbike bar set up ( you could search on this site for some inexpensive ways to do it). that allows use of tubular old-style handlebars and gets you the most rise and pullback and easy to swap. You probably will have to trim a bit of the fairing 'ears' that stick back toward you on the underside, but if you do it neatly its not noticeable and isnt' structural.
11-28-2009, 08:41 AM
#4
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,132
I don't recommend Swatts. I am using them myself, and the product is good.. But the people selling them are flaky at best.
I had to call 3 times and it took over 4 weeks after ordering before mine got shipped. Indierocker (mod here) was screwed out of the $$ for a set when they said they'd accept a return and received the parts back, but never refunded him the $$ so he didn't even have the ones that didn't work for him to sell. (etc etc)
I had to call 3 times and it took over 4 weeks after ordering before mine got shipped. Indierocker (mod here) was screwed out of the $$ for a set when they said they'd accept a return and received the parts back, but never refunded him the $$ so he didn't even have the ones that didn't work for him to sell. (etc etc)
11-28-2009, 09:20 AM
#5
Boosted
SuperSport
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 642
Just so the opposite opinion is heard, I ordered Swatts and had no problems whatsoever with the people. The only downside for me was I had to reverse their riser brackets to make my F4i M/C work.
11-28-2009, 10:53 AM
#6
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
The original Heli Bars hit the fairing and will turn on your high beam for you in the parking lot when fully turned.
That would be my guess for a reason to redesign.
There are bars from a few other bikes that fit too, but I expunged that info from my brain when I did my fork swap since it no longer applied to me. (TL Heli bars and a Ducati of some sort, 900ss I think but I could be wrong)
That would be my guess for a reason to redesign.
There are bars from a few other bikes that fit too, but I expunged that info from my brain when I did my fork swap since it no longer applied to me. (TL Heli bars and a Ducati of some sort, 900ss I think but I could be wrong)
I've read people using VFR bars and I've looked at the Convertibars site. Heli appears to have more history and be more reputable. Are VFR bars direct bolt on? I'm a bike ***** so eventually I'll buy a newer hawk or something else. I'm leary of "modding" anything to fit as the bike will lose resale greatly. I'll consider anything thats direct bolt up. Thanks for the help fellas. I just traveled to local honda dealer and got some gel grips rather cheaply ($10). The plan is to go through my brakes/lines and replace the bars before next season. This forum has been great help
11-28-2009, 11:24 AM
#7
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
Find the thread in here somewhere with the details, but yeah, the VFR bars from certain years is a direct bolt on...
For sake of comfort though I'd recommend removing the locating pin on the bars and the controls, so you can swivel them freely, making fine adjustments possible... They stay in place just fine with the right torque on the bolt, no need for the pin...
This a is a "mod" that mostly affects the VFR bars, but the mod to the stock VTR controls shouldn't really affect resale as nobody will even know the difference... Your wrists will though...
I'm using ConvertiBars myself as I swapped out my whole front end... They give you a completely adjustable setup... Lightyears beyond the Heli's... If you are going for any of them, do the ConvertiBars, you won't regret it...
For sake of comfort though I'd recommend removing the locating pin on the bars and the controls, so you can swivel them freely, making fine adjustments possible... They stay in place just fine with the right torque on the bolt, no need for the pin...
This a is a "mod" that mostly affects the VFR bars, but the mod to the stock VTR controls shouldn't really affect resale as nobody will even know the difference... Your wrists will though...
I'm using ConvertiBars myself as I swapped out my whole front end... They give you a completely adjustable setup... Lightyears beyond the Heli's... If you are going for any of them, do the ConvertiBars, you won't regret it...
11-28-2009, 11:25 AM
#8
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 1,548
well, the absolute cheapest is to ideally position your controls and train yourself to use different posture. You are plenty tall so shouldn't be the need to have much weight on your wrists.
For positioning controls, you can find info anywhere but as was said above, aim for a flat wrist while in the riding position (no bend from forearm to back of hand).
For training yourself, this really is subtle but very important. This post has a lot of info on the opening page about it. try it - it actually works, especially the part about bending at the waist and strenghting your abs and back.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthread...er=2766&page=1
For positioning controls, you can find info anywhere but as was said above, aim for a flat wrist while in the riding position (no bend from forearm to back of hand).
