ERGOS - Need help from a former V Strom Owner

[Borghi]

I am having one heck of a time tuning in my Super T so it is as comfortable as my DL1000 was. I am not comparing the performance of the two bikes, but my DL was so much more comfortable for me to ride long distances (150 - 200 miles). I had the Suzuki Gel seat and stock handlebars on the Strom. On the Super T, I have tried three different aftermarket handlebars, two different bar risers, high seat position, low seat position, gel pad on seat, Airhawk on seat and I cannot get rid of the pain in my upper back. I am 6' tall and weigh about 215. I could ride my V strom for hours with no pain, and no matter what I do on the Super T I cannot get rid of it. What do others think the main differences are in ergonomics between the two bikes? I wish I had my old bike so I could compare peg to seat distance. reach to handlebars, etc. I am still hoping that I can do something more with the Super T, but I already have 2000 miles of experiments and haven't found the solution yet... BTW, I still find the seat on the Super T very uncomfortable, and found the gel seat on the Vstrom to be much better.

 

[jajpko]

I am having one heck of a time tuning in my Super T so it is as comfortable as my DL1000 was. I am not comparing the performance of the two bikes, but my DL was so much more comfortable for me to ride long distances (150 - 200 miles). I had the Suzuki Gel seat and stock handlebars on the Strom. On the Super T, I have tried three different aftermarket handlebars, two different bar risers, high seat position, low seat position, gel pad on seat, Airhawk on seat and I cannot get rid of the pain in my upper back. I am 6' tall and weigh about 215. I could ride my V strom for hours with no pain, and no matter what I do on the Super T I cannot get rid of it. What do others think the main differences are in ergonomics between the two bikes? I wish I had my old bike so I could compare peg to seat distance. reach to handlebars, etc. I am still hoping that I can do something more with the Super T, but I already have 2000 miles of experiments and haven't found the solution yet... BTW, I still find the seat on the Super T very uncomfortable, and found the gel seat on the Vstrom to be much better.

I had a heck of a time setting the ergos up on my bike.. I came from a Wing and this bike was so different. I have them pretty good now, buy will still get some pain between my shoulder blades and neck. Not as bad as when new, and Tylenol will take care of it.
I think what is needed is bars with more pull back and height. At least for me.

What I ended up with was 2" Rox risers pulled back and the bars up. Also have a BMS seat that really helped in that department..

It seems like you have done a lot so far, and I hope you find the correct combination.. ::001::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Former Vee owner here. On that bike I had no bar risers and Pro Taper ATV Hi bars, and a Spencer long distance seat mod. It was very comfortable for 600+ mile days.

The S10 has stock handlebars, a Rox 1" up and back riser, and a Spencer long distance seat mod. It is very comfortable for 600+ mile days.

With this setup I find the S10 to be as comfortable as my Vee. I am also 6' and have a 31" inseam.

 

[Borghi]

One thing I haven't tried yet is the stock s10 bars with the rox 1 up and 1 back risers. I have these risers, so I'll try that combo next as I think the S10 stock bars have a considerable pullback, but they are also wider than the DL bars. I still can't figure out what is so different for me from an ergo standpoint between the s10 and my DL1000. When I bought the bike I carefully reviewed all dimensions and thought it was as close as I could get to the DL. I know I still need to do something more with the seat. I'd try the Spencer mod, but I don't want to be without my bike for a week or more right now!

 

[stevepsd]

Have you tried the seat bumper mod to get rid of the forward tilt of the seat? That fixed it for me.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Good point. I did forget to mention I am also running with the seat bumper mod.

Before I did the Spencer mod I was running with an Airhawk and seat bumper mod. That worked just fine, but I got tired of constantly having to inflate or deflate the airbag.

Handlebars are very tricky. I used a straight up 1" riser at first and ended up with carpel tunnel issues on my 4K mile ride to Nova Scotia. Got very annoying. Changed to the 1" up and back and everything was magically better. It's all very personal to your body.

 

[motocephalic]

Former dl 650 rider; To me you have 2 problems One is that your OEM seat will never be any good. Get something that makes sense. I got a Russell, as I do with all my bikes. They have it down to a science, and I would not own a bike without one now. I really don't care how it looks, it's the function that makes me smile. The other problem is your reach/ handlebar position. I wanted to add 2" riser by ROX, but it meant that I had to change all the lines as well. I refused to do that, so I tipped my bars upward a little and it worked. I mainly use my tenere for long rides street and dirt roads, and the bike is every bit as comfortable as the DL now, and it has all the extra's that I longed for.

 

[52edub]

I agree with the others on the stock S10 seat. It made my butt numb. I had a Corbin on my Vee and bought one for the S10. I am not using the seat adapter and put some bumpers on the frame where the front bumpers of the Corbin touched. It tilted the seat back and that problem was solved. However, I found I was stretching for the handlebars. I am now in the process of of adding 2" Rox Risers. I just got my extended brake and clutch lines from Jaxon and will install this week. Harbor Freight was running a special on set of metric flared nut wrenches for $10 bucks. Just playing with the setup seems a lot better and with the lines on will be able to get some distance riding in.

