heli-bar vs. stock handlebars questions

[nynor]

i have heli-bars on my SS. what benefit, if any, would there be in having the stock bars on the bike?

as for negatives, arm length is not an issue: i am 6' with a 6'6" wingspan.

[amehl]

i would assume:

stock - better fairing clearance, look, and weight.

Heli - better adjustable/comfort

[nynor]

i am thinking that the angle of the bars might make a difference in how the bike feels/handles in cornering; the stock bars would be better. is this possible?

[Shazaam]

Keep in mind that the position of your body on the bike affects the overall weight distribution. Sportbikes are designed specifically to have a more forward riding position to place the center of your body weight lower and further forward, to better balance the bike and improve handling. But certainly for street riding it isn't the most comfortable position and the heads-down orientation isn’t the safest.

I installed Helibars on a 916 mainly to provide a more comfortable upright sitting position and to take some of the weight off my hands that helped solve a problem with numb fingers. However, after making this change I have mixed feelings about the new riding position. I prefer the factory handlebar position for more aggressive riding, but I like the more comfortable neck position and posture with the Helibars. Further, during certain riding conditions the angle of the bars just don’t feel right to me.

If I was to do it again, I’d buy bar risers with some range of adjustment. The Helibars can be slid down the forks and rotated front-to-back but they always keep their less-extreme tip-down bar angle. I’d recommend instead a riser bar similar to that previously sold by Cycle Cat that are quite a bit more adjustable (but quite a bit more expensive.)

Also, they allow you to switch back to a better position for track days.

For street riding and touring, bar risers won’t change the handling enough to be concerned about. Most of us would rather have a bike that handles slightly different than stock, but tailored to allow you to ride longer and sharper without physical fatigue (fatigue being a HUGE enemy of handling), rather than a bike that folds you into a full-race position meant for the track.

[boosted_sled]

Originally Posted by nynor

i am thinking that the angle of the bars might make a difference in how the bike feels/handles in cornering; the stock bars would be better. is this possible?

I'm not sure about the SS, but I had an ST2 where this was certainly the case. I used helibars to get a more comfortable touring position. For more sporty riding, the stock bars were better.