Bent over or straight up sports? [Archive]

KiwiNinja

20th May 2010, 19:32

Mental Trousers

20th May 2010, 19:38

bogan

20th May 2010, 19:39

sounds like you need a honda bros! fucking good to commute and pretty effortless on open road, one for sale on here for 2,900 I think, or if your wallet is a bit bigger I hear good things about the speed triples!

firefighter

20th May 2010, 19:40

If your really into sports bikes, a sit up bike wo'nt quite cut it. Been there done that. However, they can do everything well, so you will be far from left behind.

From a practical sense, a sit-up bike is obviously better for your needs, but, who the fuck wants practical?!

If you really do prefer sports bikes, get one, if you like the look of sit up bikes just as much, well then the sit-up bike.

Obviously, yeh you need to ride them to see what you will and wo'nt like.

Gremlin

20th May 2010, 19:53

Had a zx10r and a hornet 900 at the same time... ended up liking the hornet more because it was comfortable and almost went as quick around some corners.

Absolutely prefer naked upright bikes now, even a sports tourer like a blackbird now feels like a head down arse up bike to me.

Others prefer sportsbikes... see which you prefer.

PirateJafa

20th May 2010, 21:56

Thani-B

20th May 2010, 22:06

I find the ZX6R more comfortable for long distances than the boss' ER6n.

The riding position on most modern large sportsbikes is far less "ruthless" than the girl guides on their SVhornetZxjwhatever bikes bleat on about. The fairings on the larger sprotsbieks also do a pretty good of keeping you out of the wind, which makes a surprising difference as the hours go by.

And I prefer the ER6n, but mainly because I haven't tried a sportsbike over a longer period of time. He's right though, we do get hit with a fair amount of wind.

Winston001

20th May 2010, 22:11

I loved my Ducati which was a sports tourer and didn't have a hard-core position. Nevertheless I couldn't ride it slowly because the riding position only became comfortable at @ 130 -140K. Other sport bike owners have confided the same problem.

There is no doubt that an upright position gives you an greater sense of speed - but at lower speeds. So in that sense upright bikes are safer and less likely to get you into licence losing territory.

CookMySock

20th May 2010, 22:17

Has anyone gone from a sports 600-750 (i.e. bent over) to a more up right 750-1000 like the Z1000? How does it compare?I've got both the Hyosung GT650R and the GT650 Comet (upright). They are supposedly the identical frame, swingarm, forks, etc, but they are chalk and cheese to ride.

Really you will have to spend some time on both and see why. For myself, I find the low handlebars to have a much more serious "get the fuck out of the way" feel to ride, and the upright bike is much more friendly/amusing/fun/comical to be on.

Steve

crystalball

20th May 2010, 22:26

after a few first long rides on my vtr my right wrist and arm was numb (r.s.i from a past job filliting fish. also plate in wrist from bike accident) but now i sit as close to the petrol tank as possiable to alow more fredom and less weight on my wrist i also put 3d-gell grips on and they help better and got some better gloves with good air ventalation. now my r.s.i hardly bothers me. and in near future will get stompgrips for tank for my knees. =] so im enjoying the low ride.

breakaway

21st May 2010, 08:20

There is such a thing as a comfortable sport bike. You just have to try a few and see what suits. And when I say 'try' I don't mean 5 minute test rides, I mean actually own one for a few months and do long trips on it. I've been through 9 bikes in the past 2 years, and now I've found one I want to keep.

Maha

21st May 2010, 08:38

Grumpy

21st May 2010, 08:48

If you sleep with your hand on your dick what style of bike then?

One of those really old fuckers with the hand operated gear shift.

I quess if you like to sleep with the mrs hand on your knob you best warn your pillions what's expected eh. :shit:

Maha

21st May 2010, 08:50

One of those really old fuckers with the hand operated gear shift.

