SV1000S Raising the Bars

[thebullet]

Got a 2003 SV1kS here with really low bars that must go. (Ouch!) Looking for feedback from other owners who have found a tried and true solutions.

Currently I see options as being:

- Helibars, http://www.helibars.com/
- Speigler riser kits, http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/sbk.cfm
which seem to have a product that does not require modifying the fairing.

I'd love a tube bar solution which would seem to give the most options for experimenting w/other tube bars.

Spoke w/Suz dealer mechanic and they said the "naked" version triple clamp w/risers and tube bar can only be installed if the fairing goes (the fairing must stay) and that if I wanted the fairing modified, they would not do the job.

How about it? Anyone out there raised the bars to a really comfy level w/o all the agony?

[V4]

I would definitely stay away from the Speigler riser kit altogether regardless...

for some of the models, the top clamp isn't equal in the angle in which it's shorter on the right side than the left...also, you may end up needing not only to modify your fairing but need a new brake/clutch/brake system even if the instructions say you may not need to...

the heli bar is good for straight long rides but if you are used to the low clip ons when riding in sporty mode, you will find yourself forcing yourself to lean forward as needed...nothing bad and it'll come to you....

I had Heli bars on my VFR and was satisfied with it...you will need to pull/push the angle a few times to find the sweet spot...

cheaper alternative might be a gen mar bar riser that just lifts your bar slightly more unless its the upright seating position you want in which the gen mar is a slight improvement...

[thebullet]

You mean the riser clamps? One shorter than the other? So the bars would be off-level? That's crude -- where are the Spieglers made?

Are the Spiegler products primarily marketed to the pimpin' out crowd?
People who spend thousands on parts just to look good?

Re: Keeping weight over the front tire. Women (which is what I happen to be) by nature are designed w/majority of body weight from the waist down. Men, majority of body weight from the waist up. I've always had to ride sport (back roads- twisties) consciously distributing pressure over the front tire. Or riding the front wheel, so to speak. Unfortunately, this design also makes men stronger in the upper body, women stronger in the lower body -- so riding for anything more than 30-minutes with all my weight on my arms is agonizing. Plus I'm 50 -- so that sucks too.

Most of the riding I do is short-interval spirited back road -- but I need to get this beast a lot more tour-worthy so I can do some trips and ride the highway for a day now and then. And get my weight back off my arms.