Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: tretnine on May 21, 2011, 02:48:43 PM
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Ok, I'm only 5' 11.5" but the stock bars are killing me, they're too low, too far forward, and the pullback is too extreme - it bends my wrists. I have to lean forward and down, which makes my back and duff hurt, plus all the leaning on my hands mixed with the pullback makes the outside of my hands go numb.
I've seen the thread with all the links to risers - what are the opinions of users who have them? (Particularly you 6' tall folk)
Is there any other solution that's adds a bit of position flexibility? (If there is, it probably breaks the bank.)
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tretnine, I have Heli risers, I think they are the tallest? Also a back rest and forward pegs so I can change up my riding position........blanton
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I'm 5' - 10" and I sit comfortably. There are some other solutions, heli-bars has an expensive one, and Murph sells adapters to switch the bars.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/4%20Inch%20Bar%20Extenders%20March%202010/4inchextenders.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/4%20Inch%20Bar%20Extenders%20March%202010/4inchextenders2.jpg)
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Phillipintexas, that is the best bar mod I have seen. Looks good and functoinal.....blanton
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By the way, what do you call them?
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Phil, did you fab that yourself, or do you have a link where I can check it out?
The Heli risers are looking like the best option otherwise. The LSL systems look great, but with payments still to be made on the machine I don't want to go overboard.
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I have the 2" Helibar risers and they work great for me. :thumbs:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/heli.jpg)
But I'm not 6' tall, only 5'8"...
Have you thought about getting a lower seat? Not that you need it to reach the ground at your height but it will make your bars higher when riding...
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I just call them Bar Extenders, they are the results of about a year of experiments and really do the trick, at least for me. I also have wedges under the stanchions that tilt everything in and make the bars more horizontal. My wrists are in less of a twist this way. In fact I sit in almost the same position as on my Goldwing. I'd be happy to work with anyone who is in a position to manufacture them.
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That's one of the things I wanted most - the change of the angles. It's hard on my wrists and hands. I think the back and butt stuff will settle down a bit with some risers, but different stalks or your extenders would really do the trick. How much did it cost you to make them, and what are they made out of? I might have the time, space and supplies to make them this summer. I'll be at my in-laws - my father in law was a machinist.
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Ok bro i feel your pain and this happens to be your lucky day.
Im also 6ft tall and had the same problems you do with comfort on my 11 connie. i originally went with MCL risers which were close but not tall enough or back far enough for me. I got rid of those and went with the genmar 2inch risers which are just perfect! get them and you'll be comfortable.
be sure to click the drop down box and selt the 2 inch riser. no cable modifications necessary.
https://www.premiercycleaccessories.com/GenMar_Handlebar_Risers_for_Kawasaki_Concours14_p/40003.htm (https://www.premiercycleaccessories.com/GenMar_Handlebar_Risers_for_Kawasaki_Concours14_p/40003.htm)
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Thanks for the input, Rtarp. It's good to hear from someone in the same height range as myself. I'd be happy with those or another 2" rise, then. Is there an actual difference between this 2" rise and the other(s?)
Looks like either way, a 2" rise will be how I start
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Ok, I'm only 5' 11.5" but the stock bars are killing me, they're too low, too far forward, and the pullback is too extreme - it bends my wrists. I have to lean forward and down, which makes my back and duff hurt, plus all the leaning on my hands mixed with the pullback makes the outside of my hands go numb.
I've seen the thread with all the links to risers - what are the opinions of users who have them? (Particularly you 6' tall folk)
I am nowhere near 6' tall, so you can imagine JUST HOW MUCH MORE DIFFICULT the stock height was for me :) I am 5'7", you are "only" 5' 11.5"? "Only"? You have no right to complain, Mr. Long Arms...
Anyway, I used the Helibars risers. Excellent workmanship. Bolted up perfectly. No mods needed. I still wish they were about 1" closer to me, but it looks like nothing does that. No flexibility though, it is what it is. But, it was a successful mod. Recommend
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Phillipintexas, that is the best bar mod I have seen. Looks good and functoinal.....blanton
The problem with those [bar extenders] is that it makes the grips spread apart a few inches. I wasn't willing to do that. Otherwise, I did find them interesting.
