I'm a 5ft, 105lb female.. definitely not the "average rider" for whom motorcycles are built off the assembly line. I've had my 500 ABS for a couple of months now.. it's my first bike. And though I'm fairly new to all this, it seems I'm mechanically inclined so I love exploring and doing my own work. :grin2:
After several weeks of commuting daily to work and a long 225 mile ride over Labor Day weekend, I think I need to make some modifications to make my bike fit ME. Currently, both my feet rest flat on the ground when the bike isn't moving, and when I ride, I have to lean forward at an angle and also sit up on the seat - at the end of a daily 10 mile commute (that takes 50 minutes) each way, my back and shoulders hurt! I called a motorcycle shop near me that's highly rated... they said they would shorten my rear shock, but I don't need my bike lowered so I don't want to mess with that.
Here are the issues that I attribute to my height (or lack thereof):
1) Clutch and brake levers
Problem: My hand isn't big enough to use the clutch lever comfortably; I have to almost take my hand off the grip so that I can reach up for it.
What I've tried: I replaced the clutch and brake levers with adjustable shorter ones.. seems to be working, but is there maybe something else I should do?
2) Handlebar
Problem: When I turn the handlebar as far as it'll go, left and right, my hand has to come off the grip.. I mean, I can keep two fingers on the edge closest to me, but this makes tight turns extremely difficult. I need it closer to me. Do I need to replace it?
What I've tried: I tried to rotate the handlebar a little to see if it brought it closer, but I had to put it all back.. . is it me or is the stock handlebar not intended to be rotated?
3) Seat
Problem: It needs to be replaced.. it is too wide and uncomfortable; it's part of the reason I scoot up.
I think my footpegs and everything else is OK but there may be other things I don't know about. Any ideas?
After several weeks of commuting daily to work and a long 225 mile ride over Labor Day weekend, I think I need to make some modifications to make my bike fit ME. Currently, both my feet rest flat on the ground when the bike isn't moving, and when I ride, I have to lean forward at an angle and also sit up on the seat - at the end of a daily 10 mile commute (that takes 50 minutes) each way, my back and shoulders hurt! I called a motorcycle shop near me that's highly rated... they said they would shorten my rear shock, but I don't need my bike lowered so I don't want to mess with that.
Here are the issues that I attribute to my height (or lack thereof):
1) Clutch and brake levers
Problem: My hand isn't big enough to use the clutch lever comfortably; I have to almost take my hand off the grip so that I can reach up for it.
What I've tried: I replaced the clutch and brake levers with adjustable shorter ones.. seems to be working, but is there maybe something else I should do?
2) Handlebar
Problem: When I turn the handlebar as far as it'll go, left and right, my hand has to come off the grip.. I mean, I can keep two fingers on the edge closest to me, but this makes tight turns extremely difficult. I need it closer to me. Do I need to replace it?
What I've tried: I tried to rotate the handlebar a little to see if it brought it closer, but I had to put it all back.. . is it me or is the stock handlebar not intended to be rotated?
3) Seat
Problem: It needs to be replaced.. it is too wide and uncomfortable; it's part of the reason I scoot up.
I think my footpegs and everything else is OK but there may be other things I don't know about. Any ideas?