Purpose for Risers
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Idaho
Purpose for Risers
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)??
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)??
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
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.
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,071
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
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.
What is the length you need to look for, and why?
What is the purpose of Pullback Risers (if any)??
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
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.
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.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,424
Likes: 7,120
From: Beyond Fucital
I had the same situation with my bars and risers. 2 dings on the dash. I removed the pullback risers and installed straight risers of the same height. Pull back risers are for achieving the same looks for those with short arms. But as I noted in another thread taller risers with apes looks like ****.
I'm running 14" with 1.5" risers now.
I'm running 14" with 1.5" risers now.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Idaho
I had the same situation with my bars and risers. 2 dings on the dash. I removed the pullback risers and installed straight risers of the same height. Pull back risers are for achieving the same looks for those with short arms. But as I noted in another thread taller risers with apes looks like ****.
I'm running 14" with 1.5" risers now.
I'm running 14" with 1.5" risers now.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,551
Likes: 1,842
From: Albuquerque, NM
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 !!
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
The purpose of pullbacks and tilted forward bars is mostly for looks I run mine this way. Most running pullbacks do so to have their gauge mount tilt towards them. Bar/riser height is all for preference when I had fixed tbars at 14 my left shoulder would experience discomfort going down to 11.5 cured this issue. Pictured here is my personal setup
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Idaho