I quess if you like to sleep with the mrs hand on your knob you best warn your pillions what's expected eh. :shit:

:laugh: Bling sent!!.......but very true :shifty:

DMNTD

21st May 2010, 09:02

Has anyone gone from a sports 600-750 (i.e. bent over) to a more up right 750-1000 like the Z1000? How does it compare? I will be taking both for a test ride of course but was interested if anyone has been in the same position.
I have gone from a "number" of pro-active sports styled bikes to nakeds before and back.
I currently use a Z1000 that I have tutu'd with to create a forward positioned naked.
Moto X bars and risers FTW!
If you can proof you can ride well, you can take it for a hoon.

CookMySock

21st May 2010, 09:15

There is such a thing as a comfortable sport bike.There is some truth in this. If you nana around town on it, its going to hurt. If you quit mucking around and get out on the open road and zip along its a lot less hard on the wrists. Upright bikes can be harder on the ass though.

Steve

davebullet

21st May 2010, 12:44

You've said mostly commuting. I'd recommend an upright (single handlebar or raised clip-ons above the seat) bike.

Other reasons not to choose a full on sports bike is if you have a big gut or weak torso / tummy muscles to help keep the weight off your wrists at commuting speeds. Depends also on how long you are commuting for timewise per day whether the wrist weight will cause problems.

AllanB

21st May 2010, 12:49

The best position is when you are straight up and she is bent over .....

Test ride one and decide (bike or girl, or boy in these enlightened days)

Stirts

21st May 2010, 12:49

Other reasons not to choose a full on sports bike is if you have a big gut or weak torso / tummy muscles to help keep the weight off your wrists at commuting speeds.

Isn't that what the tank is for?

george formby

21st May 2010, 13:20

The best compromise i have ridden to date was an Aprilia Tuono. All the full on sports bike i have ridden tie me in knots but the tuono was almost comfortable & still encouraged me to climb around on it. I love sportbike performance & handling but they are agony on my knees, neck & wrists. a mate recently recommended I have a blast on a new Z1000, reckoning i would get the best of both worlds. Im very keen to try a s'triple.

Dazza

21st May 2010, 13:31

Naked big for me all the way now,took the new BMW 1000RR for a ride the other day,very cool machine, hadn't ridden an inline 4 for ages/years, most impressive. When I got back on the Streetfighter, it was like yeah baby this is the riding position for me. The SF is alot more forward bias than my last bike, the KTM Super Duke which has a far more upright riding position. At the end of the day it's what floats really.

DMNTD

21st May 2010, 13:49

...a mate recently recommended I have a blast on a new Z1000, reckoning i would get the best of both worlds...
There are no demo '10 Z1000's in N.Z at this stage and prolly won't be until about November

SMOKEU

21st May 2010, 15:48

p.s. I'm not interested in a fibreblade or R1...185hp is too much for me at this stage.

What?! You mean you can actually have too much power?!

Mudfart

13th June 2010, 10:35

ive been thinking the same things about this topic, im currently thinking a z1000 with clipons to make it more sporty, although ive heard conflicting stories about the hp range 106-135. for my bike when i get my full i dont want to go over 120hp, although i have also heard one guy say the ZX-6R is 130!. tho the streetfighter looks awesome at 155hp!. I think Im looking at second hand, about 2004, likely naked, upright, that I am going to mod a bit to give the sports handling and feel, and look of a cafe racer, and increase grunt over time.
Poosibly an MV augusta 750 2004?. You really just gotta test all the bikes, but always remember they can be modded too, to feel and look better.

schrodingers cat

13th June 2010, 11:57

Isn't that what the tank is for?

I'd say no. You should be able to dick with your seating position (esp pegs) so that your legs and 'core' support you. It is best to ride in such a way that you only have the lightest connection to the bars. That way you can feel what is going on.
I ride very much on the balls of my feet and support myself with my lower legs. If it gets bumpy I can unload my arse a bit and let the bike do its thing. For sure the wind over 90k gives more support in the chest region.
Since I ride for pure pleasure, I love the feleing of climbing on and crouching. If I wanted practical I'd take the car.

As for too much power - you're the guy at the controls. The throttle works in two directions...

jimbo_on_travels

16th June 2010, 18:28

Just chiming into say that the old shape Yamaha R6S (2003 - 2008) pretty much covers everything well.. I use it for commuting, weekend warrioring, touring, track days @ Manfeild and grocery shopping with a hefty hiking pack. The rake of the bars is not steep at all.

