Long Ride Comfort

[Scooper]

Here is the deal. Yesterday was too nice to work so I decide to ride. Took the FJ out on a 270 mile ride from Indiana to Kentucky via Hwy 135. Trying to ride in the Master Yoda somewhat but by the end of the six hour ride I'm hurting. Bike has stock seat and no risers. I'm a long armed 6'1" guy so I'm thinking no risers and my butt did not hurt any more than when I ride my Road Star.

Am I just pushing it too much too early this spring and need to get in shape or what ? Maybe arching my back too much ?

In four weeks I plan to ride 670 miles from Washington, Indiana to Gettysburg then south on the Parkway till it ends but I want to survive the ride. I'm no rookey to riding and have done 700 mile + days but fairly new to the FJR with only 2400 miles on it since I bought it.

Be easy on me as it's Thursday

Scoop

 

[Bungie]

Am I just pushing it too much too early this spring and need to get in shape or what ? Maybe arching my back too much ?

Give your ass a chance to toughen up. I usually have a bit of burn setting in after about 300 miles in the spring. By Sept. its about double that. Practice the Master Yoda. Get yourself some seamless underwear.

 

[Wanderer]

I'm gonna say, off the cuff, it's a combination of all the things you mentioned

Every time I take several weeks off of riding my first few rides back are taxing. New ergonomics coupled with and a new riding position (yoda) is a recipe for fatigue. Also, that stock seat isn't doing you any favors, I agree it sucks to drop a huge pile of cash on a top of the line touring bike like the FJR, and get an econo-saddle, but thats how it is. I'd get some sheepskin, beads, or an airhawk pillow to start with before you invest in a custom seat. As for the risers, that's entirely up to you, I know some guys who are 6'+ with no risers, and guys that are 5'7" with risers. Personally I'd cut mine down 2 inches If I could.

Some things you might not have considered....Wind buffeting from the presumably stock screen may have added to it... Like a saddle and risers, your comfort is dependant on your height and proportions. Play with the screen and see if it makes a difference in your comfort as your core muscles are used differetly.

were you hydrated? Dehydration+immobility= stiffness and fatigue every time.

I get WAY more fatigued in cool/cold weather than I do even in extreme heat. I can crank my electrics way up and I still have to consciously relax my arms and back. Was the weather chilly?

Just some thoughts. Every new-to-you bike is gonna take some getting used to. Also, I've had better luck with the Yoda sit when I make an effort to 'perch' rather than lock my core. I can't sit 10 minutes like that when I forget and start using lower back muscles to lock my hips rolled where they suggest. The whole point is to balance your shoulders and spine not forcibly lock your core. That takes practice, especially if you have bad posture.

 

[Scooper]

Am I just pushing it too much too early this spring and need to get in shape or what ? Maybe arching my back too much ?

Give your ass a chance to toughen up. I usually have a bit of burn setting in after about 300 miles in the spring. By Sept. its about double that. Practice the Master Yoda. Get yourself some seamless underwear.

Thanks for the reply but it's my back that was the biggest problem. I had on under armor so I think I'm good there.

Think maybe I'm over arching my back but it feels normal in the early stages on the ride.

Thanks again

Scoop

 

[tmc]

Get yourself some seamless underwear.

Or some bicycle shorts with a chamois built in.

I haven't done it yet, but next long ride I take I'm considering throwing on my spandex bib with built in gel pad. Don't worry, when I ride (road bike) I wear shorts over. I'm a bit too modest to let it all hang out in spandex! :blink:

 

[tmc]

If it's your back it could be that you are sitting too much on your tailbone.

You may just need to "toughen up" though. I hate saying that cuz it sounds lame, but after a while you should get in the groove and the pains should go away. Or it could hurt worse. YMMV

 

[Patriot]

Back A Line support belt...

my Tourmaster 3/4 jacket has included kidney/back support included

LD Comfort shorts or tights

Sargent Seat with Airhawk Air Pad

(most report a Russell Day Long Seat is da bomb)

Wild Bill Highway Pegs

Grip Puppies

 

[Scooper]

I'm gonna say, off the cuff, it's a combination of all the things you mentionedEvery time I take several weeks off of riding my first few rides back are taxing. New ergonomics coupled with and a new riding position (yoda) is a recipe for fatigue. Also, that stock seat isn't doing you any favors, I agree it sucks to drop a huge pile of cash on a top of the line touring bike like the FJR, and get an econo-saddle, but thats how it is. I'd get some sheepskin, beads, or an airhawk pillow to start with before you invest in a custom seat. As for the risers, that's entirely up to you, I know some guys who are 6'+ with no risers, and guys that are 5'7" with risers. Personally I'd cut mine down 2 inches If I could.

Some things you might not have considered....Wind buffeting from the presumably stock screen may have added to it... Like a saddle and risers, your comfort is dependant on your height and proportions. Play with the screen and see if it makes a difference in your comfort as your core muscles are used differetly.

were you hydrated? Dehydration+immobility= stiffness and fatigue every time.

I get WAY more fatigued in cool/cold weather than I do even in extreme heat. I can crank my electrics way up and I still have to consciously relax my arms and back. Was the weather chilly?

Just some thoughts. Every new-to-you bike is gonna take some getting used to. Also, I've had better luck with the Yoda sit when I make an effort to 'perch' rather than lock my core. I can't sit 10 minutes like that when I forget and start using lower back muscles to lock my hips rolled where they suggest. The whole point is to balance your shoulders and spine not forcibly lock your core. That takes practice, especially if you have bad posture.

