DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 08, 2008 10:28 PM
Helibars, great product!
The C14 is awesome in so many ways so far. One problem I began to have is a sore lower back. I have a little back problem anyways, but the slight forward lean to the bars was really starting to hurt even on short rides.
I read up on the helibars and sounded good, so I got a set and put em on last night.
I'm 6 feet tall. The 1-3/4" bar lift seems to put me in the perfect position to relieve most the stress on my back and hands. SO FAR, I'm thrilled with the product and would recommend them to anyone with similar complaints.
The fit and finish is outstanding and instructions for installation was also! I took my time putting them on and it took about 1.5 hrs. I only have about 75 miles on them today for the first run, but it seems like this is just what I needed.
I wanted to let you all know what a great product Helibars makes! (if you didn't already know, that is...)
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
  
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 09, 2008 01:39 AM
I'm next, they ARE going on one way or another this weekend. Glad to see you got them on and with positive results as well.
When I was looking to buy my new bike, one thing I had to have was comfort. I'm 5'8" 160# and really wanted a zx-14, but sitting on it reminded me that there was no way I could ever be comfortable on it. I needed 4" closer to sit upright and there was nothing that would get me there except having the gas tank chopped and a special longer seat made... So much for that bike.
It wasn't untill later last year I came upon the C-14, read all the reviews and then finally got to sit on one. I was almost straight up, almost. I knew they made the helibars and thought that they would really work for me. Last time I took her out I took my hands off the bars and guesstimated the new position. That position will make a near flawless bike as close to perfect or perfect, moreso than any bike I have had since my old gs1100e.
Rob
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True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 09, 2008 04:50 AM
The installation is not bad at all, but if you got any questions, I'd be glad to help. I think you'll really enjoy them.
The helibars also significantly reduced the "jewel smashing effect". That is the effect of your "jewels" getting pressed up on the tank while riding and especially braking. This also makes the seat more comfortable and eliminated the hot spots I was getting in the saddle (from pressure not heat).
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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tundra tom
Novice Class
Posts: 68
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posted May 09, 2008 06:31 AM
Not to steal your fire Drew but Murph's has the KB risers shipped for $92.00.
These also have mounting holes with screw for various RAM mounts.
http://murpskits.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=130_133&osCsid=2f7d7518ec046f1e1adf2153d12f9277
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"When my time has come, I prefer to be in the Saddle rather than the Recliner"
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 09, 2008 10:53 AM
Those look really good too. I went with Heli because they are the largest riser I could find. Although Murph's not much smaller. 1 3/8" vs. 1 3/4" rise.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 09, 2008 03:52 PM
Drew,
There was some babble mention about loosening something else, I do not mean the clutch line bracket, or the brake line mount on the tree, but something else. The pics are kinda rough.
Looks like all I need to do is remove the black guards from the tank to the fairings to give me enough room to work. Pulling the wires through 1/2" no problem, flipping the clutch bracket over, no problem, disconnecting the brake line bracket and repositioning and moving the brake line on the m/cyl easy. Is there really anthing else I should know?
Thanks for the help.
I've been nut grinding the tank with n/p, but then again I did not have the wife on the back smashing them into mini pancakes :-)
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted May 09, 2008 08:00 PM
Ape hangers. Even with the stock bars I feel like one of those harley rider airing out his pits. 
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 09, 2008 10:44 PM
Rob, I think that's about it. Pulling the wires through that 1/2" was prob the worst part, and that wasn't bad. Really no big deal on it. I didn't need to remove the black plastic ashtray. Though it may help if you got really big hands. They mention loosening the square hydraulic junction blocks, but i just removed them. No reason to leave them on, cuz they come off anyways. The pics are right on once you figure out which way is up...
Ted, I suppose you being a zx owner also, they would feel like a set of ape hangers compared to that zx. lol!
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 10, 2008 03:30 AM
Drew, I didn't mean pulling the glovebox, but the side black plastic cover especially on the left side to get to flip the clutch line holder upside down. I will figure it out, but I swear this will be night and day for me. I want taller ape hangers, especially on those hot days, pit a/c LoL ;-)
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 10, 2008 04:41 AM
Okay, i got ya. I didn't need to but depends what your working with. The clutch line holder is a little tricky. The lower bolt I just used a plain 10mm wrench to get off, the upper I used a socket on a universal (wobble) extension and a long extension on a ratchet. I did work blind on that part.
Well, I'm off to air out my pits on my ape hangers this morning. Heading out to hunting island sc with some of the harley boys from work. I'll wear ear plugs...
