Are clip-on handle bars bearable for 150miles every week?

[Az]

I've been looking at potential first big bikes and i'm very sure the SV650 will be my first big bike but the question is... SV650N or S?

I like the look of the S but i worry that the clip-on handle bars will cause horrible wrist aches when doing a 150mile-a-week commute on the bike and i don't have the strongest of wrists.

Do any of u commute on a sports bike/bike with clip-on handlebars or even better an SV650S?
If so, how uncomfortable is it to ride in a forward position with clip on's and would the SV650N be a lot more comfortable than a SV650S with its upright seating position and standard handlebars?

Thanks in advance, Az.

[iMark]

150 miles a week.. 5 days? that's only 15 miles each way per trip.. You're over thinking it too much I think
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[barrkel]

15 miles of London on clip-ons, somewhat painful, particularly when stopped and holding in the clutch. 15 miles of faster road, no bother. 15 miles of motorway, clip-ons are better unless you have a very big screen.
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[iMark]

But, his Location says Birmingham
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"G" : you got him to have a look at a forum which seems to have established a picture of an erect penis in a cat's mouth as it's mascot and thought he might consider it ok?

[Az]

[Jim Mc]

Not sure why people are suggesting its harder to operate a clutch with clip on handle bars?

Id have thought you'd be more comfortable in a neutral position.

[WindyMiller]

It's fine. I don't have wrist ache at 400 miles/week.
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[Wonko The Sane]

[conker]

I couldn't do it on my SV650S, had to get a comfort kit fitted. Looks like the S but with the bars from a N.

[Sako]

Shouldn't be an issue, if it does become irksome then you could always fit a steering wheel.

[angryjonny]

I used to do 300 miles a week on my VFR which had clip-ons though the riding position was a bit more relaxed than on an SV650s.

On the other hand, my other half had an SV650s and couldn't get on with the riding position at all (and I kind-of agreed). She didn't keep it long. So although I *could* commute 150 miles a week on it, I'd probably choose a different machine.

An SV650N will be more comfortable at lower speeds and an SV650S will be more comfortable at higher speeds. Personally I'd go for the best of both worlds and buy a Fazer 6.

[map]

Traditionally clip-on bars are used to give the rider a lower, sporty riding position. You are correct that more weight is on the wrists. However, you may get used to that. Sports bikes, as opposed to tourers for instance in my experience don't get ridden too far in one sitting. There's always the regular stop for a pee/tea/fuel break when in fact it's just an excuse to rest aching bodies.

In a town with stop-start riding you might notice it more but then it's down to the bike. Also a pitched forward riding position may not be the best for commuting but other people manage/cope. You really need to try it and see. Get a test ride if you can and actually do some city riding.

As an example my old GT550 has clip-on bars but no-one would describe that as sporty and it's certainly a sit-up-and-beg riding position.
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[P.addy]

I've never had an issue, then again I get horrendous upper body pains and cramp in my hand on an upright bike.

[beeto]

I made the move from a cbf to sv650s a few months ago. First couple of rides my wrists hurt a but now no problem.
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[barrkel]

[J.M.]

[Stowelly]

I do a little more miles a week than that on a sports bike (for the last 3 years), my wrists are generally alright, but have noticed my elbows starting to hurt now... need to try not to put so much of my weight forward i think. and my hands hurt a fair amount, but that probably because im a programmer and am developing RSI

[MarJay]

The issue is not clip ons or bars, but the height of the handlebars.

For example, a Ducati Monster has very low flat bars and can be painful on the wrists. A VFR800 has quite high clip ons and is like a sofa in comparison.

Either way, you shouldn't really be putting weight on your wrists, you should be using your core to hold you up, otherwise your bodyweight is interfering with the steering of the bike.
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[rumppole]

[5150]

I commute 20 miles each way every day on an SV650S, about two thirds of it through London traffic.

I've found the clip-ons fine, but had to rotate the levers downwards a bit to get them lined up with my arms properly. I'm just over 6ft tall, so was a little cramped to begin with – but adjusting things a bit made everything a lot more comfortable.

Of course, as others have said, if you can take the weight off your wrists in the first place by gripping the tank with your legs and engaging your core muscles, then so much the better.

Could you try taking a test-ride on an SV with clip-ons? Get the levers adjusted and then take it out for an hour through your city centre in the traffic. Then you'll know if it's bearable or not!
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[Bubbs]

150 miles a week?

I did 500 miles a week on a Kawasaki Ninja going to work and back.

An SV would be easy mate!
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Dean-J]

My sunday rides are 250miles+, and i probably do somewhere between 30-50 miles a day when im using it for transport/commuting.

Clip ons are not an issue.

if your wrists hurt your body position is wrong. you should be holding yourself up with your core muscles, not your hands/wrists. when your doing it right, your arms should be fairly relaxed at all times and your wrists wont give you any bother at all!
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[Slacker24seve...]

Clip ons are fine on my 28 mile town-motorway-town commute.

To be fair, the riding position on the S is pretty tame anyway.
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[Bendy]

Clipons on the gixer don't bother me at all in town. I really don't put any weight on my wrists, nor do I really grip the tank... I just sit.

To be fair, you tend to get used to whatever you've got, you build up the appropriate strength or alter what you're doing in order to make it work. I borrowed a naked bike to go to London while mine was off the road, and it made me ache a little cos I wasn't used to sitting bolt upright with my arms sticking out. Someone who usually rides like that would probably ache a bit from riding my bike.

[Jaake]

They'll be fine unless you're 90 years old. I used to do 400 miles a week with clip ons.