 

[Borghi]

How much are the extended brake and clutch lines running you? I agree that the Rox 2" risers rotated back sounds like it may reduce the reach (or forward lean) and help my old back out! On my Strom, it seemed like I was sitting bolt upright and on the Super T I am leaning forward more. When I let go with one hand on the bars and sit more upright on the S10, it definitely feels better. I still need to mount up the stock bars on the 1 up and 1 back Rox risers and see how that feels.

 

[HoebSTer]

I have been thinking of this thread some and during a trip once on this bike, I too noticed a bit of a tingle between the shoulder blades. My thinking lately is this: a loooooong time ago, when working out was a common occurance, we had some exercises to strengthen our backs. If we sit facing the lifting machine which has cables with our hand out in front, then pull the cable/handle towards us, this works the muscles between the shoulder blades. I also wonder if say placing a left or right knee on a bench with the corresponding hand too while bent over, then pulling upwards, as if we are pull starting a lawn-mower would exercise these muscles between the shoulders??? So, with these exercises in mind on how to flex and use these muscles, is sitting too close to this bike with arms bent, are we allowing these normally unused muscles to now take somewhat of a beating? Would sitting back further from the seat reduce this? I think my reach towards my old VSTrom was a bit further if i recall correctly.

I may be a little off on the above mentioned exercises, so if someone is a trainer and knows the details, please fill me in, and or correct me.

Jeff

 

[RED CAT]

Had the same problem on my GS1200 and 950 KTM Adv after putting 2 inch Rox Risers on. Went back to stock and the pain between my shoulder blades went away. ::001::

 

[tomatocity]

Had a 2006 DL1000. Came with aftermarket bars that were uncomfortable. I ended up with 1" up and 1" back and Gen 1 KLR handlebars. Stock seat. I got comfortable butt would never attempt 600 miles.

I am nowhere near being comfortable on this Super Tenere. 1" up and 1" back with stock bars: not comfortable. 1" up and 1" back and ProTaper Contour Raptor bars: not comfortable. I have tried these combinations in both the high and low seat positions. Have a BMS seat that is not working well and I will call Tuesday to setup a redo.

I am sure it will work. It took me a long time to get my Gen 1 KLR very comfortable.

 

[52edub]

Jaxon at Ride on ADV has the extended clutch and brake lines. http://www.rideonadv.com/

 

[greg the pole]

former v-strom 1000 owner. The dl had a corbin, 1" risers, comfy.
Tenere, stock seat in high position, stock bars with 1" riser, damn comfy.
im 5 foot 9, may get a sargent seat eventually, once they start spitting them out

 

[Mellow]

http://cycle-ergo.com/

You can see from the basic setup there's still a slight more lean on the S10 vs the DL1000.

Sometimes it only takes a small change to make all the difference in the world.

 

[fredz43]

Like Tomatocity, I am trying to get my S10 as comfortable as my 08 KLR was. I see in the comparison on that site, that I have 2 inches more forward lean on the S10 than I had on the KLR. I have the 1 inch risers that have helped some, but still not there.

 

[Mellow]

Yeah... when I put the seat in the high position, and the bars down a little, it seems to be the most comfortable for my arms/shoulders/center-upper back and even knees but not as much butt-wise... yeah I know 'eeeerrrrr' But-wise-errrrr'... LOL

When the seat is in the lower position it works better for my butt but not so much arms/shoulders.. I may try the 1" risers for the pull back...

 

[Buckeye71]

The bars are plenty high, the seat is plenty good. I guess everyone can't be happy with every bike. Has anyone actually tried, perish the terrible thought of actually "riding" instead of constantly flipping around modifying the crap out of the stock setup? I doubt. So you ride a Suzuki and the yamaha bars are possibly 1" wider and 1" lower. Now yes this would throw any rider into a tailspin as this is not 100% the same setup, not even close as that 1" cause horrible pain. I know that all too well as my last bike was a ZX10 Ninja and I leaned over perfect on it, now this bike I sit up. OUCH, so the handlebar lowering kit from Walmart meant for bicycles fixed it for me. The main pain comes from the seat though. The ZX10 was sloped like 30 degrees forward and the Tenere is nearly level. The "fix" is cut off the front bumpers of the seat, then glue the nubs to the rear. Now the seat is the perfect 30 degrees and all is perfect just like I'm used to. Get rid of the bike if it doesn't fit you. Adding crap ain't going to fix it.

Congrats on 219 useless posts Ron! :

 

[limey]

Congrats on 219 useless posts Ron! :

That's entertainment.

 

[Borghi]

Congrats on 219 useless posts Ron! :

No bike fits everyone from the factory. Why all the negativity about trying to find ways to adjust ergonomics to get a more comfortable ride? When you were a kid and rode a bicycle, you selected the correct frame size, adjusted the handlebars up or down, and adjusted the seat height to fit your body size. Maybe I'm making too much sense....