How do you position your body when riding your Viffer for extended periods of time?
I finally got a chance to do a several hour ride, and unlike my Kawi Ninja, I felt uncomfortable after an hour or so. I can't seem to find the right position - my back was getting tired and I was feeling numb in my right hand due to restricted circulation (when I put the throttle lock on and 'wrung' my hand out it was fine).
I've tried sitting as far upright with my crotch right against the tank, I've also tried tucking in with my head behind the windshield - neither seemed to be more comfortable.
Any suggestions?
I've heard of Heli bars that raise the bars a bit. Does anyone have these? What difference do they make?
also use your abs and legs to take pressure off your hands. Change positions alot. the throttle lock helps. The limiting factor for me is when you use up every comfy square inch of the nether regions and monkey-butt sets in. The only place on my body I cant find help for is between my shoulder blades.
but mostly it is just working up the stamina by doing it.
My longest ride to date on the VFR was to Yosemite plus 350mile tour the next day followed by the ride home. Roads make a huge difference. If you are on fairly twisty roads the miles will vanish pleasantly with comfort a non issue. Slab hauls are another story. Vary your position as stated above. I rode for long lengths of time with only one hand on the throttle so I could sit upright and stretch. Gas up early for the extra breaks. I like to stand up on the pegs every so often too. Doesn't feel as stupid if you dirtbike ride too. VFR is a sport touring bike so like I said in the begining, if you don't plan a lot of twisties on the route you need to plan your route better.
.................wow you're finding your Kawi is more comfy? Sounds like you need to get and put some time in the saddle. Riding for long strecthes is something that is worked into. You could get on a Wing and have the same problem if all you are doing is hour hops. Go spend some time on the VFR....you'll get comfy.
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 31 May 2010 - 01:14 AM, said:
building to to a long ride helps.
also use your abs and legs to take pressure off your hands. Change positions alot. the throttle lock helps. The limiting factor for me is when you use up every comfy square inch of the nether regions and monkey-butt sets in. The only place on my body I cant find help for is between my shoulder blades.
but mostly it is just working up the stamina by doing it.
Good luck, you will find a way.
:+1: Use your legs to grip the tank, thereby supporting your upper body and relieving your hands/wrists of pressure. You'll find you have MUCH better control of the bike when you do this as well.
Get a Vista Cruise so you can maintain speed while alternating right and left hands on the grips. Also, when safe, ride no-handed and sitting straight up for a short distance every so often. I have Radar's Sliders, and I rest my calf (or both calves at once) on top of them every once in a while to stretch my legs (sort of a poor man's highway pegs). Change seat positions often. Change your posture often. Stick your legs out straight to the sides every so often (looks stupid, but feels good). Stretch your neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs often. Lie down on your tank periodically, and hook your feet over the foot pegs (a bit dangerous, but feels good). Most importantly, NEVER put any weight on your hands/wrists, EVER. Doing all this will allow you to Iron Butt to your heart's content.
There's nothing wrong with a Corbin seat but there are better choices IMO. Do a little research before you drop any of your hard earned dollars. Bar risers are a must too if you are planning some long stints in the saddle. hand warmers and the list builds from there.
i am 6 2 and dont have the best joints, but with this setup, i do the 1600 mi 4 day trips with long stretches of hwy mixed with hard twisties. i come back sore, but nothing that i wouldn't expect.
as everyone else said:
work on conditioning
use your core muscles to hold yoru weight, not your hands
get a throttle lock for long stretches of hwy. this allow s you to shake out your hand periodically
stretch
change positions periodically
I generally dont seem to have too much trouble with the upper body but after a while my legs start to sieze up, which I assume is down to the tucked position my legs are in.
I am 5' 7" and have not modified the pegs or the riding position in anyway so is there anything I can do to stop this from happening? I do stretch my legs every so often while riding but after a while I have to stop and get off.
[image: View Post]phoenixfire, on 31 May 2010 - 11:26 PM, said:
Thanks everyone.
I'm thinking of getting a Corbin seat to help with the comfort.
I'll try the suggestions here. I guess I just need to get used to the new position.
And yes, the twisties do help a lot!
