Triumphrat

Vox · 07-22-2007

Hi All,

Just finished a very long downhill canyon run and have decided that I am getting to appreciate the idea of a more "tour" than "sport" position. I have an 06, which I purchased for economic reasons over an 07, though I really liked the '07. Long story short, I think I'd like to raise/replace my handlebars to the '07 position.

A couple of questions:

If I use Gen Mar or Triumph risers (and is there a difference between these), will those put my bars in the '07 position, or will I have to get the '07 bars to get the angle moved back to me as well as up? Does the end riser setup look kind of like a sloppy add on, or is it aesthetically acceptable?

If I do have to get the bars, what can I expect to pay, and how complex is the replacement?

Thanks!

jthursby · 07-22-2007

As far as position they both seem to put the handgrips in the same position. The Gen-mars are easyer to install although you may need a longer clutch cable (07 part#T2040507 works) and front brake line. Some have re-routed the throttle cable but I have not seen the need.
The Gen-mars look like they were made for the bike and belong there.
My .02cents your opinion may vary.

Jim T.

keo1050 · 07-22-2007

Please give yourself more time to adjust to the stock bars. I too have an 06' and wasted a lot of time and money fitting the 07' bars on my bike only to find it ruined the handling (for me at least) . I put it back to stock ; sold the higher bars on ebay and got used to the way the bike should be. Everyone is different though...I ride mine like a sport bike...some ride it like a tourer. To each his own.Best of luck with your choice.

NotSoFast · 07-22-2007

I have an '06 and the first thing I did to the bike was put on the Gen Mar risers. They are easy to put on, no cable changes needed for my bike and they look factory.Very high quality. Took about 15 min and they cost approx $125.00.

Vox · 07-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by keo1050

Please give yourself more time to adjust to the stock bars. I too have an 06' and wasted a lot of time and money fitting the 07' bars on my bike only to find it ruined the handling (for me at least) . I put it back to stock ; sold the higher bars on ebay and got used to the way the bike should be. Everyone is different though...I ride mine like a sport bike...some ride it like a tourer. To each his own.Best of luck with your choice.

Thanks everybody for your input, I've decided to go with the Gen Mar risers. Keo1050--I've waited about five months and 2100 miles. Some days the stock position feels pretty good, other days are kinda painful. Especially the long rides down steep canyons, which really should be the time when I'm having the most fun rather than consumed with pain in my wrists, back and neck. I'm not a big guy--5'7"--so it's a stretch for me over this bike. Sounds like the whole operation is a $120 risk--I can always go back to stock.

bobw3592 · 07-22-2007

I got my 06 the end of April and wanted to make sure I had adjusted to the new ergos. I road about 3500 miles and then went with the 07 bar kit. About $200.00 compared to $100.00 for GenMar, but it had all cables etc. GenMar looks very good too. The last 2k miles have been very comforable with minimal loss of "sport" feed back. YMMV

I ride almost all miles on tight mountain roads and it was the steep down hill switchbacks that would get me too. Trying to get under the clip ons for enough counter steering I would end way up on the tank even using good knee grip, my boys were screaming LOL.

I also found my neck would get stiff after 3-4 hours of hard riding. The new position is great for 8+ hours with a few neck rolls relieving any discomfort.

Cheers
Bob

jvo · 07-23-2007

I have about 7500 miles on my ST, and I am going to try out the 07 Highbar kit. I am a bit worried about how it will affect the handling, but I figure I can always switch back to the 06 bars.

I was going to do it myself, but my cables do not have a lot of slack, so those will have to be replaced with the longer ones that come in the kit .. and since I really have no way to bleed the ABS brakes, I decided to just have the dealer install it.

Looking forward to see how it rides. As for the Gen Mar's, I have not seen them and would be interested in seeing how they look installed, if anyone has a pic?

jthursby · 07-23-2007

Here's an installed picture of the risers on my 06.
IMG_4004.jpg

I did not notice any difference in handleing. The bars are the exact same width as before therefore steering leverage is the same. They are slighty higher and I think people perceive that as the bike handling differently.
For some of us they are the difference between riding long distance or going to the corner store.

Jim T.

Medic09 · 07-26-2007

Hey Vox,

Did you install the risers? I'm same size as you, with very short arms. Even with the GenMars on, I wish I had another 1/2 to 3/4 inch. I was at the dealer today brainstorming how to do that with my '01 Sprint. I'm thinking of getting the Triumph 07 handlebar kit, and putting a half-thickness riser underneath.

How did yours work out?

Vox · 07-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medic09

Hey Vox,

How did yours work out?

Hi Medic09,

I haven't taken the plunge yet, I'm thinking of going with the higher bars after all. It's only an $80 differential. Of course with the gen mars, you can go back and forth easily. I don't have ABS so I imagine putting on the higher bars won't be as complex an install for me.

That sounds like a good solution for you--the 07 bars+ Gen Mars should really get them up there--hopefully the tips won't knock the tank.

I'll let you know when I go for it. During the week when I'm mostly commuting I'm on the plains of the front range, and it's pretty flat and bearable. It's the weekend "pleasure rides" in the mountains that become excruciating. So I lose motivation during the week and pick it back up on the weekends.

I'm pretty well adjusted to being a shorter guy except when it comes to sport bikes. They're definitely built with 5'9" + guys in mind, which makes economic sense, but kinda stinks for those of us on both extremes. Buell makes the Buell Lightning CG for shorter people, my brother has one, but that's the only one I've heard of.