| Author | Message | ||
     Hogzilla |
I've taken the bike out a half dozen times now and I just end up in pain after riding it. Back, arms, neck... I'm in decent shape, average build, go to the gym, not as much as I should, but often enough to not be out of shape. I've tried different positions, moving my butt back, forward, putting my belly on the airbox, loosening my grip, bending my arms... After less than 10 miles I'm hurting. Any tips? Maybe more upper body work out, or more miles to get the body used to it? I have less than 100 miles on the bike since I bought it. I've had thoughts of selling it, so it's time to ask. That's last resort. | ||
| Froggy |
You probably got your body position all wrong. Your core muscles should be supporting your upper body. I am fat and out of shape, yet have done 600 mile days on my CR without issue, and will be doing the same on my R soon. | ||
| Rockstarblast1 |
Use your legs and abs to hold you up more. Less arms. Also maybe think about getting the drop down pegs. I'm luck enough not to really have this issue. But when I'm doing long highway drives I slide all the way back and my chest rests on the air box. Or maybe put a high bar kit on the R. Jim in sales from western reserve hd (sponsor on here) has it on his bike. His name on here is teach. Try searching for it or shoot him a pm. | ||
| Keef |
the r model has you laying over the tank that is why I didn't buy the r model,I got a CR with the 2010 handle bars,I added Knights footpegs and a custom seat and I can ride without any discomfort at all,with that said if you change the upper half of the triple tree and use the CR handle bar kit dropped pegs it will be much more comfortable... | ||
| Syonyk |
Work your lower back more. That's what's holding you up until you're at *mrmph* speeds where the wind helps. Your arms should be loose - if you can't flap your elbows, you've got them locked and probably too much weight on them. Especially if your wrists are going numb, you've got *way* too much weight on them. The handlebars are there to control the bike, not support your upper body. What's your general build? I'm 6'0", 250 lbs, and have no real problems with it - it hurt a bit at first, but a few 300-400 mile days really help get the lower back in shape. I generally stay fairly far forward on the seat - upright in traffic, crouched a bit on the highway. Basically, the muscles that you use to keep yourself supported on a sportbike don't get used for a lot of other things, so they need to get used to it. | ||
| Ron_luning |
These helped a lot: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/A16502.html I also have lower pegs and a touring seat. The handlebars make the biggest difference in back comfort. | ||
| Jules |
When i first bought mine I thought I'd have to change the bars to some renthals as i hadn't ridden a bike with clipons for years. The first few rides were wobbly affairs and I felt quite uncomfortable too.. For some reason now I just seem to "fit", it may be that my core muscles have got used to it now, in theory that's where you're supposed to support yourself so there's not too much weight on your wrists and arms (my initial problem). I now think it's unlikely I will change to the renthals as I am pretty much OK with the riding position - I might look again the slightly higher clipons available through one of the site sponsors at some point. It's not upper body strength that makes the difference, it's the core muscle set that should do most of the work, I find I do most of my "steering" with my hips (or my arse) and my arms are just there to stop me getting left behind! I trail fitted my spare top tree with a 2" up 1" back riser and drag bars and it all clears the fairing (just) but that'd impact my ability to get into a proper tuck and probably knock 20MPH off the top end (I'm a big bloke!) When you're at the gym - do lots of situps, that'll build the core muscles up and might make a difference (it did for me) (Message edited by jules on March 09, 2010) | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm 55 and my only "regular" exercising is sit-ups. I'm 5'10 and light build, my "R" is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. In fact, if I don't ride for a week or more my lower back starts to hurt. I pinch the rear of the airbox with my knees, leather sticks better than jeans there. Curve your back a little, don't just "bend in the middle". I've done a couple of long trips - lots of 3-400 mile days, a couple of 600s a 700 and 930 miles in 24 hrs max. For comfort, I have the Tour Select seat and black Ulysses pegs, 130 gms of bird-shot in each bar to kill the vibes. Zack | ||
| Andynj |
I came from an SV and that was torture after about 80 miles. The problem with that bike was it was a long stretch to the clip ons which put a lot of weight on the wrists the seat sucked too even with a corbin. On my 1125r I dont feel that at all, even the seat is comfy after several hundred miles. Only thing I did was drop the pegs i have 32inch legs and would get some cramp in the hips after 150miles. Maybe get some frame pad grips they help with persuading you to hang on with your thighs... | ||
| Hogzilla |
Wow, thanks for bringing on the tips everyone! My build is 5'8" at 200 #s. I'm also riding an R, forgot to mention in case anyone was wondering. Working the abs is good advice I will start working the core more than I have. Mostly running and upper body. I will take in all the wisdom here. Thanks! | ||
| Kc10_fe |
Lowered pegs helped me on the R. | ||
| Ratsmc |
