The 06 Dyna Wide I purchased came with a ton of additions that I'm just now digesting through and trying to get it all together in a format that I can understand. Like...WHY?? I posted a saddle (seat) question not long ago, and got some awesome insight from the members here. So, in the aftermarket additions to my 06 Dyna WG, was a combo Speedo-Tach. Very nice but herein lay a problem. The owner also added a pair of 6" pullback risers. Man if looks could kill, this machine would be a slayer. Well except for the fact that the knuckle of the riser where the handle bars bolt on .. hits the aftermarket speedo both turning left and right. It really doesn't hamper the turning radius very much as it seems to hit right at the end of the throw. Never-the-less, there are slight indentations on the chrome ring of the speedo where it has been tapping.
Secondly, the way the handlebars are mounted and adjusted to the risers makes the handlebars tilt forward, like they are trying to compensate for rearward tilt of the riser? . It appears to me that the pullback risers are be cancelled out by the forward tilting handlebars. If I'm looking at it through my eyes, I would think that the risers would be way better if they were straight (and possibly shorter). I'm a old school guy whose used to seeing the line of the forks come up, the line of the risers comes up following the same degree and angle line as the forks....then the handlebars pulling back and adjusted as needed for control.
I think my real question lays in the title. What is the real purpose of risers? What is the length you need to look for, and why? What is the purpose of Pullback Risers (if any)??

 

At the most basic level, they offer a cost effective way for the manufacturer to produce variety and ergonomically attach bars to trees. They're not strictly necessary. Anybody running "T" bars has ditched their risers to do so. These, of course, have zero adjustability so they must carefully selected (height, width, pullback, wrist angle) by the owner to ensure comfort. A volume manufacturer wouldn't want to stock potentially dozens of different bars (and cable sets) to accomodate all riders.

Beyond that, it's a free-for-all between ergonomics and styling, as well as countless other variables such as bar diameters, weight, strength, etc.

 

The real purpose of risers is to transfer money from your pocket into theirs. To keep up with the Jones's, the higher the better.Again, to remove your cash and deposit it into their pocket. That's really all it is.

 

Risers raise the bars higher.

Some people like them higher and feel it is more comfortable for them. It is cheaper and easier to add a set of risers than it is to buy taller bars. Depending on the height of the risers you may still have to get extended cables, in which case I think you might as well do it right and get taller bars.

They are just one way to change the bike to fit the rider.

 

 

On my bike, they facilitate a more upright riding position.

 

Sounds like you and I are cut outta the same bolt of cloth. I'm looking into 2" straights. I'll settle for 1 1/2"...maybe even 3". But I have one unforeseen catch. I have 1 1/4 " bars, so I'm having a bit of trouble finding a replacement riser to fit that bar size. Go Figure !!

 

Have you removed the bars yet? Lots of fat bars are stepped down to 1" where the riser attach. That may be the case with yours.

 

 

Nope...they're true 1 1/4" Riser and Bars !!