Do I need to adjust handlebars or get new bike?

[FUZZY V]

Hey all. Fuzzy's still here. Just passed 200 mile mark on, new to me, 2004 VT750c Shadow Aero. First ride at 45 mph plus. Can't wait to go again. Today's quandry is: I'm 6'-1" so at slow speed 360's, I can't go to full lock cuz handlebars hit my knees with feet on pegs so, should I spring for 2" risers to make stock handlebars work or should I just get new risers and handlebars? Can I figure out what may be comfortable by sitting on some scooters at the showrooms or do I have to ride to figure it out? I really need more seat-time on this bike before I think about changing bikes entirely...

[Sgoatley]

Not sure what to tell you, but I was able to rotate the bars on my VLX up about 1 1/2-2" and it made all the difference in the world for me. Way more comfortable and much better control. It was like a whole different bike.


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[justinmahn]

Look in to footpeg movers. They're called forward control extensions.

[FUZZY V]

FYI: The VT750c Aero has welded on risers with no adjustment possible in OEM state. Hence the quandry: get riser extensions or get all new risers and handlebars.

[Dauntae]

Get a new Bike and AHH send me the old one to dispose of properly yea that's it LOL I would try the riser extensions, I never liked the one piece bars/risers they used on some of the bikes, A company called scootworks I think it is makes forward controls for the foot pegs so your legs will be less bent and knees are lower so that may also help you and let you stretch your legs a little more too.

Dauntae

[TCazes]

I'm 6 1 212lbs and with drag bars I can hit lock, lay on the pegs and do slow circles and u turns allllll day. maybe get some drag bars? these guys have awesome quality and I'm really itchin for a new set of there bars. now just gotta decide which ones. Biltwell Inc.

also forword cobtrols or control extensions make the aero feel like a whole new bike. just sayin. checj out scootmods.com

[Coop]

Go with riser ext first, probably cheapest option to start with. Then after some miles decide on more expensive stuff. You may then want a bigger bike or just make this one the way you want it.
Coop

[marcham]

I'm 5'10" and found the 750 a little cramped ... try a Shadow Sabre 1100 if you can find one.

[dixidawg]

I finally fixed this problem today on my '05 750 Aero. I too have been plagued with the bars hitting my legs. I read everything I could find and tried some of the more popular suggestions. Earlier I had put on the 4" forward control extensions. Helped some, but not nearly enough. I needed something else.

Here's what I ended up with. I started with these:

Baron Custom Accessories Riser Adapter | ZZ50005 | J&P Cycles

They are riser adapters. The studs have one end that is 1/2″ x 13 for the riser base and metric on the other end that goes through the triple trees. The metric end fit perfectly in the triple trees. The SAE end allows you to use pretty much any non metric riser on the market. I chose these risers:

Baron Custom Accessories 4″ Kickback Risers | ZZ50851 | J&P Cycles

I had tried a few different bars over the winter, but was not happy with any of them. I either needed longer cables/wiring/brake lines. Or the bars still hit my knees. Or they were just plain uncomfortable. Nothing really worked to my satisfaction.

Back in the fall I bought a set of bars off the classifieds here, but until today never tried them out. They were off a 1996 Honda Shadow ACE VT1100C2. Installation was really easy. 4" centered knurls on the bars lined up with the risers. Holes were already pre-drilled for the bumps on the grips to go into. Worked perfectly with the stock cables, wiring, and brake lines.

The bike is now more comfortable than I could have ever imagined. I'm 6'2" with a 33" inseam. The combination of 4" forward controls, those risers and bars, along with a Mustang seat has completely transformed the bike. I highly recommend this combination of mods for anyone that has the same problem I had. It is like a completely different bike. It is AWESOME!


EDIT: Confirmed the bars are off a 1996 Honda Shadow ACE VT1100C2