Hi Everyone..
I just bought a 2007 S2R Black with 3200 Miles on it.. She's bone stock with not a single mod on it. I rode her back home and it was an hour drive on the highway.
Some impressions:
It was quite uncomfortable! My wrists hurt after 15 minutes.. I'm 5'10", and the handle bar position just didn't feel right. In addition to that the position was just a bit awkward. I started to wonder if I bought the wrong bike. I thought maybe risers would be helpful.. But could they really be that helpful? I don't know.
I was kind of disappointed, and although I'm not looking for a "cruiser" style, I was definitely not looking for a crotch rocket position either, and I was under the assumption that this was a bit different from the sport bike position. I don't know. I may just have to get used to it, but why would I get uncomfortable wrist feeling after 20 minutes.
Thanks so much,
Jeff
The bike does look amazing though. :)
firstly, make sure pinch the tank with your knees so as to put as little weight on your wrists as possible. this is important not only for your comfort but also heavily influences the handling of the bike.
second, there are dozens of different bars/clip ons you can look into to adjust the position to your liking. what about the bars was "not right"? height? angle? were the levers poorly positioned? could it be as simple as loosening the 4 bolts and rotating the bars higher/lower? are the bars stock?
ergonomics are one of the most important and personal aspects of a bike, you can literally spend 1,000$ finessing the various controls/positioning of your bike.
wrists shouldn't hurt after 15 mins... the wind should help take your body weight off of your wrists.
any chance its because you haven't ridden a bike in a while and need to get used to it again?
I had similar issues with mine when I bought it. I tried risers, but it turned out to be the angle of the sweep back that made them uncomfortable for me. A generous member of the forum gave me a Magura bar from an Aprilia and it did the trick. Slightly higher rise than the stock so I went back to the original risers. Havent had problems since...over a year now.
Is this your first bike?
make sure you arm and wrist are straight - not crimped. I too had the same problem and adjusted my positioning while riding and no more pain. I also got some slip-on throttle grips (foam kind that goes right over the stock) and this helped as well. Believe me when I tell you the Monster is MUCH more comfortable than you think, it will take a little patience to find your comfort but also try scooting towards the tank. Good luck and congrats.
an aftermarket seat and risers should help a lot. [thumbsup]
From one Geoff to another, get your self rizoma bars as they will make your riding position alot more comfortable as they lift up and bring the grips closer to you plus an after market seat from sargent should make it just right.. [thumbsup]
[coffee]
Build a time machine.
Go back in time and test ride, or at least sit on a Monster.
Problem solved! ;D
Sit up, support yourself with your legs and abs. There should be weight on your wrists only whilst braking.
Quote from: psycledelic on October 30, 2010, 06:20:20 AM
Is this your first bike?
The post reads that way doesn't it.
I remember similar problems when I first got my bike ... learning to relax my grip was all it took. Highway riding (where you often need to hold a consistent throttle) is probably the worst ... and a firm grip will have your wrists aching in a matter of minutes.
By all means try any of the above but just make sure you are giving yourself a chance and relax your shoulders, arms and grip.
being your height you should have an eaiser time than even someone shorter since you have long arms.
but yes its an aquired position, its not as bolt upright as a harley or cruiser and if you think its too agressive go sit on a r6 or r1 and you will see what a real sportbike is like, the monster is literally splitting the difference between the two.
it takes some time to get used to, i thought i didn't like it at first but now that i've been onit for a while its perfect.
Quote from: Betty on October 30, 2010, 11:07:33 AM
The post reads that way doesn't it.
I remember similar problems when I first got my bike ... learning to relax my grip was all it took. Highway riding (where you often need to hold a consistent throttle) is probably the worst ... and a firm grip will have your wrists aching in a matter of minutes.
By all means try any of the above but just make sure you are giving yourself a chance and relax your shoulders, arms and grip.
... Thats kinda what I got from it...
My Monster -S2R1k- is NOTHING like my SBK... so comparing the Monster position to a crotch rocket is way off.
Some peeps (IMO) assume a less than ideal riding position and end up with some form of discomfort .... thus changing parts to compensate for the issue...
Also you should not straighten/lock out your arms.... Your core and leg pressure on the tank are what you should work on.
Quote from: lawbreaker on October 30, 2010, 01:02:20 PM
... Thats kinda what I got from it...
My Monster -S2R1k- is NOTHING like my SBK... so comparing the Monster position to a crotch rocket is way off.
Some peeps (IMO) assume a less than ideal riding position and end up with some form of discomfort .... thus changing parts to compensate for the issue...
Also you should not straighten/lock out your arms.... Your core and leg pressure on the tank are what you should work on.
+1 [thumbsup]
I have an '06 S2R 800 (my 2nd bike...after a H-D Sportster) I am 5' 8" and could not be more comfy on my monster. I did try the risers, but felt it put my head right into the wind coming off of the bikini fairing. I got the Rizoma bars and there helped a ton. I do try to keep my arms "loose" and my back more straight. Grip with the knees and let the wind and your abs hold you up. I love my Monster!!!!!
word pudding seems to help:
suburban machinery bars
chicken wings and twinkies
core muscles
twist the throttle
cheesy grin
I got suburban machinery bars and I like them a lot more because of the angle.
