Comfortable bike?

and sporty bikes are very sporty.

 

There is quite a lot of discussion here about bikes (well OK, a bit of
discussion about bikes in between the flames, links to porn etc.) in terms
of performance, appearance, versatility etc. However, what do people
regard as the most comfortable bike for longer journeys? Lets assume that
we are talking about the medium height range -say, 5' 6" to 6' 2". Over the
years I have experienced quite a few bikes that are fine for the first 30 or
40 miles then become begin to turn into arse-numbing, leg cramping,
backaching nightmares. Any recommendations or warnings?

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, TMack amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Depends what you want it for. My old despatch Beemer R850R was
comfortable for going to Manchester and back (from London) if that's any
help. I can also recommend an old CBR1000 and cutting it off "about
here..."

 

Good: Big trailees. Triumph Tiger
Bad: More sporty bikes

 

The two most comfortable bikes I've sat on for long periods of time were a
Kawasaki GTR1000 that I owned about 11 years ago (regular 300+ mile day
trips two-up) and the Pegaso 650 I rode round Australia on (every day riding
(sat down at least part of the time, so not the desert bit) was minimum
400km, the most I managed was 900-odd).

Unfortunately the GTR was thirsty and heavy and ate rear tyres too quickly
and the Pegaso was pretty crap at everything (although it did make it across
the Great Victoria Desert without having me off it, so it can't have been
*that* bad), but they did both have very comfy seats (about 6' and weight
varying from 12-14 stone dependent on time of year/whether I'm working or
sat on me arse all the time etc).

HTH

 

Yes the Tiger is very good.

 

Managed over 900 miles in a stint on the Trophy. Easily good for two
tanks, say 400 miles.

 

TMack wrote

Possibly the most comfy bike I have ridden is a TS150

Dodger's wing from a pillion perspective.

 

BGN said...

Rubbish. The Gixer Thou, Thunderace and ZX-9R are supremely comfortable
bikes.

 

I find the ZX9 more comfortable than the Tiger for a full day out. The
Tiger leaves me with a sore lower back after about 5 hours but a day on
the ZX9 has no effect. Pillion wise it's the other way round, SWMBO is
far too tall for the ZX9 but loves the Tiger.

 

Best I've owned:

BMW R100RS

Moto Guzzi Spada 1000NT

Yamaha Divvie 900

Ducati 750SS - yes, really. The seat and riding position just gel.

Triumph Trophy 1200


Other good ones I've ridden but not owned:

Most BMWs (R80ST excepted)

Suzuki GS450 - don't ask me why. I rode one to Cologne for the bike show
there then down to the Bol. Superb seat.

Honda Pan European 1100

Harley Davidson Low Rider Sport

Kawasaki GT550 (better than the 750 becuase of a better riding position)


Worst:

Moto Guzzi California fuel inj. - utterly dreadful seat.

Honda NSR125 (Bol d'Or non-stop)

Yamaha XT350

 

Sir wants a nice little Kawasaki Drifter, sir does. All-day comfort, weird
suspension, 100mph with no buffeting from the screen. I kept mine for a
little over five years.

 

They are.

 

Another plus point for a Drifter is they work very well inverted.

 

This is a treat to ride. I'm delighted with mine: I've done hundreds
of miles with no discomfort except when I did two hours continuously
without putting a foot down and my dodgy knee locked up. My passenger
likes it, it has plenty of power in reserve for overtaking on a
motorway, does everything I want with no fuss.

Admittedly, my first (and so far only other bike) is a CB550 which I
once rode two-up to Barcelona. I still haven't been forgiven for the
sore bum.

 

Indeed they are.

 

Sarah reckoned it tended to slip out from under me.

 

I find that the more upright trailies put all my weight onto the bottom of
my spine. A sporty
position allows me to rest some of my weight on the tank.
My Zx9r is very comfortable.

 

Aye, but they won't believe you. It's quite odd, really, beacause when
you just look at the riding popsition and geometry, it shouldn't be.
But in practise it is - I think that one of the main things that aids
this is the ease of use. You just feel so relaxed on it that you're
not tensed up and can move around, both in the saddle and in terms of
shoulders, wrists etc.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

BMW R1150GS... the uberbike...