A bridge too far? I need some ass-istance with ride comfort

[arcane12]

For the moment changing bikes is off the books maybe in 6 months I could afford it, but for now not so much. Plus being on my restricted for a good while longer I am not looking to change bikes until I am on my full.

On the ride home I noticed the ride was a bit jarring. I did take it for a good test ride, but short of taking it out for an hour or more, I don't know if I would have noticed. Being new to bikes, it didn't feel much different to the scorpio, ride wise. Perhaps that should have been the warning. However, it is definately hitting the Ventura L-bar, and I am wondering if without them, it will be better.

If I can get home at a respectable hour tonight, I plan on whiping those bars off. Without the hard jarring every time I hit a bump, I think the ride could improve. Plus really, if the bike can handle 2 up, it must be able to handle me?? Or is that a fallacy that just because it has 2 seats, it can handle 2 people. A Scorpio can handle 2 (regular sized people).

[arcane12]

As a cheap start you can try cyclists padded shorts. About $30 I think. Apart from that I've used a sheepskin and for less pressure on the pressure points on a long trip I've slid bubble-wrap between seat and sheepskin. Big bubbles though, not the standard small ones. Funny too when you climb on and a bubble pops when you sit down.

Bubble wrap. That is funny enough to try! And silly enough it will probably work :EEK!:

[munster]

Is the rear shock pre-load adjustable?

[arcane12]

Yes. It has 5 settings, according to the manual. I am wondering if it has never been adjusted, after the L-Bars went on. I could skip straight to adjusting them first, though I might try to entice my motorbike savvy friend around with pizza, so I can have someone eyeball it when I am on it. Though maybe the pizza is the problem... Wonder if he will come over if I only had salad on offer?

[GTRMAN]

Yes. It has 5 settings, according to the manual. I am wondering if it has never been adjusted, after the L-Bars went on. I could skip straight to adjusting them first, though I might try to entice my motorbike savvy friend around with pizza, so I can have someone eyeball it when I am on it. Though maybe the pizza is the problem... Wonder if he will come over if I only had salad on offer?

Maybe you could post a pic of the setup, sounds strange that a pack rack could be rubbing on the swingarm. Sounds more like you are just hitting the bump stops on your shocks. Though there are guys here infinitely more qualified to comment.

[James Deuce]

It sounds to me, if the "L" rails are hitting the swingarm, that the standard suspension is woefully under-sprung for your mass and combined with being seriously under-damped isn't affording the suspension control you need for comfort, stability and maintaining chassis control within design parameters. The standard suspension will be set up for a 65kg rider on its default settings. You have a bunch of issues to address to fix all of your issues though, but as you say your license restrictions and the other issue that affects us normal people mean it will be worthwhile doing it.

It would be worth your while to at least phone Robert Taylor and see how he can help or if he has some relatively inexpensive options to improve the rear-end of your bike.

More seat foam isn't necessarily better from a comfort perspective. The type of foam is really important and McDonald's Motor Trimmers understand that better than most. I don't like gel seats as they feel to me to be the seating equivalent of a '60s automatic gearbox. May have to try the bubble wrap though. That sounds like fun.

[ktm84mxc]

There's a very good auto trimmers in Morrinsville who do a lot of MX and jet ski seats recommended by Ben Townley , as there close to you pop along for a chat and take the LS.
You may need to change the handle bars to get your weight more forward so as not resting on your tail bone area, I'd also look at wearing a back support eg a MX kidney belt.

[Big Dave]

Show us a pitcha of what is hitting where?

[F5 Dave]

There's a very good auto trimmers in Morrinsville who do a lot of MX and jet ski seats recommended by Ben Townley , . . .

With all due respect, that would have to be the weakest recommendation ever. I mean that dude won't be doing much sitting

[MSTRS:Me]

Setting the scene - A mere 120 odd km trip to Auckland from Hamilton. One cruiser - chosen for comfort. 100 km's later, and I am wondering if I can make it all in one go. I do, but each bump on the Highbrooke bridge is a fresh jolt of pain in my rear end.

So gentle reader, what advice can you give?

Cruisers are notoriously UNcomfortable for any sort of distance riding.
Get a tourer. Or anything with a 'neutral' sitting position...meaning your legs are not stretched out or really compressed (sportsbike pegs) and your body is leaning forward a little.

[arcane12]

Cruisers are notoriously UNcomfortable for any sort of distance riding.
Get a tourer. Or anything with a 'neutral' sitting position...meaning your legs are not stretched out or really compressed (sportsbike pegs) and your body is leaning forward a little.

It's hard to find a tourer on the LAMS list. And the choice between a sport bike and a cruiser for comfort? Actually, the Boulevard has a pretty neutral sitting position, and even the legs aren't that stretched out. Could be my height as well that make it like that. Anyway...

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required). It no longer bottoms out on the L-Bar on bumps and such, so fingers crossed, it will help. The ride seemed somewhat nicer, on the bumps at least, though I think gel seating might be in order.



As you can see there is a spot that has been rubbing. I could not get a decent picture of the bar, but you'll have to take my word that there is an equivalent spot on the bar above.

On a side note - I must remember to wash the bike before taking it for a 'test ride'. New settings and all. Well hopefully I can hide from the family long enough this weekend to wash it!

[GTRMAN]

It's hard to find a tourer on the LAMS list. And the choice between a sport bike and a cruiser for comfort? Actually, the Boulevard has a pretty neutral sitting position, and even the legs aren't that stretched out. Could be my height as well that make it like that. Anyway...

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required). It no longer bottoms out on the L-Bar on bumps and such, so fingers crossed, it will help. The ride seemed somewhat nicer, on the bumps at least, though I think gel seating might be in order.



As you can see there is a spot that has been rubbing. I could not get a decent picture of the bar, but you'll have to take my word that there is an equivalent spot on the bar above.

On a side note - I must remember to wash the bike before taking it for a 'test ride'. New settings and all. Well hopefully I can hide from the family long enough this weekend to wash it!

That is the belt guard dude, attached to the swingarm but not the swingarm. and if they are rubbing together your shock is way under sprung for your size, or rooted, likely both.

Get it replaced

cheap option here http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/parts/Suzuki/1198.aspx but if you can afford it, take it to Dr Bob

[arcane12]

That is the belt guard dude, attached to the swingarm but not the swingarm. and if they are rubbing together your shock is way under sprung for your size, or rooted, likely both.

Get it replaced

cheap option here http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/parts/Suzuki/1198.aspx but if you can afford it, take it to Dr Bob

Sorry about the mix up of terms, my google-fu must have failed me. I thought the generic overall term was enough to go by. As I said, it no longer rubs now, I think it was poorly set up by the previous owner, and I could have discussed it with the guy at the dealership more before buying. My mistake.

I have emailed CKT to see what he recommends.

[James Deuce]

The previous owner may have weighed a great deal less than you and maxxing the preload on a shock actually reduces its abilities to cope with extremes. Suspension is a compromise and on a budget bike it is often the thing most compromised.

[munster]

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required).

The proper Suzuki tool cost me $10.80 from Colemans.