Quote from: madjak30 on November 24, 2010, 08:05:07 PM
I was looking at the 919, but the riding position is too much like the GS...too tight...I fit, but if I am going to upgrade I want more power and leg room...fuel injection is a plus, but not manditory...

The reason for no Triumph, BMW, Aprillia, etc...the closest dealers are 150kms away...I have Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Victory and Harley Davidson within 30kms...that's why I have only been looking at those brands.

The bikes I actually like is quite long...

Kawasaki Z1000
             ZR7S
             Versys
             Vulcan 900 Custom

Suzuki    V-Strom DL650
            V-Strom DL1000
            Bandit 1250S
            Boulevard M90
            Boulevard M50
            GSX650F
            Gladius
            SV650
            Katana 750
            DRZ400SM

Honda    VTX1300C
            VT1300C Sabre
            CBF1000
            919

Yamaha  MT-01
            FZ8
            Fazer 8
            FZ-1

Vicotry   Vegas 8-Ball

Harley Davidson V-Rod

Buell      XB9S
            XB12S

The downfall is that I only have $8000 to spend on a bike (depending on what my bonus is...)...so used is the word of the day...remember...Canadian market, not the States...prices are higher.

That is how the list got narrowed down to a few bikes...most of them price eliminated, others it was the riding position or vibration of the bike...

Later.

Quote from: madjak30 on November 24, 2010, 08:05:07 PM
I was looking at the 919, but the riding position is too much like the GS...too tight...I fit, but if I am going to upgrade I want more power and leg room...fuel injection is a plus, but not manditory...

The reason for no Triumph, BMW, Aprillia, etc...the closest dealers are 150kms away...I have Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Victory and Harley Davidson within 30kms...that's why I have only been looking at those brands.

The bikes I actually like is quite long...

Kawasaki Z1000
             ZR7S
             Versys
             Vulcan 900 Custom

Suzuki    V-Strom DL650
            V-Strom DL1000
            Bandit 1250S
            Boulevard M90
            Boulevard M50
            GSX650F
            Gladius
            SV650
            Katana 750
            DRZ400SM

Honda    VTX1300C
            VT1300C Sabre
            CBF1000
            919

Yamaha  MT-01
            FZ8
            Fazer 8
            FZ-1

Vicotry   Vegas 8-Ball

Harley Davidson V-Rod

Buell      XB9S
            XB12S

The downfall is that I only have $8000 to spend on a bike (depending on what my bonus is...)...so used is the word of the day...remember...Canadian market, not the States...prices are higher.

That is how the list got narrowed down to a few bikes...most of them price eliminated, others it was the riding position or vibration of the bike...

Later.

Ok i think i can understand what you need... I'd say you must avoid all street bikes...they are all, less or more tight--like gs. Zr7--i've ridden it, more leg room and upright, bandits almost like gs, cbf1000 is more to vstroms...

and maybe just test yourself to a different style

how about the kawa versys? the new one is awesome--i haven't ridden it but i believe is marvelous... and has some differences..new footpeg position--more relaxing driving--less vibrations--a little larger tank--many parts(genuine and aftermarket...side cases etc), you can put a lower seat. better rear suspension for riders back. Maybe you can find in this bike the ergonomics you are looking for. And from tests,everyone says for very very hight mpg... no, i don't work for kawa believe me. I like that bike--maybe my next one if i was to buy a new one...

I think vstrom is a better cruiser and better protection too. It is heavier or it seems to be, especially in traffic. Kawa is easier  in traffic and maybe funniest to ride...

http://newproductlaunch.kawasaki.com/Products/Overview.aspx?productid=433&featured

I'd say, buy what you feel more comfortable on...

I agree, comfort is the main goal...the Versys got taken off the list due to vibrations...I haven't tested the bike myself, but read lots of reviews...

The V-Strom is still on the list, it is probably the most comfortable bike...not sure if a 650cc is enough for what I want (probably is), and the 1000cc has some fuelling glitch between 2500-3500rpm...??

The ZR7S was on the list for a long time...but I would prefer the fuel injection.

The Bandit has about an extra 1.5" of leg room, and makes a big difference for riding comfort.

The MT-01 has the same or slightly more than the Bandit.

And the cruisers have your feet out front, so the bend of the knee isn't an issue.  I don't want to have to change bikes again after a year, so I am being more cautious this time...hence the problem making up my mind...

Later.

Hmm, what i've heard about the vstrom 1000 is that it needs much more fuel from 650--the 650 is economy. But it's a bigger engine and torque of course---maybe you will need it on road with passenger and baggages and 100-120mph...depends on needs...

And ok with cruisers like vulcan, the bent of knees isn't a problem, but are you going to be ok after one hour of riding? your back may have issues...i don't know. It seems to be a comfortable riding position in shop but through time, things may change and you get tired... but it's personal of course. For me, the best riding position is when my back is a little bit ''foreword'', with a little support of legs. I mean something like this, but with handlebars 1-2 inches higher...:




i used this source:
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/138-streetfighter/100041-streetfighter-riding-position-comparison.html

You can find in there some others pics too.

Street rode for me seems to have very sophisticated ergonomics... and vstrom is comfy too on long rides--maybe, if you get tired from the upright position, you could lean a little bit forward...

If a friend of yours can give you his cruiser or other bike for 2-3 hours you could figure out what suits you, in case you have some questions .

You buy me one of those and I'll be sure to ride it  ...I think I'll stick to my few choices...that gives me enough trouble choosing...

Later.

So, Madjak, is the issue with the GS's ergonomics more a Leg thing than back angle thing?