The advice regarding your arms is hugely important. Way too many riders lock their elbows. This puts stress on the wrists and lower back. Loosen up the arms and you regain the strength in your wrists and put your weight were it should be - your legs and butt. | ||
| Aeholton |
Installed Uly pegs and made my own raised bars (before Al had them available). I now find it more comfortable for all day riding than my Uly was. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Sit ups and lower back workouts. Build up the core muscles and use them. That's one way to help with this. | ||
| Xodot |
Building strong core muscles is of course important as many have said, but so is being flexible. Work out stretching your core muscles to allow your frame to move as it was meant to be. I know some gym guys who are not overly muscular but still can't bend freely. Keeping my neck bent while laying on the airbox was giving me grief but moving my body just an inch here and there relieved the stress and then I caught onto the flex idea and I'm good to go a tank of fuel at a sitting now before I need a stretch. Enjoy X | ||
| Hogzilla |
When I've been out I go between carrying my weight with my arms, then to me legs and lower back, then back to the arms depending on what is getting tired. It sounds like the key is the core. Once that is strengthened the arms can relax. Hope this info helps others. This is a huge help to me. Thanks again! Sounds like the Uly pegs are pretty universally recognized as well. Will put those on order. (Message edited by hogzilla on March 09, 2010) | ||
| 1_mike |
I'm on a CR. 6' tall, 245lbs. Yep, inner leg and "core" (as it's now called) muscles. I drive my CR back and forth to work...90 miles a day...no problem. Once I (the upholstery shop did!) recontoured the seat, stock pegs, stock handle bars...all is well. Mike | ||
| Ratsmc |
I think I am too old to have a "core". | ||
| Kirb |
on a CR- high bars and 1" drop pegs...all is well. I took a few rides with the new bars and love it. The wind blast at 80mph is not as bad as my '99m2, so I'm good. | ||
| Jasbiz66 |
I'm 5'7" got muscles but not ridiculous and I got a good beer gut also and I don't have any troubles with discomfort. I'm coming off of a sportster with forward controls and drag bars... that hurt the back and bottom after a long ride. The key is to hit the throttle so much you don't think about your seat positioning. You think more of "HOLD ON TIGHTLY" and "OH $H!T" Maybe it's just me........... | ||
| Jasbiz66 |
By the way, since it is hurting you so much, How much you want for it? LOL | ||
| Hogzilla |
Jasbiz66, not quite there yet.  | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
I find the stock CR pretty darn comfortable for me. I'm 6'3" 250 lbs so my arms reach the clubmans without overextending my torso. I am installing 1" lower pegs to bring my knees down a smidge, but other than that, and if I'm concentrating on proper core muscle riding technique, I'm good to go. Traction grips are going on solely for my big hands ... they helped tremendously on my XB for the numb hands due to my hands wrapping around such a small diameter grip. | ||
| Moosestang |
I put the Knight design pegs on right way. I could not stand the stock pegs. | ||
| Azxb9r |
Roll your hips forward so that you can keep your back straight. Try to support your upper body with your core and keep as much weight off of your hands as possible. Squeezing the frame with your knees will help, so will doing some core exercises (not just abs, get the lower back too.)  | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I've been on H-D big twins for a couple of decades, other than a year-long affair with an '00 X1. So jumping on my '09R was quite a change for me. The first couple of times I rode it, it killed my middle back. I'm 5'11" 165 lbs, pretty decent shape although not a gym rat either. So what worked for me? The advice of holding myself with my legs and what I've since learned is my core - Being able to do the chicken flaps with my arms at all times. Not only did that keep my back (and wrists) from hurting, and my hands from buzzing, it also made it to where I can almost hold my own in the twisties. Mike | ||
| Ohbuellman |
You might want to check out this online article at sportrider.com about fitness for motorcyclists: http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0010_motorc yclist_fitness/index.html I am an old guy (50), 6-2, 210 lbs, but do work out 4-5 days a week. Focus on your core. Strong stomach muscles will greatly reduce back fatigue. Shoot for 200 sit-ups/day (4 reps of 50) but work your way up. I can ride 400-500 miles/day comfortably on the R (actually, my butt gives out long before my back). Most of the top GP racers train daily all year long. | ||
| Doctorneon |
Sounds to me that you are not used to riding a bike of this nature. You need to relax. | ||
| Redbuell1203 |
I just bought a $11.00 piece of plastic that saved my wrist and it's called the cramp buster. Never thought that it would be that helpful, but wow what a difference it made on my wrist. You can get them just about anywhere motorcycle parts are sold. Give that a try. You can't go wrong with it btw I got the biggest one I could find. | ||
| Azxb9r |
I just bought a $11.00 piece of plastic that saved my wrist and it's called the cramp buster Dollar for Dollar the cramp buster is possibly the best investment you can make for your bike  I dont bother with it around town or on the local twisties, but if I am going to be on the highway for more than, oh...about 3 miles I put it on. It makes a huge difference when maintaining a steady speed for any period of time. |