Was going to ask if you were still on the OEM saddle... I hated mine. I got the Corbin seat used in excellent condition for very cheap... Sargent would have been my first choice otherwise.
I'm also doing a set of Genmars this month... gives you about 3/4 inch rise, which should be perfect for me (5'9" and 180 lbs).
As said already: strength training, stretching and a throttlemeister (or at least a crampbuster) will all help A LOT.
If I stop and walk around for a minute or two within the first hour of a long ride, I'm good to go for the day. It's that first hour that gets me. Someone mentioned doing stretching exercises before getting on the bike, and I'll try that. Might not have to make that first stop then.
[image: View Post]Knife, on 01 June 2010 - 01:12 PM, said:
If I stop and walk around for a minute or two within the first hour of a long ride, I'm good to go for the day. It's that first hour that gets me. Someone mentioned doing stretching exercises before getting on the bike, and I'll try that. Might not have to make that first stop then.
Maybe that's where I am going wrong. I'll give that a try the next time I'm out for the day...
I just brought my new (to me) 2003 Viffer back from the Oregon coast 2 weeks ago. I had only ever done short rides on my VTX cruiser so I was a little worried when I saw the bike first hand (bought it off Craig's List). Anyway, don't laugh, but I am a fairly chunky short guy and was worried about the whole comfort thing too. The guy I bought it from had thrown in a magnetic tank bag and so I stuffed it with my dirty laundry and used it to lean on when my back got tired. That really helped on the long straight stuff and made me feel real racey, lol. The nice thing about the sport style bike vs the cruiser is that you have your feet under you and you can lift your tired ass off the seat now and then to stretch out and relieve some of the tension that builds over a long ride. Take advantage of that! And the tank bag leaning thing really helps take some of the pressure off that right hand! I did my first long ride as a relative nube and did over 1100 miles in 2 days in 50 degree rainy weather. So just work on the keeping mobile and loose on the bike and that should really help along with the other sage advice that has been given here! Just my humble opinion.
[image: View Post]Ali, on 01 June 2010 - 07:09 AM, said:
I generally dont seem to have too much trouble with the upper body but after a while my legs start to sieze up, which I assume is down to the tucked position my legs are in.
I am 5' 7" and have not modified the pegs or the riding position in anyway so is there anything I can do to stop this from happening? I do stretch my legs every so often while riding but after a while I have to stop and get off.
Spend a couple of hours each week on a bicycle. The better overall condition that your body is in will help, be it legs , core, or upper body. You do not have to be a gymnast, and riding a bike is a mental exercise more than a physical one, but the less of your attention that you have spend on weak spots of your body, gives you more mental energy to use controlling the motorcycle. Have fun. Don't forget the Advil.
Hope this helps.
After the Summer Summit in Dillon last summer, I rode home from Dillon to Oklahoma City, 750 miles in one day. All of it slab. I am 55, 6"2" with a 36 inch inseam. Only mods to my 98 are Buell pegs and a Zero Gravity touring windscreen. Monkey butt is the biggest problem for me, bicycle shorts and Monkey Butt Powder do wonders. When you start getting stiff or sore in one position, move. As others have said, stretch your legs out, move around on the seat, stand on the pegs, ride one handed, get off and walk around. The key for me is to relax, enjoy the scenery and the ride. It takes time to condition yourself to long hours in the saddle.
along with the changing position, stretching, and getting off once in a while I have found some tunes to be a big help. I have headphones that are also ear plugs so they block out wind noise and let you enjoy the music. This gives the mind something to do besides think about whats sore. This summer I did 8k mile tour in 3 weeks and had very little issues.
There's a huge amount of adjustability in the stock vfr, you can raise the clipons out of the detent and pivot forward, get a taller seat which extends the leg room. or you can do helis adjust the tube height..
Point is there more adjustability on this bike, than about anything on the market
[image: View Post]Ali, on 01 June 2010 - 07:09 AM, said:
I generally dont seem to have too much trouble with the upper body but after a while my legs start to sieze up, which I assume is down to the tucked position my legs are in.
I am 5' 7" and have not modified the pegs or the riding position in anyway so is there anything I can do to stop this from happening? I do stretch my legs every so often while riding but after a while I have to stop and get off.