I sometimes ride with a guy on a C50, he had back issues so bought the over-priced backrest for the rider so he had something to lean back on. Another guy on a Yammy cruiser rides with a back-brace wrapped around him - I've ridden a few Yammy cruisers and my back kills after like 10 minutes.

One of the things with buying a bike for the riding you do, is that the riding you do Will change over time. Having said that, though, most bikes can be used for whatever style of riding you do within their respective limits. And bike ergonomics can be changed - pegs lowered/raised, bars raised/widened/forward/back.

IF you will be having the wife on board on some rides - not just a maybe, but for real - then She needs to hop on the bikes with you. So you know She has enough room behind you and won't be interfering with your riding comfort and has enough comfort herself and won't be a fidget-ass.

Michael

Just missed a '98 VFR800 in Calgary for $2500. Had 50,000 km on it but for an engine design that Honda originally tested for 450,000 km back in 1982 in it's 1st generation, this is nothing.

I don't even think you could replace your current GS500 for $2500 

Quote from: mister on November 25, 2010, 07:36:45 PM
So, Madjak, is the issue with the GS's ergonomics more a Leg thing than back angle thing?

IF you will be having the wife on board on some rides - not just a maybe, but for real - then She needs to hop on the bikes with you. So you know She has enough room behind you and won't be interfering with your riding comfort and has enough comfort herself and won't be a fidget-ass.

Michael

It's a leg thing...knees to be exact...I am getting used to the position, but if I am upgrading, I will be getting something with more leg room.  I like the postion of the GS, I would just like to have more leg room...as for the wife riding...no chance, she has no interest in the bike at all...

Quote from: SAFE-T on November 25, 2010, 08:43:49 PM
Just missed a '98 VFR800 in Calgary for $2500. Had 50,000 km on it but for an engine design that Honda originally tested for 450,000 km back in 1982 in it's 1st generation, this is nothing.

I don't even think you could replace your current GS500 for $2500 

Nope, I will be putting the GS on Kijiji in the spring for $3000...we'll see what offers I get...unless, of course, I can't decide what bike to get...or the company doesn't make their budget projections for the year and the bonus structure is canned...   Then I will be keeping the GS...

Later.

Ok here is what i did to the bike for more leg room.



It's a modified footpeg lowering kit from gsr as to fit to gs. But you can find for gs too(is the same as the passenger's of vstrom 650). three parts-- adapter--extension bracket--peg. You can buy a rubber touring peg, for more comfort. google mfw or gsg. It's german stuff. BUT stock pegs are the most comfortable thing-rubber kills vibrations. Through time i had vibrations and change them...didn't want to spare more money for touring pegs...i wasn't sure for the result.
You can use rear footpegs and mount them with some spacers and bolts etc under the front footpeg bracket--that's what i have now on bike--they work fine-no vibrations. No pics for now but you can't stand on them with all your weight.... . and when i'll have time , i'll fix them better, more stable-electrolysis etc.
But safety is top issue--there are people and shops that do these kind of mods
As mentioned, you can do many things with bike ergos...

Quote from: sotomoto on November 26, 2010, 03:18:04 AM

Soto: What's the little bag thing above the heel plate?

Michael

Oh. it's the case of the disc brake lock...it is always there, mounted on the frame...but it doesn't worth... --Almost nobody wants to steal the bike...one of the reasons i love it...

I like it...now, I just need to loose about 50lbs...anybody want them...

I am still going to upgrade if I can afford it, but if I can't this will make the ride way more comfortable.

Thanks sotomoto...very good suggestions...

Later.

I don't have any good pictures loaded online, but I just did that swap with the cheap gsxr pegs on ebay. $15 and 5 minutes of grinding and I got an extra inch of leg room. I didn't so it for the leg room, but these pegs are so much thinner than stock that it just happened. You could try that if you didn't want to spend real money on lowered pegs.

I guess they are lower because of the lack of rubber?  Or are they mounted lower some how? (can't see it though...)

Naah...effit...get new bike...

Later.

same position, just lower because they're so much skinnier, not to mention they give you a little more ground clearance probably. Either way some cheat $15 ebay pegs isn't going to fix your desire to get a new bike.

Buy em all Madjak. One for every day of the week.

Quote from: Twisted on November 28, 2010, 01:37:59 AM
Buy em all Madjak. One for every day of the week.

Now that is a suggestion...don't think it would get past the "Boss", but I like it...she can just keep her SUV in the driveway next to my truck so that I can have my toys...yeah, I don't think that one would even get completely out of my mouth before she started laughing at it...

But I do like how you think...

Not quite so sure about the upgrade this year...the company hasn't done that well financially this year, so the bonus may not happen  (I was hoping for enough to pay most of the difference between what I should get for my GS to what my "new to me" bike was going to cost...)  I may still get one, but it will take a little sweet talking of the "boss" to allocate the funds...

I still enjoy my GS, so it's not the end of the world...just a bit of a bummer...we'll see...

Later.

I need a job with bonuses. I'm tired of paying fun stuff with the normal money I earned.... haha

Just be careful what you ask for...I am elegible for bonus if the company meets it's goals financially, but I don't get paid for overtime...so my roadtrip weeks where I work/drive for 60-70hrs I get no extra, and may not get a bonus  ...the nice thing is you get it all at once if you do get it...instead of a some extra on each paycheck...

I'd make more money if I was overtime elegible...   so don't be too gealous of guys with a bonus...it's not that great...it was also part of the choice to stay home and have family time, instead of working out of town...if I was working a big project, I would be making double what I am now...so that may happen in the next few years when the kids are all teens and money is king...right now I think daddy time is better...

Later.