just took a 1200 mile weekend trip from southwest Iowa to Milwuakee and Chicago on my SG with stock handlebars they are not the most comfortable but haven't decided which bars i want to go with yet. I just would let go with one hand and stretch my arm out and back as far as it would go every once in a while on the trip and that helped out the sore spot between my shoulder blades that i get. might work for you to at least get through this trip if you don't want to tackle the job first. might help if you make frequent stops also to stretch, that wasn't an option for me, my wife doesn't pull over till she needs gas, and she has the gps and blazes the way.

 

My thought is don't do any major work to a bike just before a long trip ....just saying

 

LOL.... Changing out handlebars is NOT a major job to avoid before a long trip..!!! Better Bars, make for a better trip..!!! Find bars that pull up and back from stock and you will be lots more comfortable.. You won't be sorry.. I liked the recommendation about taking to a shop..(Hopefully a qualified Indy) and have the rest of the bike checked out too. Although 900 miles is not THAT far... Good Luck..

 

I have always believed no changes before a trip.

I like to get at least a few hundred miles on any type of change before I ride distance.

It would suck to be into the ride and have a pinched wire or something shut you down. Then it's towed in, wait for it to get fixed, hope they get it right the first time, then get back on the road.

I have been on trips with people that have made even minor changes to their bike. Then at every stop they swear they hear a noise, or something doesn't fit right. Then they need to pull over to adjust something. Or when you hit the hotel and want to get a beer, they have to turn wrenches first.

I am a big believer that Murphy's Law was written for motorcycle trips.

 

Sounds like you need new bars before the trip, so that you'll enjoy the ride. Otherwise, what's the point?! Have your favorite shop do the work, just to be sure.

 

Change em yourself! I did mine last week, took me about 4 hours, dealership charges at least 3, git me $300 in my pocket and new bars are great!. I used heritage style bars on my 08 RG w/ABS.
The FBW is not difficult at all, it has a plud that seperates the control end. You'll probably need the extension kit for those bars, the Heritage Style bars barely fit.
If you are hurting after a short ride, you gotta swap em before you go on trip!

 

Here's what I have being delivered.
12.5" yaffe bars
Extended Clutch, Lower and upper brake lines. Plus 6" on the upper and clutch.
Namz 8" wiring extensions
Barnett 8" FBW extension

Didn't know if I'd need the FBW extensions since I have the Namz kit but I didn't want to be stuck waiting for more parts.

 

for 12 1/2 bars u wont need the wire extention u can get the slack out of the harness. u will need the front brake line and the clucth cable the fbw will be finre just did my friends befor laughlin no problems. u do want to debur the bars where all the wires feed threw.

 

If it were me, I would change the bars. My shoulder/neck pain would dictate doing them before. If you don't think you can do it in a timely manner...spend the extra coin and have it done.

Pain on a ride is nothing but torture. Good luck...

 

Make sure you don't snap the tab on the connector holding the TBW wires together in the handlebar.

You have plenty of time to do this, assuming you don't work 12 hour days and have week day access to get to the parts store.