Not a fan of the stock angle.
I have a factory seat as well and I can ride the bike 1.5 hrs straight with no problems [moto]
oh and i'm 5'11
Here's a pic of my bars
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/5127429885_d2d13a97a9_b.jpg)
Orenjimonster, could I get some side shots your bike and tank.
Thanks
Quote from: psycledelic on October 30, 2010, 06:20:20 AM
Is this your first bike?
Well, I was just being polite and asking.
Assuming it was your first bike, and your first ride was an hour on the highway, you might have just been tense / nervous. I would ride it in a more relaxed, comfortable environment a couple of times before dumping money into risers, bars, etc. Just my opinion.
I'd second the 'ride it for awhile' crowd.
I'm not always loving the sweep back of my stock Monster bars, and think a little
more sweep back would be perfect.
But having said that, I really don't have any comfort issues. Give it a few months.
Spend a whole day suffering on that thing, you'll bond, and be forever comfortable
Relaxing would help out a lot,maybe your crouching to far up front giving you pressure in the wrist.Like someones post earlier,try grabbing the tank with your knees and use your mid section :-)
Ok.. You guys have helped tremendously.. It definitely is feeling better now. :) The loosening of the grip was huge.. I was holding on for dear life. No this isn't my first bike, just my first non cruiser. So it's taking getting used to.
Quote from: jeffreyjames on October 31, 2010, 01:18:44 PM
Ok.. You guys have helped tremendously.. It definitely is feeling better now. :) The loosening of the grip was huge.. I was holding on for dear life. No this isn't my first bike, just my first non cruiser. So it's taking getting used to.
So, if you're thinking it's possible to get used to or even like - I hope it's not really for sale after all ??? [thumbsup]
Quote from: jeffreyjames on October 31, 2010, 01:18:44 PM
Ok.. You guys have helped tremendously.. It definitely is feeling better now. :) The loosening of the grip was huge.. I was holding on for dear life. No this isn't my first bike, just my first non cruiser. So it's taking getting used to.
2 books you
need to read;
total control and twist of the wrist II (the first is more for actual road racing)
total control will give you a more emotion driven guide to riding
twist will give you factual information on the phisics of riding
both will save your life and bring you to a new level of riding, as someone who isnt necessarily new to riding in general but may need some guidance to "sport" riding you seem to be the ideal candidate for these books. amazon always has used copies for under 20$.
not optional. read them!!!
Quote from: xcaptainxbloodx on October 31, 2010, 08:18:25 PM
2 books you need to read;
total control and twist of the wrist II (the first is more for actual road racing)
total control will give you a more emotion driven guide to riding
twist will give you factual information on the phisics of riding
both will save your life and bring you to a new level of riding, as someone who isnt necessarily new to riding in general but may need some guidance to "sport" riding you seem to be the ideal candidate for these books. amazon always has used copies for under 20$.
not optional. read them!!!
Thanks so much.. Will definitely order them!
You'll learn the whole "core" support thing in time. My S2R was my first bike ever, so I had the same sort of reaction when I first took it on longer rides. I did put risers on my stock bars, which helped, as well. Though, at my age, I REALLY want a second bike for those long slab runs, so my S2r can stay my commuter, and mountain runner.
Welcome to the S2R... the more miles you put on it, the more I think you'll like what it can do.
You will learn to like the attention it grabs too.
I had wrist pain when I rode my first Monster, after a year on a small cruiser. After acclimating to the new position the pain went away. Nothing to worry about. Like other people have posted, put less weight on your wrists and loosen your grip.
Quote from: muskrat on October 30, 2010, 06:37:15 AM
make sure you arm and wrist are straight - not crimped. I too had the same problem and adjusted my positioning while riding and no more pain. I also got some slip-on throttle grips (foam kind that goes right over the stock) and this helped as well. Believe me when I tell you the Monster is MUCH more comfortable than you think, it will take a little patience to find your comfort but also try scooting towards the tank. Good luck and congrats.
Where did you get your foam slip-on grips?
Quote from: rideserotta on November 02, 2010, 07:04:16 PM
Where did you get your foam slip-on grips?
cycle gear but just about every store with dirt bikes has them. a little dish washing liquid on the inside and slips right on (let it dry before you tear off on the street though ;D)
Thanks! I'll go get a set tomorrow.
Sorry I'm coimng late to this thread, a cheap solution is the Gen Mar risers, adds 2" to the bars, and there is enough slack in the wires, lines that you can do this mod in less than one beer. If you don't like it take them off and sell them. I have the risers on both my Monsters and I'm quite commfortable on multi-day trips, 5'9'' with 32" sleeve length. A sargent seat is a nice add as well. If that doesn't work try bars with more of a sweep back like the Brutale bars, number of ahem Mature Riders that I know have done this mod, that will require some expense with different clutch/brake lines. Just a thought - Gene