adg44 wrote: ... too much pressure on my wrists/hands ...
Anthony,
Just go faster, and lean into the wind. That keeps weight off your wrists.
Sorry ... just can't help myself. In reality despite having only 33 years on the clock, my wrists ache from time to time and knees hurt badly after around 50 - 70 miles. Clip-on bars are a no-no for me.
Instead of barbacks/risers - why don't you try experimenting with replacing the bars?
If I am not mistaken - Wunderlich have Rockster bars slightly up-and-back compared to stock. Have a look at that. Aesthetically maybe better bet, while easing the load on your wrists.
And of course if you prefer - Wunderlich sell barbacks/risers.
My Rockster that I bought last week came with non-stock handlebars. I have no idea what kind they are, but they are very comfortable. I wish I knew how to post a picture so I could get some information about them. My guess is that they are from the r1150r model. I'm seriously wondering if I should return my bike to stock - I kind of like the wide stock bars. Takes me back to my off-road Kawasaki time...
As for bar-backs, something about them that I have never trusted. I rather stick with regular handlebars.
40 bucks. Very sturdy. Dont look as good as the Wunderlich, but are a fraction of the cost, and look plenty good for me.
I only use them for very long trips. I have pretty long arms, so the normal bars dont really seem too bad, but this 1 1/4 in. really does help, without any loss in rideablity.
AND this way you dont have to wait to find a used set.
Evening all. I put "Roxrisers" on a month or so ago and it's the best thing since sliced bread. I used the 2 inch and they sit at about 45 degrees up and back. I feel the riding position is about what a GS would be (Never driven one but sat on a few at the dealer) and it's got to be simpler and less expensive than replacing the stock Rockster bars with GS bars. The riding position for me is just perfect and the handling seems if anything unchanged or better.
There's been a lot of posts from people who have used various brands and few complaints i've seen. Two inch risers are about the max I could have used with my bike and not stressed the cables at the full left stop.
Good luck.
For I dance,and drink and sing, till some blind hand, shall brush my wing. Wm. Blake
40 bucks. Very sturdy. Dont look as good as the Wunderlich, but are a fraction of the cost, and look plenty good for me.
I only use them for very long trips. I have pretty long arms, so the normal bars dont really seem too bad, but this 1 1/4 in. really does help, without any loss in rideablity.
AND this way you dont have to wait to find a used set.
Those do seem like a good deal.
I'm debating now between the 5/8" and 1 1/4" backs. Thoughts?
Yes and no. When I bought my Rock, I new, right from the get go, the bars would not do. After looking at the stock cables and not wanting to incur additional expense for new cables with tall risers, I got R1150R bars, which put me in a perfect riding position.
I bought my Rockster with some nonstandard bars on that I think had probably the cumulative effect of 1" up and roughly 1" back. I didn't at the time know that they weren't stock. Then I low-sided it down the block from my place last fall and it came back from the insurance rebuild with the stock bars. It took me a bit of getting used to since they seemed to be considerably more aggressive but I've found that I actually like them better. I'm 6' 2" though which I think makes the reach to the bars easier than for other people. I found that there is a bit of weight on my wrists but that it actually takes some weight off my ass, which is great, because me and the tall/comfort seat don't get along so well after 100+ miles. I bought a set of the Mototechniques 5/8" backs but haven't bothered to install them because the bike is actually most comfortable to me with the stock bars. I did also find that the handling improved noticeably, although not amazingly, with the stock bar. (Nothing improved the handling like replacing the tires with Pilot Powers though- damn.) If anyone's looking for the Mototechniques 5/8" barbacks I'd let someone take them off my hands for less than $40.
adg44: Thanks for the instructions on how to post pictures. Makes sense, I just thought I could upload the pictures directly. Here's a picture of my handlebars; are they from a standard R model?
I'm seriously thinking of changing back to stock, but not sure how difficult the process will be.
They sure look like the R bars. The stock Rocksters have the same matte finish that the triple clamp has. The chrome really sticks out against the otherwise matte-everything. :shock:
Changing the bars would take alot more work than the 10 minutes to change out the risers. Plus easier if you don't like the rise. Mine were the 1 1/4" backs.
Yeah I would get the 1 1/4" ones if I were you. It still isnt a huge difference and yet it does help. The 5/8 ones just didnt seem like it was going to be enough to me.
If you dont like them, sell them. Or keep them for long trips.
I have the Moto-tec's, they are 2 inches up and 2 inches back.
This is as far as I could go with the stock bars and not have to change the
cables.
It helps but is still not a cure-all.
2004 Edition 80 #149 Rockster & I Love ABS!
Honda Ace Tourer 1100
2, Honda Ranchers 4X4
Using 1-inch Wunderlich risers on my Rockster, with original handlebar. The resulting hand position fits perfect, no need for barbacks or alternative bars. Solved the problem of shoulder pinching/pain I was having after 4+ hours in the saddle.
Local custom seat guy talked my wife into 1" up + 1" back adjustment to her Roadster OE handlebar... not nearly enough lean forward for my tastes, on a naked bike without windshield, but she seems to like the result.
Sure is nice that we're able to make some ergonomic changes without major drama (feisty internal heated grips wiring notwithstanding)... makes R1150R ownership all the more rewarding.
