This is NOT a touring bike!!

[racepro716]

I love my 08 Firebolt but...Oh my god...I spent about 2 hours going, and another 2 coming home on the weekend. My first longish trip. This thing is really hard on my ass,arms,legs...jeeze just about everything. Anyone know where to get handlebar risers for less than a mortgage payment? Are the Lightning pegs that much better? Zero Gravity? I did 2200 km in 72 hrs last year including sleep time and such on my 750 GPz, no prob. Would love to do the same on my new baby. Any help? Thanks, Wayne

 

[dave_xb12r]

I do 3 hour rides, non stop all the time. The trick is to use your abdominal muscles and bend your elbows! You'll get use to it!

 

[loser54023]

the thicker seat helps some

 

[horseplay]

Ive done 500 miles on my TL1000R in a day and its a much more extreme seating position. Granted I was hurting a bit at the end of the day. I recommend a gel seat and spend some time getting used to the seating position. Not sure about the Firebolt but I could use the tank on the TL to take a lot of the weight off...
One more thing...Im guessing your NOT a new rider judging by your username BUT being nervous/tense while riding anything can have a LOT to do with wearing out fast. If your new ...learn to relax...while staying alert...thats better than any risers or gel seat.

 

[racepro716]

Hey horse, some might consider me a new rider, only starting my 26th year, 25 without a street crash (knock on wood) lol, of course the track crashes do not count I thought of taking my trusty old sheepskin but thought it was only a couple hours each way, no biggie, ok, I was wrong. Also found the gauntlets on my gloves were to tight, leading to arm pump, if ya know what I mean. My brother and I are planning on doing the Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1000 this year. Circle Lake Huron in 24 hours, looking for some hints on this ride on this bike, Thanks, Wayne

 

[horseplay]

oh..ok.. So youve just been riding a couple years then
I couldnt really give any suggestions then...I have a 12S so Im not real familiar with the bolt. The TL I had was really really comfortable on long rides. Part of the reason I think was the wonderful Suzuki seat. It was more comfortable than the M109R cruiser I had on long trips (1 up anyway).
That Iron Butt thing sounds fun...if I was near the lake Id be all over it

 

[keisersozae]

i dont get sore till the road straightens out. seems like i could ride the twisties all day long but the ride home always sucks!!

 

[LeFox]

who told you it was [confused]

 

[kajer]

I agree with dave_xb12r on the abdomen muscles. You can ride pretty far when your not resting your weight on your arms. I need to get my muscle back after my accident, because 30 minute rides are hard now...

 

[racepro716]

Lol LeFox, I never thought it would be a GoldWing but was hoping it would be a bit better than this. Oh well. I still love it. On this abdominal muscle thing...I have never heard of it,any help would be cool. Thanks, Wayne

 

[kajer]

when you ride, dont rest any weight on your handle bars, i'm not saying let go, but try to pull on the throttle with your fingers without a tight grip.

Try that for starters, also, it helps to sit upright when you can, I have long arms, so I can almost sit up while holding enough force on my throttle to keep an even speed.

or, if you dont want to try that while riding just yet, when your on the stand, get in your normal riding position, and then move your hands off your bars, but keep your body in the same position, the work your way up to controlling your bike without using your weight through your arms...

hope this helps??

 

[Crash_Burn05]

i like to rotate between holding myself up with my legs on the tank and abdomen muscles just to avoid doing the same thing for to long at a strench. horseplay is right not having a death grip goes along way as well.

 

[twisted]

Question how often do you ride? every day, weekend, rain, or shine. i ride every day rain or shine on a 12r. i've done six hours no problem. ive been on others bikes the only thing i can say is you have to get adjusted to a different riding position. most came off crotch rockets to streetfighters and the seat angle of your back higher. your back has to get use to it.

 

[bitter rod]

I bought the buell custom seat from buellparts.net and it helped a lot. Not only does my ass feel better, but that extra inch or so changed my arm angle just enough. I wish I would have gotten this seat the day I got the bike. For $150 it is well worth it.

 

[racepro716]

Sorry for the late reply, I ride everyday, rain or shine from mid april till the ice comes in mid Dec. Since I posted this I've lowered the pegs and have just sorta gotten used to the bike, Thanks a ton for everyone's idea's. Oh ya, BuellXB doesn't ship to Canada yet, so the nice seat is out for a bit. Wayne