Is there a way to make the vfr a more upright riding position beyond the gen-mar or helibars ? Any help would be appreciated. Can't continue to ride in the current position on long trips. Thanks CIRV
You can move the stock bars up to the top of the tubes. If that does not change your position enough you'll have to replace the stock bars with something else.
I understand there are bars called convertibars but they are expensive can't remember the exact price but I believe that it is over $500. Also, if you want the full range you need to change the cables and brake lines. There is a more knowledgeable discussion in one of the other older forums.
Bar options If you have a '90 to '97 bike you can replace the top steering clamp with one from a Nighthawk 750 and use conventional 22mm bars. For a '98-'01, The only way to put bars on is to go with the Spiegletr Superbike bar adapters. HAve not verified this yet but it looks like the '02 and later can be converted using the top steering clamp form a 919 Hornet; both are 43mm fork tubes.
Has anyone used the Spiegler Bar Adapters on a 5th gen? Am wondering if control lines need to be replaced, and if the fairing needs to be modified. I thought I once saw that need on their website. Also, can the bars end up being too high?
Well. Of course the lines need to be replaced..also, I believe the fairing inner trims have to be removed. Personally, I don't understand the need to sit so upright, since the riding position is designed to cant you forward into the breeze to support the weight and the footpegs would now seem to be further back than they should be.. Rod. of course I could be wrong..:wink:
Well, you are correct. However, here is what I found. The stock sixth-gen setup was great for a day trip. On the second day, my neck and shoulders started to ache. Adding Gen-Mar risers made it comfortable for a weekend trip, but the neck/shoulder pain would start around day three or four. I then switched to Convertibars (including the longer brake/clutch/throttle lines to get the maximum rise and pull-back). I also added Thurn adjustable footpegs for an additional inch of legroom. Now my VFR is as comfortable as the ST1300 I used to ride. I'm a long-distance rider (600 miles per day -- sometimes 850 -- on trips of ten days or so). For me the expense ($550 for the Convertibars kit plus $160 for the Thurn pegs plus about five hours labor) was worth it. As they say, "your results may vary."
When I bought my first viffer about 12 years ago, I thought - geez, such a laydown position. I went though the heli's and gen mars, but the more I rode over time and became a better rider, the more stock is best. Now on the 5th gen and 6th gen, the bars seem overly tall. I'm looking to lower my 5th gen bars. -Really if the 6th gen bars seem way too low - you probably bought the wrong bike. Go with an FJR1300 Yamaha - ergos are bolt upright.
ConvertiBars would be my choice, it is my choice. Its not all necessary to chance cables, hoses, and make wires longer. Sure this may be the case if you are trying to go up 5 or so inches. But for most cases bikes have 4 or more inches of extra. The cost is about 300 bucks give or take depending on the model. In my eyes for the adjustment you have with them they are the very best. Build quality is outstanding, tech support is great. Its the good stuff, so your gonna pay the good stuff price.