At the end of the day, just buy a sprots bike and shove some heli-bars or equivalent on it if you want the straight up seat position. F1 Engineering in Hamilton do a roaring trade in stuff like this..

-Alias-

18th June 2010, 10:18

What position do you sleep in?? Curled up foetus style or straight backed?? You sleep in the position that is most comfortable for you, so you'll find the most comfortable bikes mirror that position.

Works for me anyway.

Second this. I used to have an FZR250, and currently have a naked (upright) Hyo GT250. For me the FZR was a much more comfortable bike. As a result, I'm now on the lookout for a wrecked GT250R so I can pillage the tri clamp, clip-ons and pegs etc in order to give me the riding position that suits me best.

Edit: I Also sleep foetal.

Blackshear

20th June 2010, 20:15

If you sleep with your hand on your dick what style of bike then?

A hard-ly.
They're real wankers.

Banditbandit

21st June 2010, 14:01

Well I'm on the hunt for a new (i.e. secondhand) bike for when I get my license in a month or so.

I am looking at everything from a 600 to 1000cc bike.

But I am torn between a 600 sports (i.e. CBR, GSXR) or the more up right Z1000 or Predator. I'll be mostly commuting and taking it on weekend rides and would be rare that I would take it to the track.

Has anyone gone from a sports 600-750 (i.e. bent over) to a more up right 750-1000 like the Z1000? How does it compare? I will be taking both for a test ride of course but was interested if anyone has been in the same position.

Cheers.

Have a look at the Suzuki Bandits. They are an upright model. I have an '05 650 Bandit commuter bike and an '09 1250 for long-distance.

The 650 runs around 80 horses .. and I had a ball on it on Hampton Downs a few months ago ... leaving VTRs in my dust and playing with CBR600s (I blame the riders not the bikes) and scrapping my toes in corners at more than 120 klicks ... it is sweet and smooth at low speed and a missile at high speed. Peak horses is around 9,500 revs .. which is close to 180 klicks in top gear ... and tops out at 12,000 rpm ... on the 650 I have passed an SV1000 in a corner at more than 200 klicks (no wonder I don't have a licence right now ...)

I have done 873 klicks in an 11-hour round trip on the 1250, and did it comfortably. It will sit in town at 50 klicks in top gear, purring along gently, and go past 230 on the clock on the open road (yeah .. they took my licence off me, I know ...) I played with a ZX1400 ... until I had 230 klicks on the clock and he opened the throttle and disappeared over the horizon ...

The older 600/1200 range is very good . the newer 650/1250 range is even better ...

I'd recommend Bandits ... as someone said in another forum ... "A Bandit is a bike no-one wants - until a mate gets one .."

slofox

21st June 2010, 14:04

What position do you sleep in?? Curled up foetus style or straight backed?? You sleep in the position that is most comfortable for you, so you'll find the most comfortable bikes mirror that position.

Works for me anyway.

But...but....how do you sleep on your bike? I always try to stay awake...shit, I must be missing something here...

On a more serious note, I much prefer the crouched forward position - it's much easier to leap off as the bike rockets over the edge of the cliff...

Corse1

21st June 2010, 15:16

Unfortunately as a lot of people here have said you really have to try a good range before you buy. Went for a ride with a guy on the weekend that had put upright bars on the RSV Aprillia.
I am a bit biased but the speed triple I have is more comfortable for long trips than the ST4s. The ergos of the Duc just don't fit me right but cannot bring myself to sell it. However the 1098 fits me perfectly
Evreryone id different so its start witrhg the bikes that you are attracted to and then if you have to there are a lot of options for changing bar position for comfort.

_john_

22nd June 2010, 14:27

Its all personal preference mate. Up right is more comfortable - however you get more wind. Bent over is slightly less comfortable but nowadays bikes are alot better than back in the day. Go out and test ride some - experience is best.

slofox

22nd June 2010, 15:22

I have never had a problem with discomfort riding in a crouched position. I don't get wrist problems or back problems. Perhaps because I support with the abs rather than leaning on the clip-ons. Like Mr Schrodinger's Cat, I don't like having pressure on the bars.

