Riding position/ Adjustments to the bars?

[stormi]

Hi All, after going out and spending a few hours being buffetted around in the wind, I find that I'm sore between my shoulder blades.  Checking my position on the bike, I find I have my arms straight, and my chest forward, with my shoulders rolled backward ( no wonder I'm sore eh?)

Anyway, is there a possible correlation to the position of my bars or something else that could be causing this? i.e. further forward or back would be helpful?  This is the first streetbike I've ridden, so the ergonomics are a little foreign (Sp?) to me.

I haven't changed the position of any of the controls since I bought it, and the guy I bought it from was about 6'1" and I'm 5'4"... which leads me to believe possibly the bars need to come back toward me more?

Otherwise, I suspect that a slight bend in my arms (elbows out) might help a little...

Anyone out there have similar experiences?

[WEINERDOGBONE]

I thought the handle bars were low for me when I bought the B12. I installed Holeshot risers and raised the bars an inch. I sometimes wish I had installed a new set of bars to increase the bend towards the rider. The inch helped quite a bit though. I am 5'10" so I can imagine you're a bit more uncomfortable than I was.

You might look in to a set of Heli bars. They are supposed to be adjustable to fit a wide range of tastes. I think they are pretty expensive. Other than that, handlebar risers and different handlebars are your option I think.

[chupacabra]

For my personal riding style I found more comfort when I changed the position and angle by turning the bars down just a little bit. I'm not 100% happy but diid find this a little better for me.

[stormi]

I can imagine you're a bit more uncomfortable than I was.

You might look in to a set of Heli bars. They are supposed to be adjustable to fit a wide range of tastes. I think they are pretty expensive. Other than that, handlebar risers and different handlebars are your option I think.

I was sort of thinking of adjustments to the current setup first, but I will definitely keep the bars you mention in mind.  So you think that the bars are too low for me?  My goal is to stick it out with what I have for the year, with the exception of maybe a windscreen addition, to get used to her, then next year start making modifications.  Partly because money's tight, since we just bought a house but also because I think it's going to take time to figure out what I like and don't vs what I need to "adapt and overcome"

[stormi]

For my personal riding style I found more comfort when I changed the position and angle by turning the bars down just a little bit. I'm not 100% happy but diid find this a little better for me.

Hmm,.. sounds like some experimenting is in order.   I know that on my KTM, I found the bike hard to control til we put shorter bars onto it for me.... I wonder if that's the situation here again.   Or possibly wider in this case... hmmm,.... food for thought...

[dsartwell1]

Hey Stormi, I'm 5-8 and my B6 was the same way when I first got it. If you use your stomach and leg muscles to grip the bike and bend your arms a little you'll notice a big difference. If you haven't yet, get a copy of Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch. Real easy reading and it will help you sort out alot of problems. I was tons more comfortable just from reading it. Also, do play with the position of the controls. Simple to do and makes a big difference espescially on an all day outing.

[PeteSC]

Bar risers would bring the bars back a little, and up some.  I don't know if that would help.   They're $30-40 or so.
   If you can figure out what would be more comfortable, you could track down a replacement handlebar, maybe from http://www.flandersco.com/Products.html



You could also check a local salvage yard for something that looks like it will work....


 I think I'd play with rotating the bars in the clamps, first.  Doesn't cost anything, except a little time.   You may get a hint of what would be better, and make it worthwhile chasing down some new bars.

[Desolation Angel]

I put Helibars on.  Almost infinitely adjustable.  Comes with longer steel braided brake line.  You may need longer clutch and throttle cables for maximum effect and to prevent binding.

http://www.helibars.com/





And on my bike...

[stormi]

If you use your stomach and leg muscles to grip the bike and bend your arms a little you'll notice a big difference. If you haven't yet, get a copy of Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch. Real easy reading and it will help you sort out alot of problems. I was tons more comfortable just from reading it. Also, do play with the position of the controls. Simple to do and makes a big difference espescially on an all day outing.

