I just ordered a set of HELI-BAR 3/4" risers for my brand new zx14r ABS. and I'm also looking to replace the rock hard factory grips with some type of gel grips. What have others used to make your hands hurt less? I'm quite tall and I'm putting a lot of pressure on my palms.

Try using your knees and thighs more to stabilize your torso.Grip the tank....relax your upper body.Keep your arms loose and bent.Light touch on the grips.This bike practically rides and steers itself;)Check out your riding technique...if you're tensed up....you're gonna have issues with comfort.RELAX.You may in fact find out you feel more 'one' with your bike NOT installing those risers....use your legs...NOT your upper body and arms.I've had double helis....helis with genmars...the best feeling I've gotten is STOCK for this.I don't 'grip' the bars...I push and steer with light palm pushes....that's about all.Even leaned in and carving.It takes practice and awareness of what your doing and breaking 'some' habits that are counterproductive to your comfort.I'm 6'1"...I've got a throttlemiester on mine...really works great at letting you focus on relaxing.This bike can easily and safely be ridden with no hands....that's the truth.

The OWNERS manual says..."when riding over rough conditions...grip the tank with your knees"....(slow down is an option....)This bike is extremely well balanced...

I think you'll find that using knees to grip(not crush;))to hold on will seriously change your comfort situation.After doing it for a bit...it becomes second nature;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/18/2014 @ 6:04 AM *

I use foam grip covers over Progrip Gel Superbike grips. But as Grn alluded to, your riding position has to take the weight off your hands or it won't matter what grip you use. This is one thing that makes pure sportbikes very hard to rack lots of miles on; the riding position dictates your weight is on the bars (and thusly on the front wheel) which is great for riding twisties, but excruciating for anything else.

The risers will help, but I found the droop of the stock bars contributes as much to hand discomfort as their height and pullback. Bar kits such as the LSL raise and flatten the grip position and put your body in a slightly more upright position, which also takes weight of the palms.

I just put on some progrip 717 grips and no more hurting palms !!

Yes. My position could be improved on. Thanks.

Don't forget to get a throttlemeister. Being able to take your right hand off the grip while cruising helps a lot as well!

I'll report on the Heli-risers as soon as I get them and put them on. They are 20mm taller and 10mm further inward from what I read.

Also try to be aware of your shoulder position. If I flex my shoulders and move them into a different position every once in a while, it helps a lot. Easy to let your torso sag, and put pressure on the nerve in the shoulder causing numbness. Like Danno said, the tight angle, and narrowness of the grips doesn't help. Make sure the angle of the levers is comfortable too.

I just put on some progrip 717 grips and no more hurting palms !!

Yup. I just put them back on last night, I had daytona heated grips on for earlier in the year.

One idea for your grips: I've been wearing the Alpinestars gloves below and am happy with them ... but recently bought a pair of the Tour Master gloves at bottom because 'my dealer told me' they're more water resistant. Well, they are somewhat water resistant ... at least they don't grab and gold water like a sponge like the Alpinestars(!) ... but the main thing I noticed is that they're thicker than the Alpinestars glove. The TM gloves are thicker enough that I had to kinda re-learn the clutch engagement point for a few miles! I over-revved several times! Quite a bit different feeling. I'm not suggesting you buy either of these gloves, just that trying some different ones may result in your finding a thicker glove that isolates your hands from the grips better.

+1 on gel filled gloves. I use Olymipians. have for years, light and good air flow.
LINK

Your text to link here...lower the foot pegs.

I bought a set of Vario 30mm drop ones from ebay. they were listed for a bmw k1200s. All I had to do was drill out pin hole. They don't foul with stock exhaust like some other brands.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=vario+lowering+pegs&rlz=1T4AURU_enAU498AU498&tbm=isch&imgil=zad9xgkcyClwVM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTlFtkTnuBKqDqO_6H6mNyDMq4WLkTmW8sYVeqJ8T7gaaaBe8QBhQ%253B700%253B461%253BKS6u9uA9ixft8M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.sportouring.com%25252Fgallery.php%25253FsectionHeaderActive%2525253D1000%25252526rangeChoosen%2525253D426&source=iu&usg=__eDAkvDCvmLXomqzxvXmRFgYtYqA%3D&sa=X&ei=i0ajU7_LN8qF8gWs84HoAQ&ved=0CEwQ9QEwBQ&biw=1920&bih=1021#facrc=_&imgrc=zad9xgkcyClwVM%253A%3BKS6u9uA9ixft8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sportouring.com%252FSPpageimages%252FMFW%252Fmfw_vario1_small.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.sportouring.com%252Fgallery.php%253FsectionHeaderActive%253D1000%2526rangeChoosen%253D426%3B700%3B461

* Last updated by: poison on 6/19/2014 @ 2:36 PM *

I'm an old guy, 63, and need more legroom, too. On my last 2 Bikes I've used Buell Lightning foot pegs. Source on the Internet. You just need to grind the sides a bit and fits fine. Something like $18 a pair. I keep a spare pair.

I started with a 1" Genmar spacer, then found out if I released the bracket on the brake hose on the lower triple tree brace I could get 2-1" spacers to fit. I flipped over the throttle cables and made new brackets for the reservoirs. I put on a throttle lock and it just rubs on full wheel lock. I've replaced the stock grips with GrabOn grips.

Something I've just done for the passenger is to modify www.larrymotorcycle.com passenger brackets for the 2008+ Concours. The zx14 and Concours use the same peg so I knew I could fit it. I had to shorten the location hole because the Concours has a longer wheelbase and the pitch (angle of attachment) is flatter.

The bracket had a slot in it and just drilled it. It mounts the peg about 2" forward and 1.5" lower. Room for the driver and Givi Bags.

I just put Grip Buddies on and they really help with the weight on the hands. I know, use your thighs, yada yada yada, but it is still nice to rest on the grips at times. I have used Grip Puppies in the past but if those get wet it take time for them to dry out while these are water resistant.

PS - I am selling an extra pair in the for sale thread since I sold the Bird before I could put them on.

* Last updated by: BobZ on 4/2/2017 @ 5:42 PM *