Riding Position - Might Sell SV

[1sty]

I've had my SV650S for 4 months, 600 miles, now and I am thinking of selling it.
I have several comfort issues but maybe they are related to position.
I am 5'9" and just can not get a good seating position. It feels like I am either to streched out or I am basicly getting far to intamate with the tank.

Is anything adjustable?
I also dont know why but it seems to hard to put my feet on the ground.

The real problem, and I am completely serious is....my nuts.
If I ride this thing for more then a 1/2 hour, they are numb. Otherwise they are usualy in pain from being crushed from the riding position of smashing the tank or being under me as I am leaning way to much to reach the handle bars..

What am I doing wrong here or is this bike just wrong for me?

[Cam_73]

Not much taller my self, no problem with comfort.

It did feel a bit strained initially when I got the bike, until i relaxed into it (as it were)

I do find sometimes if i am not relaxed, my riding position feels a little awkward.

I probably look like i am very close to the tank, arms are fairly loose and slightly cranked, balls of feet on the pegs. I don't lean down on the tank unless I am at speed on the motorway.

Works for me but you may be different. Give it a little time and move around some to see if you can find a position that works.

You could buy rear sets and look at bar risers. That is a lot of cash though.

Cheers

[ukgooner]

I have had my SV sport since July and have 1k on the clock, I am about 5' 9'', can't say that I feel stretched when riding.

When I first started riding the SV I did find myself with by crutch right up against the tank, since reading a few articles and posts on the org I have conciously tried to change my seating position, using my knees more to grip the tank, not grab onto the bars so hard and to keep my ar*e central to the seat.

I must admit that when I ride wearing only jeans it is a lot harder to ride away from the tank than when wearing my MC trousers.

[STRAMASHER]

I've had my SV650S for 4 months, 600 miles, now and I am thinking of selling it.
I have several comfort issues but maybe they are related to position.
I am 5'9" and just can not get a good seating position. It feels like I am either to streched out or I am basicly getting far to intamate with the tank.

Is anything adjustable?
I also dont know why but it seems to hard to put my feet on the ground.

The real problem, and I am completely serious is....my nuts.
If I ride this thing for more then a 1/2 hour, they are numb. Otherwise they are usualy in pain from being crushed from the riding position of smashing the tank or being under me as I am leaning way to much to reach the handle bars..

What am I doing wrong here or is this bike just wrong for me?


Try gripping more with your knees especially when braking, allowing you to have a lighter grip on the bars. Shift your weight to the inside of the bike when cornering (even a little). Put the balls(no pun etc.:p ) of your feet on the pegs , which will help to distribute the strain more evenly on your bod. Adjust(rotate down on the bar) your clutch and brake levers down to a less acute angle.

SV is proper sportsbike uncomfy. After a big rideout I get arm pump for a coupla days after when commuting. (6'2")

I've also have a big naked bike so am quite happy to put up with the riding position for the different riding experience.


:)

[The Basket]

The riding position is something to get used to.

My SV was OK for short distances but not good for really big miles.

I could do 300 miles but not without aches.

Try moving about on the bike. Try not to stay in one position.

If you have health issues such as a bad back or joint pains then a bike such as the SV is not perfect.

If your in OK health then a tank of gas shouldn't be to bad. Just keep on going. But I found that a bad riding position gave me a bad impression of the bike itself and that no good. If your not enjoying it then it is no good for you. The naked SV has a fair easier riding position.

[fizzwheel]

600 miles in 4 months...

Without wishing to sound rude, ride your bike more, your body will get used to the riding position and you wont ache as much as you'll build up the muscle strength in the muscles you use when riding.

Sounds like your riding position on the bike is wrong though if you are crushing your wedding tackle, sit back from the tank a little, about the width of a packet of fags is ideal and grip with your knees and relax the top half of your body.

The one thing that made a big differene for me was unbolting the clutch and brake lever and rotating them round the bar, so that you can draw an imaginary straight line through your elbow, wrist to your fingertips, try that it'll be much more comfy.

[fubber]

I swapped out my bars for helibars as soon as I got the SV650S. Helibars raise, wide and bring the bars closer to you slightly - but it makes a huge difference in riding position. Must admit I never had a problem with my 'nuts' but this could be the mod you need...

[krhall]

I'm 5'8" and 86kgs and when I first got on the SV it felt great although I had only previously riden a GS500 on my DAS. I did have to re-adjust constantly for the first few weeks to try and find the best position.

After riding it a while my wrists do ache sometimes if I am not really relaxed, but I read something on here about using your legs more and that helped.

I have similar issues with reaching the floor which makes manoevering the bike an issue sometimes, but if I get really stuck I get off and push. The K7 GSXR 600 is perfect for short ar*es like me as you can firmly plant your foot on the floor.

