My Bike v2

[objectuser]

I ride quite a bit, I think. During prime riding season, we do at least one long ride a week, often more. The rest of the time, I look for excuses to get on the bike. I think I ride a lot, but never enough. But I no longer commute on the bike since I don't really commute any more.

But again, I think I have certain physical limitations, like a gluteus minimus.

[mogu83]

I had to look again at the original post to see what the subject was. I guess it started about objectusers like for his bike and then changed into should you just ride it stock or turn it into something it wasn't when it left the factory.

I come down firmly in the modify it group. I'm not talking about superfluous farkles but modifications that make the machine more comfortable or safer. I understand that a person that only keeps a bike a year or so might not want to go thru the expense or effort to custom fit the bike to his/her particular needs. Not so long ago a rider had to modify the bike to suit his needs because all that were available were standards. Now many riders just buy whatever the 'company' deems is a tourer/sportbike/off road bike or whatever and learns to live with it. When they need a battery/tire/shock or even a taillight bulb they go to the dealer and pay top dollar when with with a little time and effort they could find a superior replacement part at a lower price. I'm not knocking people like that, but I think that if they took a little time and effort fine tuning their bike they would enjoy the ride more.

As far as physical condition that will only get you so far. Seems like most of the guys on here are in the gray (or rapidly disappearing) hair group and usually by that time have developed a condition or have misused their body to the point where some parts don't work right anymore. Some guys resort to over the counter pain relievers to extend their riding time and some modify the bike to suit their needs. Forty years ago a brief foray in dirt track racing left me with a left knee that doesn't work just right. Out of control I slid into the outside wall and used my left leg to cushion the impact when the bike hit the armco, not an easy thing to do on an oval track with four left hand turns. On the R1200R I found that a seat that moved my butt back about 1.5 inches made the angle of my knee to the pegs perfect - but now I couldn't comfortably reach the bars so bar backs moved the bars up 3/4 inch and back 3/4 inch. A windshield to keep me out of the wind on those cold rainy rides because I get cold a lot faster now then I was twenty. A few lights to help my aging eyes on those long dark country roads and suspension that keeps the wheels on the ground no matter what and I have a bike that fits me to the T. Light enough to ride around town but 1,000 mile days, riding sun rise to sun set or 250 miles (one tank) between stops is no problem (if I keep the coffee intake down), with a bike that fits perfectly.

[mogu83]

Objectuser - Did you ever consider something like a Day Long saddle.



The support that it gives to the outside of your thigh might help, there are also kits to move the footpegs lower that could put your leg in a more comfortable position.

[objectuser]

Objectuser - Did you ever consider something like a Day Long saddle.

Check the first post. That's what I have. It's awesome. Awesome, I say!! It totally transformed my Versys, so I had no hesitation in getting one for the R1200R.

[mogu83]

oops, I didn't go back to page one. But I did pick the seat that would work for you

First Day of winter. I'm also waiting for an early Spring. I'm retired and have come to really dislike (hate is a harsh word) January and February. I might have to add March because I don't plan to make Daytona this year.

[Ric]

.......But again, I think I have certain physical limitations, like a gluteus minimus.

Ha ! Well....we all have a gluteus minimus muscle along with the other two muscles that make up the buttocks: the gluteus maximus muscle and gluteus medius muscle.

You know guys....all you near or beyond my age (58), doing exercises for these butt muscles really makes a difference. Often times folks with lower back pain can get great results from working out these three butt muscles. You can do a search for exercises that target the glutes.

Sorry guys ...I'm sure you know this stuff; I'm just a real believer in weight trainning, eating large amounts of protein, and cardio. But, I've done it all my life. I'm 58 but feel 30. I just hate seeing my old buddies being unable to do what they use to do and, only because they won't dedicate an hour in the gym three times a week.

And this thread takes yet another twist.....butt-talk......