Are Sports Bike Unconfortable?

XS1954 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Karma :

I have narrowed my next bike to either a Bandit or Yam YZF but I am concerned that the Thundercat would be uncomfortable after a short while. That's why I thought about a nice and steady Bandit but I think I would get bored of it!

I am interested to hear from people who have sports bikes as to whether you think they are uncomfortable or not (especially at slow speeds in build up areas. Bendy I know you have a CBR what do you think?

Will plodding around town at slow speeds make a sports bike overheat and fry the clutch?

Bike dealers here won't allow test rides (Is that normal?)

To summerise, go for steady or the sports touch?
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Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

XS1954 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Karma :

is that a "no" to everything Shaun?
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zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

Thundercat's are widely regarded as having one of the comfiest seats.

Cant say i've ever felt uncomfortable on my cat, never have problems round town either.

Still cant find anything to fault it on.
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

twisty · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

try a minimoto for comfort they are super

Scratchy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 30 May 2004 Karma :

I don't find my R1 uncomfortable, although it can be a little frustrating in traffic as the position you are sat in is obviously designed for travelling at speed. I rode an XJR 1300 for a while and that was very comfortable. It didn't seem to matter as much getting held up in traffic.
I suppose it depends on the type of riding you do.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

It depends what /you/ like... best bet is to get out and ride some bikes.

I found my zx9r with fully rear set rear sets quite comfortabe while I don't like the standard r6.
Have been riding bike's with mx bars for a bit and recently found a cbr6 fairly uncomfortable and a rs250 better!

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Yes there are uncomfortable at first but you get used to it quickley. But if it's speed your after, you need a sports bike, don't you! Cool

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

You can't generalise that sports bikes are uncomfortable.

Keiths Bimota YB10 is definately uncomfortable, my ZX-6R isn't.

Get into a dealer and try the bikes out.
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Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Well my gixxer took some getting used to Karma

Jack2004 · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Karma :

Depends how big you are as well, If your quite tall your not going to find a small sports bike very nice to sit on for to long.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

The Thundercat is not a very radical riding position. It isn't only the riding position though. Things like vibration, wind blast, fuel tank shape, seat shape (an FZ750 seat was rejected by the Spanish Inquisition as being too cruel).

What will you be using the bike for? An unfaired Bandit is not going to be a comfy bike for lots of motorway miles, for example.

Go and sit on a load. Lack of test rides is not ususual.

All the best

Keith
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craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

i just did 2,000 miles in a week on my ninja, ridding the whole lengh of france in two days.....and yes i was uncomfortable, the first 200 miles were fine but after that...it was horrible.

regards
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Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

compared to the CBR I found the thundercat very upright (and the CBR ain't exactly hunched over).

I had a small problem that I found the rear break was in a funny place (a bit to high so my foot wasn't comfortable on it). But apart from that it was a very relaxed position.
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craigT19 · Jolly Green Giant Joined: 09 Feb 2002 Karma :

yeah the cat is very neutral, its got a soft seat and high bars (for a sportsbike) the pegs are in a nice possition also. Top bike Thumbs Up

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XS1954 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Karma :

Thanks for all you replies people. I am planning on doing a bit of touring so a Cat would be better than the Bandit me thinks.

Just need to get rid of my Coguar and the search can begin!!
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Mrs_Hippy · The Pink Lady Joined: 07 Jul 2002 Karma :

I find that on 'sports' bikes the main problem for me if there is going to be one is my wrists. If they are at an awkward 'twisted down' sort of angle then that does it for me in about 5 minutes. If they aren't then they are generally ok - as long as my belly doesn't keep me too far away from the handlebars.

Oh and the hippy use to commute for hours on the bandit in pretty good comfort.
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

One time, on my ZXR400, a wales rideout.

Left 7:30 AM and returned home at 2AM, was on the bike for almost all of that too Shocked

Rode to wales (from Portsmouth) met up with people, went on rideout, met up with more people, another rideout, then rode home!

Ached a little and was cold but could have done it again the next day

Sports bikes are neccessarily uncomfortable, you just got to get used to them and ride them a lot etc!
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Jonny · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

My RS125 seems comfortable to me, and so was the RS50 before that, both of which are of a sportsbike nature riding position.

Only bike i have ridden for a propper ride not just a daft go was a ktm exc125 and i found that the seat hurts my ass and hands go numb with being held up so high.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

My zx6r j1, is one of the most roomy comfy 600 sports bikes, but the Cat is slightly more comfy still. I nearly got one myself. Its got a taller screen than mine, and probably slightly higher bars. Im 6'2 and my zx6 is comfy enough for 2-3hours riding, i would expect the Cat to be even better, as its got a bigger seat, and softer suspension set up than my rock hard rear shock, (typically kawasaki trait). Certainley unless your using the bike all year round for commuting and going to work etc in shity weather, the Cat is a much better bike in every way than a Bandit. The bandit has poor suspension which isnt up to fast solo use, and its terribly overworked with a pillion. Ground clearance is also a problem on the Bandit. Dont get me wrong, as commuter/everyday bike the Bandit is a great bike, but its got alot of limitations for riding quickly or 2up, and also the Build quality aint nearly as good.

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

I'd happily do it again too, lots of miles and a long time on a bike, but one of last years most memorable rideouts Thumbs Up

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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

On the comfort thing...

I'd say it depends on your shape. I'm quite tall and the height is 'in my legs' if that makes sense. I've also got a long reach. So basically I'm restricted mostly by tank shape and peg height. Reaching down to low bars isn't an issue. I tried loads of bikes recently and none fitted as well as my old bikes (NSR125, ZXR750) with the exception of the ZX-9. So in my view it really does depend on your shape.

So try loads and see Thumbs Up

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