Riding position?

[luke2]

Hi everyone,
I am looking at buying a buell xb12s. I started riding cruisers and have for about 10 years until this past September when I bought a kawasaki 636. I really like the 636 but the riding position, all leaned over, does not agree with much.
How does the riding position of the lightening compare to that of a sportbike with clipons? I really like the Firebolt and figure I could put a front fairing on the lightening.
Thanks,
Luke

 

[yellowcarbon]

The riding position on the Lightning is neutral (not too far forward or back) and very comfortable. You can add clip-ons if you want it more aggressive or add taller bars if you want way relaxed. A taller saddle (like a Corbin) and lower pegs (some come with the lower pegs already on it) really add to your leg room. I have the stock saddle/pegs and am comfortable at 6'3".

You can add a taller fly screen or even a complete fairing. Several people have added the Bolt fairing to the Lightning. I have even seen GSXR fairings added. You can also add an Laminar Lip to the existing fly screen for additional protection.

 

[Radioactive]

While it doesn't give you the real seat experience, this website will give you an idea of leg and body position.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[shaunbush84]

Radioactive that's a neat website[up]

 

[Shawns]

[up]

 

[HDGarage]

[up] super neat site radioactive! I like the comfort of my super TT to the OP. Its easy on my 55 year old back.

 

[Radioactive]

I have used that site a lot when looking at different bikes... you can get the angles from your current bike and see how they would compare to something different. Or, put Shaq on a Blast.

 

[HMTRAN]

Wow, definitely a cool site. [up]

 

[captain chaos]

The riding position on a Lightning is very much like the Japanese standards of the 80's= pretty neutral and generally comfortable for anyone.
I will say though, most people who complain about the riding position of a supersport, ESPECIALLY if the come from a cruiser background, are simply 'doing it wrong'. Sportbikes require you to lock your knees in and support yourself with your core. Just plopping on the seat (like you would on a cruiser) and supporting youself with your arms/upper body is a recipe for sore wrists/back/upper body. I have a feeling that a large number of people that complain about it being 'uncomfrtable' would find sportbikes are pretty reasonable if done right. Me personally, I very much prefer the riding position of a Firebolt over a Lightning, which is similar to a ZX/CBR/GSXR, though slightly more 'relaxed'.


And yes, cycle-ergo.com is an AWESOME site. [up]

 

[ccdirtrider05]

awesome site... sent this to our safety dept cause they are all about ergo junk.. they loved it

 

[Enemy Zero]

I rode a 2005 636 for a few years until it got stolen [mad]

loved the bike and the power/look but after getting my insurance money and starting to shop around, I found I wasn't enjoying the crouched sportbike feel anymore so I bought a more upright bike (Kawasaki Versys) and I really liked it. After a while on that, I found I liked the upright sitting position and the leverage feel on the bars a lot but my legs were too upright for my liking on long stretches. Traded the Versys for the Lightning I have now and love the feel. Its the perfect in the middle stance of the two and I feel like I could ride it all day sometimes.

 

[luke2]

That link was awesome. I actually just sold the 636 tonight and will be looking for a lightening. I just never liked the being so leaned over the whole time. Plus I really like the unqiue look of a buell.

I'm 5'9 and 130lbs (small i know). Should I be looking for the scg model or just the s model? Ive been looking on craigslist and seems like they arent the easiest to find, found a few but overpriced.

 

[go cytocis]

I will say though, most people who complain about the riding position of a supersport, ESPECIALLY if the come from a cruiser background, are simply 'doing it wrong'. Sportbikes require you to lock your knees in and support yourself with your core.

[up]

Absolutely correct. I also have a ZX6r out in the garage and it's definitely much less forgiving of lazy technique than an XB. They're called "sportbikes" for a reason, and as you suggest, it's not uncommon to come back from a ride feeling like you got an ab & thigh workout. Having said that, there is no level of fitness that is going to make that fucking seat comfortable!

 

[Alien]

Here's what a 20 foot tall alien would look like riding the best buell model ever made:

 

[Enemy Zero]

I'm 5'9 and 130lbs (small i know). Should I be looking for the scg model or just the s model?

I'm 5'7" with around a 28" inseam and I seem to fit fine on my 9SX. The scg does feel nice with my short legs but I haven't had any issues with the stock S height. I'm not one of those people that obsess about being able to flat foot with both feet at a light since I've only found a handful I can do that with anyways. I've got the one leg technique down pretty good in my 20 years on bikes. If you can fit on a 636 and stand comfortably, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't fit a stock height S model.

on a side note, that 20 foot rider thing is pretty funny. I didn't realize you could input sizes like that on that site.

 

[luke2]

The 636 was lowered front and back alot. not sure if i could stand comfortably on a stock height one.

 

[captain chaos]

Absolutely correct. I also have a ZX6r out in the garage and it's definitely much less forgiving of lazy technique than an XB. They're called "sportbikes" for a reason, and as you suggest, it's not uncommon to come back from a ride feeling like you got an ab & thigh workout. Having said that, there is no level of fitness that is going to make that fucking seat comfortable!

I've done 1500-2000mi trips on sportbikes and never had ab or thigh pain (and I am FAR cry from being "Mr Six-pack ). However, a bad seat is a bad seat; that's for sure! I guess the solution would be a fit core and some well-padded ummmm 'seat muscles'.

Still, everyone is comfortable on different bikes I guess. I can spend days on a sportbike but a few hours on a cruiser has my butt and lower back crying "uncle!".

 

[go cytocis]

I've done 1500-2000mi trips on sportbikes and never had ab or thigh pain

The key is to ride fast enough that the wind supports your upper-body.

Seriously though, it's usually the shorter mountain twisty blasts or track days that make me feel like I got worked over the most On longer road trips however, you're right, the seat is almost always the most painful part of any bike!

 

[Enemy Zero]

The 636 was lowered front and back alot. not sure if i could stand comfortably on a stock height one.

I'd say if you would feel more comfortable like that, You should probably look for an SCG.

 

[MrFantastic22]

Awesome.....