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 10, 2008 05:01 AM
You don't need earplugs, just stay in front of them, the thing on the end of the right bar will assure you that you can do it!
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 10, 2008 03:14 PM
That's for sure...
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 10, 2008 03:56 PM
Got them on!!!! WoW! Talking about taking a near perfect bike to a higher lever, this has got to be the BEST investment anyone could make in this bike, no joke!
It took me 1.5 hrs too, but there were a few cig and work oil breaks inetween. The left side was easier than I thought once I moved the bars to the right, I got in there with my snapon flex head ratchet and did both bolts no problem on the clutch line bracket. Moving the wires was a piece of cake, just stuck my hand down there and they slid right through. Was a little worried about the brake line leaking, but that never happened. I think the 1/2 inch was a little off (rotating the line) after I got the r/s on I readjusted it to line up with the bracket.
I can now sit on the bike and can even be in couch potato position, comfy all the way! For anyone that has back problems or any discomfort, this is a must buy. Even for those who want more seat space, these will do the trick.
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 11, 2008 08:30 AM
Yeah, they help a lot. Now I think I want to work on the saddle. I'm still getting a bit of lumar soreness which I think is a result of the forward slope in the seat rotating my hips forward, thus creating pressure in that area.
Still, the helibars are a definate improvemnt! Well worth the $.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 11, 2008 09:22 AM
I really have no problem with the seat, it is perhaps more comfortable than any bike since my gs1100e, and there have been a lot of bikes since then, finally one to keep!
Went riding today for about 70 miles to see my mom for mothers day, the bars just did the trick. I can sit semi slouched over, no nuts in the tank, and one hand on the bars on the highway, comfy. No zx-14 or 'busa could ever give me this amount of comfort... It IS the total package, all my research into a bike that I could love (6 months worth) paid off. Thank you helibars for taking me closer to perfection. Now if I had the flies out and a pc3 with the michelins on, I think I would have found nirvana, literally!!
As far as seat options go, I only know of 1, the kawi lower gel seat at this time. Would be nice if they had a stock height gel seat. The factory seat has flaws, the slope, especially with a passenger on, they tend to slide right down into you. The day after I got mine I went to pick up my 12yr old son from his moms, kids love bikes... Well he had a hard time with the seat, kept sliding into me. I think the whole trip was his helmet buried into my back, ouch! Riding with the wife? Hasn't happened yet, I need to get more confidence in the bike before carrying her weight (I really hope she doesn't read this).....
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 11, 2008 07:01 PM
Well, I did about another 100 miles today just wandering and realized something about back soreness. The helibars help a lot, but I think my rear preload is was too low also. I'll start another thread about suspension questions though.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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oncourse
Expert Class
I hate flies!!!
Posts: 467
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posted May 11, 2008 07:26 PM
More preload is just going to jack you harder over road bumps, will this help you? I would think you would want softer, the hard jolts to the back hurt, I know the feeling. I go through periods of no pain to lot's of pain, it all started with a rollercoaster ride, believe it or not...
Compared with my last 2 bikes (zrx1200r and hayabusa) this thing is like heaven compared to hell. The zrx was better than the 'busa in comfort, but had to reach too far to the bars, now I can ride straight up, no problem. I can ride this thing farther without taking a break than I can remember. The klr has a rough seat, but can handle these rough roads better than the C-14, more plush suspension with 2x the travel, soaks up bumps easily and still gets over 70mpg, but it is no highway bike.
The klr can be pushed pretty good, even with full pirelli knobs on it, and with the price of gas I am not getting rid of it... No matter what mod's I have done with it, or how hard I ride it it always gets over 70 mpg...
I really like the contrast between both bikes, each has a purpose, but the klr has 2, and I can and do take it off road, comes in handy when stuck in traffic, you can go anywhere...
Rob
____________
True intellegence is not measured by your degrees.
04 klr 250 Lots of mods and 70 MPG!!
08 Connie 2 bros. Carbon. Helibars. Flies out, PC3!!!
2003 kx 500 SOLD
2004 KX 500 In service now, whata BEAST!
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DrewHerc130
Expert Class
Posts: 140
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posted May 11, 2008 07:34 PM
Rob, that's exactly what I thought about preload. Check out my new thread on suspension.
Your KLR sounds kinda like a bronco I used to have for getting out of traffic...lol! Good times.
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2008 C14, flies out, Area P-Carbon, BMC, PC3, Spencer Seat Mod, Alaska Leather, Helibars with Ram GPS mount, Nuvi 250W
"Life moves pretty quick. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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