Ok, now I know this is a VFR board, and everyone will be a bit bias towards the VFR, but I was interested in hearing some info on the following.
I have owned my VFR for about 2 months. I absolutely love the bike. However, on longer trips I just can't seem to get comfortable. I've changed handlebar posistion, riding position, different seats, and it always seems to fix one thing and lead to another.
My question is, I have been looking at other Sport Touring bikes, like the Honda ST1300, and the Aprilia Futura, and was wondering if anyone has riden either of these bikes and what they thought.
From what I have read going into purchasing the VFR, is the it is the most "sporty" of the sport tourers, which is what I thought I wanted, but now I am wondering if maybe I could sacrifice a bit of "sport" for comfort.
Maybe, I need to continue to try different seating positions, and techniques to achieve comfort. I will admit though, the bike in it's current form is definitely not painful on long trips, but I do have some fatigue.
This might be normal to biking, as I have only riden for about 6 months and might being getting used to all the pains and discomforts (getting in "bike" shape)......or maybe I'm a wuss...haha
FWIW, now my discomforts are only in my right hand, and lower back.
boostedh22a, Oct 20 2007, 09:40 PM...I will admit though, the bike in it's current form is definitely not painful on long trips, but I do have some fatigue.
This might be normal to biking, as I have only riden for about 6 months and might being getting used to all the pains and discomforts (getting in "bike" shape)......or maybe I'm a wuss...haha
FWIW, now my discomforts are only in my right hand, and lower back.
Discuss.
Bar end weights or Throttlemeister (numbness in right hand) and go to the gym (lower back pain).
I find that wearing ear plugs helps combat fatigue on really long trips too.
And you're right, it takes some getting used to...
while i am positive that a ST or FJ or Gold Wing would be 'more' comfortable, it sounds to me like you have the right bike, but just need to give it time. I have been riding my VFR for about a year and have heli bars, BLS lower pegs and a sargant seat. I had a corbin seat, but it didn't fit me right. After these 'comfort mods' and 12 months, I can say that the VFR is getting comfortable. Oh, forgot to mention, I have been working out for 6 months too. This has made a large difference as well.
I'll add that you can go to any bike board and find tons of folks trying to nail down sufficient "comfort," so it's not unique to the VFR. A more upright riding position will ease the hand issues. Bar risers will do it some, helibars will do it more. An ST1100 or 1300 has a more upright position stock, but you gain substantial size/weight and decreased performance. If you want sporty but upright, consider an FZ1, Speed Triple, Tuono, etc. I love my ZRX.
My VFR w/peg lowerers (which are great, by the way) and bar risers, combined with a Corbin seat still puts the right side of my right hand to sleep, not because of any vibration but because the position forces more weight onto the hands and that compresses a nerve that runs through the hand, killing sensation after a bit. Strengthening lower back muscles and using my legs to grip the tank to support me more and remembering to keep weight off the hands would fix it. So you can try that, or you can get a bike with a more casual riding position. Nothing wrong with doing that. There are lots of good bikes out there, so don't feel you have to stay with a particular style. Find one you like and have some fun. Oh, and be careful. This is a dangerous pasttime.
From what I have read going into purchasing the VFR, is the it is the most "sporty" of the sport tourers, which is what I thought I wanted, but now I am wondering if maybe I could sacrifice a bit of "sport" for comfort. ))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Clearly understand , that is what the VFR is, its a sport bike with some comfort
Well I just got back from a 250 mile ride today. I hadn't taken a long trip since I raised the bars. I must say that, plus the new Sargent seat really helped. I also installed some new grips and bar ends before the trip
Where we ride there is about a 50 mile straight highway ride, then about 150 miles of twisties, then the 50 mile highway ride home. On the highway, I was super comfortable. I just kept my hands relaxed, used my lower back just a hair to take some weight off of my hands. My right hand is a bit sore, but not bad at all. It really only hurt when we started hitting some corners and I noticed myself "deathgripping" the grips, once I settled down, it wasn't bad at all
The only thing I noticed now was that towards the end of the trip, my hips (hard to pin point the area) was a bit sore. When I stretched my legs out while driving it instantly went away though. So maybe a set of the foot peg lowereing deals might help that.
Each ride, along with a few tweaks in parts, and riding position is getting better. It's to the point now, where I wouldn't sacrifice "sport" for "comfort" since the comfort is getting better.
A corbin or sargent seat, Heli or other riser bars. A double bubble wide screen [ZG make a nice one] and as cruise control [vista cruize works great for under$30 and throttle misters are really nice but a bit pricey ]
My hand would get numb so I bought a vista cruize and that fixed that for the most part. My arse would get sore on long rides but the corbin is like heaven. The only time my arse even started to hurt was when i had denim shorts under rain pants and the fabric started to feel rough. I have done 16 ten hour days in a row last summer and the corbin is perfect for me. Double bubble makes the wind smooth out big time. Oh i got mirror extenders so it is an easy glance to see well. Bike came with the helibars but i wouldnt want to change them.
boostedh22a, Oct 21 2007, 01:40 PMnow my discomforts are only in my right hand, and lower back.
Do you have a backprotector ?
Have found my Dainese backprotector with waist straps helps with the lower back, supports the abs to help keep weight off your wrists and of course adds safety to your kit which is never a bad thing. fing02.gif
Sounds like you need to work on your riding form most of all.
