Hi all,

I'm a new (under 1000 miles ridden) 2004 gs500f rider. I've got two complaints with it, comfort-wise.

1. My throttle hand ends up numb from vibration. I've tried tightening the weight at the end of the handlebar as much as possible but it doesn't completely solve the problem. Any suggestions? (Keeping in mind I'm completely un-technical, un-mechanical. I fear even trying to oil the chain myself. I'm sure I'll break it somehow.)

2. My ass hurts! After more than about 90-120 minutes of riding, my rear gets really uncomfortable. I searched for posts about gel seats or whatever but didn't find much. Are there any solutions to this problem, or do I just need more padding below?

--matt

the answer to the first question is to relax you shouldn't be grabbing the bars that hard that your hand goes numb, a few thousand more miles and it will go away when you figure out the ballance point between control and grip requirements, in the mean time get some good leather gloves, that will help alot too.  to answer your other question, go ride a 89-00 and then Buddha Loves You about the new seat.  you kitty cat.

Hi MattM. I like your avatar, it's neat.

Your hands will get used to it. Right now you're breaking it in, so you'll be keeping below 5k RPMs; the vibrations (to me) are worse in that area, and get noticable again around 9k - 10k. But, mainly, it's just because you're green.

However, you do need a good pair of gloves. I suggest these: http://www.newenough.com/olympia_model_750_ventor_gloves_page.htm . I've worn these for 6,000 miles now and they're very comfortable. They're still in good shape, too. They're summer gloves I might add.

As far as your rear, there's no gel seats for the '04 to my knowledge. I regularly ride for hours with no problems. My longest ride so far is 300 miles with one stop for lunch and one for gas, and I was ready for another 300 when everyone else called it quits.

So the butt hurting is yet another symptop of being a newbie.

I hope this brings you some comfort

When I came back to bikes after a long lay off, I had problems with my clutch hand, muscles tendons etc in the palm of the hand. It was simply something I got used too.
If your bike is vibrating more than normal first check tyre preasure, 33 front 36 rear, it can make a heck of a difference. Also try to relax a bit more, do you find yourself gripping the throttle too tight? That is something that beginners can do. Same with the seat, try and shift around some, loosen up a bit, relax before laying out cash.

Quote2. My ass hurts! After more than about 90-120 minutes of riding, my rear gets really uncomfortable. I searched for posts about gel seats or whatever but didn't find much. Are there any solutions to this problem, or do I just need more padding below?

--matt

I think what davipu is tryingt to say is that the GS is no Goldwing and the seat is pretty basic. Corbin makes a seat for the older body style but I don't know about the F.

Try shifting slightly on the seat every 20 minutes or so, that can help prevent the numbness. I would not spend any money until you train your behind for a few thousand miles.

Gotcha, thanks all. I have what I can only assume are a nice pair of gloves (Shoeller 'Racer Airforce' gloves...http://www.frontiersmc.co.uk/acatalog/race_road_gloves.html). Perhaps I'm just gripping too tightly. I'll check the air pressure too. Any recommended...um...air pressure...measurer...thingies? I know the pen-style ones you pick up at gas stations are not particularly accurate.

--matt

Welcome!

Quote from: davipufigure out the ballance point between control and grip requirements.

Pinch the tank with your knees, hunch your back and flex your back muscles to hold your weight off of your arms and hands.

Gets tiring after a while, huh? Now you know why this is a sport. It's physically demanding.

Quote from: daviputo answer your other question, go ride a 89-00 and then Buddha Loves You about the new seat.  you kitty cat.

:lol: sorry, I just think this is funny. But, really, another reason to learn to ride a dirtbike, to get your weight off the saddle (in the bumpy stuff) and get on the balls of your feet on your footpegs. And, remember to weight the outside peg when going around turns in the rain or the dry.

Quote from: davipugo ride a 89-00 and then Buddha Loves You about the new seat.  you kitty cat.

:lol:  :lol:  :lol: that's true....01+ has a wider seat and has some texture so you don't slide around as much.

but like everyone has said, relax your hands and arms...and change your angle.position once in a while. eventually you'll figure out how to be comfortable.

Quote from: daviputhe answer to the first question is to relax you shouldn't be grabbing the bars that hard that your hand goes numb, a few thousand more miles and it will go away when you figure out the ballance point between control and grip requirements, in the mean time get some good leather gloves, that will help alot too.  to answer your other question, go ride a 89-00 and then Buddha Loves You about the new seat.  you kitty cat.

Amen to that.  Davipu gets his wisdom from touring at least 5000 miles all at once, and I learned the same thing from my shorter tour : Good motorcycle gloves will do the gripping for you, and you haven't felt true pain til you've gone over 500 miles in one day on the 89-00 seat.

Yeah, I ride my GS like it's a dirt bike, basically because it feels like one, at least comparted to any other "sport" bike.  

The hands will go numb while you're "white knuckling it" in heavy freeway traffic, crazy merge lanes, riding beside 18 wheelers on mountain passes when the wind whips up through a canyon and makes the bike fly all ovger the place...gotta remember to tell yourself to loosen up on the grip a bit...and breath...that's what I do.

so all in all, quit being a kitty cat, and enjoy the freedom and enjoyment that motorcycling brings,     you kitty cat.

Quote from: davipuso all in all, quit being a kitty cat, and enjoy the freedom and enjoyment that motorcycling brings,     you kitty cat.

I can see you're a true wordsmith. Well done. Your witty and incisively brilliant degradations have cut me to the core. I am wounded, sir. Wounded.

--matt