Handle Bar Risers or Not?

3 for 2 · Jul 5, 2017

I have a 2004 Gold Wing that was triked with a Motor Trike Razor kit, 4.5 degree rake. Before the conversion I had MBL bar risers installed. I did this to alleviate the pain between my shoulder blades when riding. When I got it back the risers were not installed. I was told that if installed the bars in their new position would hit or catch on some plastic parts and therefore create a hazardous condition. When I look at the space in the area where the bars swing, I don't think an interference would occur.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Has anyone installed these risers and were there any issues?

Thank you in advance for your answers/advise.

Gold Rush · Jul 5, 2017

3 for 2 said:
I have a 2004 Gold Wing that was triked with a Motor Trike Razor kit, 4.5 degree rake. Before the conversion I had MBL bar risers installed. I did this to alleviate the pain between my shoulder blades when riding. When I got it back the risers were not installed. I was told that if installed the bars in their new position would hit or catch on some plastic parts and therefore create a hazardous condition. When I look at the space in the area where the bars swing, I don't think an interference would occur.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Has anyone installed these risers and were there any issues?

Thank you in advance for your answers/advise.

Don, whoever told you that was feeding you a line of BS a mile long. I rode my '06 Motor Trike with the 4.5 degree rake for maybe 30,000 miles and now have had my '15 Roadsmith with 6 degree rake for nearly 25,000 miles (both with MBL risers). The MBL 1800S risers never once had any issue. You will find getting the handlebars back up will make steering much more efficient and comfortable. If you still have the risers, get them on as soon as you can. You will not regret it!! :xszpv: :xszpv:

Ozarkryder · Jul 5, 2017

First off, the shop should have given any parts they took off back to you. If a shop does any parts changing, I ask for the old parts to be returned to me, whether it's a chrome piece replacing a painted piece or used brake pads or filters.

As for the clearance, I have Kuryakyn risers, and there was no problem with them, though there are various ways to mount them, so someone else may have a different result.

Try them - if they clear, no problem. If they don't you may be able to modify or not use the offending part if it isn't critical.

Red Wing One · Jul 6, 2017

I also have the Kury risers and I highly recommend you install yours.

You'll be able to tell right away if there is interference.....I doubt you'll have a problem.

3 for 2 · Jul 6, 2017

Risers or Not

Red Wing One said:
I also have the Kury risers and I highly recommend you install yours.

You'll be able to tell right away if there is interference.....I doubt you'll have a problem.

Thank you to all who responded. I installed the risers this afternoon. What a difference! There was no interference at all. I can't wait for a long ride now.

I appreciate the information and advise this message board provides. It is a great resource from good friends sharing the passion of motorcycling.

Gold Rush · Jul 7, 2017

Outstanding Don!!!! Glad you got them on so soon. There is no doubt you will be pleased. :xszpv::xszpv:

3 for 2 said:
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[CODE]Risers or Not

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Thank you to all who responded. I installed the risers this afternoon. What a difference! There was no interference at all. I can't wait for a long ride now.

I appreciate the information and advise this message board provides. It is a great resource from good friends sharing the passion of motorcycling.

knob · Jul 7, 2017

I installed the MBL risers on my raked trike a few years back and if I remember correctly I just trimmed a little plastic. It was real simple and doesn't show or anything. The risers were one of the best additions I have ever made as far as I'm concerned.

GoldWingrGreg · Jul 8, 2017

3 for 2 said:
I was told that if installed the bars in their new position would hit or catch on some plastic parts and therefore create a hazardous condition.

What you were told can be very true. Various combinations of easy steer kits and various risers can cause interference with the bars rubbing on the meter panel. In the aftermarket world, everything that is added to a GL1800 should be considered an experiment until tested thoroughly. It would be my guess that the installer who told you that found that out after installing a set on your Wing, and then removed them to avoid liability.

I've seen 2 sets do it and neither customer was aware of his bars hitting until I pointed it out. In both cases my recommendation was to remove them, after all ... riders should be in full control of their scoot at all times and under all conditions.

