"A Riser Alternative"

[VulcanE]

I'm a pretty good size fellow, 6'2" tall with a 7'2" arm-span, and the stock bars were pretty comfortable for me. One day I thought that if my grips were about 2~3 inches closer to me, and at the same height and angle, that it might just be a little more comfortable, especially on long rides. I thought about risers, but with the type of stereo head unit I have (non-marine) I have to use a marine bubble cover when it rains to keep it dry. I use a USB thumb drive to store my music on, and when it's sticking out of the stereo, I have to leave the bubble cover open, and I couldn't do that if I had risers. So I started researching handlebars. One day I went into my local Kawi dealer, and there sat a 1700 Nomad. I was checking it out, and when I sat on it, the bars were where I wished mine would be. I went home and got a tape measure and yard-stick, and went back and measured the bars. I ordered the bar then, and the parts manager said that I could always return it, if I didn't like the new set-up. MSRP is around $140 for the 1700 handle bars, but I always get a discount when I order from him (nice to have friends in high places ) and got them, tax and all for $118.
Mounted the new bars, and my hands are at the same angle, height and width, but about 3 inches closer. No clearance issues with the tank. All the "locater holes, and strap holes just happened to be in the right places. The only thing that's not perfect about the fit, is that where the bar mounts in the stock risers, the 1700 is 1/2" wider than the 1600, so there is 1/4" of knurl showing on each side outside of my stock risers.

Some Kawasaki part numbers for handlebars
1500 FIs- 46003-1544
1600s ('05-"08)- 46003-0074
All model 1700s- 46003-0183

Here's a few photos comparing the 2 handle bars........


Handlebar angle rise, one on the left is the 1700, there is a 3" rise.....



Another photo looking straight down, one on the top is the 1700..........



This photo shows the center rise difference (2 5/8"), taller one is the 1700...



This one shows the knurl on the stock risers..............




When mounted, you can pivot the bar down, back toward you, and it will give the 3" closer to you grips. Elevation over the tank is the same as the stock bar, so the clearance of my flip-a-lever is still the same, just further back.
I hope this may help someone, I find it to be much better than stock, and I don't mind that little bit of knurl showing, besides, when my bubble cover is open (and is almost always), you can't see it.

Ride safe everybody,
Cliff

[dogdoc]

Ingenious detective work Cliff. I went with the Phatt ll risers and that got me about 2 inches closer and thats enough for me. Glad you found a more comfortable fit for yourself. What do you know about batteries dude? see my thread.

[markusmaximus]

Nice post Cliff. Great pics also. I'll keep this on my short list of future mods. Thanks.

[skimo]

Thanks man, I was just eyeballing the same ideal today at the local Kawi dealer. Had a feeling the knurling would show but it doesn't look to bad. If I dumped the chuckster's risers I could put my windshield bag back on.

[ridemslow]

Hey thats a good idea. I noticed the difference in position when I sat on the 1700 too. However, I already have the Aeromach's installed on my bike. Great idea and hopefully others can use the info.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by ridemslow

Hey thats a good idea. I noticed the difference in position when I sat on the 1700 too. However, I already have the Aeromach's installed on my bike. Great idea and hopefully others can use the info.

How do you like the Aeromachs? I think they look great.

[eagleman]

Is that a full 3 inches of pullback? Or is it 3 inches taller and no pullback?

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by Eagleman

Is that a full 3 inches of pullback? Or is it 3 inches taller and no pullback?

The vertical rise (from the risers) is 2 5/8" taller, and the end of the bar where the grips go is a different angle (approx 15 degrees up from the stock bar angle (see second photo) that results with the end being 3" higher (as referenced) from the last bend in the bar, to the end of the bar as compared to stock.. As you rotate the bar down, to get the grips back to the same plane they were in, they move toward you in an arc.
Another way to look at it is, If you measured up from the ground to the grip, before and after the bar switch, the distance would be the same, except the grips would be about 2 1/2" ~ 3' closer to the riders seated position. And if you turn the bar to full lock (either side) and measured from the tank up to the bar (tank clearance), the distance is still the same as stock.

[gghost]

Looks good! I have the F&S Tach that mounts on the risers which limits my options. Glad to see another option is available.

[skimo]

I'm sort of wondering if I got the bars and used some stock HD risers this may cover the knurling on the bar as the HD riser appears to be a little wide due to the offset top clamp bolt design.

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by skimo

I'm sort of wondering if I got the bars and used some stock HD risers this may cover the knurling on the bar as the HD riser appears to be a little wide due to the offset top clamp bolt design.

If you have a HD that you can use a tape measure on, the knurl is exactly 1/2" wider than the stock 1600.

[jerrycritz]

Just wondering aren't the HD bars 1.25" and the Kaw 1"? Just wondering.

[radco]

Originally Posted by jerrycritz

Just wondering aren't the HD bars 1.25" and the Kaw 1"? Just wondering.

I have HD Pisers on my 04..they are 1".W/ Stock Bars BUT you can get them in 1 1/4" as well......

[pablo]

I went with different bars instead of risers also.

[radco]

Originally Posted by pablo

I went with different bars instead of risers also.

Did U use the HD bars??? Thanks Rich