Greetings from deep in the mountains of British Columbia

Hello,

Not new to Hondas (have '79 CBX and '97 ST100) but new to sixth generation (2006) VFR. It's my son's, but he is "expecting" and for the next few seasons (at least) it will be mine to ride. ...sucks to be him eh.

Have been looking at both risers and lower(ed) seats. I am going to need both - and the more rise the better. Opinions seem to vary rather widely. Thinking Helibars? and something like this UK site for a seat http://www.motorbike-seats.co.uk/HORNET & CBF & VFR.htm

But before I make a mistake I thought I'd poll the experts for best bet/buy (Have Corbins on CBX and ST - former with a nose job but have had frustrating dealings with the folks at Corbin - although I like their seats.

Suggetions? Must avoids?

Very much appreciate any help.

 

Post up pix my fellow BC'er.

I have a Sargent seat on mine. Personally I did not fell a whole of of difference between that and the OEM but there was a bit. I have been on some very long rides so should have given the ass a good testing for sure. I also have just over 160,000 km on my 06 which I have put on since August 06. All that riding was done with the OEM handlebars. But I do have helirisers sitting on my bench for install soon as I get some enthusiasm going here. But to be perfectly honest with you, I was fairly comfortable with the OEM even though I have chronic lower back issues which have dogged me since 1978. Then again, I may be surprised once I do the install. Got a good price on these privately. They are still in bubble wrap with instructions for $100.00.

Where abouts are you that you say you are deep in the mountains. Hope!?

 

Thanks, Randy, that is encouraging. I have had minimal saddle time on son's VFR and after 5-9 hour rides (as most of the rides around here are) my son has sometimes complained of sore wrists. He being taller than I, 'assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that me and my old back were bound to suffer without higher bars and a lower seat.

Perhaps not. Should probably do the 6 hour Monashee Pass loop and see how it feels. My stock bars/Corbin seat ST1100 is so perfectly comfortable it's hard to imagine a slightly more forward leaning one being as good. But then the VFR is nominally an "ST" so...

Stock seat puts me slightly on my toes so that is something I will probably address

Alas have no pictures of the VFR (yet) only of the CBX and ST. Posting them on a VFR site would be blasphemous. Very much looking forward to next season on his VFR. He only has 12,000 km.'s on it.

And I am "beyond Hope" - well beyond, and much deeper in the mountains. Although the climate - Interior Rainforest - is much like Hope's. In a valley where a glacier hanging from a peak 9000 feet above the City is the view from the kitchen window - Revelstoke.

Thanks again for the response, very much appreciated.

 

I've heard others complain of sore wrists so I dunno. I have never noticed that myself and don't know why. Even some very experienced riders here have mentioned that as well. Maybe I have done something in the past that made it so my wrists don't get sore, Who knows? It might be something that you may just build up tolerance for if you ride enough. I certainly did that when I first got the bike in 06.

Revelestoke! Beautiful country for sure. I will be out that way this summer. Have a wedding and reception in Banff and Lake Louise in June. Then the CEO an I will be camping for a month or so around there then likely up in to the northern interior. Wished I could take my bike with me but I don't think the frame on the fifth wheel is heavy enough to support a bike rack for something as heavy as the VFR.

Myslef and a few others tend to go for a 3 or 4 day ride about. Maybe I can convince them to do so up your way next summer and you can join in.

 

Hey CBXSS

Welcome from yet another BC'er. This one from the Okanagan Valley. Though I have a 5 gen and not a sixth gen, I too thought about getting helibars to help with the wrist fatigue, I have discovered that once I am up to highway speeds the pressure on my wrists is greatly diminished and does not bother me all that much. The one purchase I would definitely like to make is a Seargent seat. Having ridden a friends gen 5 bike with a Sergent seat, it was far more comfortable for the long haul. I suffered two compressed lumbar fractures about ten years ago and suffer from chronic lower back pain, but I find riding the bike for extended periods is actually more comfortable than driving the car. May be a combination of the wind lift on my upper torso combined with the slightly forward inclination from the riding position, but the longer rides don't seem to bother me as much as the shorter ones. When riding in town my wrists do bother me a bit more because of the stop and go nature of the traffic. After driving out to my wife's parents place on Vancouver Island I find myself quite stiff and sore after the drive (about 500 km's - 4 hour drive to Vancouver, two hour ferry ride - one more hour driving), whereas I have ridden out to Calgary on the bike, non-stop for the most part (650 km's) and felt very little discomfort.

If a more comfortable and lower seat height is in order you might try finding a place that can custom fit a seat for you. If you found someone on the net with a stock seat for the bike, you could have one fitted to you and keep the one on the bike unchanged for when, and if, you decide to give the bike back. LOL. I have seen a number of posts on this forum about a place in Washington that does custom seat mods. Maybe check out the website and see if it is worth getting the seat done that way. Would likely cost more than a Sergent or a Corbin but the results might be worth the extra cost in terms of comfort. Here is a link to the site.

Rich's Custom Seats

Keep her shiny side up and don't forget to post up the pics of the new ride.