growler_south | (no subject)

(no subject)

The bike is reassembled! Being a tiny human has its advantages, but sometimes you realise that things built to suit the average are just too big. Like the Suzuki Boulevard M50. Lovely styling with the sporty cruiser look, but unfortunately the low, sleek handlebars are just a wee bit too far forward for this midget- leading to an aching back and sore shoulders after only a few minutes of riding.

This is solved by pulling the bike to bits and installing different handlebars. Yup- I deliberately pulled apart a practically new bike and modified it. Hah!

We'll see how it goes on the ride to Canadia today.

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My bike needs a handlebar tweak too - the issue isn't as severe as yours, but on a long trip I find myself holding the ends of the grips which suggests that even with my relatively long reach, the bars are too far away. I think new risers should solve the problem rather than having to replace the bars themselves and deal with moving all the controls... but I haven't the foggiest [bleep]ing notion as to how to accomplish that, what size/type of riser would be appropriate, etc. Part of it is that I don't generally trust a motorcycle shop to just sell me what I need, rather than trying to "upsell" me when I don't really need it.

New bikes are made to be modified.

Enjoy the hell out or your ride!

My handlebars are still wonky from the last time I dropped it, and I've got a new set that needs fitting. How long are you boys in town for? ;-)

Roy wants a Suzuki Boulevard M or C50!

And he wants ME to have one, one day!

He'd be MORTIFIED to learn that you took one apart!!!! *yikes*

The M50 is a really nice bike, big and smooth with all the tech gadgets, but the styling gets in the way of comfort- the low seat has lumps because it has to be thin to look good, and the bars are too far forward.

Anaway, i pull everything apart!

Yay!
Now you've made your mark.
I did the same thing with Dark Phoenix. The stock bars were buckhorns, which to me feel like riding a roto-tiller. Not difficult, but a lot of re-routing wires and cables to deal with the slack the flatter bars created.
Now, about being leaned over that makes your back and shoulders sore....isn't that how your sporty rides set you?

The only bars that worked that we could find on short notice were buckhorns- now I can see why they make me feel nostalgic. Far too many hours digging up the potato patch in my childhood.

The position on the ZZR is like sitting upright on a kitchen chair, only your entire body is tilted forward. Your feet and legs do as much work supporting your body as your butt and upper body, but nothing is strained.

The M50 made me feel stretched- with my feet and arms stuck out in front and bum trailing behind I felt like I was trying to touch my toes constantly, with huge tension

...in my back, and no way to use my legs to take some of the weight.

All fixed now though ;-)

That's what's known as the "clamshell", which is a problem that stems from the forward pegs/floorboards. When you're used to gripping the tank with your thighs, it seems like all your weight is on the butt, and you're stretching to hold the grips.
I bought a set of mid-mount pegs for my first springer, but they were placed exactly where I put my feet down at stops. After some ankle-twisting missteps, I took them off.
Your solution, getting the grips closer by swapping the bar, is a better one. Now your torso is tilted into a more natural sitting position, and the feet-forward design makes more sense.
Another way to move the bar closer is more difficult. Longer risers are hard to find, and expen$ive. I'm glad the new bar worked for you!

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