Cruiser Alternative

 Got one to toss out to the group.....

    Except for my first 2 motorcycles, which were Maxims, I've
owned nothing but cruisers.  I have been chalking up my decreased
riding stamina to just being out of shape, or not riding enough, or to
just simply getting older. Lately when I ride more than a few miles I
have trouble with my left hip, general leg cramps and, of all the
weird things, complete numbness in my groin.  When I really thought
about it, I realized that the last bike I owned that I felt
comfortable on for extended periods was my Maxim, which if I am
correct, was considered a standard.  Does it make sense that it is the
cruiser riding position that is causing my problems and has anybody
else experienced this (thinking mostly of the numbness here) ?  I am
not a fan of sportbikes do not really want to go to a large touring
bike such as a Goldwing.  Is there one on the market today that would
match up to the old Yamaha Maxim, i.e. more upright riding position
with the pegs in a more "neutral" position?  Does anybody think that
this would likely help the issue.  Heck, at this point, I'm willing to
convert to a BMW if it would let me ride more than 20 or 30 miles
without pain again : )

Howard 2004 Vulcan 750
DOD #2245

Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway, it's an attitude.

MisterRNremovethis@windstream.net

 Howard wrote:


I have pondered (and tried the patience of other contributors) on this
issue for quite a while. My limited market research has turned up only
a few candidates that meet your (and my) requirements:

* Suzuki V-Strom
* Triumph Bonneville

More precisely, my criteria for "neutral riding position" means:

1. Footpegs 4" ahead of the reference point on the seat. On the V-Strom
this means the lowest point in the seat; it's a bit harder to locate
on the Bonneville's flat bench seat, but sitting on it seems to position
my lower back, legs and feet correctly.

2. Seat reference point minimum 18" above the pegs.

Handlebar position is also critical. On sportbikes they're too low and
too far forward. My ideal is for the grip position to allow the spine
to be straight and vertical.

However buying another bike could be costly, and it isn't the only
solution. I've considered modifying my S40 by raising the seat
and adding foot boards further back from the pegs. It may not even
be necessary to relocate the controls.

SQ - Screw it. Let's ride.
'06 Zuk S40 / CB750 Chopper / various unlikely projects and some-days

 Sean_Q_ wrote:

There's always the relatively cheap option of replacing the
handlebars if the stock version doesn't suit you, but everything
else on the bike fits.  My SV650 wears the handlebars off a
Buell (an inch or so more rise) for this very reason.

Bob M.

 Bob Myers wrote:

If the bike uses tubular bars.  Three out of four of my bikes don't
have tubular bars (VF500F, EX250, FJR1300) and one does (GSF400N).
The FJR does have three positions (more if you pull a couple of dowel
pins) for the bars, which helps a little.

 Bob Myers wrote:


It's only relatively cheap if there's enough slack in the
stock cables and wiring to reach the new handgrip position.

SQ - It's not the destination, it's the journey.
'04 Zuk S40 / CB750 Chopper / various hopeless cases and some-days