Second bike for big guy?

Blademaker · 04-24-2012, 04:26 AM

Ok, asked this when getting my first bike, a 650 vstar classic, and love it. But my knees don't love it. An hour to hour and a half and I've got to get off and walk around for a while, if not a day or two. I did put the Ziv's 4" extensions on the forward controls and that helps some. Part of the problem is I'm out of shape, and I've got LONG legs, and my knees are shot.

So far the only ones I've tried that fit were a Suzuki 1800, can't remember the model number, and the Honda Fury. The Fury would be OK, except the welds look like crap and it's got too small a tank for my taste, have fill up every 80-90 miles from what I understand.

I'm half way tempted to cut the frame on my 650 and extend it about 3-4 inches, but I know that would be a ton of work. I tried sitting on a 1100 and it felt about the same. I just really wish my 650 was a little longer in the seat to foot rest area, but I can't extend any more without hitting the front fender.

Any idea's?

Thanks

Martlet · 04-24-2012, 04:42 AM

Do you have crash bars and foot pegs?

Blademaker · 04-24-2012, 04:59 AM

Had to take the crash bars off to fit the 4" forward control extensions. Didn't matter though, when the crash bars were on I could lay my calves on the forward rest.

Dodsfall · 04-24-2012, 06:16 AM

A taller seat might give you a couple more inches of leg room.

Cheesy Rider · 04-24-2012, 08:26 AM

Try looking at different bikes on cycle-ergo.com. It should give you a good idea about which bikes are likely to be comfortable for you.

Blademaker · 04-24-2012, 01:55 PM

Great site, thanks!

primalmu · 04-24-2012, 10:46 PM

My last bike, a cruiser, had my knees aching after about 30 minutes, even with floorboards. Propping my feet up on the crash guards helped some, but the insides of my knees kept hurting. After my first long trip with that bike, I decided that (for the most part) cruisers aren't for me, even though I'm a big guy (not vertically, but horizontally

). I've found the Bandit's standard foot peg position to be FAR more comfortable than any cruiser I've sat on. A cruiser won't be in my future unless it has a more standard layout... no stretching out for me!

Blademaker · 04-25-2012, 12:35 AM

You know, I've thought about adding pegs further back up under me just to rest my feet on for a minuet just to flex my knees some.

In any even I'll probably ride as is for this summer, then we'll see for this winter.

Part of the issue for me is that be going to street bikes I rode a lot of dirt bikes, even if it was 20 years ago, so I'm still getting used to a cruiser seating style. Then again I'm headed back to the rig after being off for 6 months, so maybe I'll get my fat but back into shape will help.

Thanks for all the help, it's hard to find a better group of people than rite here.

04-24-2012, 04:26 AM	#1
Blademaker Master At Arms Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South MS Posts: 135	Second bike for big guy? Ok, asked this when getting my first bike, a 650 vstar classic, and love it. But my knees don't love it. An hour to hour and a half and I've got to get off and walk around for a while, if not a day or two. I did put the Ziv's 4" extensions on the forward controls and that helps some. Part of the problem is I'm out of shape, and I've got LONG legs, and my knees are shot. So far the only ones I've tried that fit were a Suzuki 1800, can't remember the model number, and the Honda Fury. The Fury would be OK, except the welds look like crap and it's got too small a tank for my taste, have fill up every 80-90 miles from what I understand. I'm half way tempted to cut the frame on my 650 and extend it about 3-4 inches, but I know that would be a ton of work. I tried sitting on a 1100 and it felt about the same. I just really wish my 650 was a little longer in the seat to foot rest area, but I can't extend any more without hitting the front fender. Any idea's? Thanks

04-24-2012, 06:16 AM	#4
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 16,356	A taller seat might give you a couple more inches of leg room. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-24-2012, 10:46 PM	#7
primalmu 2005 Bandit 1200S Join Date: May 2008 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 4,302	My last bike, a cruiser, had my knees aching after about 30 minutes, even with floorboards. Propping my feet up on the crash guards helped some, but the insides of my knees kept hurting. After my first long trip with that bike, I decided that (for the most part) cruisers aren't for me, even though I'm a big guy (not vertically, but horizontally ). I've found the Bandit's standard foot peg position to be FAR more comfortable than any cruiser I've sat on. A cruiser won't be in my future unless it has a more standard layout... no stretching out for me! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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04-24-2012, 04:42 AM	#2
Martlet Verified Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 24	Do you have crash bars and foot pegs?

04-24-2012, 04:59 AM	#3
Blademaker Master At Arms Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South MS Posts: 135	Had to take the crash bars off to fit the 4" forward control extensions. Didn't matter though, when the crash bars were on I could lay my calves on the forward rest.

04-24-2012, 08:26 AM	#5
Cheesy Rider Master At Arms Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Posts: 146	Try looking at different bikes on cycle-ergo.com. It should give you a good idea about which bikes are likely to be comfortable for you.

04-24-2012, 01:55 PM	#6
Blademaker Master At Arms Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South MS Posts: 135	Great site, thanks!

04-25-2012, 12:35 AM	#8
Blademaker Master At Arms Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South MS Posts: 135	You know, I've thought about adding pegs further back up under me just to rest my feet on for a minuet just to flex my knees some. In any even I'll probably ride as is for this summer, then we'll see for this winter. Part of the issue for me is that be going to street bikes I rode a lot of dirt bikes, even if it was 20 years ago, so I'm still getting used to a cruiser seating style. Then again I'm headed back to the rig after being off for 6 months, so maybe I'll get my fat but back into shape will help. Thanks for all the help, it's hard to find a better group of people than rite here.