As someone else said get on it and ride it, I'm sure you'll find a position that suits.

Also I have a bad back and the leaning forward position actually helps me stretch.

[SV225]

Just pile more miles on. The SV still gives me aches sometimes but I've learn't how to stop / cope with most of them. I did a 300+ mile day not long ago without many aches at all. I find slow speed town riding gives me the most trouble as my palms ache - gripping with your legs and sitting more upright seems to help though. Also, try some slightly looser leathers - might take a bit of pressure off you nuts.

[SoulKiss]

600 miles in 4 months...

Without wishing to sound rude, ride your bike more, your body will get used to the riding position and you wont ache as much as you'll build up the muscle strength in the muscles you use when riding.


Have to agree with Fizz....

I did 450 miles last weekend, my record for 5 days was 1300 at easter. I have done 9500 miles in about a year, and anticipate that being about 11,000 by the time I have had my licence for a year in about 3 weeks time.

I recognise all the symptoms you gave, but they all went away quite quickly as I got used to the bike.

[Swiss]

1sty,

Where abouts are you located? I'm sure that one of the org regional meets will not be too far from you. It would be worth your while popping on down to a meet and picking the brains of your fellow .orgers as there is a wealth of experiance and advice, and if you're buying most of us will do anything for a free coffee ;)

[Razor]

I'd suggest removing the nuts, they sound like they're in the way.

[AndyW]

I've had my SV650S for 4 months, 600 miles, now and I am thinking of selling it.
I have several comfort issues but maybe they are related to position.
I am 5'9" and just can not get a good seating position.

The real problem, and I am completely serious is....my nuts.
If I ride this thing for more then a 1/2 hour, they are numb. Otherwise they are usualy in pain from being crushed from the riding position of smashing the tank or being under me as I am leaning way to much to reach the handle bars..



I'm 5'9.5" (that half is important!), and got the SV650S 6th August, so had it 3 weeks now. I was signed off work (2nd day back :() so was able to do an easy 30-80 miles a day ride on it to get used to riding position. I think your problem is you need to spend more time on the bike to try and get used to it.
I find it fine now although still wrist heavy (will fix that shortly by moving brake levers, getting squishy gel grips, then see about a handlebar raiser if that doesn't work)

As for nuts being squashed, rearrange yourself before getting on, get rid of the nylon thongs and buy some proper baggy boxer shorts or a kilt:thumright:

[stuartyboy]

I'm 6'1..put 9k on my k6 and never once got comfy on the svs. 60 70 miles max before the pain kicked in. Talking to Carelesschucca at the last rideout and we both agreed that we would probably never go back to the svs again because it was so uncomfortable. Some people get on with them some people don't. Never had sore nuts though - sore wrists was my problem.

here's a thought...if you're sliding too close to the tank - why don't you get some sort of anti slip webbing for your seat to stop you sliding forward

or

get yourself a cbr/zx6r/gixxer

[Razor]

The real problem, and I am completely serious is....my nuts.
If I ride this thing for more then a 1/2 hour, they are numb.



Please change user name to numbnuts, thank you.

[skint]

I'm also 5.9 - don't own an SV now but rode this missus' svs no problem. A little heavy on the wrists but that's common with most sports bikes - you need to adapt accordingly. 600 miles is nowt to be fair but if you don't like it then that's that, its not unheard of. I found the first 500 miles of my Triuimph agony after having a Bandit, but kept with it to the point that I found it more comfortable and easy riding than the bandit, - the wrists still got punished a bit on long rides so had to change positions from time to time etc.

As for adopting a style to help - ditto wot Fizz say's.

[plowsie]

Going on my own personal experience with aches after riding for the first few months, i grinned and beared it and then it got a lot better. On the AR to the amusement of others and to myself TBH i ran my right foot(achillies to be precise)over whilst riding along around a corner. I ache now after around 100 miles from that injury, all i do is stretch it, either whilst riding(not taking responsibility for injuries if anyone does this) or i'll stop and stretch. I'm so used to aches and pains I forget about them as i'm enjoying my riding atm. Dogbones and a lower seat are an option IIRC. But its not because you are too small you have aches. Stewie is quite small(he's in Scotland so shouldnt see that :lol:) and so far he is doing fine on my bike AFAIK and before he was riding a 1990 ZZR600 and that looks bigger than the SV and he loved that bike too. So keep at it mate.

Stu

[Toypop]

I'm 5'9 and never had any nut problems on an SVS. Sore back side, aching throttle hand and a stiff back but that was it and I only felt it after 60 or so miles. I did my 600 miles running-in in no more than a fortnight.

Only bike that gave me nut problems was the 6R but that was because of the ridiculous rear spring that kept chucking me up onto the tank when ever I hit a bump whilst decelerating.

