This article was originally posted by Cary Swoveland to the VFR List, and he has graciously allowed me to post it here as a reference for others. It is an excellent post that may be useful to other riders.
I've tried both Heli-Bars and Gen Mars. I first tried the Heli-Bars and had them on the bike for several months. I didn't like them for two reasons. Firstly, they changed the feel of the bike, in a way that I didn't like. Secondly, I found that I was getting some soreness in my right elbow and attributed it to the Helis.On the VFR anyway, the Heli-Bars reduce slightly the angle between the bars and the long axis of the bike. I think that was the reason for both my objections. I figure it was the working of the right wrist, at an ackward angle, that caused the discomfort in the right elbow.
I subsequently heard about Gen Mar bar risers, so I tried them. They retain the stock bars, just raise them about 3/4" (the position of the fairing prevents the bars from being raised any higher--Heli's are 1-3/4" higher than stock). About the same time I got a Corbin seat, which I think is a little lower than the stock seat--maybe 1/2"--so the bars are now probably a little over an inch higher than the stock bars with the stock seat. (Note that the Corbin seat is wider than stock, so the reach to the ground for my feet is about the same as before.)
For me (5'8"), the Gen Mar's are wonderful. They don't change the feel and even though they raise the bars just a little, it makes all the difference. In June I took a two-week, 5,000 mile trip to the southwest, and had no discomfort in my wrists at all.
Gen Mar Mfg. Co. has an ad in the back of each issue of Motorcyclist. Cost is $99.95 plus shipping, which for me was $5.00. Their phone number is (505) 524-4485. It appears to be a small machine shop. It's a well-made product that looks fine.
Cary
