Any comments on Handlebar Risers?

[Bmandiego]

I'm still trying to get my 2000 r1100rt broke in (for me). I would like some input on whether you have ever tried the handlebar risers. (Ilium Works has some nice ones).
IF so, Why?
and
Did they help alleviate anything?
Thank you!

[martinph]

I use them, they work for me!

[Bmandiego]

Thanks, Martin!
Why did you begin using them, was it to help with back pain, numbness,...etc?

[Keystone]

Use 1 inch risers on my 04 R1150RT. Love them and the seating position is very comfortable for me. Started to using them to prevent the numbness of in wrist and hand.

[martinph]

Yes, Just more comfortable!

[mneblett]

I'm still trying to get my 2000 r1100rt broke in (for me). I would like some input on whether you have ever tried the handlebar risers. (Ilium Works has some nice ones).
IF so, Why?
and
Did they help alleviate anything?
Thank you!

The better questions to ask are:

1. What is causing you discomfort (shoulder, wrist, back, etc.)?

2. Why (leaned too far forward, excessive weight on the wrists, old football injury, etc.)?

Assuming you have a good riding posture (Google "Master Yoda Riding Position") and no previous injuries, then bar risers/set-backs may help if your particular bio-mechanics would be helped by having the bars closer and/or higher.

For example, I'm 5'7", 32" sleeve, with the legs of someone 5'5" and the torso of someone 5'9". For me, having the bars back about an inch and up about a 1/2" puts the bars where my hands naturally fall when in the MYRP. If I were 6'3" with 36" arms, barbacks would likely leave me feeling quite cramped by the handlebars.

So, yes, they can be helpful, *IF* the hand grip displacement would solve an issue for you (such as short arms, or a shoulder with restricted motion that could benefit from not being stretched out as far).

Edit: Forgot to mention: Despite the extra cost, I purchased the Wunderlich vario risers, as they allow both variable pull-back and variable width adjustment.

HTH!

[Bmandiego]

The better questions to ask are:

1. What is causing you discomfort (shoulder, wrist, back, etc.)?

2. Why (leaned too far forward, excessive weight on the wrists, old football injury, etc.)?


HTH!

Not sure yet, hence the post. Could be my posture, or gripping too tight, or the grips, or carpal tunnel stuff.... or the geometry of the bike.
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

[LngRdr]

I rode my new RT 8000 miles without and about 2000 so far with them on. For me, if I use the correct riding position, it's now set up perfectly, if I start slouching, I get too much weight on my hands.

[BugCollector]

If I were 6'3" with 36" arms, barbacks would likely leave me feeling quite cramped by the handlebars.
__________________________________

I'm 6'3" I added a Russell seat in January, that was a major improvement but I still had back pain between my shoulder blades and numb hands from time to time. I added risers for 1" up and 5/8" back and my bike is now the most comfortable I've ever ridden. I would do it again.

2004 R1150RT

[Paul_F]

My first two day ride to the MOA Tennessee Rally on my '98 R1100RT produced one sore back. A week later, a friend installed one of his extra sets of Suburban Machinery bar risers. since then, and 30,000 + miles later, no sore back. The same solution worked wonders for my back with my K100.

Somewhat bizarre, but I do purposely lean slightly forward with the bar risers, but obviously not as much as without them.

[PGlaves]

I have risers on my R1150R - 1 inch up, 1/4 inch back. They reduce the forward lean, which means my neck is less bent upwards when my eyes are level with the horizon. This eliminates stingers I get in my neck.

I have 1-1/2 inch risers on my F650 Dakar. This is pretty much a sit-up-and-beg positioned bike in OEM form, but the risers allow me to stand on the pegs without much forward lean to reach the bars.

[Bmandiego]

Awesome posts, guys.
I'm 6'0. I just put on the neoprene grip covers, and that helped somewhat. Main problem I have right now is the numbness/pain in left wrist. I do tend to slouch, and I have not yet worked out my grip for my clutch hand... doing mostly riding in town, so I'm always shifting. I think it's time to put in a ride for an hour-or-so to see how I can function for longer rides.

[roger 04 rt]

I had a set of risers on my '04 RT. I'm 6' 3" and 37" sleeve. I found the the handle bars were too far back so I removed them.

I think whether you'll like them depends on seating position, height and arm length.

[snookers]

I too have the bar risers from Ilium Works on my 1100RT. They were installed so I could ride in a more upright position. Many years ago, due to a roofing accident, my left arm was broken just below the shoulder. This resulted in my left arm being over an inch shorter than my right arm, hardly noticable to the eye although quite noticable for riding comfort. The barbaks helped me considerably .....

[DClarke93]

I have a '98 R1100RT. It came with them and I took them off when I got it. So they,re sitting in my parts box. I'd sell them if you are interested.