[Riveninoah]

Greetings!
I've been riding cruisers for awhile, and finally decided to hop into a ninja... a 2017 KRT edition, it's great and SUPER fun.
Bought it and loved it, but the more I ride it, i'm coming to the conclusion that my bad back isn't up to par for long rides - i can go about 45-60 minutes but after that, i'm not doing too good in the back department. I know this is by far a comfort sport bike with almost upright angles, but it's not agreeing with my body.
With my old cruiser (V-star 650) i could go for hours without any issues.
I'm 37, but i've been working desk jobs for the last 20 years which has done a number on my back.
with the 2017 and up, it has the "clip on style" looking bars and not the normal handlebars. i've contacted BEET who does have a setup for this that can heighten the bars by about 10mm and using the stock cables, but apparently the guy who gets these shipped out is out on medical leave for a few months... good times!

i'd like to move the bars back to where they were in the previous version, or maybe a touch higher - coming from the changes to 2017.
The clip-on handlebars, which attach to risers that are well above the triple clamp, are an inch farther forward and 1.65 inches lower

QUESTIONS!

• Is there a riser set or a swap for the 2017 and up bars?
• Does a normal set of cruiser risers fit (E.G., the basic $35 set from amazon) in the same bolt holes?
• Does anyone know if the versys triple tree top fit? or if the cabling fits?
• Does the 2016 and below triple tree top fit?
• Does anyone know of a good place to get new cables if needed?

 

[AusEr6guy]

• Is there a riser set or a swap for the 2017 and up bars? I’m sorry I can’t help with this one
• Does a normal set of cruiser risers fit (E.G., the basic $35 set from amazon) in the same bolt holes? Again I can’t help. Maybe post a pic of what you mean exactly?
• Does anyone know if the versys triple tree top fit? or if the cabling fits? The cabling and hoses will likely fit but the triple tree won’t as the versys has upside down forks.
• Does the 2016 and below triple tree top fit?highly likely it will. Pretty much every generation of 650 has a same/very similar front end. The only exception is where the accessories bolt on. Top triples can be found cheap on eBay so if you don’t mind the gamble
• Does anyone know of a good place to get new cables if needed?Versys or previous gen with taller bars on eBay id say would be the way to go
• 
  
  
• 
  hope this helps

 

[Zed7]

It’s easiest and cheaper to swap the top triple clamp with one that is designed for standard handlebars. (Provided they fit the fork tubes). I’ve done it on other brand bikes and I’m almost positive you’ll have luck here.
The only other issue would be cable lengths. This may be remedied by removing the tank and re-routing the factory location for the cables and wires. Remember, the factory squishes the cables tightly to the frame for ease of building the bike on the assembly line, so You should pick up some slack there.

 

[Riveninoah]

thanks for the replies, guys!

as you asked for some pictures, here is what i mean.

• the center of the triple tree doesn't look like it would fit
• however, it looks like the riser bolt holes are in the same location ]
• it also looks like the handbar bolts on the 2017 and the 2015 riser clamps are the same length.
• i think after looking through here i might just pick up a stock 2015 riser and see what happens - just wish someone had one and could take some measurements!
• As far as the generic risers i was referring to, it's the last pic, looks like they will fit, but would most likely need longer bolts - and they're the same price as a used riser from a stock ninja.

2017 Triple Tree

2015 Triple Tree

2017 bars

2015 Risers

2017 Cockpit with the "new" style handlebars

Generic Risers

 

[Zed7]

Great pictures.
I believe those generic risers will work and be an easy way out. The bolts would need to fit snugly in the rubber mounted bushings.
Of course you’d have to come up with a handlebar with the correct pullback for your comfort and without the controls hitting your tank. That is mad science in itself.

Here is another solution.
In the crappy pic below are the risers from a Kawasaki ZRX. These risers are leaning towards the front of the bike as mounted but can be reversed to lean towards the rider. The single top piece could be cut if the bolt spacing on the top triple doesn’t match or it can be replaced with individual top clamps.
Im saving mine for a future project but I’m sure there’s many of these languishing unused in peoples parts bins or on eBay.

 

[Riveninoah]

Just pulled the trigger on a set of 2015 risers with triple tree for $19 shipped - worst that happens is i'm out 20 bucks.
looking for a stock handlebar, but looks like most aren't exactly cheap - wouldn't mind going the amazon or ebay route, but who knows if it's going to be too low or too high! i'll keep plugging away,

 

[Zed7]

Just pulled the trigger on a set of 2015 risers with triple tree for $19 shipped - worst that happens is i'm out 20 bucks.
looking for a stock handlebar, but looks like most aren't exactly cheap - wouldn't mind going the amazon or ebay route, but who knows if it's going to be too low or too high! i'll keep plugging away,

You can’t beat that. Especially if it works.
If there are any motorcycle swap meets in your area, theres usually dozens of bars available. Just measure overall width They can be cut down but that depends where the bends are regariding the mounting point. Good luck.

 

[xorbe]

2017 Ninja here, what got me was the hard gel seat and resulting point pain at seat/bone contact. I bought a wider/softer Corbin Gunfighter seat which I was lamaneting that it raised my butt 1-2" inches, but after all turns out it's all really comfy and worked for me. I've found that there's actually an "in between" ergo angle that I don't like, I either want to lean more or less, as there's a no man's land in the middle that I detest. Just food for thought.