Using the Gas Tank for support...

A general question concerning riding position for VFR owners please. If you look at any pic of a VFR...and many other sport bikes...the seat slants forward from back to front...the seat is a bit lower in front in other words. This is most pronounced when the bike is unloaded of course. Sit on the bike and the seat lowers as the suspension depresses and the seat becomes just a bit flatter to the ground but still with an angle falling toward the tank.
When you guys ride your VFR's...do you find yourself sliding into the tank? If so...is this what Honda had in mind by design and therefore is natural to use the front of the tank to hold yourself in position?
Thanks,
George

 

Think center of gravity, or maybe it is because i am old school but the VFR is more of an upright riding position and in the twisties, you would want the weight over the engine. Since this is near impossible in stearing the bike they tend to force the rider forward close to the tank. I have a 1000RR which you kind of push the butt back in the seat and the chest ends up right over the tank. I have tried doing this no the VFR but it (for me) does not work as well as sitting forward. but then again, it is just my riding style.

 

Here is a pic showing the ergos of a VFR. It shows the rider well away from the tank. Was just wondering, since the seat slopes forward if most of you guys end up staying off the tank or tend to slide forward. Sounds as though arms and legs keep the family jewels away from the tank.
Thanks Guys.
George

 

I usually grip the outside of the tank with my knees and that keeps me from sliding up. I would say that I ususally have a couple of inches between me and the back of the tank.

Action

 

This problem is nothing more than a Sargent seat away from fixing. It is definitely a more neutral seating angle. I never slide forward toward the tank, ever.

If anyone is interested, I still have my stock seat & can post a photo showing the difference.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

I agree. On my 04, I notice myself sliding up against the tank. I always try and make sure I give myself a couple inches of space, as to not damage the jewels. I use my legs against the tank to keep from sliding forward if need be. I do ride with with a passenger quite often, that doesn't seem to have any affect on my riding position.

 

KC...I am definitely interested in a visual comparison between the Sargent versus stock seat. I have changed a few motorcycle seat shapes for the reason you describe...neutralize my body center of gravity. For every bike there seems to be an optimal seat angle based upon foot peg and handlebar position. Sargent as well as many custom seat builders understand this subtle distinction and tweak the shape of the cushion...many times at a different angle then what they are given with the seat pan shape dictated by the bike geometry...by changing foam thickness in strategic areas.
I look forward to your pictures.
Thanks,
George

 

I'm out on a mission at the moment. As soon as I return, I'll post a photo or two comparing the seats.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Look forward to it KC.
Thanks,
George

 

Odd, with a Sargent on my '03, I always slide forward. I am about 6' tall.
I've also wondered what I need to do to keep the "guys" off the tank. I try to squeeze my knees, and that seems to help some.

 

Gripping the tank with your knees is standard practice, helps your balance instead of your legs waving around all over the place. I've noticed i slide into the tank on this bike as well, i have a tank pad in place to help protect the old crown jewels

 

Guys,
The thing I don't understand is...why would Honda have such a pronounced seat cushion angle falling forward? KC said this is somewhat addressed with the Sargent seat but Honda has been making this bike forever. There must be an ergonomic upside to having the seat slant down in front...perhaps keep the rider from falling back when riding hard into the wind? No question Honda builds that in deliberately and there must be a good reason but sounds as though many struggle with slipping forward on this bike as lauded as the ergos are. The following is a pic of a Triumph Thruxton which has almost rear controls on it and a low handlebar. The Ergos are close to the VFR if not even slightly more aggressive and yet...Triumph opts for almost a level seat which just makes good sense to me.
Yes...a sloped down seat does rotate the pelvis into a neutral position relative to the peg placement...but....it puts more pressure on the hands and promotes sliding into the tank. I don't see the upside.
George
P.S. Following is a pic comparison of late model Triumph Thruxton cafe bike (with Bonny bars and not clip ons) and '07 RWB VFR. BTW...anybody out there ridden on the post model year 2004 Thruxton that Triumph brought back pandering to nostalgic old guys like me who grew up riding Triumphs?

 

Sam...do you have a side angle view of your bike with the Sargent seat on it?
Thanks,
George

 

my guess based on the diagram posted would be hip possition. the diagram shows the rider(s) slightly forward and the hips seem to be in line with the shoulders keeping the back straight. just a guess anyway!

 

I think you nailed it David. Ergos is like in insoluble dynamic equilibrium problem in engineering...lol. All you can do is get close. :smile:
Thanks,
George

 

As promised, here are comparison photos of a Sargent World Sport & the stock block of concrete, I mean Honda seat. The first two pics are with the bike on both wheels & I am holding the bike up by the bars & my wife took the pics. Note the extreme difference in the seating angle between the stock & Sargent illustrated by the bubble level.

As I've made abundantly clear in my posts, the SWS is so much better than the stock seat, I simply don't know how anyone can ride on the stock pos. The two piece doesn't look as nice as a one piece but the extra underseat storage is very welcome. The 6th Gen SWS seats are one piece.













KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

My best (freind) riding buddy has one and I got to ride it a few times. he was riding on my 06 VFR. I had to stop quick- and did so. So fast that the thruxton's wheels were turning only 75% of the speed I was traveling over the pavement. I'm impressed with the brakes to say the least. As a stock Triumph I truly only like them after they have been modified in terms of performance and looks. The exhuast is super restrictive, and sounds like a parakeet farting. do some mods and you will be impressed...

 

You are the man KC. Thanks very much for putting the excellent picture comparison together. The angle difference is dramatic just as you say. No wonder everybody raves about the Sargent seat over and above aesthetics and higher quality foam. Quite a striking contrast on how the Sargent seat puts you more in the bike versus on with a level seating platform neutralizing the torso and pelvis.
Thanks again,
George

 

Completely agree about the Thruxton needing quite a bit of work to make it right. Even with a modified exhaust I don't think the Thrux holds a candle to the exhaust note of a VFR V4...nor of course does it have nearly the power even though displacing almost 900cc's.
Thanks for your comments,
George