I know what you mean about the legs cramping up. I find that I'm keeping my legs in tension a bit too much when this happens. I think it results in lactic acid build-up and an ensuing sugar and/or oxygen starvation, which lead to cramping. The thing is the roads are so bumpy and pocked around here that I have to use my legs a lot (squeezing tank/seat) to keep good body position and form. Once in while during the ride (take advantage during the straight smooth parts), relax your legs, even if it means running with sloppy posture, putting extra weight on your hands.
[image: View Post]5thGenJim, on 01 June 2010 - 09:20 AM, said:
[image: View Post]phoenixfire, on 31 May 2010 - 11:26 PM, said:
Thanks everyone.
I'm thinking of getting a Corbin seat to help with the comfort.
I'll try the suggestions here. I guess I just need to get used to the new position.
And yes, the twisties do help a lot!
Was going to ask if you were still on the OEM saddle... I hated mine. I got the Corbin seat used in excellent condition for very cheap... Sargent would have been my first choice otherwise.
I'm also doing a set of Genmars this month... gives you about 3/4 inch rise, which should be perfect for me (5'9" and 180 lbs).
As said already: strength training, stretching and a throttlemeister (or at least a crampbuster) will all help A LOT.
what do you think genmars offer that doesnt already come with stock bike, all gen mars do is fill a gap, just raise the clipons, you dont need to spend $60 for genmars. Now Helis, might be worth the money, they offer more adjustment, if you need the bars set back rearward
To add to all the good comments so far...if you're going to ride some long distances I'd recommend the Airhawk2 seat cushion. Once you get it properly adjusted, your butt will not get sore. I just did a 2000 mile 4 day trip a couple of weeks ago. Two of the days were 600 miles plus...never got sore. Plus they're around $90 instead of $400. I have Heli-bars, the Airhawk and the stock screen (wind helps with some of the pressure on the grips) and I'm good to go.
Take breaks when you start to get sore, if you can, let the muscles stretch.
I don't know what your size is...........if you're putting to much weight on the bars... how to sit has been covered....... and the different add ons have also been mentioned.....I'd just like to bring up that some apps.... can work for or against you when mixing..... IE; seat pad with stock bars= leaning more forward, while it comforts your butt, it also gives more leg room... etc. .... So just keep that in mind while putting out the $$$$$......... I'm 6' .... I use heli's (higher) / Sargent(on mine it sits lower)comfortable 400m easy / "BLS" lowering blocks for my pegs (makes a world of difference)....One on the fly thing I do on long day rides, is to do squats untill it burns every couple of hours.
[image: Posted Image] DSC00022.JPG
The best thing I've found for long distance assistance is a taller windshield. I use to get neck/head aches, a sore back, and always felt like I was fighting to get comfortable until I stumbled across a taller shield and that cured EVERYTHING for me. We are all built a little differently and one guy's fix might be another guy's wasted money but the shield was my holy grail of comfort on this thing. I'm still amazed at the difference a little flip on the top edge makes for me.
[image: View Post]Knife, on 31 May 2010 - 03:35 PM, said:
Get a Vista Cruise so you can maintain speed while alternating right and left hands on the grips. Also, when safe, ride no-handed and sitting straight up for a short distance every so often. I have Radar's Sliders, and I rest my calf (or both calves at once) on top of them every once in a while to stretch my legs (sort of a poor man's highway pegs). Change seat positions often. Change your posture often. Stick your legs out straight to the sides every so often (looks stupid, but feels good). Stretch your neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs often. Lie down on your tank periodically, and hook your feet over the foot pegs (a bit dangerous, but feels good). Most importantly, NEVER put any weight on your hands/wrists, EVER. Doing all this will allow you to Iron Butt to your heart's content.
Yep, what he said!
Staying in one position is the worst. On those all day slabfests, I like to lie across my tank bag and hang my legs straight back so the tips of my boots are just barely above the pavement. Great for stretching your legs and hip. I also will sit with just one cheek on the saddle with my knee out like I'm about to corner. Directs the airflow towards your crotch plus airs out the cheek that's hanging off.
End of thread · 25 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 22 Jan 2011