The SVS had a rather uncomfortable seat after about two hours riding. The gixxer is better in that regard and only marginally more forward than the SVS was. It's actually more comfortable to sit on than was the SV.

The only bike I ever felt really weird on the a 675 Daytona...mainly because your head ends up in front of the front wheel (feels like it anyway...).

kewwig

23rd June 2010, 22:19

Like BanditBandit said: a Bandit. All sorts of flavours, good value for money and do most things. I'v had 2 1200s, now have the 1250 and they are all good. A mate has the 650 and that's good too. The older 600s are good too. All comes down to personal preference and none of us will be able to tell you what to like

shrub

25th June 2010, 12:41

I would suggest that for your first big bike you go for an upright, and something in the midrange because it's harder to ride at high speed on an upright. Sports bikes have been designed to look and feel like race bikes (hence the term race replica), which means they're designed to be ridden quickly, and in my experience only feel right at higher speeds, so if you've just come off your 250 you probably don't have the experience or skills you need to ride fast yet. Riding fast safely takes a shitload of skill and a high percentage of accidents happen to people on sports bikes that have recently moved up for just that reason.

You will find something like a Street Triple, SV650, ER6, GSR600 etc will give you all the fun you'll want, will be easy to commute on and given that most of them have the same power to weight ratio of superbikes of not that long ago, you won't get bored. My son went from a VT250 to a Street triple, and did 22000 kms in his first year, including long trips, commuting, track days and just blasting in the hills. He has never regretted buying the Street and has become a bloody good rider.

Winston001

2nd July 2010, 17:28

I would suggest that for your first big bike you go for an upright, and something in the midrange because it's harder to ride at high speed on an upright. Sports bikes have been designed to look and feel like race bikes (hence the term race replica), which means they're designed to be ridden quickly, and in my experience only feel right at higher speeds, so if you've just come off your 250 you probably don't have the experience or skills you need to ride fast yet. Riding fast safely takes a shitload of skill and a high percentage of accidents happen to people on sports bikes that have recently moved up for just that reason.

Agreed. My Ducati ST4 was the first sports bike I'd ridden constantly and only felt right at 130k but really it came on song at 140k. Unfortunately the nice police officer south of Timaru couldn't grasp that..... :D

Much as I loved - absolutely loved that bike, I'd chose an upright for next time.

KiwiNinja

19th August 2010, 06:53

So after test riding every mid-range sports bike I could find over 2 weeks....this week i picked up a 2008 CBR600RR.

Test rode a R6, 675 Daytona, Susuki GSXR 600/750, CBR600RR and Kawa ZX6R 07. Also lked the 675 but it just wouldn't be comfortable to commute...you sit almost parallel with the road.

So after decideing on a CBR600RR I just window shopped until I found myself a good deal.

Probably going to book in two days at the Calfornia Superbike School. Anyone done it before?

Cheers for all the advice aong the way...might have to change my KB username :shifty:

reggie1198

20th August 2010, 00:40

If you sleep with your hand on your dick what style of bike then?

Have to be a honda

Okey Dokey

20th August 2010, 08:49

Congratulations on your new bike. I hope you have lots of wonderful rides together.

I haven't done a Ca Superbike training, but it seems everyone who has done any training comes away pretty enthusistic about it.

discotex

21st August 2010, 21:29

So after test riding every mid-range sports bike I could find over 2 weeks....this week i picked up a 2008 CBR600RR.

Test rode a R6, 675 Daytona, Susuki GSXR 600/750, CBR600RR and Kawa ZX6R 07. Also lked the 675 but it just wouldn't be comfortable to commute...you sit almost parallel with the road.

lol I haven't been on KB for months and this is the first thread I read...

I did exactly that a few years back and made exactly the same decision. I commute 20km each way on the motorway and it's just fine. It's a dream on the track as well.

Make sure you get your sag correctly for your weight. It makes a top handling bike even better.