Post by: Blue85 on December 08, 2020, 04:41:11 PM
Post by: Laitch on December 08, 2020, 05:09:20 PM
I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam/34" sleeve length. I ride a naked K75 with a handlebar lower and with less pullback than an RS. It's comfortable for me at highway speed but it's not an arrangement everybody likes.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on December 08, 2020, 06:39:01 PM
The RS has what I call the semi-sportbike position where you lean forward a little, reaching down to the bars with your feet behind your knees. It's a position that many find to be uncomfortable, especially older riders who may have back or shoulder issues. They usually install barbacks to raise and move the bars closer to them so they can sit more upright.
I am 72 years old, 6'1" and have both RT and RS model bricks. While I can ride the RT from sunup to sundown, the RS starts to get a little unpleasant after only 4-5 hours. The personalities of the two bikes are different and guided by the riding position. The RT is a mile muncher that is intended for covering massive distances in maximum comfort while the RS is for quickly negotiating twisty roads with maximum fun and minimum fuss.
As Laitch mentioned, there are places you can go to see the seating position of your bikes. It might help us here if you can describe the exact problem you are having. Is it back, neck, shoulder or leg discomfort. Many here have found ways to make their RS's more user friendly.
Post by: Blue85 on December 08, 2020, 08:42:05 PM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on December 08, 2020, 09:04:33 PM
Try getting a chunk of hard foam about 1 1/2" thick and put it on the seat and then see how everything feels. Another option might be to look at a replacement seat.
Another option might be to get a set of lowering blocks for the footpegs. They will lower the pegs about another inch to let you straighten your legs out a bit more.
Post by: Laitch on December 08, 2020, 11:23:56 PM
It looks like somebody took a lot of the padding out of the seat so a short rider could reach the ground. . . . That could be a big part of your problem.112350
Additionally, although it might only be the perspective of the photo, the handlebar appears to have been rotated downward. If so, you could always loosen the clamps under the dash pad and rotate it upward somewhat. Check to be certain the fork braces haven't been lowered on the fork tubes. The tops of the tubes should be approximately flush with the top brace.
Post by: RobP on December 09, 2020, 11:44:21 AM
Post by: Laitch on December 09, 2020, 11:57:26 AM
Where is the picture posted?Right here. I found it by going to Blue's Profile and looking through his previous posts. I've inserted it into the orginal post, too.
Post by: Blue85 on December 09, 2020, 12:40:43 PM
Post by: RobP on December 09, 2020, 02:00:51 PM
Post by: Blue85 on December 21, 2020, 05:39:56 PM
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Post by: K1300S on December 21, 2020, 06:40:10 PM
However, you will need to get used to a sport riding position which is different than the bikes you have been riding. I have a bunch of time riding K75S and k1100rs bikes with completely stock riding ergos (including bars in factory turned down configuration) and they are both all day comfortable. I am 6ft tall and in the over 60 age group.
Post by: Laitch on December 21, 2020, 06:52:24 PM
You should start looking for a different seat. The stock bench seat would work for you but many seem to indicate that they're too firm for all-day comfort. I have one that had custom padding replacing the stock padding; it's comfortable for me all day. What I like about this bench seat is that I can easily shift my weight over it to change up riding position. It works well two-up. Attached is a photo of a stock bench seat on Special Edition RS.
Post by: Past-my-Prime on December 21, 2020, 07:15:38 PM
Taller/fuller seat would improve it I think.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on December 21, 2020, 09:47:11 PM
Also, I have found that riding with the balls of my feet on the pegs rather than the instep helps keep the hips comfortable.
Core strength is a large part of being comfortable. The old time kidney belts also help a lot if you aren't really strong there. My riding pants have a section in the rear that helps support my back(which at 72 isn't all that great). You can also go to the drug store and get one of those back brace belts for heavy lifting. They also work pretty well to help with a weak back. Just cut the suspenders off, you don't really need them.
Post by: RobP on December 22, 2020, 10:11:10 AM
Post by: alabrew on December 22, 2020, 05:34:07 PM
In the picture in post #1, the handlebars appear rotated too far back.
In the pictures of you on the bike, the handlebars appear to be WAY too far forward.
The master should be level, like the RS Special.
Post by: Blue85 on December 22, 2020, 06:02:02 PM
Post by: K1300S on December 22, 2020, 08:33:36 PM
I'm confused as you said you adjusted the bars.
In the picture in post #1, the handlebars appear rotated too far back.
In the pictures of you on the bike, the handlebars appear to be WAY too far forward.
The master should be level, like the RS Special.
bars and "master (cyl)" are two different adjustments.
bars are the bars.
master is part of the brake lever. brake lever(and clutch) can, and should, be rotated independent of the bars..
Post by: Blue85 on December 23, 2020, 08:57:18 AM