Hello, I am a new member and have a question regarding riding position. I just purchased a 2004 gs500f and like it so far, except for the riding position.  I bought it simply to save on gas.  I also have a 95 Suzukin Intruder 1400 which I love, but it does not get 60mpg like the gs500.  After spending a bit of time riding this bike, I am convinced that most people who ride this style of bike are actually uncomfortable after a short time of riding.  My wrists begin aching and I can never seem to find a comfortable position.  I am considering a major modification to the rear end, as I believe this problem is caused due to the position of the seat.  The seat slants upward, so I think that if I can get it lowered or at least level, things should improve.

Does anyone agree with me?  Has anyone done a mod like this?  I do like the performance of the bike a lot.

Thanks in advance.....Bill

You should not be placing weight on your wrists. You should be holding yourself up by griping the tank with your knees, and using your abs and back and legs to support your weight. You should only be putting light light pressure on the bars.

I am very comfortable on the GS. I've gone 550+ miles in one day with sportier handlebars on it.

Welcome to the board and congrats on the GS.  They are very fun bikes and the gas milage is insane...

Give it time, I've riden my '04 GS for about a year now and it's really comfortable at this point.  Try to get your weight off your wrists and onto your waist.  Hold yourself upright with your back.  It's also pretty comfy to lean all the way over and rest your elbows on your legs...I only do this on the highway at high speeds though...

Another thing is to make sure your gloves aren't too tight, any wrist pain I get nowadays is from my gloves cutting off circulation.

I ride 60 miles one way to work everyday, it takes about 1:15 in traffic and I haven't felt uncomfortable in a long time...

I'm also a fairly large individual, 5' 10", 225#'s...

Welcome!! 

When I first started riding the Baby G, I tended to put too much weight on my wrists, too. When I learned to use my abs, thigh muscles, etc, as recommended by Alpha and flyingbeagle, my ride became much more comfortable.

Sorry I can't help you with the mod; I find the riding position on the GS comfortable (and opted to get an even sportier position with my SVS), but I hope someone else can help you if lightening up on your wrists doesn't help! 

Just to add my further two cents...


Its almost always about riding position.  I have an 06, and when I first started out on it, my hands were numb and sore for an hour or so after a ride from putting too much weight on your wrists.....  Then I realized that you have a multitude of seating positions available to you.


If you scoot all the way forward, you can sit nearly upright, with most of the weight on your backside...

if you scoot back, you'll need to support yourself with your back, thighs, and abs.


anywhere in the middle is a combination of the two.   I did a 13 hour ride about a month ago, and nothing was sore when I made it back home.... It was a good day.

if u get tired just sit on tha tank like me//u can sit straight up like that just dont try it after u have armor alled your tank 

Quote from: will123 on August 08, 2006, 04:28:08 PM
if u get tired just sit on tha tank like me//u can sit straight up like that just dont try it after u have armor alled your tank 

Please tell me you're joking about this.

Quote from: will123 on August 08, 2006, 04:28:08 PM
if u get tired just sit on tha tank like me//u can sit straight up like that just dont try it after u have armor alled your tank 

I don't know ANYONE that armor all's their tank... but I know people that will use a nice high quality wax... as suggested in the Suzuki owner's manual.

Haha not only does he sit on his freakin gas tank, folks, but he Armor-All's his paint.

That...that is why I keep coming back here.

-Turd.

Seriously...I'm still laughing/dying inside.

-Turd.

Quote from: Bill_46 on August 08, 2006, 12:41:10 PM
Hello, I am a new member and have a question regarding riding position. I just purchased a 2004 gs500f and like it so far, except for the riding position.  I bought it simply to save on gas.  I also have a 95 Suzukin Intruder 1400 which I love, but it does not get 60mpg like the gs500.  After spending a bit of time riding this bike, I am convinced that most people who ride this style of bike are actually uncomfortable after a short time of riding.  My wrists begin aching and I can never seem to find a comfortable position.  I am considering a major modification to the rear end, as I believe this problem is caused due to the position of the seat.  The seat slants upward, so I think that if I can get it lowered or at least level, things should improve.

