On Topic! Is my bike just too neutral?

I'm still trying to build up a rapport with the Bumblebus and it's still
proving to be a troublesome courtship. However, I do intend to persevere
before deciding whether or not to Nige it out in the Spring.

One "feature" is that I'm getting lower back pain while riding. Having
thought about it for a while, I'm wondering if the riding position is
too "neutral".

On the RT, I'm sat upright, so my back is straight and my arms sort of
flop forward to the bars. On the RS, I lean forward and the weight is
spread betwixt my wrists and my arse.

But on the Bumblebus, I'm leant slightly forward. But not enough to put
weight on my wrists. The BMW screen works absolutely brilliantly, but to
the extent that I get no pressure either on my front of my back. So it
feels that I'm using my lower back to hold myself in place.

That make sense?

I'm going to take the screen off tomorrow and see if that helps.

 

I have always found sportsbikes more comfy than uprights, the pan didn't cut
it comfort wise.

Buy a k1200s mate.

 

Well earned

Already? You've only owned it for a few hours.

 

Sort of. Err, what is the Bumblebus? Faired? If so, is the screen
adjustable? Often there's a vortex that pushes forward too [1].

[1] I was reminded of this recently when I didn't put the rear seat
pad on properly on the Tuono: about a mile up the road, it flipped up
and stuck pressed to the small of my back.

 

On my old pan did this, the jacket used to fly up my back with the big
screen on, the normal screen was fine.

 

<fx: looks round, whispers>

that looks quite nice.

</fx>

 

Problem on the RS is the footrests are too far forward. You need the rearset
kit that moves them back about 4 inches. Also slightly wider bars help a
lot. The RT and LT's all give me lower back pain.

 

I LIKE that!

 

Oooh! A bidding war...

Thing is, I've wanted an R1150R for years. With ABS, in Dakar/Ferro,
with a screen, panniers, hand guards and heated grips.

Then I found one.

And so far it's not quite what I expected.

 

I managed to resist one last bid on a yellow R1150GS this afternoon on
ebay. Decided I might as well use the ST4s for the Elefant and if I do
go sledging with it to put the money to something when I get back.

Obviously not quite convinced myself yet, went along to the local BMW
dealer this afternoon when the auction finished and had a look at the
R1200GS, felt a lot lighter than I was expecting.

 

AVOID!

Seems to be the standard response

 

You're learning. Now all you have to do is apply that to the entire
output of all BMW bike factories over the last 80 odd years.

 

2nd'd

 

you have my number.

 

07790771836, now you do.

 

...and I've just re-read your original post. properly. Gah.

 

Sit ups.

 

Agreed if I was pushing on, but the problem occurs when I'm just
pottering or holding a steady speed, and that shouldn't require
significant levels of fitness

Actually the problem is less prevalent when I'm getting a move on on
back roads as then there's always an acceleration or braking force for
my arms to deal with and I'm constantly moving about.

Time to get the spanners out of the dishwasher and wave them at the
bike.

 

Hmmm I liked the ones I had (R80RT, K1 and K75RT). I really miss the K1
apart from its lack of luggage capacity.

 

I think he means that you need more abdominal strength, rather than
general fitness.