You're assuming I have stomach muscles

Thanks!  I will order the book tomorrow!  

I haven't been on her more than about an hour or two since I got her ( with the exception of my motorcycle training)  With the current setup, I'm not sure I could do it,.. I'm looking forward to some tips from the book!

[stormi]

Bar risers would bring the bars back a little, and up some.  I don't know if that would help.   They're $30-40 or so.
   If you can figure out what would be more comfortable, you could track down a replacement handlebar, maybe from http://www.flandersco.com/Products.html



You could also check a local salvage yard for something that looks like it will work....


 I think I'd play with rotating the bars in the clamps, first.  Doesn't cost anything, except a little time.   You may get a hint of what would be better, and make it worthwhile chasing down some new bars.

This is good advice!  Thanks!  I might put my original dirt bars on her for a day just to see if the added height might help,. after rotating her bars around a bit, then go from there.  I will definintely check a wrecker,.. there's one very close to home here.

[stormi]

I put Helibars on.  Almost infinitely adjustable.  Comes with longer steel braided brake line.  You may need longer clutch and throttle cables for maximum effect and to prevent binding.

http://www.helibars.com/

Are those ever strange looking!  How long did they take to  "adjust" to?  Were they fiddle-y to get set up the way you liked??

[Desolation Angel]

I put Helibars on.  Almost infinitely adjustable.  Comes with longer steel braided brake line.  You may need longer clutch and throttle cables for maximum effect and to prevent binding.

http://www.helibars.com/

Are those ever strange looking!  How long did they take to  "adjust" to?  Were they fiddle-y to get set up the way you liked??

I thought they'd be "fiddly" to get right, but they weren't.  Just loosen slightly the screws that hold it to the forks and and pull back gently until it feels 'bout right, then tighten, then loosen the the screws that control the angle of the bars just a little, grab the grips and lean back gently again to pull the bars into the angle comfortable for your wrists.  Tighten and done.  Doesn't take any time to get used to as they feel so much better, to me anyway.  I guess the key was loosen only slightly so the the bars will hold in the position you want while you tighten things down.  Wouldn't matter if you had help to hold 'em, but I didn't.

[mccstevie]

Was wandering what brand windshield that is your red Bandit. Where can I get one and a tank bra also? How has the taller shield helped at speed?

[Desolation Angel]

Was wandering what brand windshield that is your red Bandit. Where can I get one and a tank bra also? How has the taller shield helped at speed?

It's a Zero Gravity Touring Windscreen.  It has helped a lot at lower speeds; at higher speeds I end up somewhat back in the airstream.  Just a little.  I'm 5'8.  If you're shorter it'll really be good.

http://www.zerogravity-racing.com/sportbikes/suzuki_sptbks/171.htm

Called 'em on the phone to order.  The Bra is standard Suzuki fare; all the dealers have 'em.

[stormi]

I thought they'd be "fiddly" to get right, but they weren't.  Just loosen slightly the screws that hold it to the forks and and pull back gently until it feels 'bout right, then tighten, then loosen the the screws that control the angle of the bars just a little, grab the grips and lean back gently again to pull the bars into the angle comfortable for your wrists.  Tighten and done.  Doesn't take any time to get used to as they feel so much better, to me anyway.  I guess the key was loosen only slightly so the the bars will hold in the position you want while you tighten things down.  Wouldn't matter if you had help to hold 'em, but I didn't.

That's way less that I thought they'd  be.  I looked into the price of them here today,.. WOW! $450+

The girl at the cycle shop suggested a few things too.  She said that I should try carrying a tank bag, to not allow me to be "lazy" and rest on the tank, also just scoot back a little, to force myself to use my lower body more and upper less, and just get out and ride, since she finds she feels like this in the spring, but it gets "better" as the season progresses.   She also figured the bars rolled back toward me a bit might help too.