Author Topic: Bar risers and handling (Read 4311 times)

Buzzrd · « **on:** January 22, 2006, 01:07:19 AM »

Hi gang,
I've been watching the posts on bar risers for a while and decided to get a set of Gen-Mars since my middle age muscles don't like the stretch my 1200S is making me do. They are much more comfortable for touring style riding as they seem to be much easier on my shoulders

but was I in for a bit of a rude awakening.

The slight movement back in the handlebars seems to have affected the weight transfer to the front wheel and has thereby caused a considerable change in handling at lower, higher torque speeds while cornering. The change of concern is a noticeable jerking motion towards the direction of travel when I let off the throttle at low speeds in a cornering situation.

I surmise this as the front wheel getting more grip on the road during a sudden deceleration. I never seem to have noticed it with the bars in the original position.

Has anyone else noticed this or is my right hand getting a little too happy with this more comfortable riding position? Perhaps some less aggressive low speed cornering is in order?

I'm sure this will just take some adjusting and getting used to but I just want to put the word out about a possible side affect of messing with the positioning of the bars.

zeebandit · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2006, 08:26:08 AM »

Hi Buzz: Welcome to the board. I had the Gen-mar risers on my 2000 1200S Bandit. They did affect the handling. It made the front feel lighter because you're sitting more upright and further back.

They're great if you're in an area that does'nt have a lot of curves and not an agressive rider.

I took them off and returned to stock. I forgot how good the Bandit can handle.

If you have a 2nd. gen. Bandit try a set of bars from a 1 gen. Bandit.

I'm 58 and not as agile or spry as in my younger days.

Buzzrd · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2006, 01:30:11 PM »

Oh good, it's not just me

. I'll try rolling off the throttle a little easier before I scrap my little $140 mod. The upright position is much easier on my Trapezius muscles.
It's a 2nd gen 1200S and most of my riding is around town and on the freeway but the on/off ramps are a little twisty and can be fun. I also like to get a round on the back roads a bit on the weekends but I'm not one of the Mt. Palomar Road Warriors that banzai up down that twisty road as fast as they can.

Maybe a little lead balast in the fairing to compensate for the weight shift?
At 48 I could care less about doing wheelies and find it more comforting when the front wheel is firmly planted on the ground.

Banned it. · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2006, 09:08:06 PM »

Perhaps lead shot in the handlebars may work rather than lead ballast on the faring. Will also damp vibrations through the bars and save numb fingers.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2006, 09:15:26 PM »

Wouldn't raising the forks a little quicken the steering back up for you?

Tundrahog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2006, 09:16:00 PM »

that's interesting, I've never heard of that happening before. I'm thinking of adding the Holeshot risers this spring. Has anyone ever heard of a similar effect with them? I'm also thinking of adding a busa shock which lifts the rear end, so maybe the two would counter-act each other.

Buzzrd · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2006, 01:23:29 AM »

Quote from: "PitterB4"

Wouldn't raising the forks a little quicken the steering back up for you?

I have no idea. This is the first mod I've made to this bike, or any bike, and wouldn't even know where to begin on raising the forks. I was out riding today and was just rolling the throttle instead of jabbing it and things went along rather nicely. Just a modification to my riding technique.
I'll play with this issue a bit more and see how things turn out.

ray nielsen · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2006, 04:31:51 PM »

In the interest of making my Bandit better for touring I added the Gen-Mar risers with an additional 1" spacer under them. Had to use longer bolts to make it work, but I've finally found the best handlebar height for me.

The difference in feeling is, I believe, due to the increased leverage of the handlebars and the flexibility of the rubber mounts. Since I don'e ride very aggressively I didn't find it unnerving, but I did notice it at first. By now I"ve adjusted to the feel and all seems fine.

Perhaps you could add a washer underneath the triple tree on the through bolts to achieve more compression of the rubber pieces. It might add to vibration, but it might work.

WEINERDOGBONE · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2006, 07:52:26 PM »

Quote from: "Tundrahog"

I'm thinking of adding the Holeshot risers this spring. Has anyone ever heard of a similar effect with them?

I've had the Holeshot risers for quite a while. I haven't noticed any difference in the handling.

Buzzrd · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2006, 10:05:24 PM »

After some research on the idea of raising the front forks something that concerned me about that idea is headshake. Some say that they never experienced it and some say that it just comes on strong with very little warning.
Some say to only raise the forks in 5mm increments. I think I may just leave that area well enough alone.