Hi all, looking for some advice or suggestions. I love pretty much everything about my 2004 Blade but recently because of the riding position, riding anything more than an hour on it just leaves my back in agony. I really dont want to get rid of it for something else as like I said it ticks every other box for me and I have done a significant ammount of work to it so am quite attatched to it! Anyway I have narrowed it down to a couple of options, I dont want to do the nuclear option and put a top yoke/upright bar conversion so I am looking at either helibars or these: https://www.bikermart.co.uk/Honda-CBR1000RR-2004~07-ABM-Multiclip-Adjustable-Clip-On-Comfort-Kit Just wondering if anyone else has done such a conversion and what your opinons are? Is it worth converting or should I just save myself the trouble and buy a more sensible upright bike??
Have a search on here as helibars seem to have come up a lot lately. Think @Nytol has them on his bike and swears by them.
Important to check if you have to hack away the fairing for clearance. I have seen a couple of abortionate jobs for this. Also, if not already done, could rearsets be an option?
I put Helibars on my 2005 and 2015 Blades and they increased comfort dramatically. On several occasions I have done 300 - 400 miles in a day, with little discomfort, there is no way I'd have attempted to do that with standard bars. The extra height on the bars allows me to sit pretty much upright going through town and at low speeds, taking stress off the wrists and back, yet they do not affect the ability to get into a normal tucked position on the open road.
From what I read the helibars dont need any modifications to the fairings and I already have slightly longer braided hoses that I put on so shouldnt need new ones, so helibars should be a straight swap for me. The adjustables I imagine I can just have a play with the settings to find a comfortable one that doesnt clip the front fairings.
Thanks, thats good to know, always good to have a first hand review. Ive actually found a used set of helibars on Ebay for a decent price which I may go for. Although Im still swithering on if I should go for the adjustables then I get the best of both worlds and can play with the settings to get the best position for me rather than the fixed helibars.
Totally agree with Nytol on Helibars. I also have helibars on my 2016 SP and they are excellent making the bike much nicer for long journeys. Also worth mentioning they fit perfectly and have drillings for the switches and bar ends so very well designed .
I have Helibars on my 2006. I use it for touring and it's fine. A good improvement. If your anywhere near South Yorkshire you could check em out.
Looks like the overwhealming consensus is that helibars are the way ahead! Ive ordered a used set off ebay from the USA, although getting them delivered to a relative out there who is visiting in June, will save me import fees and postage etc. All in got them for £130!! Appreciate the offer to come have a look dogsbody but Im up in Glasgow so a bit of a treck, but thank you all the same.
It was an ebay auction for the used set I found, but if you just go to Helibars.com which is the americain site instead of helibars.co.uk they are still significantly cheaper and you can get them sent directly to your mate.
Finally got around to purchasing some Helibars (after my previous one fell through!!) Picked up a set on Ebay for £100! Happy with that! Next question, how difficult are they to fit? Im pretty reasonable at self maintenance but Im a bit wary about changing the throttle cable over. How big a job is this, is it worth attempting myself or should I just bite the bullet and get my mechanic to do it?
Helibars fitted, got to say dont feel much different although that was just sat on the stand in the garage, the acid test will be taking it out for a ride!! One thing though, whilst everything works, my throttle now seems quite stiff and doesnt snap shut anymore. I have never really done anything with these in the past, any suggestions on how I adjust this?
Got the throttle sorted. Had it out for the first ride with the helibars, think the position is slightly better although I wouldnt say its a massive transformation. Need to get it out for a longer ride and see how my back hold up.
Having only seen them but not used them, I think their main purpose is to reduce strain on the wrists. Sure, you're in a slightly elevated position and that will help with the lower back. Just like hopping on a new bike, it might take a couple of rides to become accustomed.
1 3/4 inch higher and 1 inch rearward according to the ad. Had them on for two years now. For me, it made the difference between selling the bike or keeping it.
Well not long back from my 3 day trip away on the blade with the helibars fitted. Got to say pretty much no difference from what I can see, still does in my lower back and still get shooting wrist pain. If I had paid £300 for these brand new I would be sending them straight back!! Anyway, I think I am going to be resigning the fireblade to track use and buying myself something else for the road as unfortunatley the pain its causing me is getting to the point where its just sapping all the enjoyment out of my riding.
Disappointing to hear when so many swear by them. But different persons will be affected differently. Hope you can find a bike that will reinstate your riding pleasures.
