[Redskull8620]

I'm a newly registered member and looking to modify handle bars to CBR1000RR (2004) as to increase posture upward.

[.OrgOwner]

Welcome to the site, fire away with your questions. Is it Florida or Germany?

[Redskull8620]

I must have answered the "where are you from" incorrectly. Sorry for the confusion. I'm born and raised in Nurnberg Germany. Immigrated to this fine country in 1976. Joined the Navy in 1980 and denounced my citizenship, and became an American in 1993. My entire career has been here in Florida. I have been riding motorcycles ever since I got here to the United States. I've had almost every bike style known. In the past 4 years I've experienced the RC-51 and now the CBR1000RR. They are and have been the only sport bikes I've experienced. I do enjoy the comfort of the Goldwing, and actually started with the Aspencade. I kick myself many times when I think about having parted with such a fine piece of machinery. Now the CBR1000 is fun, but I don't race it anywhere. I merely enjoy the power of being able to remove myself from traffic situations. The posture of me hanging over is demanding to my upper frame and I am searching for a way to raise the handle bars without much headache. I've seen the versibars (or some variation of the name), but they are challenging to get on and pose restrictions after installed. I've just recently made a decision to sell all my gear and the bike. But truthfully I don't want to part with this riding style, just want it a bit more ergo.

[stpcbr1000rr]

what part of florida do you reside in if you do not mind me asking. i love florida this time of year. very nice weather but way to many snow birds crowding the road. so it can be scary to ride. that is why i find myself in the middle of nowhere on the bike. by the way

[Redskull8620]

Thanks for the kind welcome. I'm in Jacksonville. The weather (as you know) has been very good. Near record breaking high temperatures for almost 1.5 weeks now.

[stpcbr1000rr]

i have no complaints as far as weather goes. how is the riding up there in jacksonville? i am in southwest florida and it is rather boring. most roads are all straight lines. there are a couple nice routes we take farther north, but mostly i take trips 3hrs north to brooksville and there is some really nice riding. nothing obviously like riding in the mountains but i work with what i got.

[Redskull8620]

we don't have much here, in the way of challenging, winding roads. I personally enjoyed riding in Gwinnett Country Georgia. I tried the mountains there and also Helens Georgia. But Jacksonville is down scales from the places I've seen in Georgia. Have you ever heard of Barbers Motorsports in Birmingham Alabama? This place is the sport motorcycle museum like none I've ever seen (not much to compare to, it was my only motorcycle museum)
Anyhow it has our CBR1000rr and much more, all full size working models. The place is just plain awesome. The web site >Barber Motorsports Park

Hope that hyperlink worked, I am operating from a G5 Mac. Enjoy!

[smkeatr]

Don't give up on the sport bike just yet. With a different seat and bars, the bike will be much more comfortable. The versi-bars have quite the versatility but I opted for a Heli-bars and a Corbin seat which lowered me significantly which in turn gave me a more upright riding position. Any aftermarket seat and a set of any aftermarket riser type bars will give you the comfort you enjoy. Not a Gold Wing comfort but a noticable improvement.

[Redskull8620]

Thanks for the great tips on handle bars and seats. That was mighty friendly of you. I checked out the Heli bars site as well as the Corbin site, impressive stuff. There appears to be light at the end of this tunnel.

[smkeatr]

With the Heli's you don't need to change any cables or brake lines so it's a direct swap out. A lot less trouble than going with the versi set up.

[Redskull8620]

Your right about the veri-bars. They not only display more steps in their instructions, but they also add restrictions to their functionality once installed. The Heli-bars read as much easier, and the brake line (Galfer) comes with the kit, and is suggested to be installed last.

I was a jet mechanic in the Navy for 20 years and I still have dull reservations about the bars. I just don't want to scratch or damage anything. Must be that I've always hesitated with mods. In the 31 years of riding and the multitude of motorcycles owned I've added highway pegs, lights, and new tires (tires removed and taken to dealer). I'm a wuss when it comes to changing things, can't explain it.

How long have you been riding? And are sport bike your preferred model?

[smkeatr]

I've been riding about 9 years now. Started with a Katana 600 for a couple of years and then got bit by the true sport bike bug and had the 929 for about 6 years. I immediately changed out the bars and got the seat. It was very easy to do in a couple of hours. I had to buy a socket to fit the head nut and I always take my time as not to damage anything and I tourqe everything to spec during re-installation. On the 929, you didn't have to change out the brake line. I did however have a small problem with the clutch cable housing rubbing on the head tube at full lock left and called Heli to explain how I had to re-route the clutch cable over the right side engine mount bolt, where the right frame slider bolts in, and the guy at Heli asked me to re-write the installation instructions for him. For my trouble, they sent me a new clutch cable free of charge to replace my damaged one. A first class company who stands behind their products.

As far as my preference of bikes, I enjoy sport riding but after totalling my 929 on a bonehead slow speed intersection incident, I decided to replace it with a small cruiser so I could teach my wife to ride. (Insurance covered the whole price of the new bike) Consequently, she fell in love with it and she fell into a sweetheart deal with a friend to pick up the identical bike for a song. We have the 2 Shadows now and enjoy riding together. There is another sport bike in my future but for now, track days are spent in the dirt at a local pit bike track on my CRF to get my agressions out.

[Redskull8620]

Two great stories, I especially enjoyed the one where you got your wife to ride. I've wanted to get my wife on a motorcycle, and she is willing, but I am afraid for her. Her passion for motorcycles hasn't wondered, but time has and we aren't spring chickens anymore .

The Heli-bar store is classic. I'm glad they stood behind customer feedback. So many businesses just don't have any sense of customer support. They don't listen to feedback that would actually improve their product. For this reason alone, I know when a piece of software goes out in beta format to the public, it will be a great finished piece of work.

Have a good weekend, we have some fuel nozzles to build all weekend for various customers. We won't get them done, for there are too many sets waiting their turn in the shop. But we will keep the heat on the ever growing backlog.

[BALDGONZO]

I installed Heil bars on my 06 1000rr. Just take your time and follow the insructions. Before you know it there done. It took awile to bleed the breaks. I could not believe the difference such a small amount made. Somthing like 1 3/4" higher and 1" back. I also installed a hand made seat from Rich's Custom Motorcycle seats in Seattle.

[smkeatr]

My wife is almost a spring chicken at the ripe old age of 47 when she started riding this year. She's pretty small at 4'11" and about 105# so the small shadow was our only option for her. She was overwhelmed by the weight at first after spending a couple of days on the little 250 at her MSF class but after I reassured her once the bike is rolling, weight is not much of an issue. She still thanks me today for the choice of bike and she is a competant little rider.

There are plenty of woman that discover bikes later in life. Her 2 friends which are a little older than her also went to class with her and have since picked up bikes. Get your wife out to an MSF class and just give it a try. She'll love it.

[marbs]

hi and

[zeal]

Welcome!

[GitGoFast]

Redskull8620 and stpcbr1000rr, I’m going to be in the Tampa / St. Petersburg area in April. My wife and I like to rent a motorcycle sometimes when we travel. Should I even bother? The way you guys are talking it’s all straight lines and traffic down there.