[cycledesign]

So, I'm used to standards and this gixxer 750 is my first sport bike and for some reason I think I just don't get how this riding position works. I've searched around the forums and google and haven't exactly found answers to my questions. So where should my weight mostly be? All on the arms/wrists? And, honestly I don't know, is the tank meant to be lied down upon? It seems a little much. Generally I feel like there's too much weight being pressed on my lower back, like I held a long, long pushup. After an hour of riding, I'm pretty darn sore. Or is that just normal? For the record, I'm about 5'10" Thanks for your help

 

[ebbs15]

So, I'm used to standards and this gixxer 750 is my first sport bike and for some reason I think I just don't get how this riding position works. I've searched around the forums and google and haven't exactly found answers to my questions. So where should my weight mostly be? All on the arms/wrists? And, honestly I don't know, is the tank meant to be lied down upon? It seems a little much. Generally I feel like there's too much weight being pressed on my lower back, like I held a long, long pushup. After an hour of riding, I'm pretty darn sore. Or is that just normal? For the record, I'm about 5'10" Thanks for your help

well I'm in no way an expert... (just bought my first bike a couple weeks ago) but you don't want all your weight on your wrists... as you said... it'll wear you out... but you don't want all your weight on your butt either or it'll go numb... basicly what your looking for is a good ballance... though some bikes are easier to achieve that ballance easier than others... hopefully some of the 750 pilots will chime in on they're body positioning...

you can look into handlebar risers to take some of the weight off your wrists...

as far as the tank being laid down upon... I'm not sure how big you are... but for me... 6'3" it's really hard for me to actually "lay" on the tank.. but if you got a tank bag... you could use that to lean on I guess... just don't go falling asleep!:lol: :yaewn:

 

[bumblebee]

your abs hold you up...your hands will go numb if you are leaning forward on the bars

 

[fastbaill2004]

your abs hold you up...your hands will go numb if you are leaning forward on the bars

:withstupi that is if you got abs!

 

[ebbs15]

:withstupi that is if you got abs!

well if you don't... I guess a gut will do the same... just lean it against the tank! :lol:

 

[Becca_007]

Riding position is one of the greatest advantages of Nakeds if you are talking distance of any kind. I sat on several Sportbikes and I just don't like the way they sit. If I could have a fleet of bikes at my disposal it would be fun for around town. Perhaps my height of 5'5" has a lot to do with it but riding position definitely played a role in my puchase.

 

[fastbaill2004]

well if you don't... I guess a gut will do the same... just lean it against the tank! :lol:

I suppose your right Ebbs..... And if your gut is big enough it will set you straight up. lol:dthumb:

 

[Monster231]

The Riding postition on sport bikes in general is not the most comfortable... sometimes its just plain awkward... but... when your out and really start to get comfortable on the bike, pin the throttle all the back and go through a few gears in full throttle, then you will understand why the rider position is set up the way it is.

 

[No Worries]

My clip-ons are on top of the triple clamp, so I was able to raise them 3/4 inch. I now sit more on my sitting bones, but it's not perfect. What's perfect is a set of honest-to-God handlebars. Spiegler makes a set of LSL adaptors and real handlebars http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/sbk.cfm.

Joe Minton, who used to write for Motorcyclist magazine in the 70's and 80's suggested that you take an old broomstick and cut two 8-inch sections. Sit on your bike and have someone hold it upright. Clutching a section of broomstick in each hand, close your eyes and put your hands where they feel comfortable. Open your eyes and see that the location is about 3 inches above your stock handlebars. The LSL handlebars will be near this location, will be wider for better handling, and will not droop down like the stock bars.

