Goal: Review and compare Eagle Manufacturing’s 38mm handlebar riser and the Rox 2″ Pivot Riser for the KLR650.
Issue: At 6’1″, standing up on the foot pegs of my KLR650 was difficult on my lower back and wrists. I was having to break at the waist which left me hunched over the handlebars of my KLR in order to gain a proper hold on the 650′s grips. I was fatiguing quickly when riding off-road and never felt 100% balanced or comfortable. As usual, the internet search began with me scouring the KLR650 forums for more information and feedback. Along with a friend, who is the same height as me, we purchased the the 38mm handlebar risers and the Rox 2″ Pivot Riser for the KLR650 to compare and review.
Solutions: It took only minutes to install the 38mm handlebar risers on my KLR and it
Rox 2" handlebar riser for the KLR650
took and an extra 90 seconds to install the Rox 2″ handlebar risers on my friend’s KLR. Overall the Rox 2″ risers are the hands-down winner. The Rox 2″ risers provide an additional 1′ of height and the ability to adjust both the height and fore/aft position of your KLR’s handlebars. Although the 38mm handlebar risers for the 650 do provide you with 1″ of grip height, they tend to move the bars closer to your body forcing you to change your riding position and some of you
KLR650 38mm handlebar risers
KLR 650 riders may not like this. Both the Rox 2″ risers and the 38mm risers improve your position and grip while
standing on the KLR’s foot pegs, the Rox’s 2″ height is exactly what is needed for a rider over 6″ tall.
Notes:
Several forums cautioned that installing the a 2″ or more riser on the 2008+ KLR650 would require the relocation or extension of certain cables. This wasn’t the case for us. The 2″ risers were installed without having to adjust any of the KLR’s cables or hoses.
The 38mm risers cost approximately $35 and the Rox 2″ handlebar risers are approximately $95. If you value your comfort while standing on the foot pegs the $60 is worth it in my opinion.
Installing the handlebar risers on the KLR650 seemed to help with the buffeting issue described in the following blog entries:
http://klr650reviews.com/2010/07/16/klr650-tall-windshield-review/
http://klr650reviews.com/2010/07/09/klr650-dash-modification/
Stay obsessed my friends.
