uncomfortable after about 45mins riding. .

So i recently got myself a vfr800fiw. The bikes lovely and i had my first real ride today on it, ive ridden loads of shorter trips (under 30miles), and found the bike comfy but suddenly after about 45mins riding im in severe discomfort. My wrists are always achey anyway on this bike, and i got upper back/neck pain today quite bad.
im 6ft 4 and weight about 13stone, not in bad health, but not an athlete.

I had a naked sv650 and then a 2008 hornet before this, and bought this instead for a 100mile round trip motorway (say highway) commute, but the hornet was a MUCH more comfortable bike. The neck ache is like wind blast, but dont know whether its just cause im holding up my head in the sporty position im not used too?

Any advice appreciated, on the verge of selling the bike. I could never tour on it, yet read of people doing 100s of miles in a day. HOW?!

Im in pain after a 200 mile round trip today on the bike. . .

 

I'm not sure what the problem could be... I had a string of weekends where I would ride a minimum of 500 miles in a day... and I did an Iron Butt ride recently, which was 1020 miles in 18.5 hours and experienced no neck or back pain... only a bit of wrist pain in the last hour or so. It could have something to do with your seating position. Many riders keep their arms straight, elbows locked so just about all of their weight is on their hands. Ideally you want to have bent elbows... a 90 degree angle. That will make you lean over more yes, but will also cause you to distribute your weight more evenly. Your weight should be supported by your butt, legs and slightly by your arms... arms should be in a position to where you are sort of pushing forward more than down if that makes sense. Anyway, that's the type of position I find most comfortable and most conducive to riding efficiently. I'm sure you will get lots of opinions on riding positions, as well as things to do to the bike... but this is my two cents to start ya off with. Good luck!! BTW, I'm only 5'6, 125lbs.... if that makes any diff....

 

Funny I had a SV650S in '03 before trading to a VFR due to right wrist and neck pain on any ride longer than 260kms, with the VFR800 have done many long day rides of up 1360kms without pain.

Re wrists have you set the clutch and brake leavers to a angle suitable for your heights natural wrist and finger position ? doing so will help comfort and control. Compared to the upright riding position of the naked SV650 the VFR is slightly lean forward so you may need to retrain your muscles slightly or be over tensing them, try using core muscles and thighs rather than resting your whole weight on the hands, as you are tall maybe a taller person here can add more suggestions.

 

I'm guessing that you're fighting the bike, go back to the basics. Keep your arms bent and a light grip on the bars. Your weight should be split between your legs and torso and if you're not used to riding this way, you may need to spend some time strengthening those areas.

 

Something that will get the VFR's riding position closer to the Hornet's is a set of HeliBars (or other 'taller' bars). Many of these products can be installed without changing wires or cables, and can bring the bars up and back 2-3". Do a search here and you'll find lots of info.

As has been mentioned, the VFR gets unanimously high marks for long range comfort. I certainly give it that and more. Adjust those levers, relax, and look into some higher bars before you make any decisions.

 

1. You're helmet is old and heavy. 2. You're in worse shape than you thought.

 

Pussy!....................

 

Hey Jake , get the HeliBars bars (which I did the first week of ownership) and start doing some freekin sit ups . Core strengthen that gut and less pressure on the wrist . Thats what I started doing after being out of the bike loop for 11 years . Also make your arm straight and gab your fingers and hold back and stretch for five minutes before heading out . All this is what I do so TRUST ME. But then again I'm now 55 and still in good shape fer and old fart .Just my two cents Bro

 

HeliBars and a Sargent seat, they make a world of difference!!

 

I'm with these guys here. I have a similar bike and I am similar in stature. I bought the bike with a sergeant seat on it (which is amazing) and adjustable levers. Being 6'4" as well, I thought I might be too big for this bike, but when I dialed in the right settings on the levers to my body position, I forgot all about spending $300 on helibars (even though I do still want them for LONG trips, say upwards of 400 miles in a day). I am heavier than you but when a friend of mine told me way back to grip with my legs more, it instantly relaxed my arms and I never forgot that. That's what I found anyways. Work out the legs and your core, get a better seat and adjust your levers. The bike will go from slightly uncomfortable to better than your lazy boy...

 

Been riding a fair bit the last few days.
Took on board some advice;
Shoulders slumped and back arched over so I have more of a bend on my elbows. 90 degree bend is just not do able though, thats just throwing all my weight onto my chest muscles, and throws all my weight forward.
Then when braking I try to grip with my knees rather than pile onto my wrists.
I feel I need to strengthen up and build these un used muscles.
Il report back and see if there's any improvement, lower back is hurting today from gripping tank with legs and holding off wrists but Hoping will improve as muscles develop.
I fine it impossible to not have any weight only wrists, thinking this is due to my height.
Don't want to buy anything yet, but will bare product advise in mind.
I could still not ride as many miles on this bike as any other I've ridden, probably due to the position I'm not used to. I'm genuinely more comfortable on my crf supermoto, which is strange but true.

Has anyone that bought a seat noticed that it improved there back pain? Or just 'bum comfort'?
Giving the bike a chance but still considering selling cause it's not pleasurable to ride when it puts me in pain every night.

