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For the sportbike riders out there

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:47 am
by bok
got the opportunity to ride a zx6r this weekend that belongs to the motorcycle school i help out at.

it was a blast to ride, but not very comfortable for me. found i was spending more time trying to find a good position than enjoying the ride. either my wrists were sore or my back was. I'm used to riding my cruiser, but also ride an ex250, so this is the first time i have ridden anything with a more aggressive riding position.

one of the instructors at the school said his cbr1000 is much more comfortable and said i could ride it the next time i come out (high praise since i don't know anyone he has ever offered that to).

first question is, are the riding positions going to be that different between the two?
second question, is there anything i can do to make it more comfortable?

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:17 am
by earwig
Use your lower body to hold yourself up, and squeeze tighter with your knees... It doesn't hurt to stay in good shape and do exercises that strengthen your core. Do not use your arms/wrists to hold yourself up. If you are in better shape you will feel much more comfortable while riding.

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:45 am
by spinner
I found the CBRs to be more comfortable than the ninjas. And the gsx-rs are more comfortable than the CBRs..

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:47 am
by VermilionX
yeah, there are some differences even among RR bikes.

but you can get used to it.

also, if the bike has adjustable pegs, that will help too in finding a more comfortbale setup for you.

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:07 am
by bok
yeah this bike was set up for a guy about 3 inches taller than me so probably more of a stretch than it could have been...will try to keep my knees tighter the next time i'm on there too. the cbr should be set up more to my size since the owner and i are roughly the same height

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:23 am
by TechTMW
The ninjas (to me) are definitely the biggest ball busters of the lot. You should have a better feel on the Honda. Have fun!

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:16 pm
by jmillheiser
the main trick to being comfortable on a sportbike is to squeeze the tank with your knees to hold yourself up, and keep your arms loose when riding. keeping your arms loose will also improve your control over the bike.

I find most 600s to be pretty uncomfortable, the GSXR-600 and R6 being the most tolerable. Im most comfortable on the R1, and Aprilia RSV. I have yet to try the daytona 675 (I have heard its roomy for a 600)

Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:28 am
by Dichotomous
when my back gets tired on my bike I shift the weigh to my arms, but my normal weight holding of my arms is to hold the elbows out a little bit in a lock, used to this from mtn biking. I find if I pull my elbows in and be extra sure to have them bent a little it helps everything everywhere on me. plus it builds a lil extra ridge on the tricep after a while