 

[Freak69]

Guess it depends on the speed you're doing.. And of course, different for every person. When below 120 kph, I tend to sit fairly far forward, pretty straight up, leaning slightly on the arms, and the wind force tends to keep a lot of the weight off. Going faster than that, shift bum further back, and lie my chest on, or hovering just above, the tank (windforce not comfy, and slows me down.) Then I tend to use my lower back muscles a bit more to keep me in position, with no weight on the arms. When the back gets tired then, sit up a bit more, and let the windforce take a bit of the strain off the back. Just take care not to go up too much to keep the neck muscles ok, trying to keep your head from flipping back in the wind :wink:

 

[Bandit 6S]

I just put lower bars on my Bandit. I haven't ridden with them much yet but the lower position really improved the "feel" of the front end. Corners seemed to just be easier. That said I have to think about position now and using my core muscles to keep the weight off the bars. I'm pretty certain this will become natural over time. I did notice once in the corners it was easier to keep the weight off the bars as I was constantly shifting weight and changing position. I would say let them go awhile and see if it grows on you. If not the look at raising the clipons or going to handlebars.

 

[Gas Man]

Ok..unlike many of those suggestions...

You need to keep your weight on your bum. Try to hold yourself up with your abs and keep that weight off your wrists, as Bee stated.

However, as they as stated. Sportbikes weren't designed for comfort, but for speed!

You can also try such things as the MotoLean. You can find them on Ebay as well. I had one on my 9R and liked alot.

 

[929_RUI]

if you take a track day lesson (we do penguin school out here) they will let you know.

first off. your grip on your handle bars should be very very light. essentially, yes. you support yourself with your abs. be conscious of your posture. you should keep your back arched and abs flexed. also use your legs to hold onto the tank.

theres a lot more muscle involved with sitting properly "in" a sportsbike than you would think. seriously tho, be real light on the bars. it takes a while to get used to this posture and you may have to start doing situps.

i know that myself, i've been going to the gym a lot this winter...just for my sportbike riding/stunting purposes. I can wait for spring. :yikes:

 

[cycledesign]

I appreciate all the advice, guys. I know it wasn't gonna be like riding a cruiser but I know now I was putting too much weight on my wrists. I've been meaning to work on my abs anyway, so here's my excuse to push myself, lol. Thanks all

 

[pickle.of.doom]

I don't know if its been mentioned, but you should be gripping your tank with your knees. Most of the weight is supported by your abs/lower back and your legs. You should find that with your feet on the pegs (your toes/balls of feet on the pegs) that your knees will lock right into the sides of the tank, and this area (foot to knee) is where a lot of the weight is carried and where a lot of your body stability on the bike comes from. Once you are in correct position you will find that very little weight is carried with your wrists or forearms.


Check out Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II or Nick Ienatsch's Sport Riding Techniques. Both books are must reads and have sections covering rider position.

 

[EA6BMECH]

cycledesign, you bought a bike that really isn't to me made for riding around and sport touring. It's for hot dogging and trackdays. I have an '05 636 with clip-ons, and I'm here to tell you, your 750 is a comfy mofo compaired to mine. I just ride mine as much as possible and get use to it. I can burn about 200 miles straight on mine short of getting gas with not too many complaints and I'm 6' 200 and 47. Does it bother my hand/wrists? sure does. I also have a ZRX1200. Big difference! I can also go a few hundred miles at a pop on my Ninja 250 also. You might try a set of Genmar(sp) risers that will raise the handle bars to a more comfy position. Other than that, start looking for another bike.

 

[Gas Man]

Good point! and :welcome: EA6.

I could ride my 9R all day pullin in a easy 300-400 miles of sometimes hard riding... you and your body get use to it!

 

[R1up0n1]

Good point! and :welcome: EA6.

I could ride my 9R all day pullin in a easy 300-400 miles of sometimes hard riding... you and your body get use to it!

:iagree: your body will get use to it after a while.

 

[bumblebee]

Riding position is one of the greatest advantages of Nakeds if you are talking distance of any kind. I sat on several Sportbikes and I just don't like the way they sit. If I could have a fleet of bikes at my disposal it would be fun for around town. Perhaps my height of 5'5" has a lot to do with it but riding position definitely played a role in my puchase.

HEY!! Becca!! :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:

Where ya been??? Don't stay away so long...

 

[929_RUI]

Check out Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II or Nick Ienatsch's Sport Riding Techniques. Both books are must reads and have sections covering rider position.

i actually have both of those books, and they are both very good. i got an autographed copy by Nick Ienatsch or Sport Riding Techniques. and keith code is a big time expert. check em out...

might want to skip some stuff depending on your skill level. some of it was stuff i knew and a little dry. but overall, very good.