HeliBars

[ikonoklass]

I realize there must be umpteen threads on this topic already, but now's your chance to spout off with fresh opinions. I just put a Sargent on my bike, and if I push way back into the seat bucket, it feels like the bike would be an ideal candidate for taller bars and a little more pullback. I think that plus a new suspension will give me a Sprint ST I can live with for a long time to come...

[1fastcat]

Hey Rich Lawyer
The installation of helibars kept me from selling my ST shortly after I bought it. Have done a bunch of miles since, and am very happy with the riding position, and I believe better control of the bike through the corners.

They are extremely well made, just be forewarned - no index marks so you have to be very careful on the alignment of each bar, test out, realign, test out realign. Adjustments are infinite and you surely will find a height, pullback, and wrist angle that fits you perfectly.

[ikonoklass]

We seem to be into all the same stuff, and we have identical bikes, down to the year and color. Wassup wit' dat? Have you, by chance, upgraded your suspension? I think RodneyBrown is the resident expert on that front. After that, I'll run it until at least 50,000. I think I may use some of my riches to add a Moto Guzzi California EV Touring to my stable next year. Never ridden a Guzzi, but they make my knees weak for some reason.

[1fastcat]

Hey Ikono,
Race Tech .95 Front Springs made a huge difference. Rear I played with and although the rear is still bouncy in the choppy stuff, overall I am happy with the spring change.

[ikonoklass]

If I cut the mustard at this job, I'm up for a raise in August. Then I'm going to spring for the springs, AND for the Helibars.

[REGULATOR]

I have the SGT and am thinking about new bars of some type as well,
and wow I'm also thinking suspension, but I ride mostly two up all the time.
I'm 5'11 225(dry) and wife is 5'7' and 150 ( hey we work out so no Fat jokes!)

I've adjusted teh settings front and rear to factory 2 up setting, but its Harsh on B roads, stiff
enough that it doesn't wallow too much on fast A roads.
if anyone has done any experimentation with settings or changes that seem to work let me know

my biggest complaint is braking, seems like I must brake too hard cause the front dives
a lot two up, and although I try to use the rear more with pillion, lets face it the rear is fairly useless.

love my ST and now that I'm getting more confident with it, I'm definitly starting to push the limits more

[yerguy]

Ikonoclass,

Hey pal, we still have'nt heard your final concensus on your windscreen experiments. Have you found that killer setup yet??

What are your impression on the Sargent????

On the heli-bar stuff, I looked real hard at their system and the competitors, but settled for the Gen-Mar..with a twist.

Why??? Cuz I'm just a poor ol' Federal civil servant, that's why.

The Genmar was a big help, but it seemed to me that a wee bit more rise would help, so I carefully traced the Gen-Mar blocks, re-drew in AutoCad, DXF'd the drawing file, wrote a program for my Water Jet at work and made additional 3/8" aluminum risers installed under the Gen-Mars.

That gave me a total 1 1/2" rise and moved the bars back a similar amount, This is about as high as you can go, the bars clear the fairing by about 1/8" at full lock.

But I can COMFORTABLY ride ALL day now. I think the best of this change is, by taking my torso weight off the bars, I can easily work the bars better and have gained much more control and it's easier to ride faster now.

Taking the time to dial in the sag heights and shocks with the Mayer Saddle has contributed a ton to over all ridablility and long term comfort. The SS brake lines front and rear have helped the braking feel/response a ton.

Other than the Staintune pipe, it is bone stock. In the open configuration, the Staintune is pretty noisy and wicked sounding. Install the restrictor and it's barely a tick louder than the OEM pipe, but a much lower and deeper tone. Have your cake and eat it too!! Something to consider??

My riding chums are mounted on....VTR 1000, RC51, CBR1000RR, Ducati Paso FI, BMW R1100R, Yama V-Max and a Honda VFR 800, a Suzook V-Strom and a CBX. Of the lot, I think the CBX is the only one as comfortable, but God that beast is heavy. But talk about a sweet power curve!!!

They have all ridden the Sprint and they all say the same thing..."God, you can ride this thing all day!!" And they all seem to be in agreement that "This thing is deceptively fast. Good thing it's got really good brakes!!" and that it is "EZ to ride and very forgiving, doe'snt require the focus/attention needed on the go fast bikes".

If there is any one thing to complain about, is the suspension is now just a wee bit choppy, but I understand the Race-Tech springs and cartridge emulator is the fix for that. Maybe, later a really good aftermarket shock/spring for the rear.

Fastcat...
What were your impressions on the work by So. Cal Triumph/Ducati??? I need to do the same thing with mine..valve adjust and throttle body synch. If I can find the factory valve adjust tool, it would be ez to duplicate it, but I'm still stuck with how to jumper the tank lines and electrics to do the throttle synch, so I think I'll head up there myself and just let them do it some Saturday morning soon.

It seems to be a great shop, I'm really impressed with my 2 visits.

Hey, if you do in fact go for the FJR, please, lemme' know if yer' gonna' get rid of the Sprint. I've a pal at work anxious to get into a good street bike and he is really enamored with mine. I keep thinking the mods you've made on your bike could well be the perfect mount for him. With cooperative traffic???, we could be up there to visit and look in 2 hours or so.

So, there's my 2 1/2 cents worth......

Dan'l
So. Calif.







[ This message was edited by: yerguy on 2004-06-25 09:29 ]

[1fastcat]

Hey Dan,

I had a very good experience with the valve adjust and t-body sync at So. Cal Triumph. Mechanic Eric dialed the bike in, although my valves were still in factory guidelines, the t-bodies were out of sync. Made a noticeable difference in a quicker throttle response.
Also, store owner Tom was very "hands on" making sure that I was getting excellent service.

As far as selling the ST - Just put a brand new set of Azaro ST's, and engineered a pretty trick refabricated passenger handle that I now mount a new corbin backrest through (removeable). Almost hate to give it up, but I will be getting either the FJR or a new 05 ST/Trophy.

Tom @ So Cal Triumph did confirm the big dealer meeting in Italy this September and will get me the scoop on any new models asap. I will probably sell the ST in September.

So, if your buddy would like to come up and take a look and have first crack at it prior to open market sale, let's set up a date.

[ikonoklass]

Hey, make ME some of those! I like the Sargent a lot, but haven't done more than 20 miles at a whack yet (out of town last weekend). I should be able to eat some serious miles this weekend.

It is very timely for me to drop in on this conversation. I have a 02' Sprint ST with Heli Bars and a Sargent seat. The Heli's are great (as a mater of fact that is my ST on the Heli web page) The Sargent seat is great after I had them alter it. I returned the world sport seat for them to take a little of the slope out and make it a flatter seating position. I also had them straighten up the riders back stop (hell, I don't know what you call that thing that keeps your butt from encroaching on the passenger seat) Anyway, It's great now. And don't you just love those little thingies that you can bungee to.

I am curious about suspension. I see some of you have mentioned the Race-Tech springs on the front. Check! What about the Valves (Gold ones, that is) Is that necessary? What happened in the back? I'm thinking about a spring change. I want something stiffer as I carry a lot of stuff every time I go on a ride. (MSF Instructor, Books, clothes for three days and all that gear that I have to have to set a good example) I stack all my books on the rear seat and that is about equivalent to me caring a small child every time I leave the house. Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

On another note.........05 Sprint/Trophy. Are the Trophy's back for 05?