You should never be putting any weight on your arms, that is a sure way to be in pain. Keep your back straight and lean forward a bit, keep your elbows bent and your forearms close to parallel with the ground. Use your leg muscles to hold up your weight, and grip the tank with your knees (especially during braking).
Once you get that down, that should solve 99% of your upper body pains. Your lower back will probably hurt for the first rides as you develop those muscles, then it won't bother you any more. Your thighs will also get a bit of a work out and may be sore at first.
Stretch your legs early and often. If they are already hurting you are too late. I stand up on the pegs and stretch for a few seconds every 15 minutes or so.
I am 6'3" and have done many 500 mile days on my VFR with stock clipons, seat, and pegs.
turtlecreek, Oct 21 2007, 03:51 AMwhile i am positive that a ST or FJ or Gold Wing would be 'more' comfortable, it sounds to me like you have the right bike, but just need to give it time. I have been riding my VFR for about a year and have heli bars, BLS lower pegs and a sargant seat. I had a corbin seat, but it didn't fit me right. After these 'comfort mods' and 12 months, I can say that the VFR is getting comfortable. Oh, forgot to mention, I have been working out for 6 months too. This has made a large difference as well.
good luck with your decision
If you can find a pair of '86 VFR foot pegs, they lower the foot pegs and polished aluminum looks extremely bithin' compaired to the rubber coated ones on the '98 which never felt comfortable to me. If you can't find them any of the aftermarket ones will be a little better.
boostedh22a, Oct 21 2007, 05:02 PMWell I just got back from a 250 mile ride today. I hadn't taken a long trip since I raised the bars. I must say that, plus the new Sargent seat really helped. I also installed some new grips and bar ends before the trip
Where we ride there is about a 50 mile straight highway ride, then about 150 miles of twisties, then the 50 mile highway ride home. On the highway, I was super comfortable. I just kept my hands relaxed, used my lower back just a hair to take some weight off of my hands. My right hand is a bit sore, but not bad at all. It really only hurt when we started hitting some corners and I noticed myself "deathgripping" the grips, once I settled down, it wasn't bad at all
The only thing I noticed now was that towards the end of the trip, my hips (hard to pin point the area) was a bit sore. When I stretched my legs out while driving it instantly went away though. So maybe a set of the foot peg lowereing deals might help that.
Each ride, along with a few tweaks in parts, and riding position is getting better. It's to the point now, where I wouldn't sacrifice "sport" for "comfort" since the comfort is getting better.
BTW, I am 29 years old, and am in decent shape.
Thanks for the comments
Dude - go buy a throttle rocker. Its the best 12 bucks you can spend. It will relive the right hand fatique problem. Also consider changing grips - my favorite are the ProGrip699 (Waffle grips) great stuff
Your a new rider - give it some time, in a year youll be asking - what was my bitching? I have a 5th gen with a corbin and 4th gen bars(lower) and I can crank off a 500 mile day no problem.
jeremy556, Oct 21 2007, 04:37 PMSounds like you need to work on your riding form most of all.
You should never be putting any weight on your arms, that is a sure way to be in pain. Keep your back straight and lean forward a bit, keep your elbows bent and your forearms close to parallel with the ground. Use your leg muscles to hold up your weight, and grip the tank with your knees (especially during braking).
Once you get that down, that should solve 99% of your upper body pains. Your lower back will probably hurt for the first rides as you develop those muscles, then it won't bother you any more. Your thighs will also get a bit of a work out and may be sore at first.
Stretch your legs early and often. If they are already hurting you are too late. I stand up on the pegs and stretch for a few seconds every 15 minutes or so.
I am 6'3" and have done many 500 mile days on my VFR with stock clipons, seat, and pegs.
+1.gif To what he said. You don't want to have a heavy grip on the bars(think golf swing) and as little weight as possible on your arms. Bend at the waist not you back. Your body will also adjust to these new muscle groups your using for the first time and Relax!
Sorry, didn't have time to read the whole thread but... Posture is important to maximize distance comfort, and you are right, it takes some practice. Train your torso to take your body weight - you should be able to "flap your arms" like a chicken while riding (little/no weight on wrists). Also, vary your seating position occasionally to prevent fatigue from any one position. Scoot up or back and side to side slightly to give pressure points a break. +1 to the throttle-rocker! not the best for backroads, but any interstate travel really begs for it. Allows you to almost completely loosen your grip on the throttle. You could try changing handgrip sizes; larger softer ones could spread the contact patch with your hand out some. On the other hand, larger ones force your thumb open wider from your forefinger which is not always good. (ASIDE - When are they going to come out with grips that are not round!? What about ergo grips that are formed to fit the hand better??)
Another issue with wrists and especially thumbs going numb and sore necks/shoulders is not obvious. I didn't realize until it got bad enough to go to the chiropractor, but found that I have some compression between my C5-C6 vertebrae. This causes pinching on some nerves which manifests itself as achy trapezoids and also numb/tingly thumb & forefingers. Nothing you do will make this situation better until you go to the chiropractor and/or do therapy to help train your body to get rid of that compression through exercises and posture.
Good luck.
End of thread · 15 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 25 Dec 2007