Not Ride Fit

[James Deuce]

but.... if it was sore due to weight resting on it, wouldn't BOTH hands/arms be sore? Not just gear lever one?

I reckon it could be due to position of levers more like what the others have said, than just weight on arms.
Oh yeah and the Buell lever is way heavier than the Guzzi one

If you're trying to do more than one thing with muscles that aren't used to it it contributes to overuse rapidly. Opening and closing your hand while supporting 30kgs is not standard usage, even if the lever is incorrectly positioned.

[Rashika]

If you're trying to do more than one thing with muscles that aren't used to it it contributes to overuse rapidly. Opening and closing your hand while supporting 30kgs is not standard usage, even if the lever is incorrectly positioned.

true... tho I find it odd that it happens on the MG, even after a short time, and there isn't much lean forward on it, 'tis odd i was thinking

[sinned]

I will get into those exercises to build the strength and tension probably contributed to the problem. The SV650/1000S doesn't appear to be an extreme riding position compared to many other bikes so I hope I will adjust to it. I didn't check the alignment of the levers with my arms and in fact didn't check much at all. Just took the bike for a ride and then discovered I should have adjusted the mirrors; which by the way give stuff all view out rear any way.

Riding two other bikes tomorrow: 900 Hornet and GSR600. These are both naked and more upright so this will be part of the decision of naked and upright or faired and leaning forward.

[sinned]

This will definitely help in taking some of the pressure off the wrists yes, loads of exercises you can do to strengthen up your core....just don't forget to work your stabilser muscles as well as your mobilisers.

I still recommend you strengthen your wrists and forearms.

PM me if you need any help with exercise information.

I will get back into using the swiss ball and pilates as well as the broomstick exercise but not until after my rides tommorrow. Thanks for this good info

[Big Dave]

or you could just buy a comfortable bike without the GP crouch.

[Ixion]

How many races last more than 40 minutes anyway?

[paturoa]

I had exactly the same prob with my Sv1000s.

Same as SwanTiger above, the issue for me was that both the clutch and brake levers were too high. I ride with two fingers resting on both levers all the time and with the levers up what it did was rotate my wrists down so that any weight was moved from the heel of my palm to closer to my thumb.

As soon as I rotated the levers down

Sometimes I get a numb sensation in my wrists when commuting. I find that im just slumping & leaning forward. I shuffle my arse closer to the tank and straighten my back and within about 2-3 minutes it is back to normal.

[The Pastor]

sometimes i get a real sore clutch hand too, Don;t know why just sometimes.

[Macktheknife]

If you are looking for a V-Twin there is also the SV engined adventure bikes DL650 / Navigator etc which have a more relaxed riding position with conventional bars and a small screen (i think) They sound like a great allrounder.

DL650/1000
Highly recommended, super comfy and go anywhere well.
As already suggested there are issues around lever set-up and also using legs/abs/etc to support your weight.
Enjoy and try to test ride as many bikes as you can before buying, technology has changed a LOT since you last rode.

[Big Dave]

Upright is Alright

By Dirck J. Edge
Triumph's new Tiger for 2007 (discussed in our article on September 18, 2006), illustrates what I perceive to be a trend in the industry. Along with the Ducati Multistrada, and other new designs emerging as popular bikes, the industry seems to be recognizing that sport riding in an upright seating position appeals to many potential customers.

As Triumph acknowledges by focusing its new Tiger strictly at the street, most dual sport riders and riders of large-displacement "trailies" ride almost exclusively on the road. These motorcyclists enjoy the sporty handling offered by these bikes (contributed to by the leverage of the wide handlebars), combined with their comfortable, upright riding position. I know from experience that an upright riding position does not need to hinder speed through the canyons (a good rider on a standard-style motorcycle, for instance, can hang onto any good sport bike rider on the street). Like Triumph and Ducati, will we see other manufacturers step away from some of the dual sport pretensions, and focus upright bikes strictly on tarmac performance? I think so.

[scumdog]

true... tho I find it odd that it happens on the MG, even after a short time, and there isn't much lean forward on it, 'tis odd i was thinking

Hmmm, just enough forward lean to make it a pain (literally) when riding in traffic, (weight on hands, multiple clutch use etc) never had the problem on 'cruiser' type riding position bikes.

[Bombus]

Sore wrists can be a real nuisance. Rode a 996 to Matamata & back recently & spent most of the return lying on the tank. Bit surprised an SV650s has had this effect on you and maybe the angle of the handles might help but I'd say if you buy shoes that don't fit they end up staying in the cupboard. My 650N has no effect on my wrist at all so even if you weren't interested in this type it would be of some use to find out how much weight you can put on your wrists without feeling it.

[XP@]

You have answered the question yourself!

Clues: Not ridden for 20 years, and tension!

Yes, getting fit and sorting the ergonomics would help you.

However the things that will help you the most are lessons and practice. After 20 years you will pretty much need to re-learn how to ride.

When you have (re)learned the basics counter streering, braking and gained confidence in your bike you will be able to relax and you will hurt less.

Check out Andy he will teach you well http://www.roadsafe.co.nz/

[Richard Mc F]

I had the same issues after a long lay off, in the first week I thought I was never going to master the beast, left hand and wrist were so sore I had to stop riding for a few days, but working with dickheads and a good hard stress ball we ovecame, sometimes get a little cramp in the hands going from summer to winter weight gloves but it usually goes within 30 minutes.

I suppose starting back with a decrepit old Ducati with clip ons ( and using it for my daily through traffic commute) was not the smartest move.........can probably crush coconuts with my left hand now thanks to even stiffer clutch springs !

[Roj]

I spent an hour and half on bikes yesterday after not having ridden one for about 20 years. First ride was with a tutor on a little bike then a ride on an SV650s demo as I am looking to buy a bike.

I agree with the idea of looking at more types of bikes if you are in a position to by something in that price range, take a look at as many different styles of bikes as you can, the change in technology means that most newer models are good bikes overall, think seriously about what you personally want from a bike and what you like the look of, if you read enough reviews someone will say something good about most bikes,

I have some of the orginal magazine reviews for my old 1979 Honda and some comparrisons which rave about it and some that don't. If it was to be reviewed now it wouldn't even get on the scale compared to modern bikes, but I find that it suits me just fine, can ride short or long distances without many issues, and I am not as fast as I used to be