> I still have stock bars. Have always wondered about the Heli
> bars. I'm
> only a 5'9" type of person. I can live with the stock. Like the angle.
> However it's the reach that I don't like. It doesn't allow me to
> move back
> on the seat. I'm always up against the tank. For those that haven't had
> much luck with the Heli bars how tall are you? For those that really like
> them how tall are you? If these can be answered then the rest of us could
> figure out if we could use them.
I'm 6'2" more or less. I like them. The stock grips were a little low.
The Heli-bars are also too low, but I like the look and am not interested in
screwing up "the look" by putting on a super-bike kit. However I do NOT run
a stock saddle. I've had my re-built and currently it is about an 1" taller
than a filled in stock saddle (that is to say, if you filled in the driver's
position and then added an extra inch, you'd have a saddle that is about as
tall as mine. Since my saddle is taller, it gives me a bit more leg room,
which I need since I have a 35" inseam and a knee that doesn't really like
to bend. However, I think that having the taller saddle also makes my lean
to the grips a bit more than stock and I find myself constantly correcting a
"locked-elbow" situation, which I NEVER had on my Concours.
The GTS is not the most comfortable bike for me. I truly need a more sit-up
riding position with lots more leg room. But the GTS is the most confidence
inspiring, best handling bike that I've ever ridden / owned and for those
and all of its "advanced" features I'll take the sore knees and other body
parts.
Could I ride it several hundred miles in one day? Not with my current
saddle, but hopefully that will be rectumfied (yes I know....bad pun) in
early August. Perhaps after that I'll be able to ride longer distances--but
perhaps not. Why did I buy it then? Several reasons: 1. Because I thought
it was the coolest, most high-tech/advanced bike that's EVER been built, and
I still think it is, and 2. I like being different and the GTS fills the
bill. There are all of 850 or so in the USA today, and I have a 94 CA model
and there are all of 50 or so of them. I'm in a VERY EXCLUSIVE club. I
like that. I wanted one in 93 and 94, and I couldn't afford it. After
selling my Concours about a year after I got the GTS, I paid a grand total
of $7 grand fro the GTS. That I can afford. When I'm done riding it, I
have plans for it, but selling it is not in those plans.
Regards,
Henry S. Winokur
94 GTS1000, AMA, MRF,
Nationally Certified Riding Instructor
West Bethesda, MD USA
