Hmm..when you sit on a bike...

Message

Shiv · #1 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:09 pm

So I've sat on a lot of bikes and the Ninja and the GS feel the same to me. I've read a lot of posts of people that like one and not the other. These people are close to the same measurements as I am.

So maybe I'm sitting on the bike wrong?

Whenever I sit on a bike, they never have a center stand/back tire holder thing. So I always have to support myself with one leg. I don't get the feeling of both knees on the tank nor both legs on the pegs at the same time. Is this a problem? Also most dealers seem to like to squish their bikes in as close as possible so you can never really stand the bike straight up, you have to kind of lean it at an angle.

So in my angle leaning, one foot on ground, one foot and knee where they belong flamingo dance, I grab the handle bars and look straight ahead to see how hunched over I am, how my field of view is (whether the windshield bothers me or not), etc.

So this may win the stupid question of the year award but, am I sitting on the bikes wrong? Is there a wrong way to sit on a bike (besides, ya know, backwards, sideways, upside down...), are my dealerships bikes too closely packed together? Is it like this everywhere?

In the MSF you could tell whether you fit the bike easily cause you could actually get both feet off the ground. Not so much at the dealership.

Dragonhawk · Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:30 pm

Ask a salesperson to pull the bike out of the lineup or go to a different dealership where you can position it upright.

Best yet - bring a friend along to hold the bike so you can put both feet up on the pegs.

dieziege · #3 Unread post by **dieziege** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:31 am

...trust the sidestand....

#4 Unread post by **zarakand** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:40 am

Dragonhawk wrote:Ask a salesperson to pull the bike out of the lineup or go to a different dealership where you can position it upright.

Best yet - bring a friend along to hold the bike so you can put both feet up on the pegs.

I've done both of these, or sometimes I'll pull the bike out a little so there is room to trust the side stand. Don't be embrassed or afraid to move the bike, most dealerships here are completely okay with it.

Loonette · #5 Unread post by **Loonette** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:53 am

Exactly what they've all said. I've done it all. I explain to the sales staff that I'm a serious shopper and that I need assistance in trying on the bike. They understand. When Scan and I bought our FZ6, it was a bit tall for me. I didn't trust only Scan to hold it up, so I had him and the salesman help. He got the sale.

Keep trying on those bikes - you'll find the right one.

Cheers,
Loonette

sapaul · #6 Unread post by **sapaul** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:49 am

Tell them about Paul in South Africa, who will never ever buy a bike unless he has ridden at least that model never mind just sat on it. In fact I often demand at least a half day trial. After you have told them how bad I am they will probably be only too willing to help you.

skinnyjoint · Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:28 am

our bike shops here wont even let u sit on them

dieziege · #8 Unread post by **dieziege** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:35 am

They won't let you sit on them even when a salesperson is standing there? That's just Wrong. Don't shop there.

#9 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:36 am

skinnyjoint wrote:our bike shops here wont even let u sit on them

then im suprised you bike shops stay in business, are the dealers or just shops that sell all kinds?

JWF

Shiv · #10 Unread post by **Shiv** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:58 am

Hmm...well in one shop I can't move the bikes because they're on an elevated platform (why they're on there, I don't know. Seems like a lot of trouble just to display a bike).

The other shop I didn't think to move the bike. It just, for some reason, seemed like something you wouldn't be allowed to do.

But doesn't the bike have to be in gear to be moved? Can you even shift while there's no ignition?

I guess you could, the gears would probably mesh easier (wouldn't have to sync). Never tried it though.