HeliBars Gen 2.0 handlebar risers for Goldwing 2018 plus
I love riding Sherbert and experience backache. As a sports-tourer, Shadowfax did the same. Fitting the Bike-Quip handlebar risers eliminated most of my discomfort. It's natural to expect the same outcome from fitting handlebar risers to Sherbert.
I chose the HeliBars Gen 2.0 handlebar risers against a field of cheaper alternatives and imitations. Everyone reviewing the Performance Handlebar Risers for 2018+ Gold Wing gave a positive outcome. They listed the following benefits, which matched my needs:
- Improved low-speed control
- Relaxed arms with improved reach
- Exceptional quality
- Proven manufacturer's record
So, how did that turn out?
Fitting the HeliBars Gen 2.0 handlebar risers
The HeliBars arrived from WingStuff in a cardboard box containing labelled bags with the risers, the bolts, a pair of covers, and two small zip ties. An instruction booklet came with them.
Preparation includes protecting the bike's surfaces. I used masking tape and blankets that survive from my infancy.
Components
I can't fault the look and feel of the components. They all feel and look premium and the risers are machined to perfection. My only complaint is the supply of hex-driven bolts needing torqued. I don't have a converter between my half-inch torque drive and my smaller hex sockets.
Instructions
The instructions would benefit a learning designer's light touch for clarity. They work and watching a video is necessary for full understanding.
The instructions include raising the center console stay, which isn't strictly necessary.
In Sherbert's case, his stay falls into the bracket included in an ancillary set of instructions written for his use case. This is where the stay doesn't adjust in the same way. As well as releasing the stay's two bolts under the dash we need to remove them and a spacer. The space to achieve this is limited.
Fitting the risers without completing the stay's modification revealed that it's not necessary. There's just enough of a clearance between the console's underside screw heads and the handlebars on full lock. Of course your Goldwing may be different.
The punch in the groin was to learn this information from the following video created by the designer. They apologised for the oversight in Honda's build quality and model differences when not designing the differences in console stay heights. Go figure.
The outcome is to adjust the instructions to the true landscape and dry-fit the risers and test for clearance before adjusting that stay. Of course, there's no harm in raising the stay and I've only saved losing more hardware to the Goldwing's massive appetite for it. It's tight there though, so I'll likely return and add the modification.
The worst was for the body panel "ear" losing its white body clip. That'll need replacing although it's not flapping about enough to worry today.
Butchering the stock cover
We're to cut the stock cover to fit the new arrangement. I'm putting that off to when I am entirely satisfied the risers are staying. As you'll read in a moment, that point may be closer than I first imagined.
There's a paper cut-out template. The videos I've watch–even by the manufacturer–all fail to deliver a smart result. The plastic is of the type that flakes and I imagine even a heated finish won't be great. I'll deal with that later and feel warned to take my time over it.
Riding
I didn't enjoy the first few Kilometers with the risers. The steering felt edgy and the handlebar angle too tight. Control felt removed and I lost confidence on the wet and slimey Autumn roads. I completed one circuit and rode back to the garage feeling a little disappointed.
Emergency control
I rode out to a neighbouring town the next day. I lost traction on the leaves covering our sloping driveway and noted two outcomes: firstly, my reactive steering input was quick and secondly, the bike's traction control was quicker! Did the HeliBars help or hinder? On reflection, it's difficult to call.
Slow speed control
When in town, I skipped across the difficult double junction and eased in behind a coach. The traffic was moving slowly for the two crossings, a cross roads, parking, and roundabout all interrupting our 200m stretch of high street.
At less than walking pace the Goldwing is naturally easy to handle straight from the factory, if with some weave for stability. With these risers fitted, my line was notably straighter. No, really, this was a happy outcome from the risers. They added balance at the slowest possible Drive speed.
Everyday riding
I pulled around the mini roundabout and slewed an odd line through the first 90-degree corner. Several months of muscle memory or habit over-ruled my inputs, I guess. Back on the straight we accelerated to the 50 Kph, then the 60 Kph, and onward to the 100 Kph National road.
Soon, the joy and exuberence of riding took over and I forgot about the risers. The next thoughts about them came at the left turn at the next roundabout. It's a large one that intersects through-traffic and motorway traffic and you need to be slick if you don't mean to stop. On a left turn, that needs some accuracy to avoid under-cutting into the curb or over-riding the median when too hasty. Trust in the steering is paramount. I'm pleased to report I was getting used to the changed steering behaviour and was happy to make a neat turn.
By the time I arrived at the next town and pulled up for a chat in the motorcycle store, I had converted fully to the new bar geometry.
Bonus
The Goldwing DCT suffers a design flaw when the mirrors are folded. On full left lock, the mirror connects with the front brake lever. With enough force behind it, the brake is applied and the person moving the bike put off balance. The bike drops and scrapes on every damn thing in your garage. At the least, that's how Max McAllister of Traxxion Dynamics explains it.
The bonus is that the HeliBars risers bring the brake lever back and it only just connects with the mirror on full left lock. Now, I have the lever adjusted close to the grip. Those who prefer a wider gap may still encounter the flaw. For me, this is an upgrade with less to worry about.
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