hoping I didn't make a mistake

I bought a 2001 SV650S this weekend, after a few very exciting test drives on it. I got it home, then managed to get it out for a ride before the roads here (Vancouver, B.C.) got dumped with snow. It was fun -- but I'm a little worried. The bike seemed comfortable on the test drives, but after 40 minutes of slow city riding I was already sore, and it got me a bit worried. Is this just normal for a beginning rider? Do I just need to get used to riding bikes? Or am I stuck with a bike that's going to keep me sore? I had gone between the SV650 and a Kawasaki sport-tourer (the ZR7S) and I'm really hoping I didn't make the wrong decision . . .

[Richie]

Are the clutch lever and front brake levers in the correct possition for your wrists ?

and if you have clip on handel bars your wrists will get used to the riding possition, your just using differant mussels that haven't been used that much before.
I was the same on my k3 SVs.
hths

ps, Welcome to the site,
are they still running your clocks on steam over there?

yeah . . . although if they could find a way to run them on rain, they'd be doing a lot better.

as for the clutch and brake levers -- how do I know if they're in the right positions? (sorry, n00b question, I know. I'm just getting into this.)

Hi & welcome - what Richie said.
I have been riding since August '07 & when I learning to ride I was convinced that I would never be able to get used to the pain in my armes, wrists, fingers etc etc.

New muscles being used in powitions they are not ususally used. It will get better!
Give it a few more miles & you will start to see the difference.

If it helps, I am going through the same thing. The SV (I got just before Christmas) has Renthal style bars, the previous bike had clip ons. I was suprised how different the riding position of my arms is, but its getting better.

Take care out there.

Alan

Welcome to the org.

Ditto to what people have said ... I still remember the pain.
I came straight off bike school's ER5's and never had that problem, but the SV has a different riding position, and so you tend to put a bit more weight on the hands/wrists.

Richie made a good point about the positioning of the brake and clutch levers. There is no definitive position for them - it's just a case of loosening a few nuts n bolts and rotating the levers about the bars until they are in a position you feel most comfortable with. Don't keep changing them though (unless you are really unhappy with the changed position). You just gotta give it a bit of time for your body to get used to it.

When I first passed my test and got my SV (K3), I was riding approx 70 miles a day on my commute and it took a good week to get used to it, and for the pain in my wrists to subside.

Once you get used to the riding position I'm sure you'll love it

Originally Posted by neoviking

as for the clutch and brake levers -- how do I know if they're in the right positions?

Ahoy!

Could you draw a straight line down your forearm to the tips of your fingers or is there a bend at the wrist? If your wrists are bent then moving the levers may help but more likely it's what Richie said, you're just using new muscles.

I rode my S back from ther dealers and thought - Christ, what have I done - but got used to it pretty quick. Of course, you can get used to anything, except hanging...

[Biker Biggles]

Learn to grip the tank with your knees rather than supporting your weight on your hands,and also think about getting a tankbag.You can lean on that to some extent.
If all that fails,get a naked SV

Welcome to the forum......best SV site there is.

You'll quickly get used to riding your SV.

By the way, I'm from King's Lynn in the UK.......we had some big celebrations last year to mark the historic crossing made my Mr. Vancouver to your fair land many years ago from the port here at Lynn..

Ditto what everyone else said, and welcome.

May I just add that I will come over and personally kick your butt if you don't stick with it long enough to ride the Sea to Sky highway along Horseshoe Bay when the snow clears

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Learn to grip the tank with your knees rather than supporting your weight on your hands

+1

Also arch your back and keep your elbows slightly bent - don't lock them out.
You may also find that you support your weight better if you put the balls of your feet on the pegs rather than the insteps.

Try this out when riding over some slightly bumpy, or cracked tarmac and make a note of how much vibration is transferred into your wrists and arms. Bad posture and stiff arms make for a generally bumpier ride.

The same would be true for skiing, or snowboarding, or mountain biking etc.

Have a look here

And point 2 here