• Home
  • About HeliBars
  • HeliBars Website
  • Facebook
  • Videos

HeliBars Blog

~ It's all about the comfort!

HeliBars Blog

Category Archives: HeliBars FAQs

New Arrival!!!

26 Tuesday Feb 2019

Posted by cindyeddy in BMW, comfortable handlebars, Goldwing, Harley Davidson, Helibars - Other Handlebars, HeliBars FAQs, Honda, Horizon, Kawasaki, Other Engineering Projects

≈ Leave a comment

We are happy to announce that we have acquired new (for us) equipment which will allow us to expand our product line.
Introducing the SOCO 5-axis CNC Production Tubing Bender with enough tooling to be really creative! We will be introducing vintage style bent handlebars with our own HeliBar ergonomic touch. The first to be introduced will be for the BMW K1600B Bagger…coming soon!

43.804798 -70.801173

HeliBars for Re-creation/Recreation: It’s all about the fun!

28 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by goddessoftheoffice in BMW, F6B, FJR1300, GL1800, Goldwing, Harley Davidson, HeliBars FAQs, Honda, Horizon, Kawasaki, Yamaha

≈ Leave a comment

A recent article in the Powersports Business Magazine (September 9, 2013 edition, online October 4, 2013) had us all talking here in the office.  Why do we make HeliBars?  We say it’s because we want people to ride for the “long haul” and enjoy “comfort without compromise” because people should be able to follow their passion (for motorcycling) without pain.   It’s because we love the feel of the open road.  It’s how we recharge our batteries from working all day.   And because there is no greater joy than traveling this great country from the back of a motorcycle and seeing all the beautiful sites while riding through the wind.  All of this is echoed in the article we read.

The article is by Hal Ethington entitled, For recreation or play, never forget about ‘The Why’

We hope you enjoy it!

Video

HeliBars installed on a Harley Davidson 2013 Road King

09 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by helibarsblog in Harley Davidson, HeliBars FAQs, Horizon, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

adjustable handlebars, adjustable motorcycle handlebars, Comfort, Harley Davidson, performance

In this video Harry Eddy, Design Engineer will discuss the ease of install on a 2013 Road King.

HeliBars Review: TrackDayMag.com

31 Friday May 2013

Posted by helibarsblog in BMW, Helibars - Other Handlebars, HeliBars FAQs, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

BMw, helibars, Motorcycle Handlebars, performance, S1000RR, track performance, TracStar

Heli-Bars on a Track Bike?

postdateiconThursday, 30 May 2013 20:58 | postauthoriconWritten by Morris “Mo” Maduro | Print

We see if comfortable equals fast

What are they?

Heli-Bars is a well known company which specializes in producing motorcycle handlebars that are more comfortable than stock.  Their emphasis has been primarily on making machines more suitable for long distance riding but now they also feature a line called TracStar, which is aimed at the sportbike crowd.  The big question when testing a product like this is obvious.  Does improving street comfort come at the expense of racetrack efficiency?

Heli_bar_instructionsInstallation

The installation of these bars was very straightforward. In fact, this is listed as a direct stock replacement, which means that no other parts should be necessary to do the install.  We found this to be absolutely true.  A glossy color spread of instructions is included.  There are very accurate photos of each step of the process, along with supporting text.  There were no surprises and the entire job from parking to riding the bike took less than ninety minutes.  We recommend following their instructions to the letter, including the one about placing/stuffing a rag around the work area.  Besides protecting from scratches, this step may help you to avoid having to remove body work to retrieve a screw if you happen to drop one at the wrong spot.  Our installation time does not include a trip to the hardware store, where we bought a 36 mm socket for the triple clamp bolt and a small #8 Torx bit that was thin enough along its stem to fit into a severely recessed hole.

What they do

The normal way of making a sportbike more comfortable involves bar risers, which are essentially lifting blocks for the handlebars.  This has always seemed contradictory, since a lot of engineering gets violated when you move the handlebars to a different location.  The Heli Bars kit for the BMW S1000RR attacks the problem a different way, by setting the downward slope of the clip-ons at a shallower angle.  These bars made the position feel closer to that of a sport touring riding position while maintaining the look and feel of a sport bike.  In fact, experienced riders would not immediately recognize that these are aftermarket bars, especially since the mounting points and manufacturing style are identical to the OEM pieces.  Compared to the very steep angle of the stock bars, the modified slope of the Heli-Bars results in a bar end that is a full two inches higher than stock.  That two inches is enough to make a significant difference.  The results are a more upright riding position and a more natural position of the hand and forearm.

