Helibar Fitment Problem; Weekend Shot

[FALSTEN]

Came in from work this afternoon and decided to tackle the Helibar install on my ST. Everything came off just fine, but as I was putting on the MTS adapters (the first step), there was an interference on the left side adapter with the top clamp on the bike. It's a bit different than the right hand side clamp exactly where it's interfering. I could file it down, but I think that solution absolutely sucks since it would remove the powder coat on the $400 set.

So, I guess I'll be contacting Heli Modified on Monday to see how they'll handle this. I'll post an update at that point. So much for trying out the new bars this weekend. :brk:

[FALSTEN]

The folks at Heli Modified responded in the best possible way; they didn't ask any crazy questions when I told them about the problem with the adapters, and sent a new set of adapters via second day air with a return UPS coupon enclosed in the box.

This set dropped on correctly. Install went pretty well. A few things were tight, and as 1FastCat has pointed out before, it's a bit tough to get both grips lined up.

All in all, I probably spent 4 hours on it, proceeding carefully.

It doesn't feel like an epiphany just sitting on it, but it is noticeable, even though I had the Genmars installed for a couple of weeks to try them.

Now, for the shakedown ride!!! :-D

[FALSTEN]

First shakedown runs are done. One problem and a couple of observations.

I took the bike out to a 40 mile run out to a buddy's hangar, took a break and went to a local bbq joint with him, and then made a run back about 40 miles. I mixed in some high speed divided highway stuff with some backroads and of course, my neighborhood.

The Helibars definitely helped with the problem I had with the right wrist hurting. I felt about the same amount of wrist strain as I feel when riding the TBS, in other words, not enough to be a problem. The bars are still lower than the TBS relative to the seat position, so my lower back still needs some toughening to be able to ride distances with confidence.

The problem occured while parking the bike at the hangar. I had the throttle hang up when I gave it full right lock to pull it into the hangar. I had checked it with it idling at my place, but I had never tried giving it gas while turned all the way at the locks. I think (hope) it can be fixed with a little rerouting, but unfortunately I'll have to pull the tank/airbox to do the exploratory surgery.

I also tried some quick "swerving" maneuvers on the way into the neighborhood, and the bars felt a bit more flexible than the original setup; to be expected I suppose. The bike still responded quite well, and maybe quicker on the low speed type stuff. I certainly felt more at ease in the neighborhood with the more upright position.

All in all, if I can fix the problem with the hanging throttle at full right lock, I believe I will consider this a successful addition to the Sprint.

[vwvectors]

Did Heli not supply with a longer throttle cable ? I'm looking to add a set of Heli bars to my ST . Your posts are most excellent . Do u have to bleed the brakes at all after the installation ? Do u feel that the bars are not as strong as the originals ?

[FALSTEN]

Heli doesn't supply any cables, and advertises that their setup can be installed without them. I suspect that with some additional adjustment that this will be the case.

Nothing needs to be disconnected during the install, so no need to bleed the brakes, either.

Some other folks on the board have opted to go with longer cables to get a bit more adjustment range in the bars, but I can't see where I can gain much due to it interfering with the tank or the fairing if it is adjusted much outside of the current setup.

I think the Heli setup is plenty strong to do the job. It's just not as solid as the clip on type setup that comes on the bike originally. Heli tells you in the accompanying material not to tie the bike down for shipping using the bar ends, and I think that's good advice based on the design.

[vwvectors]

Falsten do u believe the quality is on par with Genmar risers ? Also how much different are the placement of the bars compared to Genmar vs Heli ?

[FALSTEN]

The placement of the helibars is almost as much higher over the Genmars as the Genmars are over the stock setup I would say. It was a noticeable change and yielded a much more relaxed position than even the Genmars.

Quality is very good, the welds look professional and the powder coat is very uniform, matching the silver on my Sprint almost perfectly, (keeping in mind that one of the first set of adapters I received was machined incorrectly).

The Genmars are just two little blocks of aluminum, so it's hard to compare quality since there is so much more to the Helibar setup. In my opinion, I can see where the Helibar setup has enough machining and details to cost $400, but the Genmars are so simple that it's hard to pay the cost for them (around $120-$150 shipped, depending on year).

p.s. I don't think I'm going to be able to adjust the throttle cable to stop the hanging at full lock. Need to do some additional research to make sure I'm not overlooking something.

[DaveC]

There's no comparison between the Genmars and Helibars. The Helibars offer a wide range of adjustment; whereas, Genmars attach with a single fixed setting.

I just took the Helibars off my 02 ST in preparation for selling the bike. I'll be selling the bars separately.

Dave

[mouse]

Dave C:

I'm interested in your Heli-Bars when you're ready to sell...just send me a PM

[mouse]

I put up a post a few weeks ago, but had no response about whether or not Trophy handlebars would fit a Sprint ST. They appear to be the reason for the more upright position of the Trophies...which my back & I prefer. Anybody know?