Where do ya put yer, err, BOTTOM!

[DENCOUCH]

Hey guys, I have a question please. I ran a little over 300 miles yesterday, and I cannot figure out if the FJR has a "correct" riding position. Sometimes I was riding with my butt all the way back against the passenger seat... elbows locked & leaning into the bars. Other times I was riding right up against the tank, back upright or bent in reverse.

Is their a correct way to sit? My clutch hand used to protest a lot until I built up the strength in it, so what about my hands getting sore? To be honest, do I have a "death-grip" on the grips or something? My hands protest holding onto my bike.

Any info on this? Is it just me not having owned a bike in 20 years?

Thanks!

 

[networkguy]

I suggest Googleing "master yoda riding position"

 

[Ken45]

It is a common issue. Many of today's bikes are designed for one specific body and many of us don't have that body. Compare the possible riding positions on an FJR vs. the long flat seat on the 60's and 70's bikes where you could move your body up or back to find the position you wanted.

As mentioned, the "Master Yoda" position may help. Handle bar risers may help. It also helps to keep the windsceen low to let the wind hit your chest and take some of the weight off of your arms.

I came to the FJR from a Goldwing. The GW is much more comfortable seating for me but I didn't like the heavy weight of the GW when stopped or starting up.

Why don't they make a perfect bike for all of us? LOL

Ken

 

[SouthernCruizer]

2 words of advice for you.... NEW SEAT. The stock seat is crap for some, and it tends to slide you down towards the tank. NOT FUN on the family jewels. My poison is a Sargent Seat...there are other choices out there.

 

[wfooshee]

.....elbows locked & leaning into the bars......

There's yer problem, right there!

You have to support your upper body with your thighs, hips, and back, and not your arms. That's what the Master Yoda position is all about.

Yes, you have to lean forward a bit to reach the grips, but you certainly don't have to hug the tank.

As you lean, roll forward at the hips, keeping your back straight, rather than rolling foward at the lower back.

And no weight on your hands. Just hold the grips lightly, but no weight on them.

 

[SkooterG]

On a Gen I FJR riding right against the tank is not a good idea due to the 'heat issue'. I think that is one of the main reasons the heat is a problem for some, and not for others. If you are right up against the tank on the Gen I things can get a bit toasty to say the least. Amazing what 1" of separation will do for you.

 

[Mossyrocks13k]

Depends,

First; your size matters. I am 6ft 205lbs with a 32" inseam. Stock seat with $20 atv gel seat from wally world.

If on the higway, I put my butt back and extend my upper body to catch the air coming off the stock windshield, arms relaxed. I find I can hold this position for about an hour.

If doing side routes that are not twisty, butt is somewhere in the middle depending on my knees complaining.

If doing twistys, butt forward legs and knees tights and body and arms relaxed.

YMMV

 

[Ken45]

2 words of advice for you.... NEW SEAT. The stock seat is crap for some, and it tends to slide you down towards the tank. NOT FUN on the family jewels. My poison is a Sargent Seat...there are other choices out there.

How can a different seat help when the tank is in the way?

 

[El Toro]

How can a different seat help when the tank is in the way?

Actually, the seat impacts the seating position, and this impacts where you are relative to the tank.

Russell builds a pocket into his seat, and it can be sprung in such a way as to keep you from getting CNS (crushed nuts syndrome).

Other aftermarket seats often have pockets, subtle or not so subtle, that put in in a specific position too.

On some bikes, like the BMW K1600 GT/GTL, the bench seat option can give you a bad case of CNS, while the split rider/pillion option gives you more wiggle room and can get you back a bit.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

How can a different seat help when the tank is in the way?

Actually, the seat impacts the seating position, and this impacts where you are relative to the tank.

Russell builds a pocket into his seat, and it can be sprung in such a way as to keep you from getting CNS (crushed nuts syndrome).

Other aftermarket seats often have pockets, subtle or not so subtle, that put in in a specific position too.

On some bikes, like the BMW K1600 GT/GTL, the bench seat option can give you a bad case of CNS, while the split rider/pillion option gives you more wiggle room and can get you back a bit.

Thanks for answering that...I figured it was a "trick" question! :huh:

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Some of the seats have less of a forward slope to them, you may have to try a few different ones. If it makes you feel any better this same conversation goes on with the Honda ST forum and the only seat that gets better than a 50% good review is the Russell. I put a Sargent on mine and it did away with the CNS by having less forward slope. This made my Honda sit about as good as a stock Gen 2 FJR seat. Sometimes you can't see it by looking at the seat, the foam actually compresses differently under different butts. You got to try them out.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Hey guys, I have a question please. I ran a little over 300 miles yesterday, and I cannot figure out if the FJR has a "correct" riding position. Sometimes I was riding with my butt all the way back against the passenger seat... elbows locked & leaning into the bars. Other times I was riding right up against the tank, back upright or bent in reverse.

Sit back then forward. Repeat as often and as quickly as possible until pleasure achieved.

My clutch hand used to protest a lot until I built up the strength in it, so what about my hands getting sore?

********** more often to build hand strength.

Thanks!

No problem. For further details PM Bustanut Joker.

 

[Bounce]

I'm glad this wasn't another "I want to go fast" thread.

 

[Fly Bye]

I have to say that the stock seat on the FJR is the worst seat (for me)on any motorcycle I have ever owned.

I had it re-worked and I tried a sheepskin gel pad, neither of them fixed the problem.

A new custom built did solve the problem. I'll admit it is not a cheap fix but it is well worth the expense.

I had experienced the same issues with the stock seat that you did. We have a tendency to move around on the seat when one's bottom end gets sore. I moved to the back of the seat and leaned forward thus putting too much pressure on the hands ans wrists. I moved to the front of the seat and experienced CNS.

A good custom seat with the correct "pocket" and "wings" will make a huge difference in your riding comfort.

Hope this helps.

 

[wheatonFJR]

A good custom seat with the correct "pocket" and "wings" will make a huge difference in your riding comfort.

The Russell seat paid dividends for me Saturday. Spur of the moment ride to southern Indiana to ride some curvy roads, east lunch at the Ohio River Overlook restaurant, and then ride some more curvy roads in southern Indiana before hitting the ice-age, glacier-wrecked, straight and flat roads back to Wheaton...780 miles.

A nice lunch run.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm glad this wasn't another "I want to go fast" thread.

What? No movie?