| Author | Message | ||
     Iamarchangel |
After putting all those miles on the XB9R over the weekend, I have some questions about the set up. I'm 6', 190lbs. I noticed nice ergo pics on the new Buell site. Anybody know the measurements of their model? 1. After about 40 miles my legs were killing me, especially my left. The groin area hurt the most but by Tuesday I had shin splints. (There was no vibration numbness so that's good.) The pain would go away after a 10-15 minute rest and off I'd go again. Should I consider the lowered pegs, the XB kit? I'd like to be able to get to 120 miles between breaks. 2. My wrists got sore later on the trip. They're still sore, especially the right. It's not carpal tunnel, it's on the outside joint, pinky side, palm side. I could change my grip position but the soreness is still there. Should I get risers? Has anybody put a slight bend in the bar to change the angle? 3. Wind was limiting me. It's uncomfortable at 130 kph and on Sunday, the headwind made it hard to maintain 120 kph. However, a guy on a open sportster passed me and he looked pretty comfortable. I'm not looking at power yet, since it's my limitation not the bikes. The wind is too uncomfortable to try to go faster. (Did 140 kph later when there was no wind.) Should I be considering a different screen? I'm realizing that I like the idea of a sport tourer so I'd like to work towards making the 'bolt one. | ||
| Damnut |
Here's what I did. 1) get pegs from an S model. It will give you a 1" drop. 2) Get a set of Helibars. This will give you a 1" rise and 1.5" back. (It may be the other way around) 3) Get a +3" windscreen from American Sport Bike. That will help in a BIG way. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I think you can put S pegs on it. that should help some. How long have you owned it and is this your first bike? Seat time goes a long way. You say the wind was uncomfortable. What gear are you wearing? Is it loose? A jacket that flaps in the wind will wear you out quick. | ||
| Midknyte |
My left ankle used to act up as well, and now that you mention this, I can say it does not happen anymore since I got a better pair of boots for the season (higher, stiffer ankle protection). I gauge other general soreness as a indication that I'm not at ease, not in the zone for riding. Try to relax and influence the bike, not fight it or force it. If you're looking at a full days' ride - take an Aleeve at the start of the day. It really staves off the aches & pains. | ||
| Mr_gto |
Relaxation and body position really made the difference for me when i first had my bolt. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Get a Buell select seat. It is worlds better than the marquis de sade-designed stocker. It will also raise you up about one inch, so it's like getting lower footpegs without losing cornering clearance. I snagged a really nice one on ebay for about 100 bucks. | ||
| Deadduck |
it took me about 2 months riding everyday to get my muscles stretched and adapted to the seating position of the bolt. you can start by doing basic stretching exercises, this will allow you to relax in that tight space. loosening your grip on the bars will help out your hand cramps, this bike really likes for you to be relaxed on it, and it almost forces you to be or be sore afterwords. i did notice on my last long trip, if I stopped about 15 miles into the first part of the morning, stretch real good, like I was getting ready to run a marathon, I could then sit in the saddle all day. my first day I did 12 hours and 450 miles from middle georgia up to virginia, most of which were mountain roads. at the end of the day I was tired, but I wasn't beat to the point of being sore. I guess what I'm trying to say is, before you start spending a bunch of cash changing things, give what Buell has set up a chance, I found that once I got used to it, it really wasn't all that bad, and I feel better for it. oh and +1 on the select seat, that may be the one thing that saved me. cheap upgrade, great benefit. (Message edited by deadduck on August 07, 2008) | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Draggin S pegs isn't that easy to do. You've got to be diggin in pretty hard. I still haven't touched mine down. Id go with the s pegs and If it becomes a problem down the road switch back. By then you will probably be used to the riding position anyway. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to sell them later in the classified section if you change your mind. | ||
| Damnut |
Oh yea I have the Select/Custom seat as well. 1) S Pegs 2) Helibars 3) Select/Custom seat These 3 mods will make the WORLD of difference in going on long rides, I know it did for me. And for wind protection, +3" windscreen. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
As far as the wrist pain goes, try to use your legs and muscles in your torso to support your body and take some of the weight off your arms and wrists. Also, a set of traction grips may help. I had carpal tunnel surgery several years ago and the traction grips made a big difference for me, and I put them on my city X when I switched from the stock bars to the crossroads lower and more forward bars. Seat time is your friend, let your body adjust. As already stated, make sure your jacket fits snug, especially the arms. | ||
| Darthane |
What Damnut said. S pegs. Custom Seat. New Windscreen (I have a ZG Double Bubble). I still use the stock bars. 500 mile days on my Bolt were not a problem with these changes. Personally, I prefer the forward-leaning position of the Firebolt versus the upright positions of the S/X bikes for open road running, but that mostly has to do with the wind trying to take me off the back of the bike. A proper windshield setup on my XT cured that problem. | ||
| Petebueller |
Damnut you've nicked all my best mods. They all work Iamarchangel | ||
| Deltablue |
