I've never noticed any play on my 08 LR but the handelbars were always a little to the right. I loosened the trees and tightened everything to spec but then noticed it was my bars to tree which was the problem. I removed the riser and removed the rubber bushings, flipped them from top to bottom and reinstalled. Much better now but would a set of poly ones be better for stock bars? Would they be completely straight then? I'm currently getting very little vibration. I torqued them to 35lbs. Thanks!

 

I would change them. They are cheap enough. Less than $20 on Amazon.

 

Change out the riser bushings for either poly or solid bushings, the rubber used in the OEM bushings doesn't hold up over time. I use solid chrome bushings, zero movement of the bars/risers, no added vibrations, and they don't wear out

 

I got some poly ones at my local indie store. Had the exact issue you had. After the install the bars where straight (you gotta make sure as you tighten them up they don't move) and feel a little more connected to the trees now. Just the ever slight more vibration but I'd call it negligible.

 

Concur with switching out the bushings. I installed the polyurethane ones when I swapped out my bars, huge difference!

 

I grabbed a set of Gooden Tight bushings off of amazon for about $30 and they made a world of difference. Have been very happy with them.

 

After reading all the recommendations for polyurethane bushings I installed a set in my 2015 Wideglide. Although the bars have a slightly more firm feel there is also some increase in vibration and more buzz in the mirrors. Everything was properly torqued. I haven't done any long rides yet to see if the fatigue factor goes up but my initial reaction is that with stock bars and risers there's no benefit to the stiffer bushings. If you have taller risers and/or apes maybe you'll notice more benefit.

 

I moved from poly to solid angled to bring bars a bit closer.
have HD poly bushings in great condition - will sell for $25. HMU for pictures

 

I replaced the rubber for poly bushings on my 14 WG. I rode it for 50 miles and came home and immediately put the rubber back in. The bike and mirrors vibrated way too much. At 50 mph it did get better.