Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi there,

I'm a complete newbie looking to pick up a first bike. I live in the UK, but that shouldn't matter. My problem is that as someone who isn't very experienced with biking, I'm finding it hard to get information on which types of bike are the best for riding comfortably for 4+ hours. Forgive my lack of experience, but I simply have no reference points to judge from!

The problem is that I want my bike for general purpose use. I will probably be commuting on it, but I also want to drive around the country (~400 miles) without being plagued by aches and pains.

The comments of a biking friend about sports bikes killing the wrists, along with my online research, led me to believe that a cruiser (such as a Virago 250) would be the best choice. Later though, I read that a cruiser can be hell on your back and that they are usually more about looks than comfort!

Now I turn to others who will know a lot more about the subject than me. What sort of bike should I be looking for if I intend to be riding it for longer distances?

look into the drz400sm

Go sit on some bikes for around an hour or so each motorcycle, and it should give you an idea of how it will feel. I think you are looking for a standard motorcycle, which has a more upright position than a race replica sport bike, but less of a straight backed position than a cruiser. Like, for example, the triumph bonnivilles.

Being in the UK your bike choice is limited to 17 bhp unless you take a test for 33 bhp, right? Well, anyway, a dualsport (street legal dirtbike), or a standard style bike are the most comfortable as far as im concerned. Like a Honda CG125, or XL125V.

The standard seating position is in my opinion the most comfortable. Although your in the UK so I dont know what kind of options you have as far as bikes. But if I lived on your side of the pond I would be all over the kawasaki KLE500 dual sport, I love that bike! I wish it would make its way over here someday.

You'll want a bike with a SLIGHT forward tilt of the spine. Not enough to really rest your torso weight on your hands, but enough to get stress off your lower back.

The full upright position of a cruiser is MURDEROUS on the lower back because it makes you stick your stomach out.

Don't expect to be doing 4 hours in the saddle from the get-go. Like any physical activity, you'll have to work up the stamina and general muscle fitness to do it.

It will take some 'tweaking' no doubt. Bar backs to get the handlebars where you need them, some custom modification of the seat perhaps as well.

P

Geoff650R wrote:Being in the UK your bike choice is limited to 17 bhp unless you take a test for 33 bhp, right?

Sort of, being over 21 I am able to take the "direct access" test, which means I can ride any bike if I pass. That said, I want to stick to something less than 500cc for a first bike.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Char wrote:

Geoff650R wrote:Being in the UK your bike choice is limited to 17 bhp unless you take a test for 33 bhp, right?

Sort of, being over 21 I am able to take the "direct access" test, which means I can ride any bike if I pass. That said, I want to stick to something less than 500cc for a first bike.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Under 500? Ninja 250 then. Though the 500 is still a great bike. I'm going to throw out the Er-6n/f as well, as i ride the american counterpart to the "f" model

you are looking for a standard. For your needs you wouldn't want a sport bike (forward lean) or a cruiser (backward lean). You want the seating position to be as upright as possible. There's lots of choices. Beginner sport bikes actually have a relatively neutral seating position.

Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 500, Ninja 650
Suzuki GS500, SV650

Lucky you. Since 99.9% of U. S. citizens use bikes to make a fashion statement, we don't have much choice over here in motorcycles that function well. Since it seems most Europeans appreciate function, you have a plethora of choices. Sit on a variety of bikes and pick the one that feels best to you. Then plan on some modifications to make the fit even better.

Look for footpegs even with or slightly ahead of the front of the seat. Lower legs should be vertical, like sitting in a comfortable chair. Knees should be even with or slightly below the hips. Additional footpeg locations allow varied riding positions and increase comfort over the course of a long ride. Footpeg locations can be added.

Be sure the handlebar can be adjusted for a slightly forward lean in the upper body, a little more for an open bike, a little less for a faired bike. On an open bike, plan for the wind blast to support the upper body. Too upright, and you are hanging on, which is exhausting. Too much lean, and you are supporting yourself with yur arms, which is also exhausting. On a faired bike, the windblast might be from the rear, pushing the body forward, which would be countered with a slightly more upright riding position. The goal is to sit relaxed in whatever conditions occur at your most common cruising speed.

Wrists should straight, even with or slightly below the elbows. When in a relaxed position at speed, the grips should come naturally to the palms.

Look for a seat with firm padding and comfortable contours. Consider the vibration level of the engine design. Vibrations can ruin an otherwise comfortable bike. Wind protection also is a plus.

That said, anything short of an all out tourer will be inadequate for comfortable 400 mile rides without some adjusting and customizing. Most people consider 400 miles a full day, and break up longer rides into multiple days.

As an example of a good tourer/commuter I've had, I began with a Honda CB500. First, the fish oil in the forks was replaced with real fork oil. Second, Koni shocks were installed. Then a rear wheel sprocket with 3 or 4 more teeth provided a bit more rpm (I was 190kg at the time, and the bike would be fully dressed). The 4-into-4 exhaust was swapped for a custom made 4-into-1-into-2 system tuned for midrange power with the mufflers about in the stock lower muffler locations to allow bigger saddlebags, and the airbox was modified for better airflow. A CDI ignition reduced maintenance requirements. A frame mounted fairing was added, along with matching hard saddlebags, luggage rack and trunk, running boards, a custom made solo seat, front and rear crash bars, with the front having footpegs for stretching out, and 3 or 4 different handlebars were tried before a final set was chosen. A dozen sets of grips were tried before I was satisfied. Also, a couple different windshield heights were tried, the goal being high enough to push wind blast over my head, but low enough to see over. Many adjustments were made over a couple dozen rides to make the bike fit me. I could ride sun-up to sun-down, stopping only when fuel was needed, take the opportunity to refresh and have a snack, and arrive at my destination free of cramps or soreness.

The 500 proved to have inadequate power to ride two-up with a weekend's worth of clothes and sundries. I bought a CB750 and went through the whole process again, meanwhile sheparding my girlfriend through the process of making the 500 fit her. Our efforts paid off. When my father had a medical emergency, we rode 18 hours straight, 1795km, and were no worse for wear than if we had driven a car. We stopped only when refueling was necessary, and only long enough to relieve and refresh ourselves. Later, we took the long way (12 days) home.