getting your 185lb body closer to the ski lowers your center of gravity more then lowering your 9lb pole...with riser bars you cannot have as low of a center of gravity...they offer zero performance advantages...
Chill out killer. I could be wrong, but from my understanding, the majority of the weight is in the ski itself, so the risers make it easier to ride when the pole is lowered. Once again, I could be wrong, so don't have an aneurysm.