Street testing

To test the bike with the new bars, we conducted before and after riding sessions over the same one hour loop, Heli_bar_vs_stockwhich included surface streets, highway miles and twisties.  The first thing noticed was increased confidence when maneuvering on surface streets around congested traffic.  This was the result of both the added leverage and the slightly more upright position.  The second  obvious improvement was that the bars promoted a proper riding position, putting the forearms closer to parallel with the ground and the elbows at about the same height as the hands.  Once into the curves, flicking the bike into a corner was definitely easier and the bars engendered more confidence going around blind turns.  The result was that Heli-Bars encouraged a faster pace through curves, high speed sweepers and switchback on-ramps.  As you would expect, highway comfort was vastly improved. S1000RR riders regularly complain that their hands and wrists get numb within about 20 minutes of riding.  (Which incidentally, is the length of an average trackday session.)  We too had experienced this with the stock pieces but that numbness did not occur when riding with the Heli-Bars.  The noticed improvement in street comfort alone would have been enough to justify switching to these bars but we still had a track test to perform.

Track Testing

Autobahn Country Club, in Joliet, Illinois, was where we conducted the track portion of this review.  The Full Course at this facility has 23 turns so there was plenty of opportunity to experience the bars in a variety of different cornering situations.  We’d ridden here a few months previously with the stock bars, which provided a frame of reference for comparison.  On the track we noticed that it felt much more natural to drape our outside Heli_bar_vs_stock_2arm over the gas tank. It was also easier to experiment with different entry points, as the added leverage of the Heli-Bars provided extra confidence when flicking the bike into turns.  Switchback transitions were also made with less effort. The pavement was wet for a few of these sessions, giving us the opportunity to see how the bars performed in catching a slide. Even at this extreme, the Heli-Bars were very predictable and showed no tendency to make us overcorrect.  In fact, there was nowhere on the track that we found ourselves wishing we had the original-equipment bars.

For both road and track use, these Heli-Bars proved their worth.  In every environment, the big BMW was a more comfortable and better behaved motorcycle.  This $319.00 improvement quite literally transformed the bike’s ergonomics, making it much nicer to live with no matter what environment it was used in or how aggressively it was ridden.  Here at TrackdayMag.com, we’re used to sacrificing comfort to get better performance.  In this case, much to our surprise, it was upping our comfort level that increased performance!

Yamaha FJR1300: Why a Replacement Triple Clamp?

29 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by goddessoftheoffice in FJR1300, HeliBars FAQs, HeliBars History, Uncategorized, Yamaha

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

helibars, Replacement Triple Clamp, Yamaha FJR1300

A common question we receive on the 2006-2012 Yamaha FJR1300 is why did you design a replacement triple clamp.  It’s usually followed with “You did a riser for the earlier version, why not just keep it the same.”

Here is the detailed information from our engineer:
1st:  The stock triple clamp on the 2006-2012 has a horizontal mount for the handlebars.  So any riser that would be added onto the triple clamp would only make the handlebars taller, not closer to the rider.  (And really that’s what people want is the bars closer to them so they aren’t stretched over the tank.)  Also the handlebar mounting hardware complicates any riser design.

2nd:  The stock clamp is very wide front to back and this uses up cable and hydrualic line slack very quickly when the controls are raised and moved back.

3rd:  The stock triple clamp is rather thin sectioned and uses a single fork tube pinch bolt per side.  This is one of the reasons FJR’s have a buzz at cruise speed.

All three of these issues are addressed in the redesigned triple clamp (HRT076-2 or HRT076ES-2).
Specifications:

  • 1/2″ taller than stock
  • 1 1/4″ to 1 3/4 ” rearward (towards rider) with the option of 2 handlebar mounting locations.
  • Reduced vibrations
  • Improved wrist angles

If you want additional height, you can also add our Optional Accessory Risers which increase the height to 1 1/4″ taller than stock.  (HRTR01 only fits with the Heli Triple Clamp)

Safe Riding!

HeliBars: What’s the Difference?

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by goddessoftheoffice in Helibars - Other Handlebars, HeliBars FAQs, HeliBars History

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

BMw, Ducati, helibars, honda, Risers, Suzuki, triumph, yamaha

“Rise”?  “Pullback”?  “Rear Offset Location”?  It’s all Greek to me!  What do you mean it’s only 1 1/2″ taller?  Are you sure that’s going to make a difference?

These are all questions I hear daily.  Case in point.  I received an email this week telling me that our advertising was wrong.  The bars were not 1 5/8″ taller.  So we did a little photography for proof that we were indeed 1 5/8″ taller.

Stock bar for Hayabusa on Bottom, HeliBars for Hayabusa on top.

Here’s the facts:   Our product specs are measured at the end of the bar, where you place your hands.  We take measurements from the stock location to the new HeliBars location.  This tells you exactly where your hands will be and really this is the information people want.

