Newbie needing direction

[f6rider]

I have a newly aqquired 2008 FJR with stock seat and handle bars. My neck is stiff and I feel I would benefit from a set of risers. I cant seem to find much info here so I will post my questions.

First I am 5 11 300 lbs

I have been on Wings and Valkyries for years. And I like the upright seating position.

I understand that the stock bars adjust back and forth, doesn't mention how too do it in the owners manual. Any links to instructions?

I have seen a number of risers ads , but if I want to move them back and up and am unsure on how to accomplish this.

I have read the Heli bars sight with the replacement triple tree and wonder if there is any experience here with that. And if I buy the Heli, can I add some less expensive risers as well.

Any other Ideas or sharing of your experience would be appreciated.

Thank you from Holland Ohio

John Wodarski

 

[Eric L]

I think the Heli bars are the only way to move them back. The risers I bought on ebay only move them up (they are like the genmar)

I don't know if the cheap risers work with the helibar triple tree.

The seating on the bike is quite different from a cruiser. Takes some getting adjusted to.

 

[mab864]

I had the same stiff neck after riding all day. I went with the Helibar and you have to use their riser. It was a very nice change in position for me. My problem came from having to hold my helmet up slightly all day long. That's what caused my mid-upper back pain. Now that I have the Heli, I'm sitting more upright and the bars are closer/higher. My neck/upper mid-back pain is gone. Also, you can use install the Helibar upper clamp and add one set of 3/4" Heli risers and still use all the stock cables/brake/clutch lines. That's how mine is installed and it works fine. There's just enough slack. They're a little snug but not tight at full lock. Good luck.

 

[Burnspot]

One thing to bear in mind is that your body will need a bit of time to adjust to the FJR...the more you ride, the better it will get. I'd probably get a couple of weeks of daily riding in to see how your body adjusts to it before deciding how you want to spend the cash. The stock riser plate will give you some forward/back movement, but not a lot. If you want to try adjusting them, IIRC you have to loosen BOTH sides before doing it (there's a plate on the underside of the riser connected to both bars). Otherwise, the options are bar risers (Gen Mar variety) for moving the bars up or the Heli bar riser plate to move things up and back (Heli bars are one of two riser plates out there). Unfortunately, there's a fair bit of $$ involved when getting things fitted just for you.

 

[wfooshee]

Google "Master Yoda riding position" and practice that. You have to not lean on your hands, all your weight should be borne by the seat and pegs.

Keeping a light touch on the bars by keeping your back straight will do it. My "test" for it is to let go of the bars for a second. If I have to shift weight to let go of the bars, then I wasn't sitting right in the first place.

 

[cruppelt]

I was in the same boat when I started with my Feejer, back, neck and shoulder pain, and I immediately wanted to buy risers. A good friend urged me to wait a couple of months of heavy summer riding before making the decision, and I am glad I did. Using Master Yoda I got very much used to the bike, and am very comfortable now with the forward position. Just another 2 cents towards waiting a bit to be really sure that you need it before you fork out the money. I am also 5'11" BTW.

 

[Dennis in NH]

re: handlebar adjustment, ... the way I did it was loosen the beauty covers on both sides, loosen the two bolts in each handlebar, loosen just enough to lift the bars high enough to move their pins out of their holes. Insert their pins into the holes you want -- for me, I moved to the rearmost position, tighten the bolts, reinstall the beauty covers.

Why this is not in the manual is beyond me.

I ordered a set of Genmar risers and we'll see how they go; meanwhile, I'm training in the art of the Master Yoda Riding Position.

Dennis

 

[3dogs]

You should consider changing the frok springs and rear shock spring to suit your weight. The stock springs are at their max with a 200 lb rider on board -- at 300 lbs your front/rear sag will be excessive and you are giving up at least 2 inches + of suspension travel even with the preload adjustments maxed out. Not only is will your ride be uncomfortable but it's dangerous -- under hard braking the fromt can easly bottom out causing a possible loss of traction.

The best investment you'll make -- the right springs for your weight.

 

[ScottyUSN]

If you are considering a aftermarket seat or adjustment, I would recommend doing that before adding risers.

I was going to add Heli's with up and back until I switched seats. After my new saddle was installed I only needed to add a set of risers without pull back.

Far cheaper.

 

[networkguy]

Google "Master Yoda riding position" and practice that. You have to not lean on your hands, all your weight should be borne by the seat and pegs.

Keeping a light touch on the bars by keeping your back straight will do it. My "test" for it is to let go of the bars for a second. If I have to shift weight to let go of the bars, then I wasn't sitting right in the first place.

This x1000. This should be your FIRST task.

Riding a ST bike is different than a cruiser. It takes some "relearning". I came to the FJR after 20 years on cruisers, and had the same issues. But, after advice ont he board, I read up on the master yoday riding position before I bought Heli bars, etc. After a couple of months, Im golden.

 

[copron]

Google "Master Yoda riding position" and practice that. You have to not lean on your hands, all your weight should be borne by the seat and pegs.

Keeping a light touch on the bars by keeping your back straight will do it. My "test" for it is to let go of the bars for a second. If I have to shift weight to let go of the bars, then I wasn't sitting right in the first place.

This x1000. This should be your FIRST task.

Riding a ST bike is different than a cruiser. It takes some "relearning". I came to the FJR after 20 years on cruisers, and had the same issues. But, after advice ont he board, I read up on the master yoday riding position before I bought Heli bars, etc. After a couple of months, Im golden.

All the advice has been great so far, but if your having a sore neck it might be due to your windshield position. Even with risers if I run my windshield up I get a lot of back pressure that has my neck hurting in short order.....if I run the windshield down the wind keeps my head up and I have no neck issues.

 

[JET]

I came from a cruiser that gave me neck/ back issues when I first got it 7 yrs ago. The fjr never gave me an issue. But I have a Russell day long. Maybe a different seat would help?

 

[dbm]

Google "Master Yoda riding position" and practice that. You have to not lean on your hands, all your weight should be borne by the seat and pegs.

Keeping a light touch on the bars by keeping your back straight will do it. My "test" for it is to let go of the bars for a second. If I have to shift weight to let go of the bars, then I wasn't sitting right in the first place.

Master Yoda Riding Position...Googled it...read about it...tried it..LIKED IT! IT ABSOLUTLEY WORKS LIKE A CHARM!!...when I first got my FJR I rode it from L.A. to Sacramento (400 miles) sitting as far back on the seat and leaning over...SUPER PAIN...10 years ago I shattered my right wrist and at the same time had a compound fracture in the left arm...along with a dislocated hip...so when I ride leaning over...I feel it..BUT yesterday I tried the Master Yoda Riding Position...I can ride for miles and miles in comfort...Thanks for a wonderful tip!