heli bar impact

well i just added my heli bars and let me just say... WOW!

I could punch 3 hours on stock bars and the t3-t5 hernia would come back to life and just about kill me. With this set of bars in place I feel like I can ride forever. Such a subtle change in the look of the bike but such a dramatic impact to the ride position. +10..

I do find I have to seriously watch what I'm doing now when I counter steer..

but thats all good fun cause its like i got a new bike again.. lol.

 

I'm looking at adding bars to mine. Sounds like you're impressed with the 'touring-feel' of the bars, but disappointed with the cornering feel. I don't want to lose the turn-in capabilities of the VFR on the twisties. You said the 'countersteer' was different.......so, different worse, or just a different feel?
That's what has me concerned with changing the geometry of the bars. I like the cornering feel in a lean and I don't want to lose that.

 

oh trust me, you dont loose it.. its just a differnt feeling. she leans in real easy now. I find I can dump it down really fast and have to watch myself. The feeling I guess is leverage.. I clearly have more ability to bank it down. my :bootyshake2: don't need to work so hard... lol..

on all counts.. good buy..

 

So the typically heavy steering of the VFR (relative to like a CBR) has been reduced somewhat? That's kind of cool in itself, but does it feel natural for the bike?

 

well...the heavy steering is no more for sure...does it or will it feel natural.. hmmm its still virgin to me just yet. it certainly does not feel wackey and out of place.

I would like to have more seat time with them to render that. I can say the shifting is easier and clutch and throttle control is much improved. at least for me... but i may just have the right hip to shoulder length to make them the right fit for me. sure would be nice to hear from others with them.

 

love em

I have the heli bars on my 03'. I love them.

 

How hard are they to install? Do you have to replace or reroute cables?

 

Simple install, no cables need to change, you do need to grind or cut the little bosses on the housing to move the banjo forward a bit, nothing to it.

 

The OEM cables remain. Easy install, especially thanks to this thread:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/modifications/15496-6th-gen-heli-bar-install-see-before-you-try.html

My only problem was completely my fault. Was adjusting the clutch side and had the banjo bolt loose, like an idiot I was complelled to pull the lever which let air in the line. Other than unexpectantly bleeding my clutch, a real simple install.

 

wider

I have not seen anybody chime in on this but they are wider . It does make the braking better and just moving it around the garage is easier.

 

Mine are in the mail as I type. Lookking forward to them and SO glad there are good instructions out here.

 

Hey guys! Could someone with the Heli's measure the length of the extensions, top to bottom ...not sure if I already have a set. ....here's a pic of mine.
Thanks!!

 

Look just to the left of where you have the tape measure hooked. That should answer your question.

 

well, that's what I was thinking too. thanks for your reply

 

Helis

besides the 1" rise. Are the Helis angled different than stock(as in, up/down, forward/ reward)? Thanks.

 

width

It could just be me , but just rolling the bike around is easier. The little bit of width and rise took a little of the imbalance out of 65 point turns.Just garage stuff but so far but I feel safer on the center stand and just moving it around.I do start my first step in twelve step program tomorrow so it could just be me.

 

My understanding is that HBars are 1½" up and 1½" back compared to stock. BUT, I bought my bike with the HB's already installed so I have nothing to compare them to. ....maybe someone who went from stock to HB's can more accurately answer your question.

 

They are angled slightly different then the stock bars. I would say, forward a bit more. They can be adjusted to your liking though as they do not have the little tab that sets the angle like the stockers. Check out this thread: http://vfrworld.com/forums/modifications/15496-6th-gen-heli-bar-install-see-before-you-try.html
It has some good comparison pics.