For training yourself, this really is subtle but very important. This post has a lot of info on the opening page about it. try it - it actually works, especially the part about bending at the waist and strenghting your abs and back.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthread...er=2766&page=1
11-28-2009, 04:03 PM
#9
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
Find the thread in here somewhere with the details, but yeah, the VFR bars from certain years is a direct bolt on...
For sake of comfort though I'd recommend removing the locating pin on the bars and the controls, so you can swivel them freely, making fine adjustments possible... They stay in place just fine with the right torque on the bolt, no need for the pin...
This a is a "mod" that mostly affects the VFR bars, but the mod to the stock VTR controls shouldn't really affect resale as nobody will even know the difference... Your wrists will though...
I'm using ConventiBars myself as I swapped out my whole front end... They give you a completely adjustable setup... Lightyears beyond the Heli's... If you are going for any of them, do the ConvertiBars, you won't regret it...
For sake of comfort though I'd recommend removing the locating pin on the bars and the controls, so you can swivel them freely, making fine adjustments possible... They stay in place just fine with the right torque on the bolt, no need for the pin...
This a is a "mod" that mostly affects the VFR bars, but the mod to the stock VTR controls shouldn't really affect resale as nobody will even know the difference... Your wrists will though...
I'm using ConventiBars myself as I swapped out my whole front end... They give you a completely adjustable setup... Lightyears beyond the Heli's... If you are going for any of them, do the ConvertiBars, you won't regret it...
11-28-2009, 04:20 PM
#11
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
well, the absolute cheapest is to ideally position your controls and train yourself to use different posture. You are plenty tall so shouldn't be the need to have much weight on your wrists.
For positioning controls, you can find info anywhere but as was said above, aim for a flat wrist while in the riding position (no bend from forearm to back of hand).
For training yourself, this really is subtle but very important. This post has a lot of info on the opening page about it. try it - it actually works, especially the part about bending at the waist and strenghting your abd and back.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthread...er=2766&page=1
For positioning controls, you can find info anywhere but as was said above, aim for a flat wrist while in the riding position (no bend from forearm to back of hand).
For training yourself, this really is subtle but very important. This post has a lot of info on the opening page about it. try it - it actually works, especially the part about bending at the waist and strenghting your abd and back.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthread...er=2766&page=1
Heh master yoda has spoken. Good stuff
03-14-2010, 01:06 PM
#12
Member
Squid
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Glenwood Springs, CO
Posts: 71
I used the helibars for awhile and they hurt my wrists more than the stockers, a little too flat and not enough droop for my old and broken arthritic wrists. For me relief came in the form of GenTech risers, which re-positioned the stockers up 3/4". I also dremeled off the rear half of the peg on the bottom of the casting, allowing them to be splayed out a bit more than stock. Don't know about using the stock brake lines on these, the SS lines I had allowed the conversion no problem, and the the stock clutch line allowed for a straight forward installation. A Sergent seat and Buell pegs round out my geriatric riding position, not quite a couch but damn I look good on it.
10-22-2010, 05:11 AM
#14
Member
Squid
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 73
Makes sense and I will look into this.
I've read people using VFR bars and I've looked at the Convertibars site. Heli appears to have more history and be more reputable. Are VFR bars direct bolt on? I'm a bike ***** so eventually I'll buy a newer hawk or something else. I'm leary of "modding" anything to fit as the bike will lose resale greatly. I'll consider anything thats direct bolt up. Thanks for the help fellas. I just traveled to local honda dealer and got some gel grips rather cheaply ($10). The plan is to go through my brakes/lines and replace the bars before next season. This forum has been great help
I've read people using VFR bars and I've looked at the Convertibars site. Heli appears to have more history and be more reputable. Are VFR bars direct bolt on? I'm a bike ***** so eventually I'll buy a newer hawk or something else. I'm leary of "modding" anything to fit as the bike will lose resale greatly. I'll consider anything thats direct bolt up. Thanks for the help fellas. I just traveled to local honda dealer and got some gel grips rather cheaply ($10). The plan is to go through my brakes/lines and replace the bars before next season. This forum has been great help
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