 

Glad to see you're at least trying. Sometimes the VFR isn't for everyone. I'm about 6' 2" and weigh a bit more than you at 235. I found that during the first several months I was uncomfortable, and my wrists would be killing me in as little as 15 or 20 minutes of riding.

I did work on my positioning on the bike, and things are definitely better. I have a chronic bad bad that sometimes prevents me from even walking, but I can usually pull off about 250 to 300 miles without too much of an issue. Tylenol or Motrin are taken before I start on a ride. Once I get up to about 350 miles or so, then I start to feel it. But considering the shape I'm in, I think its a fair trade off.

I don't have the helibars, but I do have a Corbin saddle. Not sure if that make any difference in the way I feel; just commenting.

I also have one of those $20 throttle locks so I can flip that on every now and then and just move around some in the saddle to keep things loose.

Hope you work it out.

 

I might think about the HeliBars in your situation. I have also seen that people like the Spiegler handlebars (actual bars with risers). They will straighten you up for sure. I happen to like being able to tuck way in on the stock bars so I haven't gone up to the helibars (yet) but they are on my list. There are also some adjustable bars out there (not so sure of the safety on them) that you can pretty much tailor your bars to your most comfortable riding position.

In terms of comfort, though, I think the VFR is WAAAYYYY up there for the sport/tourers. I think you get a lot more sport out of some of the others (triumph sprint, etc) and not as much of the tourer (ST1100). You might also think about peg lowerers. Being 6'4" myself, I have thought about it, but then I know what you sacrifice when you lower the pegs: corner clearance...

My bike came with a twist throttle lock, but my other bikes (I have an old Goldwing with apehangers) I pretty much HAD to get a throttle lock of some sort. Sometimes you just gotta move your fingers around a bit and your hands loosen right up.

I would keep trying it out and think about some of the cheaper options before you go getting rid of it. I was super worried getting mine that it was going to be too small for me and it felt like it for the first couple of weeks, but there was one day when the bike and I really clicked and it has been smooth sailing ever since. Good luck, man!

 

Also, about the seat. I have both and tried both (even though my bike came with the Sergeant seat on it). You can definitely tell the difference in your butt AND legs. Seems like the stock seat wants to let your legs have more play up and down where there is more support under them with the sergeant seat. I think this keeps you from (as silly as it sounds) having to "hold your legs up" all day. With the sergeant seat, even if I am not gripping with my legs, the bottom of my legs lay on the seat and it isn't too much effort to keep them there. It's kind of a pricey upgrade to find out if you like it, but it is definitely worth it if you keep the bike...

 

Yep, what they said - Helibars, lowering pegs, Corbin\Sargent seat all will improve the comfort level immensly. I'm 6' 1" and didn't have near the problem you did but much more than 3 - 4 hours would get uncomfortable. Did the above changes ad can now do two up rides of 8+ hours with no problem. Ohh a decent windscreen helps a bunch too for neck strain if you are fighting the wind. I used the MRA Varience and am moderately pleased with it.

 

I've got the same problems, not so much wrist for me, but neck and shoulder.

I attribute that to my modular flip up helmet being so damn heavy though (Almost 4lbs) and buffeting only makes things worse. My head is right near the wind turbulence that hits me just below my chin right at shoulder/chest height.

I am 6'2" 220lbs, 36" inseam.

Have Knight's aluminum lowering pegs. Lowers the foot pegs 1".
You have to adjust the brake pedal and shift lever. Also have to watch the corners, its pretty easy to drag the pegs because of the drop. This helps with my knees immensely for comfort.

Sgt Seat (godsend to my backside). Stock seat was KILLER after 1 hour in the saddle. I have another problem with 1.5hrs to work each way and in summer weather, sweating starts to make things pretty uncomfortable. It's like being on a bicycle and sweating up a storm and things start to pull and chafe. Not pleasant... A good pair of bicycle shorts (that wick sweat away) help immensely.

I have Heli-Bars at their highest setting (right to the little spring things at the top of the forks). They helped some, but I found after a while that I would get wrist pain and forearm strain (stop and go traffic is a bitch when clutching).

I have to try the lever angle adjustment and playing with the angle of the bars as well.

Glad I found this thread as I thought I was one of the silent few who just grimaced through the pain for the few moments of fun in the corners.

 

Biggest advice I can give after going thru a ton of bikes over the years is just ride it far and break yourself in decently before spending your cash changing things. A couple hrs at a time will never do it. Don't change a thing until you actually ride it a couple of long day trips. I used to waste my cash changing everything until I actually started going far on my bikes. After a couple of long 1000mile + days 5 years ago I never ever have a problem any more and find dead stock by far the best setup for my long trips. I do however never ride in town as it sucks with no lift going that slow. Not a in town cruiser for me. Long distance? you bet..I spend most of my hours laying on the tank,(with a foam cushion under my jacket) That is the cure for me!! No sore ass as its in the air, No sore wrists as no weight on them, great protection, no extra $ blown and I am always ready for that hairpin. I'm 57 and I still do 800 mile days and nothing ever hurts. Took me too many years to figure it out! I found the higher bars just put more weight on my rear and then I became like the cruiser guys... ass burning and whining about the seat. The higher shield took away the lift I needed to take the weight off my arms. Always a tradeoff. If indeed you are just going to do the short rides, then I think these sport bikes all suck! Good luck whatever you do.