CBT Done - Advice on pedal positions please

[Alpha4]

Helooo! Newbie forum member. Just done the CBT. Mature rider returning to bikes after 30 years! Never took a test back then.

I've got a rebuilt left knee (2 x Pins and slighlty restricted movement). Not a bike accident injury - long story .

During the CBT I was on a Suzuki en 125 or something similar (had an oblong gear indicator display). Anyway, I found the position of the left foot peg/gear selector awkward as it caused my left knee to bend slighly more than was comfortable. Upshot was after a while my hip started aching as I was unable to relax my leg.

As I'm now looking for a 125 to practice and commute on, can anyone suggest a 1st bike with a more relaxed leg position please?

[gmanxiii]

was the peg itself too high/low? or was it mainly an issue with wrapping your toes under the lever that made you stretch awkward? if its just the lever, you should be able to adjust its position on most bikes i'd imagine.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[gmanxiii]

oops and forgot, welcome to the forum.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[gazzabo]

Welcome Alpha

Have a look at the "custom" 125s {if you like them} they may have a more layed back riding position
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RD50 < RD125 < 750 Zepher < Fazer 600 < FZ1000 , in silver/black , sex on wheels .
If you love your bike, set it free......
If it comes back you've high sided.

[Alpha4]

Thanks for the replies folks.

Yeah, The actual foot peg seemed too far back for comfort for my dodgy knee. Actually I can't work out now if it was too high or too far back.

Following the above suggestion, I am looking at the Kawasaki Eliminator as it seems to provide a more relaxed, natural leg position.

However, I have also read that the Eliminator bike is not too good for riders over 5' 10" (I'm 6ft tall ). Can anybody confirm/refute this? Are the alternatives (Marauder, Virago) better?

Are bikes where you have to put your legs more forward than downwards more difficult to balance when on the move? Or is this only relevant on extreme Choopers/Cruisers.

Sorry, one more question; With a low seat height is it more difficult to balance the bike, at the lights, etc? does it put more stress on the leg(s)? It seems intuitive to me that with the legs straighter (higher seat position) it's easier to use more leg leverage to balance the bike while stationary.

Guess I better go and sit on some , but any prior advice is welcome.

[gazzabo]

To be honest Alpha i have never riden a custom so i dont know about the balance sorry


But if you ant in a rush to get a bike (in this weather anyway) i would go and sit on as meny as you can like you said .

the best place to do it is at a bike show (if you can wait that is)
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RD50 < RD125 < 750 Zepher < Fazer 600 < FZ1000 , in silver/black , sex on wheels .
If you love your bike, set it free......
If it comes back you've high sided.

[Catalyst]

Welcome to the forum

Suzuki VanVans are comfortable, their not as fast as some others but the seats nice Not sure if the position would be good for you, see if you can find a dealers that has them to sit on one, their fairly cheap aswell actually.

Hope this helps

Jack
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SlimRick - I can cook really well - but it's a useless skill, as I'm not a woman and it's their fucking job!

[Bardeey]

A Honda CG 125 would do the trick for ya!
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:: P Speedfight 49cc => Gilera DNA 124cc => Suzuki Bandit GSF V 400cc ::
:: CBT=Passed 07/08/05 :: Theory=Passed 31/05/07 :: Practical= Passed 02/08/07::

[faddius]

VanVans are lethal

I have bad baaaad experiances with them

[Kal]

Thats because a CG always does the trick!

The cruisers are pretty much the same kind of height from what i've seen. Because of the comparitvely low seat height taller riders legs are suppoed to get int eh way of the bars before full lock making them more diffcult to control at slower speeds.

There is also the traffic light positon. The straighter your leg is at the lights the better as it places less strain on the muscles.

You said your left leg was damaged? I am going to suggest a technique I wouldn't normally for someone of your experience.

When you are sat the the lights the normal thing is to have the left leg down with the right foot on the brakes.

What I am suggesting is to have your right foot down with the first two fingers of your right hand hooked over the brake - the remainder of your hand controls the throttle.

It takes some practise but it might make those traffic light stops, especially on an incline more comforatble for you.


Bikewise I wuold strongley suggest a commuter in the CG125 or YBR125 mold possibly even the Varado 125 depending on your leg length and some mucking around with the gear lever to get it right for you.

The standard gear lever allows for a variety of positions as it is and if you need something especially machined - well it's only a piece of metal bent to shape.

It might also be worth your time speaking to NABD
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Bardeey]

[Alpha4]

[Kal]

May I suggest the Hyosung Aquila

GV125 spec page

Kymco does the aptly named Hipster

You aren't alone, the wrong position (Sportsbike style) can cause me a great deal of hip pain which is why I favour bikes with bench type seat that allow me to choose where I sit rather than having the ergonomics of a bike dictate it.


That said it seems you can pick up a Kawasaki Eliminator, which i believe is your second picture, for £1799

A friend of mine has one and loves it when he actually gets around to riding it.Eliminator deal
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Alpha4]

Thanks Kal,

That Hyosung looks good. Well worth considering.