Does anyone agree with me?  Has anyone done a mod like this?  I do like the performance of the bike a lot.

Thanks in advance.....Bill

When I got my first GS500E I had the same problem, not so much with the wrists but more so with the numbing of the hands due to my weight leaning on them.  The GenMar risers to raise the bars up and back a bit made a world of difference for me.  These kids can hold themselves up with their bellies, thighs, etc  but I'm more comfortable in a more upright position.

http://www.zianet.com/GenMar/

There's some other risers that have come out since the GenMars that you might like.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2016/101/

I've put over 115k miles on a couple GS's now and all of them with the GenMar Risers except for the first summer, I wouldn't be without them.  I'm still riding 12-14k miles a year on a GS500, have done 400-500 mile days on GS's and just turned 74 today.  I may have to get one of those cruisers when I hit 80 though.   

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
I'm still riding 12-14k miles a year on a GS500, have done 400-500 mile days on GS's and just turned 74 today.  I may have to get one of those cruisers when I hit 80 though.   

No way!! You're gonna be young forever, and you're gonna be still riding around on your third or fourth GS while the rest of us are using walkers! 

Happy birthday there mister Runsilent!

-Turd.

I got SM1 bars and I feel more comfortable with them than the stock bars. Even though they are a lot lower, I feel a lot better for some weird reason.  http://www.suburban-machinery.com/GS500F.htm

+1 on the Gen-mars.
Another thing you can do is to turn the top cap of the Gen-mars up side down as a spacer and use the original top cap, it will gain another 1/2 inch or so of height. You will have to buy longer bolts, around fifty cents at a specialty fastener shop. Looks kinda funky but very comfortable.
Also I ordered a set of slip on foam grips that go over the originals. They were around  $7.00
Hope this helps.
Be safe.

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
These kids can hold themselves up with their bellies, thighs, etc  but I'm more comfortable in a more upright position.

Hey wait a minute, I'm not a kid!!!   

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
I've put over 115k miles on a couple GS's now and all of them with the GenMar Risers except for the first summer, I wouldn't be without them.  I'm still riding 12-14k miles a year on a GS500, have done 400-500 mile days on GS's and just turned 74 today.  I may have to get one of those cruisers when I hit 80 though.   

Oh, yeah, I guess I am a kid after all.  Sorry...   I only hope I'm still riding at 74!!!   

Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday! 

Quote from: pandy on August 08, 2006, 06:37:54 PM

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
I'm still riding 12-14k miles a year on a GS500, have done 400-500 mile days on GS's and just turned 74 today.  I may have to get one of those cruisers when I hit 80 though.   

No way!! You're gonna be young forever, and you're gonna be still riding around on your third or fourth GS while the rest of us are using walkers! 

Thanks Pandy, but I was kinda expecting a purple birthday cake from ya.   

Quote from: Turd Ferguson on August 08, 2006, 06:43:37 PM
Happy birthday there mister Runsilent!

-Turd.

Thanks Turd.

Quote from: runsilent on August 09, 2006, 02:41:08 PM
Thanks Pandy, but I was kinda expecting a purple birthday cake from ya.   

Just for you.... 

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=29238.new#new

Quote from: flyingbeagle71 on August 09, 2006, 12:24:35 PM

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
These kids can hold themselves up with their bellies, thighs, etc  but I'm more comfortable in a more upright position.

Hey wait a minute, I'm not a kid!!!   

Quote from: runsilent on August 08, 2006, 06:34:26 PM
I've put over 115k miles on a couple GS's now and all of them with the GenMar Risers except for the first summer, I wouldn't be without them.  I'm still riding 12-14k miles a year on a GS500, have done 400-500 mile days on GS's and just turned 74 today.  I may have to get one of those cruisers when I hit 80 though.   

Oh, yeah, I guess I am a kid after all.  Sorry...   I only hope I'm still riding at 74!!!   

Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday! 

Thanks flyingbeagle, you know at any biker event I go to or at any biker hangout I frequent, I look about and can call anyone I see kid.  

Your profile says you are 34, the same age as my oldest grandson, father of my two oldest great grandchildren.   I mention this only so I can sneak a picture out of my wallet and show it.