Some concerns/questions before buying

[darlingbastard]

Hey all.

I've been lurking for a while now and have one question before I make a final decision of my new bike. The hugely positive long term reception on this forum was one of the major factors for considering the bike and I hope some of you can help me out.

*** Legroom/Knees

I'm tall(ish). Around 6'2" with a 34" inseam. When I sat on it I found my knees went past the front fairing, preventing me from hugging the tank with my thighs. With knee-pads on and my legs hugging the tank I was forced at least four inches back in the seat. If I sat back far enough for my knees to not be pressing into the plastic I would slide back into it as soon as I decelerated or went down a hill. The seat itself seemed to always move me forward till my knees hit.

I've seen many many posts from a good number of 6'5" or taller members who love the bike. They have much longer legs and I've never heard this as an issue. Is this bike ridden without hugging the tank with your legs? I'm used to moving in to the tank when riding and hanging on with my thighs and can't figure out how this would work on the S10. Obviously the riding style is a bit different. I've even considered that perhaps this arrangement is an advantage when encountering violent deceleration as the forces get absorbed by your knees rather than your arms and groin. Rather then trying to speculate I thought I would ask the forum how they deal with this issue or how one is supposed to ride the bike. I have never, in 25 years of riding, been on a bike where my knees hit anything and really want to get an idea how this effects the ride.

Thanks

 

[stevepsd]

Was the seat in the LOW position perhaps?

My brother-in-law who is 6'6" and a 36"+ inseam did not have any issues with my ST. He commented on how roomy it felt.

 

[jajpko]

Sliding forward on the seat can be fixed with the seat mod and a computer flash. Also a new seat helps some.

 

[creggur]

I'm 6' with a 32" inseam. But I suspect the seat flattening mod (about $6.00 in parts and five minutes of your time) would resolve the issues you're concerned about.

 

[darlingbastard]

Hmmm, I missed the seat flattening mod in my reading. That would probably help till I built a new seat. It seems encouraging that no-one really seems to have a problem with this. I'm guessing I'd get used to it pretty quick. Thanks for the replies.

 

[creggur]

Hmmm, I missed the seat flattening mod in my reading. That would probably help till I built a new seat. It seems encouraging that no-one really seems to have a problem with this. I'm guessing I'd get used to it pretty quick. Thanks for the replies.

It's not called the 'seat flattening mod' and I forget what it's actually called on the forum, but...you simply replace the some of the existing seat buffers with buffers from a different Yamaha model that will essentially put the seat in a more flat position that doesn't tilt you toward the tank. First mod I performed on my Tenere and it is absolute tits for comfort with the stock seat. I was considering replacing the seat with an aftermarket offering, but this mod has solved my issues. Multiple 500+ mile days have proven it effective...

Here's the linky: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=2306.0

 

[coastie]

The seat mod should fix you right up. Add some Rox risers for added comfort if you find yourself hunched over.

 

[mbabc]

6' 4" and 34" inseam here. When I first got my S10 my knees hit the black side covers. The seat mod greatly improved that. Since I've added 2" risers, extended brake/clutch lines and most recently a Mayers seat.

It's like butter now.

 

[darlingbastard]

@mbabc: That is exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks a ton.

 

[RidingUpandDown]

... and for that 'seat mod' you can just cut the back two soft rubber bumpers under the seat in half(lowers/flattens the back of the seat). I simply did w/ a razor blade. And you could replace them w/ full size OEM If you ever wanted to in the future.


I also find that whenever my knees hit the the back of the side covers it's an indication of where I am and I unconsciously use it to adjust my thigh grip for turns etc. Those light plastic covers are very flexible and they don't bother me but are more of a landmark I've come to use for positioning. iykwim ymmv

Enjoy your ride.

d ::001::

::021::

 

[Rasher]

I'm 6'1" with a 34" Inside leg and don't have a problem, but am right up to the covers in my normal riding position.

I have the seat in the high position for max legroom and never have even tried it in the lower position, thinking of getting some more foam in the seat as well which may raise me another 1/2 inch or so.

 

[snakebitten]

Why would you "quit riding" before you would raise your handle bars?

I wouldn't consider the desire to adjust ergonomics on a motorcycle as a flaw in the bikes design. If that were true, there wouldn't be a need for the common adjustments that modern cars\trucks have for the drivers seat, steering wheel, and nowadays even the pedals. 1 size fits all? Seems unlikely.

Also, since I am 6'1" with a 34" inseam and I greatly benefitted from the 2"x2" Roxy Risers, I suspect this fella might find the OEM bars needing an adjustment as well.

Or I guess he could just decide on another bike?

 

[caveman]

I am 6"7 and have had my s10 for 2 years and a couple days. The high seat,bars in the standard position work fine for me if this is any help. I hug the bike with my legs in the tight stuff and love the ergonomics. I have owned and put big miles on a gs, a strom and a Ktm and this is the best yet for long days in the saddle. I have tried risers but went back to standard as it was more comfortable. If anything I found risers cut down reach, not give you more room

 

[Rasher]

I just always thought risers were so stupid. I know everyone loves them as they are needed on every bike. Ha, I do not think! ..... So that my friend is why I quit riding before the addition of the wonderful chinese junk or more commonly referred to "risers"

I see some of your logic and I thinks ome blokes chuck risers on everything by default for no reason other than they think it is the done thing.

I put some on my ZZR1400 as it was supposedly a sports-tourer but as with every Japenese sports-tourer it was really a sportsbike, they either are overweight, older models re-designated as they can no longer cut it on the track, or hyper-fast sportsbike with engines too big for racing classs (like the ZZR) I did not want a heavy tourer so the ZZR was my starting point for my own Sports-Tourer, cue re-modelled seat and 1" bar risers - suddenly I could go twice as far in one go and still have feeling in my legs / wrist / bum, handling was not affected.

I would never consider them for the Tenere as if anything I would like a shade more forward cant, but if it makes the bike more comfy for others then great, I also assume higher bars work better when stood up for most people so for those who spend a lot of time off-road probably make sense.

I also want to move the pillion pegs down (no idea why they are so high as there is nothing to stop them being lower) add some foam to the seat and modify the top box mount so we are not crushed up together - all little things that either the deigner got a little wrong / implies we are not the average shape / or more likely is to do with the bike being designed by short Japs who really do not understand what owners do in most classes of motorcycling, they make many assumptions about how we ride and what we want from a bike.

 

[darlingbastard]

Thanks all for the advice. Picked up a black s10 yesterday. Amazingly the knee issue turns out to be really helpful taking pressure off of my wrists and groin on San Francisco hills. Love it.