Raising the Bar(s)

Hello to all. I'm a new 2000 VFR owner and have a question re raising my handlebars. I've looked at both the Heli Bars and the Genmar risers, both of which seem to be fine products, but a bit spendy. So before I throw money at the bike for no reason...... It appears that there is room to adjust the bars up and down by simply removing the circular clip from the groove above the bars and utilizing the remaining unused fork tube. I don't have another bike with clip-ons so Im not sure if this sort of shenanigans is allowed. It does look like there is about an inch of extra room though, which would save me the price of at least 15 to 20 extra six packs, or a nice bottle of scotch for the wet bar.

It would also appear that there would be room for some front to back adjustment if the locking pins on the underside of the clip-ons were filed off. This might be too close to heresy though, so I'll mind my tongue and look forward to some suggestions.

Cheers!

 

THe genmars are ok. The bars will only use about half the clamping area (height wise), but will still use the locating tab. I would say the Genmars are preferable to using no spacer at all. The Helibars are even taller. It all depends on what you want.

 

Go ahead,take off the clips, raise the bars up to the top of the tubes, dont worry bout the locator pins, raise them just high enough to clear,and you can then put the bars wherever you want..just torque em down proberly and forget them. As for the spacer kits, all they do is fill in the gap, none of them do anything to keep the clipons on the tube if the clamp comes loose like some bikes that have a thru bolt!! the only safety there is,is those spring clips..so raise her up and you have the same thing as the spacers will do for you. Anything higher you need the higher clipons...enjoy!

 

Thanks Guys for the replies.

Nitro you've confirmed what i suspected from looking at both the bike and the Genmar risers. I think I'll give it a try and see what happens. I guess the only issue, if the bars stay put and don't get loose, would be the aesthetic appearance but for the moment it doesn't look like the bike will look that different to casual inspection.

I'll report back later.

 

I have had my bars right up against the snap rings since last winter. No issues. It gives you less than an inch of added height. At first this is noticeable but soon becomes normal.
From what I have been told, the tabs sole purpose is to align the bars to factory spec. If removed, they do not really alter performance. Torquing the clip-ons properly, as stated above is quite important if you remove the tabs.

 

A quick, and bloody cold, 50 miler this afternoon with the bars raised to the top of the stachions, and minus risers, prooved to be a moderate success. Definitely more comfortable, with less strain on my upper back and hands. I'm generally pretty relaxed through the arms and elbows but I had a pain in the upper back and shoulder, with the bars in the stock position, while riding around town. In the higher position the around town riding is much improved, the trade off seems to be a shade more wind around the neck at 80mph and above.

Generally though a quick, cheap and effective mod for anyone looking for a little relief at the handlebars. There maybe a bit more to be gained if the bars were raised above the top of the stanchoins, but I'm leaving that till next year and warmer weather.

 

I had the bars on my 4th gen up 25% higher than the fork tube (and rotated forward slightly) no problems, never moved. Again, properly torqued though.

 

Nice pic. Kinglsly. I should have thought of posting one. How much difference did this change make in your riding comfort?
How tall are you? I'm approx 5.11 and 1/2, about 60:40 legs and torso respectively.

 

I did notice it a little more comfy set up this way...I'm 6'2".

My '98 came with heli type bars and it's very comfortable. I am looking to get a higher shield though as I get a lot of wind on my torso. Always compromises.

 

K1C,
I did the same thing as yourself about 2000 miles ago and no issues at all. You may notice that the bars make contact with the windscreen frame but only a little, any higher and it might be more of an issue. Stay safe.

 

and, in addition, also...

You may find that in the sad, but not unheard-of event that you drop the bike at low speed, or a stationary drop,that you suddenly require a new tank, as well as the other expensive bits..

 

Awiiiiiiight. I just tried this last night, and rode into work today using the new raised heli-bars. Works pretty darn well IMO. Thanks. I'm not sure how safe all this is - but my back and wrists are not hurting today. Thanks.