In fairness aside from the nut issue, and painful clutch wrist, my sports bikes were all more comfortable than the SVS in terms of back, butt and throttle hand.

[skidmarx]

IMHO the svs is not particularly well designed comfort wise. Apart from the seat which is pretty poor for long distances, the main problem seems to be the that the clip ons are positioned too far forward meaning you have to stretch forward for them. There not too low, just too far forward. It does get better with practice, but it aint ever going to as good as some of the SS600's out there. Go try out a few alternatives :riding:

[Razor]

Do think the bikers who rode in 30's and 40's would whinge like you lot?
"Oh my hardtail frame with sprung tractor seat don't massage me like a four foot tall geisha, wearing silk mittens!"

Biking is not for soft flabby gits, harden up, or take the bus.

[plowsie]

or take the bus.
I am at the mo :(

[zunkus]

I consciously have to slide back from the tank as well on my curvy S. Someone here pointed out that he slides as well when wearing jeans which is a good point as I ride in jeans most of the time. I rented a naked pointy and rode that for over 6 thousand miles in 12 days and found it much more comfy than my curvy. Maybe you should get one of those. I'm 5'10" by the way. My brother is 5'8" rides a curvy S and complains from a far away clutch lever and wrist paints. He installed handlebar risers but still complains from the clutch.

[1sty]

WOW!
Thought I would only get a single response to this, thank you for all of the comments.

The more I read, the more it just might be where I drive it.

I live in NH (USA) So the roads are certianly nothing smooth.
I use the bike mostly as an alternative to my V8 Toyota Tundra Pickup to get to a from work. The problem there is that it is a 14 mile ride with 15 traffic lights until I am on the highway for 4 miles. So I am in almost constant stop and go traffic. The only way around is 22 miles of 35 mph roads but I have started to take that instead. It seems to help but mostly with back and wrist stuff which I have not really had a problem with.

I think its the half leaned over position that is my trouble. If I could be more upright, it would be fine. If I could lean over more, they it might be ok too.
Unfortunitly no bike dealer around here lets you do any kind of test drivings so someone like me has no way of knowing what I will like until I buy the damn thing. Which is how I got into this mess in the first place....maybe they will give me my katana back :)
I do not have the cash to just trade up or out of this bike right now so I am either gonna have to downgrade, sell it, or just not ride it until I can do something next year.

My only other thought is to donate a nut or 2. Hear you can make some big money on that.

[skint]

35mph :shock::smt103

Afraid I couldn't live with that on any bike, think I'd be sticking with the pickup!!

I feel a little embarrased about the speeds I expect to do on my commute now - somewhat more than 35mph!! ;).

Have you thought about (pedal) cycling? :D

[Alpinestarhero]

Are you wearing leather trousers, or textiles with a leather pad on the bum? you might be sliding into the tank, causing your crown jewels to crush if you're not.

it is a bit of a long bike, but if you persever, your body will get used to it

Matt

[Ratty46]

i'm 5'10 my SV-s felt odd at first,but now it feels very comfertable,bar the hot days-(nuts on fire!).

i also ride a scoot,mainly for work or when its ****ing down,now that feels very odd! like a mountain bike! it feels very unsafe!

do more miles and you will adjust to it, as others have said.

[1sty]

Are you wearing leather trousers, or textiles with a leather pad on the bum? you might be sliding into the tank, causing your crown jewels to crush if you're not.

it is a bit of a long bike, but if you persever, your body will get used to it

Matt

Jeans

[zunkus]

There are some people who have reduced the rear ride height so that they could touch their foot down as they're a bit vertically challenged. the mod involves changing the dog bones. I'm saying this as the effect of having a lower rear is having a more level seat thus reducing the sliding into the tank effect. A cheaper alternative is to change your seat to a lower one. These seats have a front section designed to protect your precious and are anti-slip. Check out Sargent Seats.
http://www.sargentcycle.com/images/WSSV650.JPG

[dyzio]

Have you tried ridding with a tank bag?
I'm about 173cm tall and I find it very helpful, just put your belly on it :)
regs

[kwak zzr]

cuz is 6ft 2" and he finds it ok. after time you will get used to it.

[Mogs]

Get a cup (I think that's the correct US term) until your "bike fitness" improves.

[Alpinestarhero]

Jeans

Try getting some leather jeans to wear - this makes a huge differance. You can also get handlebar raiser kits if you want to sit a bit more upright?

Matt

[tomjones2]

Your trowsers are not causing this are they? The svs is not the most comfy bike in the world though.

[STRAMASHER]

Yup, the more layers or thickness of material you put between you and the seat, the better for comfort. Leathers will more than likely move you those few inches back from the ballcrusher too.