St1100 Helibars

[Bluey]

I'm considering spending some of my hard earned cash on a set of Helibars for my ST.

http://www.mickhone.com.au/find/part/S.58791

Has anyone had any experience with these? I am concerned that their position will render the mirrors useless. I've searched and searched, but even the ST-Owners.com dosn't appear to be able to shed any light on this potential problem.

At the moment I have BMW R100RT bars and the height and reach are great, but my hands are twisted back a little (not a very natual position) and I am getting some elbow pain, like tennis elbow.

All comments welcome.

[Totgas]

Hi Bluey,
Whilst I don't have helibars I have the police raised bars. I do about 500kms a week, are the same age and have no problem with wrist aches.

I would be more concerned regarding the comment of possible longer cables (especially if you have farkles) and it strikes me as strange that for a part for the ST they are quoting comments about the VFR. I would also be concerned, as you state about a 1" increase in spread obstructing the mirror views. 
A

[StinkyPete]

I've fitted a set of  BikeQuip risers.    They go up 30mm and back 45mm and the cables are JUST long enough.   I'd be keen to hear how others with higher risers have got on with the cable length issue.   Risers certainly make a big difference to comfort.  I found no significant difference to vision in the mirrors.

[Bluey]

With my Beemer bars, I fitted extensions to the brake and clutch lines. I re-routed the throttle cables, the switch and heated grip cables were long enough. This is pretty much the process used on the helibars I believe. I'm almost there, but the angle of my hands remains as the problem (having said that, I have done about 45,000 K's with this setup. Maybe the pain is caused by something else....)

[STeveo]

I would wrap your grips in a rag and insert into a piece of 2 1/2" pipe about 4' long and rebend to suit your needs. Put bike on centre stand, place on full lock opposite the side you wish to bend, and carefully bend to suit. The bars are only 7/8" mild steel and will give relatively easily. Have done this to both rebend and straighten bent bars with no problems.

 

[Bluey]

Thanks STeveo, that is a great suggestion. I might give it a try. I had thought of something similar, but my concern was that by re-bending I might be weakening the bars. The amount they are weakened by may not be significant. All I've got to lose is the set of bars.

Just down the road from me is Burleigh Bars who make custom bars. I'd thought about going to see them to see if they could advise on the best way to re-bend the bars. they also do powder-coating, so they may be able to bend the existing bars (safely) and them give them a fresh powder coating. I'll get to them this week I think.

[Yorkie]

When I purchased my 1100 it was fitted with beemer bars as previous owner was over 6ft, I couldn't use them because when I looked in the mirrors all I could see was my hands, this is also a potential problem with risers.