I'll look later ... I might have pictures.

3 for 2 · Jul 9, 2017

Risers or Not

Thanks again to all you responded to my question.

When my bike was triked the installer returned ALL parts including the risers. I asked him why he didn't keep them on. He said they would interfere with the steering. After installing the risers the other day and seeing no interference, I think he either forgot to install them or did not want any liability. There was no trimming of plastic required. It is much more comfortable.

GoldWingrGreg · Jul 9, 2017

The test is this. Be sure to fully move the handle bars from left to right while watching for interference. If there isn't any, you should be good.

GoldWingrGreg · Jul 11, 2017

Here are pictures of how risers with easy-steer can cause interference.

Gold Rush · Jul 11, 2017

GoldWingrGreg said:
Here are pictures of how risers with easy-steer can cause interference.

View attachment 46681 View attachment 46682 View attachment 46683

If that trike had damage like that after the risers were installed I wonder how they even managing to turn corners before the install!!! The risers when properly installed will bring the bars far about that damage area. Someone screwed up somewhere. Infact, I bet the damage was there before the risers were installed... :xszpv: :xszpv:

3 for 2 · Jul 11, 2017

Risers or Not

GoldWingrGreg said:
Here are pictures of how risers with easy-steer can cause interference.

View attachment 46681 View attachment 46682 View attachment 46683

Greg this one sure did interfere. Thanks for sending the series of pictures. Do you remember the type of risers and the degree of rake? I am using MBL with a 4.5 degree rake.

GoldWingrGreg · Jul 11, 2017

3 for 2 said:
Greg this one sure did interfere. Thanks for sending the series of pictures. Do you remember the type of risers and the degree of rake? I am using MBL with a 4.5 degree rake.

Sorry, I don't remember. Not only is there various rake kits, but there are probably at least 6-8 different risers.

Gold Rush · Jul 11, 2017

3 for 2 said:
Greg this one sure did interfere. Thanks for sending the series of pictures. Do you remember the type of risers and the degree of rake? I am using MBL with a 4.5 degree rake.

Don you will not have any interference problems. That is exactly what I had on my '06 the last 50,000 miles I rode it. One of the best aftermarket additions I installed!! :xszpv: :xszpv:

Sunman · Jul 12, 2017

I had a 2006 GL1800 and had risers on it before I triked it with a 2010 MT Venture kit. In the initial conversion I did not have a rake kit installed. There was no interference before or after the conversion with the risers installed. After riding it for awhile I ordered and installed a 4.5 deg. rake kit. There was no interference after the rake kit installation.

Sunman

3 for 2 · Jul 12, 2017

Sunman said:
I had a 2006 GL1800 and had risers on it before I triked it with a 2010 MT Venture kit. In the initial conversion I did not have a rake kit installed. There was no interference before or after the conversion with the risers installed. After riding it for awhile I ordered and installed a 4.5 deg. rake kit. There was no interference after the rake kit installation.

Sunman

Sunman that is my experience as well, which is the same as Gold Rush's. I suppose the degree of rake has something to do with the damage shown in the pictures above. My risers are working for me just fine. Much more comfortable. Thanks to all who helped me come to this conclusion.

GoldWingrGreg · Jul 22, 2017

I had a customer who was always complaining of shoulder pain and kept putting off getting a set of risers. He finally got a set, and shortly after had to have surgery. The Dr told him he had put it off to long.

Moral of the story ... if there is pain from riding, do something about it.

KYBubblehead · Oct 15, 2017

I'd installed MBL risers on my '03 (2 wheel) and found they made a WORLD of difference in my riding comfort. When I got an '06 (MT conversion) I put the risers on it. No rubbing/fitment issues; I won't ride another without them! YRMV.

FRR · Jan 14, 2018

Risers also serve as set backs which make riding much easier on a Trike. A few minor scratches on the side of the plastic are well worth the benefits on risers/set backs.