Goods points that I will try on my next ride. The screen is stock and I had it adjusted about half way up to where the wind felt best for me. I understand about the seat being crap as I've alway had to go to aftermarkwet seats for my cruisers as well but with the overpants on the seat has not seemed to be the problem yet.

Thanks

Scooper

 

[rockmurf]

Highway pegs are a must for any distance riding. I use highway bills with a 4 inch ext. instead of the 2 and it works great for me. Next is the seat, russell is by far the best and most expensive but everything is relative. If you are going to do alot of riding you will definitely be thankful you sprung for the seat. Also when if you sell you can always get back at least half your money. ps get vinyl not leather, no maintenance or concerns with rain and cheaper.

 

[FJReady]

I think the best thing for long distance comfort, especially consecutive days of riding is a good seat. I hated the stocker. It made me antsy after 200 miles. My Rick Meyers seat after about 1000 mile break in/ aquantance was (still is) butt nirvana.

I also learned on my cross country trip that those pricey LD comfort shorts are well worth the money.

 

[midlifeuturn]

3 words- Russell Custom Seat!

Best purchase I've made yet.

The more I ride it the more I like it.

 

[Crash Cash]

I'm gonna say, off the cuff, it's a combination of all the things you mentionedEvery time I take several weeks off of riding my first few rides back are taxing. New ergonomics coupled with and a new riding position (yoda) is a recipe for fatigue. Also, that stock seat isn't doing you any favors, I agree it sucks to drop a huge pile of cash on a top of the line touring bike like the FJR, and get an econo-saddle, but thats how it is.

EY!! Speak for yourself... my FJR's stock seat is perfect. I was able to ride straight from Tennessee to Florida without any butt burn. It's not an "econo-saddle" by a long shot. Dissin' mah bike... I gotta tell ya.... grumble grumble grumble.

 

[Sticky Throttle]

Get yourself some seamless underwear.

I haven't done it yet, but next long ride I take I'm considering throwing on my spandex bib with built in gel pad. Don't worry, when I ride (road bike) I wear shorts over. I'm a bit too modest to let it all hang out in spandex! :blink:

Care to elaborate? Please, no pics, but a link would help.

 

[BanjoBoy]

I did 4+ hrs in the saddle a couple weeks ago, (My first "long" ride of the season) and had little discomfort. Near the end I was starting to get monkey butt.This FJR feels like it was meant for me.

I dun got me a cheap, big-ass Nelson Riggs tank bag that I lay on, and that take weight off my bum for the longer rides. When I lay on the thing, my tosh gets some air, (And releases some too! :blush: ) and I think that helps a lot.

 

[tmc]

Get yourself some seamless underwear.

I haven't done it yet, but next long ride I take I'm considering throwing on my spandex bib with built in gel pad. Don't worry, when I ride (road bike) I wear shorts over. I'm a bit too modest to let it all hang out in spandex! :blink:

Care to elaborate? Please, no pics, but a link would help.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Produ...03_20000_400065

Performance Bicycle has shops all over the country, but these products can be found in a lot of good bicycle shops. Performance is usually pretty inexpensive though.

 

[Wanderer]

I'm gonna say, off the cuff, it's a combination of all the things you mentionedEvery time I take several weeks off of riding my first few rides back are taxing. New ergonomics coupled with and a new riding position (yoda) is a recipe for fatigue. Also, that stock seat isn't doing you any favors, I agree it sucks to drop a huge pile of cash on a top of the line touring bike like the FJR, and get an econo-saddle, but thats how it is.

EY!! Speak for yourself... my FJR's stock seat is perfect. I was able to ride straight from Tennessee to Florida without any butt burn. It's not an "econo-saddle" by a long shot. Dissin' mah bike... I gotta tell ya.... grumble grumble grumble.

The Gen II stock seat is much better than the Gen I. Actually mine was pretty decent to start with... it started sucking around 60k miles of having my bony ass parked on it. By 75k I'd start squirming after 100 miles which drove my pillion crazy. Consider yourself lucky. I'd have much preferred my stock seat to be comfy and saved (spent elswehere) the $700.

 

[ctfjr]

Here is the deal. Yesterday was too nice to work so I decide to ride. Took the FJ out on a 270 mile ride from Indiana to Kentucky via Hwy 135. Trying to ride in the Master Yoda somewhat but by the end of the six hour ride I'm hurting. Bike has stock seat and no risers. I'm a long armed 6'1" guy so I'm thinking no risers and my butt did not hurt any more than when I ride my Road Star.Am I just pushing it too much too early this spring and need to get in shape or what ? Maybe arching my back too much ?

In four weeks I plan to ride 670 miles from Washington, Indiana to Gettysburg then south on the Parkway till it ends but I want to survive the ride. I'm no rookey to riding and have done 700 mile + days but fairly new to the FJR with only 2400 miles on it since I bought it.

Be easy on me as it's Thursday

Scoop

fwiw I've had my fjr for almost 2 years now. I've been riding for over 40 years & this is the 1st bike I have ever had a custom (Russell) seat made for. Light year difference.

 

[Bungie]

Care to elaborate? Please, no pics, but a link would help.

www.ldcomfort.com - slightly spendy, but it flat out works.

 

[Bungie]

I did 4+ hrs in the saddle a couple weeks ago, (My first "long" ride of the season) and had little discomfort. Near the end I was starting to get monkey butt.

heheh.. somebody needs to educate him on exactly what MonkeyButt is. It is not simply a sore ass - although it certianly is!