+1 on what damnut said except I have the Corbin seat which lowers the seat height and you lean forward a little less. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Your ass and legs hurt because you don't have enough support in that area. Getting a new seat is only half the battle. You also need to wear a pair of snug fitting leather pants, or bicycle shorts under your jeans. The tightness around your ass helps in a big way. When I wear jeans, my butt starts to hurt after an hour or two. With my leather pants on, I've gone 11 hours straight with no discomfort. As for your wrists, Grip the bike with your legs and use your lower back to hold yourself up instead of your arms. This will take pressure off your wrists. The pain on the outside of your right wrist is likely not a condition of leaning on it, but of gripping the throttle for so long. I get this same pain on my 'Bolt, and I also got it on my Sportster, which you sat totally upright on. Losen your grip. | ||
| Od54 |
I know just what you're talking about with the pinky side of your hand aching. I'm still fighting it to a point, but it's gotten amazingly better with time. I didn't get much relief from the new grips but I think they did help some. I've found that if I cover the brake and clutch it lets the blood flow better in my hands. I'm just about your size, 6' 205, but I rarely get the feeling of being blown backward until I'm at speeds that should be saved for closed courses. I think it's because I tend to slouch. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Thanks for the tips. I should have mentioned that I have the custom seat and, on that trip, wore Under Armour compression shorts. I stretch but I know I should do more. (It's my degree, after all.) Still trying to isolate which muscles are actually being pulled. Seat still wants me to sit in the middle but I think we're slowly developing a bum print for me to settle into. I'm probably going to go for the pegs first. It's the cheapest and simplest mod. I'm not worried about the vibration since I never noticed any numbness. I wear Sidi's anyway. Not sure how hard I was gripping. I did consciously relax and wiggle them after the pain started. I remember in my racing days that I would select a section of track as my finger wiggle per lap. I might rotate the levers around a bit to drop them down to a simpler grab. I wear Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants. I don't think that's the wind issue. There's a lot of buffeting going on. Usually one size fits all works for me since I'm pretty close to the "average" stats. | ||
| Darthane |
If the jacket/pants don't fit properly, they can still magnify the buffeting sensation. You might want to consider one of the throttle 'paddles' to allow you to relax the hand more on longer rides. | ||
| Birdy |
What Darthane said about the jacket. I have a couple of jackets and I was getting beat up badly on the Interstate with them . So I bought a First Gear mesh jacket and it fits much tighter than the others do, not to snug just no flapping loose cloth. What a difference it makes. Now I still get buffeted around a bit BUT that just riding a Street fighter on the Interstate is all and it's not to bad. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
put the arm adjusters on the jacket to the smallest you can stand. keeps the armor in place and makes a big difference in the wind. it did for me anyway. | ||
| Clarkjw |
I'm 5'9 180 pounds. I use the S pegs and commute 20 miles to New York City whenever the weather is good. I've had minor problems with the clip ons being slightly more forward/too much arm pressure than I'd like in slower traffic. Once you get some speed, this goes away. The heli bars may also help, but I think they are innapropriate for the bike/handling chars. Unless you're racing at the track you're not gonna drag the pegs. If you came from a Harley or more upright bike, you probably have serious flaws in your riding form (no offense). This is a sport bike and is desiged to be ridden with a more forward lean, loose elbows, squeezed thighs and tight heels. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Actually, I come from a long motocross background and a long absence. Ha, you should see me drop all gears and slide into a corner. Gotta break that habit before it breaks me. Actually, I'm almost over that now. | ||
| Birdy |
Even with the lower pegs on my STT I find my "Old hit the ground one time to many times as a kid" knees need a break after a hour or so. The STT having higher bars seem ti be fine on the arms and hands BUT I pay the price w=in wind blast. I have a Cee Bailey windshield for Fall/Winter/Spring riding. but Summer time I don't mind the nice breeze at all. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
I am 5'9" and weigh 206Lbs.  . I have been doing a bit of exercise including treadmill and deep knee bends to help with my riding. Stretching certainly helps. However, because I am short the S pegs are actually wrong. My knees are now further away from the frame indents where they belong. The biggest problem for me is my arms and wrists. I have tried everything to get comfortable and just can't get it. My commute is approx 40 miles each way, no big deal but unless I am moving fast enough to take advantage of the wind really pushing on my chest off the screen I can not get the weight off my arms and wrists. For me I don't think the Helibars will be enough. I am going to try the LSL, hopefully this month. http://www.motoworldonline.com/XB9R-XB12R-Firebolt _c_1075-1.html The LSL kit makes the bike more of an S than an R but but if that's what it takes so be it. I also think that because of my years on a Harley, leaning over the handlebars will never be right to me. 2500 miles almost 2 months old. | ||
| Socalbueller |
I would suggest getting some grip pads. http://www.techspec-usa.com/ They were the best mod I have done to my bike so far. I am able to support myself with my legs and back much easier taking weight off my arms and wrists. You would be surprised how much your legs slide around on the frame and airbox cover. Also I have better communication with the suspension now that my legs are more locked in. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Ordered XB footpeg kit today, so we'll see how that works out. Buell parts prices seem pretty low so far. Hope they stay that way. |
