Help: Looking 4 New Bike w/Comfort & Good LOW SPEED HANDLING

Hey Everyone! I have a '93 CBR 1000 since '94 and I've loved it but
haven't been riding much in part 'cause I have chronic neck & back pain
that make riding the CBR tougher & tougher. Unfortunately, surgery I
had 9 months ago hasn't helped the pain.

I'm cleared to ride even though my MD doesn't want me riding a "Doner
Cycle" but what does he know! So, I want to start looking for a new
bike. I have found that a slightly reclining position is pretty
comfortable and I DEFINITELY need a bike that is VERY STABLE AT LOW
SPEEDS. For me, that means less neck and back strain when riding slow
or in traffic and therefore I can ride longer!

So, any Ideas would be appreciated. I've thought of maybe a Yamaha ROAD
STAR or Honda's VFR is supposed comfortable for a sport-bike? Don't
know how steady the VFR would be going real slow though? And Yes I
think Harley's RULE but, New, they're VERY expensive! Well, Thanks for
your Help!

Best Regards, Will

 

Look at the adventure category. I'd suggest you first look at the KTM
950 and / or the Buell Ulysses. Both are comfortable and will do
sportbike type work. The geometry make them VERY stable at low speeds -
much more than the *&#&# cruiser bikes.

 

You might also consider Suzuki's DL1000 (or 650) V-Strom.

I own a '94 VFR750, and while it's a pretty comfortable bike, I can't
really say that it's very stable at low speeds. There's not a whole lot
of steering lock, and it's top heavy (and just heavy, around 500lb wet).

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

It sounds like you're pre-disposed to Harleys/cruisers at this point in your
life, but be aware that the reclined riding positon is tough on the lower
back after not-to-long of time, maybe an hour or two. If I had back
problems, I'd be looking at something with a very neutral posture, pretty
much straight up and down. Some metric cruisers fall in this category as
does a number of UJB's sold during the 80's and 90's, maybe a nice Nighthawk
or something. I ride an 1150R which also is easy on the back, but I
wouldn't say that at 525 lbs. that it's particularly good at low speeds.

Good luck

 

Whatever you choose, make sure it is a bike where you sit up straight.
Leaning back (cruiser) or leaning forward (sportbike) will aggravate
your upper back problem.

My wife is an x-ray technician (who coincidentally, broke her own upper
back when she was 17) and her orthopedic surgeon both will tell you
this.

If you were to have lower back problems, it is best to lean forward
slightly, thus keeping the weight and pressure off the coccyx. Keeping
your feet directly under your body also helps a great deal.

 

What do you mean, "*&#&#"!? I resemble that remark.

Sean_Q_

'99 FLHTCUI
'83 Shadow 750
'04 Virago 250

 

Go with any enduro bike. Or even an BMW R1100R. They tend to have nice comfy
upright postures and be stable at low speeds. The wide bars of an enduro make it
easier to steer at low speeds.

 

An orthopedic surgeon will advise you not to ride, probably...

 

Most of 'em, likely true. But since she rides, the surgeon at her
hospital never said anything (at least not to her). <g>

 

As someone whose had back problems a few times in the past, I think
the advice should be adjusted, depending on the type of problem the
person has (which I don't think the original poster stated).

If you have a tendency to slip a disc in your lower back (like I do),
leaning forward isn't the best thing to be doing all day.

 

True, not all cases are alike. I have a weak L5-S1 disc (it sticks
slightly out to one side). It's not "slipped", it is "bruised" or so
says the doc. Careful bending and twisting keeps it normally un-bruised.

I do, however, ride all day with short bars on a K75S or an R100RS with
no problems at all. Same as when I sit straight on the R1100RS.

So, not everything works for everybody.

 

Don't

Will, I have both a K3 DL1000 V-Strom and a K5 1600 Vulcan Ckassic. I
have also had back surgery and have an artificial hip in addition to
other arthritic conditions. After I put a large windshield on the Vulcan
I found it to be just about as comfortable as the V-Strom. The Vulcan is
pretty heavy at walking/parking lot speeds, however. If you are tall
enough the V-Strom is a fine motorcycle, fun to ride and certainly more
powerful and comfortable than a Buell Ulysses or KTM 950.

Buck

 

I sat on a Ulyesses a few weeks ago at the International Motorcycle
Show. Given how tall it was, I was surprised to find myself being shoved
forward slightly into the tank and feeling a bit of pressure on the
grips. I'm gonna take the sales guy up on his offer of a demo in the
spring anyway.

My ride is a R100RT (with corbin "bucket" seat) on which the normal
position is straight up and down. I'm entirely comfortable on my bike
for 600+ mile days.

I'm 6'4" so that probably makes a difference. I've also been blissfully
free of back trouble for that past few years.

 

I had a BMW RS which was okay on the lower back but hell on the
shoulders and knees.
I had a Harley FXD which was a pretty good all arounder with the
addition of highway bars.
On a long ride I would have my feet on top fo the highway bars, on the
highway bars, on the regular foot pegs and on the passenger footpegs.
That got me through some 600 mile days.
IMHO, the ability to move around is more important than any particular
riding position.
--
Bob Mann

Before you critisize someone,
you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you critisize them,
you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

 

THANKS! Everyone

Thanks guys for all the responses and great ideas! Some I've considered
like the V-Strom and was surprised that bikes like it and the KTM 950
are so stable. I'll check out others like some of the BMWs (probably
have to go used for those though).

I did have a Cruiser in mind since about 10 yrs ago I rode a Suzuki
Intruder and it seemed VERY stable. I thought of a Suzuki VOLUSIA but
they've been discontinued.

Well, thanks again for all the good advice! Will

 

The Volusia is now the C50. I have no idea if they're any good
but there are some back supports and such for riders. Have you seen the
seats that have a little backrest built in for the rider? Webbike World
might have some reviews. Some driver backrests and reviews here:
http://tinyurl.com/g2qmu

Dean

 

Since you already find the CBR's upright position uncomfortable, you
should try something more laid back like a cruiser, as well as something
more leaned-forward. You can't tell what will work with your back until
you try. Maybe hit one of the rider days at a dealership, or rent a
Harley for a day.

The Roadstar is apparently a bit of a handful at low speeds, because of
weight and wheelbase I imagine. The V-Stars (I have an 1100) are pretty
good at parking-lot speed, the 650 particularly. However, they have
handlebars that make you lean forward unless you have really long arms
(many riders end up getting risers). If you have long arms then you
probably have legs to match, and they get tucked up forward onto the
floorboards, so you feel doubled-over. I find the floorboards are a pain
to raise your feet onto, compared to pegs on a more upright machine.

Maybe look at the Honda cruisers too.

 

Agree! If you can, rent a big H-D (FLHTC or Road King). They have a (AFAIK)
unique front end geometery that puts the fork tubes behind the steering head,
giving more stability at speed. This in turn allows more vertical forks that
provide top-notch low speed handling. There's a good reason cops use them to
mark tires <g>.

 

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/C50BK6/Default.aspx
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/C50TK6/Default.aspx

Very comfortable and the low profile make it a very stable bike.
After trying it i wanted one, but wify says no. Too many bikes now.
If you get a chance try the saddle, see what you think. May or may not be
for you.
Like a pair of pants not all fit the same. lol

 

EX/ninja500 or GS500? theyre both "sporty standards", so the seating
position is pretty upright.