Sports Bikes and Getting Old

b422063 · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Karma :

I know I'm going to be accused of doing a Shereen but I'm not that fussed. I'd like to know what options there are of making my bike more comfortable. My wrists and back ache after an hour of riding now. It's a late carb'd Fireblade that really isn't iconic like the early ones, so it's not worth much to sell and I've owned it so long I know the history behind it, and it's never missed a beat. This is what puts me off just buying a new bike.

I'm not sure I'd like to just rip the fairings off it and put handlebars on, but I'm not sure if there are any other options. I don't think putting handlebars on with fairings is possible.

The MTFU pills are really pricey. Shocked

sidewinder · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Karma :

Some bar risers will help a lot.giving you a more upright position kind of sports touring Thumbs Up

____________________
"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

Top yokes

https://www.topyokes.com/fix_the_painful_riding_position:/184

RRP = £125.00
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

LSL offer super bike bar conversions which fit with the fairing, although you do need to cut it down and in some instances Thumbs Up

https://www.lsl.eu/php/index.php#artikelliste.php?herstellerModell%5B0%5D=12&herstellerModell%5B1%5D=65

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

LSL offer super bike bar conversions which fit with the fairing, although you do need to cut it down and in some instances Thumbs Up

https://www.lsl.eu/php/index.php#artikelliste.php?herstellerModell%5B0%5D=12&herstellerModell%5B1%5D=65

b422063 · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Karma :

Hrm:

I wish I could see the difference between
https://www.motorcycle-road-and-race.co.uk/gilles-variobar-with-riser-honda-cbr-900-rr-fireblade-95-99

and the handlebar kit.

Topyokes.com have terrible customer service (search here) and stupidly long waiting times. Also you need to add vat to their prices.

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

I'm interested in these conversions, as I can't reach the bars (left side) on sports bikes, so have missed out on all the best ones. I've often thought this might be a way I could get to experience one or two of them in the future. But, doesn't just changing the bar position make for a completely "wrong" set up as regards footrest position? Wouldn't you need to change this too? I suppose it would depend on the bike and the individual?

Someone keeps telling me to go and buy a ZX10R and do this, and says to drop the footpegs a bit, but not sure how much this would affect ground clearance. Anyone here done it all on a sports bike?
____________________
Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

wristjob · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

MTFU.

(Apart from Chickenstrip, he's my fav....)
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

base · Trackday Trickster Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

I have to ask how old the OP is, as IMO age has nothing to-do with being able to get comfy on a bike, 90's super-bikes compared to the current crop of super-bikes is like chalk and cheese 90 bikes were in comparison like luxury barges, I have a new Blade, for me being able to adjust the foot peg position has made the world of difference to all round comfort

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

wristjob · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

while you like your blade and you have got used to the things it does.
it might be time to accept that its not the bike for you anymore.
or it might be time to do some back exercises .
it might be your rear shock is on its way out and now it hurts your back.
it might be that its just time for a new bike.
go out and try loads,find one that fits,enjoy that.
just because your blade is worth very little resale is no reason to keep it if it hurts you to ride it,(that leads to giving up)then what will you do for road fun?

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

wtf is "doing a Shereen" ?
I've clearly missed something in my extended absences from BCF Laughing

____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

Just keep on suffering and moan like fuck about everything - that's what old people do Mr. Green

____________________
Make mine a Corona.

b422063 · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm heartbroken Laughing

If I had known he was available, I would have left ~~Bonny~~ Minh Dinh alone immediately.

On the subject of the original post, what's actually the problem?
Lots of old guys get sports bikes as part of their mid life crisis, there must be a comfortable one the OP can ride if all those old duffers ride them.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

andi · Crazy Courier Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Karma :

keep the bike and work on your fitness! Especially core strength.
____________________
Before: Suzuki GT 185. Honda Superdream 250. Yamaha RD350LC. Suziki RG250. Yamaha FZS600. Honda CBR600F3
Now: Honda Fireblade 929

gorillaonabik... · Nearly there... Joined: 31 Jul 2011 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

in the circles I mix in many are tradin onto more general purpose bikes .. street bikes .. those that retain their hypersports bikes usually keep a more upright position street bike ..

ie suzuki v-strom 1000 abs grand tourer

Tiger 800 XC

CB1000R ABS

Ducati Hypermotard 796 Whistle

basically cos the ridin position especially around town does their wrists and or back in..

but some refuse to part with even if the millage on said hypersports bikes shrinks to a minimum...

PS.. me ZZR1400 wit bar risers has proven very comfortable.. not sure if this would be of any use though... Thinking

PpS.. the ridin position of an fz 400 `88 ZxR 750 H2 and R1 5VY are almost identical.
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

b422063 · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 Oct 2014 Karma :

Fizzer Thou · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :

Being quite close to 60 I prefer riding my '01 R1 with Harris rearsets set in the highest/furthest back position than my '90 Exup1000.Luckily,I have no wrist or back problems but I have found that gripping the tank with my knees helps to take weight off my upper half.

Has the OP looked at the angle of the levers?Is the clutch lever set so that the fingers rest on the top of the lever in line with the arm?Several people that I have helped with this have found that 5 mins adjusting all of the control levers have found a big differance in the way that the bike rides afterwards Thumbs Up

____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'