Let’s talk “pull back” and “rear offset location”.   Basically, we move you up and back into your seat more.  So “pull back” or “rear offset location” means moving your hands closer to your torso.

A great resource for finding out how that “minor” 1 1/2″ adjustment is really going to affect your riding position is Cycle-Ergo.com.  There you can pick your motorcycle, your height, inseam and then vehicle customization.  Some people are strictly visual people and this site is a fantastic resource to help give you that visual.

The bottom line.  Our products work.  We have been producing HeliBars for 25 years and we offer a 30 day money back guarantee.  What’s our return rate you ask?  Less than 2%.  Almost unheard of.  People just love our bars!

These Clip-On Handlebars Don’t look Different…

09 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by helibarsblog in HeliBars FAQs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Clip-ons, helibars, Motorcycle Handlebars, Replacement Handlebars, S1000RR, TracStar, VFR1200

Some people take the bars out of the packaging and don’t see a difference.  To the naked eye some HeliBars can appear similar to stock.  That’s a good thing – aesthetically speaking they look like they came with the bike!  We promise there are changes to the bars over stock, some more drastic than others.  Our welded HeliBars for the VFR1200 are dramatically different while the TracStar clip-on for the S1000RR doesn’t have the same “riser” built into the bar.  The rise and pull back comes from any number of areas in the design.

Unlike other companies we take our measurements from the same location each time we create a new design.  Your hand placement.  Really that’s the most important part.  Where are your hands going to be when the HeliBars are installed?

So what we suggest to the customer is this.  Install the right side HeliBar.  Take a tour around your motorcycle and view it from the front.  Now you can see the difference.  Just as you can in the photo above of the S1000RR.  While 1.7″ taller and 0.8″ rearward doesn’t seem like a lot on paper, when you compare the left and right bar it is a world of difference.  And of course the true test – sit on the bike compare how your hand falls on the right handlebar versus the left.  The palm of your hand should be more in line with your wrist, taking out the awkward bend that causes fatigue.

That’s what makes HeliBars – Comfort Without Compromise!

Brought to you by Heli Modified, Inc.:  The Makers of HeliBars

People always ask: Why can’t I use my HeliBars as a tie down point?

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by goddessoftheoffice in HeliBars FAQs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Canyon Dancer, Condor, helibars, Motorcycle Handlebars, Replacement Handlebars, tie down point, wheel chock

Before I answer that I have a couple questions, if you put your arms straight out sideways and ask several children to hang onto them – will your arms break off?  Probably not.  Will they stay straight?  Probably not.  Now if you asked them to hang from your shoulders you may bend in the knee a little (sort of like your tire being compressed) but you are more likely to stay upright with your arms out straight!

Let’s think of your handlebars as arms and your frame of your bike as your torso.  So where is the best point to tie down your motorcycle?

Why can’t I use my HeliBars as a tie down point?  Over the years we have had this question asked thousands and thousands of times.  We stress that they can certainly be used as a stabilizing point.  (Heck that is why we have arms right?)   Extreme force on the ends of the handlebars (either HeliBars or stock handlebars) can bend the bars or rotate them in their mounts.  And while you don’t think you tied them down too tight, if you hit those beloved pot holes while truckin’ down the road that force is increased.

So here is what we recommend:

Use a wheel chock.  There are some great ones on the market that we use such as Condor; they make a great quality product.  Pull the machine down and forward while locking it in.  Use soft ties or something similar around the lower triple clamp to stabilize the bike.  And lastly, you can utilize something like Canyon Dancer to steady your bike from lateral sway.

Brought to you by:  Heli Modified, Inc., the makers of HeliBars

Recent Posts

  • New Arrival!!!
  • Going to Laconia Bike Week?
  • On the LOOKOUT: Need Bikes for R&D!
  • NEW: HeliBars for BMW R1200RT Liquid Cooled
  • HeliBars’ Harry Top 10 Countdown: Must haves for your Motorcycle enjoyment! Day 10

Archives

  • February 2019
  • May 2017
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • December 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • May 2015
  • September 2014
  • June 2014
  • December 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • May 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011

Categories

  • BMW
  • comfortable handlebars
  • Disabled Riders
  • Events and Rallies
  • F6B
  • FJR1300
  • GL1800
  • Goldwing
  • Harley Davidson
  • HeliBar Open House
  • Helibars – Other Handlebars
  • HeliBars 25th Anniversary
  • HeliBars FAQs
  • HeliBars History
  • Honda
  • Horizon
  • Kawasaki
  • Laconia Bike Week
  • Laconia Motorcycle Week
  • Motorcycle Expo 2017
  • Motus
  • Other Engineering Projects
  • R1200RT
  • Uncategorized
  • Yamaha

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow HeliBars and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • HeliBars Blog
    • Join 264 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • HeliBars Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...