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I am 6ft and was miserable on this bike. I just couldn't get comfortable. Then I bought the lsl bars and feel in love all over again! Sits me perfectly.
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The LSL bars look like the best option, but given my situation (soon-to-be unemployed, moving to Europe, and still making payments) the cheaper option of the 2" risers is perfect. I'm happy that the bars will be further apart - right now my arms are forced together.
The only question that remains: Is there any appreciable difference between one set of 2" risers and another set of 2" risers?
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Ordered a set of GenMar 2" risers. Expecting good things!
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I'm exactly 6' tall, and if anything they are too high for me. They feel like ape hangars.
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Ordered a set of GenMar 2" risers. Expecting good things!
I used GenMar on my previous bike- ZRX, and they fit and worked fine.
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I'm exactly 6' tall, and if anything they are too high for me. They feel like ape hangars.
Yeah, that is why I was questioning his sanity when he was complaining! SHORTER people (like me) should be the ones with the right to complain ;) We must remember, however, that everyone's bodies, expectations, and needs are different. This is why I am a *big* fan of manufacturers building in body mechanics ADJUSTABILITY into anything they can. Other than the windshield and maybe the nice headlight adjusters, Kawasaki generally fails in that category (of course, they are not alone).
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Can you use Phils wedges with the Murph's kit risers without changing the cables? How do they change the angle of the bars?
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Can you use Phils wedges with the Murph's kit risers without changing the cables? How do they change the angle of the bars?
I believe the Murphs risers are almost identical to the Helibars (that I have installed). I don't know what a "Phils wedges" is (did I miss something?) But if they were to add any more rise or back, I think it might be pushing it. I could comfortably bolt the banjos on after the Helibars risers, but it didn't look like there was much extra left to do anything. On the old board, I saw someone add something else to rise or tilt more, but they had to leave the banjos detached and floating... Not sure about the throttle cables & wires, but I imagine it would be a similar situation.
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I'm exactly 6-nothing. Have the 2" risers and they're okay, but I'm going to get the LSV bars and mounts shortly. The risers help, but the angle is still wrong.
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"Can you use Phils wedges with the Murph's kit risers without changing the cables? How do they change the angle of the bars?"
The wedges only add approx. .300" in height under the outer-most of the three bolts in the stanchion base. This tilts the bars in toward the steering bearing making the bars more horizontal, and slightly shortens the spread of the bar-ends. This does not increase the span of the hoses, so, yes they can be used on TOP of risers. You may need a couple longer bolts though. On my bike, I re-routed the throttle cables from in front of the R. fork, to behind the fork and secure them with a cable-tie to the fork.
This photo shows the effect of the wedges on the handle-bars. The bar in the foreground is stock, the rear is sitting on the "wedge". Keep in mind the photo is on a flat surface but the top-clamp tilts toward the driver so the bars come very slightly closer.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/Wedges/WedgeEffectJul2010.jpg)
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Can you use Phils wedges with the Murph's kit risers without changing the cables? How do they change the angle of the bars?
Yes. The angle brings the bars a little closer to each other, & that in turn makes the bars flatter across the top, and raises the ends of the bars about an inch and 1/4. If a little height is all that is needed, Phils wedges will do the job alone also.
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This photo shows the effect of the wedges on the handle-bars. The bar in the foreground is stock, the rear is sitting on the "wedge". Keep in mind the photo is on a flat surface but the top-clamp tilts toward the driver so the bars come very slightly closer.
Excellent info/picture! Thanks
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I am 6ft and was miserable on this bike. I just couldn't get comfortable. Then I bought the lsl bars and feel in love all over again! Sits me perfectly.
Same here for me.
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you have to check the second number which is distance moved toward you. the genmar moved it 1 and 1/4 inch closer , im not sure but they may differ in this . get as close to you as possible.
check all the 2inch riser specs and then make your decision.
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I'm 5' - 10" and I sit comfortably. There are some other solutions, heli-bars has an expensive one, and Murph sells adapters to switch the bars.
Phillip, these look suspiciously like yours... http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14 (http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14)