hoping I didn't make a mistake

I to felt like you when i got my k3 a couple of years back.I broke my neck in a biking accident years ago and all the bikes i had ridden since were all the sit up and beg position and everything was ok.Once i got the sv which is a more leant over racing position,for the first few ridouts my neck would ache and feel tight.

That being the case i myself thought i would have to revert back to a more upright riding position and change bikes again.After 2/300 miles of riding my neck became used to this position and its never been a problem since.So like people have already said,persivere and i,m sure you,ll be fine.HTH

ok -- this is all very reassuring. thanks very much. i do plan to ride the sea to sky; this snow is killing me. i briefly thought about saying caution be damned last night and riding anyways, but then thought better of it. snow+bike=dumb, dumb, dumb, i think.

anyone out there know if handlebar risers would make much difference? i'm not thinking of 2,000-km trips with it, but am hoping to do some 500-km rides, and want to do so without permanently straining muscles.

Originally Posted by neoviking

anyone out there know if handlebar risers would make much difference? i'm not thinking of 2,000-km trips with it, but am hoping to do some 500-km rides, and want to do so without permanently straining muscles.

give it a couple of hundred miles before you decide to change anything. your position will still be different to your prev' bike with risers & will still cause you muscle pain.

bare with it for a while

Alan

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Xan173

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.

Your arms should be relaxed enough to flap like a chicken, you'll have to grip the tank with your knees, and you'll soon be far more comfortable when your muscles get used to it.

As far as the postion of the levers, I use what I learned in an industrial ergonomics course and adapted to motorcycles.

With you in your natural riding position, rotate the levers on the bars until your wrist is in a straight alignment with your forearm and the top of your hand with your fingers on the levers. This is easier to do if you put the bike on a stand, but is easy enough to do when actually riding with the tool in your pocket.

My bike was delivered with the levers set way too high, I reset them immediately on arrival home, and before I took the first long ride. It makes a big difference. Some of my friends prefer the levers set low, but this can also lead to carpal tunnel problems.

Im New to my O5 Pointy and my wrists hurt a little but i got straight of a CBR125R so the EXTRA power and speed help to heal my pain.
I found doing a bit of slow traffic riding improved my riding postion im now comfy and stayin on for the ride.

Originally Posted by neoviking

anyone out there know if handlebar risers would make much difference? i'm not thinking of 2,000-km trips with it, but am hoping to do some 500-km rides, and want to do so without permanently straining muscles.

I know that i went from a bike with flat bars to an sv and it hurt me quite a bit in the first couple of weeks doing a 15 mile comute. 2 months of riding everyday and i did a 550mile trip in a day.you will get used to it and like everything its about time and practice. Stick at it and lets see some pics of you new toy.

If your backside is sore, get a Corbin seat. Plus -it's around an inch lower than standard so the bars won't seem quite so low. Before Corbin, I couldn't stand more than an hour in the saddle before I had to get off and stretch my legs.

Originally Posted by neoviking

snow+bike=dumb, dumb, dumb, i think.

Its not I promise...Its fun!

Cant re-itterate what others have said already mate, I'm 6ft 1 and largely overweight, still had fun on the SV and at first yes there were aches, they soon went. After a long days riding you will normally ache whatever(or maybe just me). You get used to it.

All the best. Enjoy your riding and keep it tyre side down.

Stu

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Tildo

If your backside is sore, get a Corbin seat. Plus -it's around an inch lower than standard so the bars won't seem quite so low. Before Corbin, I couldn't stand more than an hour in the saddle before I had to get off and stretch my legs.

I've got one, it's ace.