Guys, I've just returned from a 120 mile ride on the Gixer and the back of my shoulders are ruined. I'm fining it really hard to ride and difficult to steer. So, I'm thinking of selling it and buying an older blade, any of the guys owned/ridden both? Any thoughts or should I just accept that at 47 my days of riding sports bikes are over and by a sit up and beg? P.S, love riding my CBR600FX, find it easy to ride and never suffer like this.
You're a mere stripling at 47, and probably target audience for the sportsbike makers. I'd suggest it's probably a lack of bike fitness you're suffering from and are too tense on the bike. A naked isn't necessarily an easy option, I went from a 14 blade to a Tuono V4 and recently returned from a 2250 mile trip to Italy. For a trip of this length I'm sure the blade would have been the (far) easier option. Perhaps a ride out with an advanced riding instructor would help.
Don't forget though @sp1n99 one mans 47 is different to the next, he might have been digging the roads for the past 30 years..My last bike swap was from L1 gsxr 750 to a new blade, not the same years as you are asking about I know....I find the blade a little comfier. Not a great deal but still noticeable. Shouldnt imagine a fireblade is the answer to your pain problem though, perhaps go and do some test rides on lots of different things? Good luck!
I agree with sp1, are you tense/ holding on to tight, had a few goes on a gsxr 750 over the years never really noticed that much of a difference to be honest.
I too am 47 and quite fit I guess ( I'm a postie). I fit stomp grip or similar to all my bikes use my knees for grip ( a lot), leaving my upper body looser and more relaxed, the muscles in your upper legs will take far more punishment than your shoulders/back and upper arms. I also do core exercises (mainly for a back problem) but this also take stress of my upper body, my grip on the bars is minimal. I ride an 05 and apart from the seat giving me a numb arse after a 100 miles or so I could ride it all day. I have recently changed my seat, to a sergant seat, can now do 200 or so, with a fuel stop of course, quick stretch of the legs and off again. With a slight tuck on the bike you will actually take a lot of stress off your body by getting it out of the air stream, not something you can do on a naked at speed. A lot can be down to your fitness as sp1n99 mentioned.
Well I'm an old bugger and yet still feel comply on my new R1, which is shorter and with more track oriented seating postion, Stomp grips are a must, you then grip with your legs and it take all the weight of your arm, wrists and shoulders, you can ride for miiles without any problems, had them on my last blade to (an 05), did 360 mile trip to whales and back witout a single a problem, could have gone futher buy some stomp grip
+1 for the stomp grips. I found them a must on the blade but haven't bothered on the Tuono but may put some on in the future.
Cheers guys, yes, I'm finding myself very tense on the bike, far more so than when I'm on the honda. I'll try gripping the tank then, but can't say I fancy the stomp grips, do they come off without marking the paintwork? (Come resale time). Any other pointers would be appreciated. What position do you have your feet on the pegs etc? Don't really want to sell it as it's a beautiful bike with only 8k on the clock.
I would stick with the gixxer just get use to the riding style or if you can, keep both. I normally go the distance with my blade so that means long mileage. I just need to see how far i can go with no stopping for fuel, etc. Endurance like ! So far so good...exercise do help though
Get some straight bars and risers. Pal has these on his k5 750 and transformed it. He also was ruined one year in France on his
I have had both to be honest theres not much between em but did find putting the footpegs on the lowest setting on the Gixer helped.
Well, second day of NOT riding and my shoulders are still in bits, so I've got to do something. Stomp grips, has anyone tried removing them? Does removing them damage the paintwork? I'm just thinking it wools better without them come resale time.
If they're applied well there's no reason to remove them when you come to sell. I left mine on when I sold my blade. I found they made a massive difference, you don't tend to slide forward when braking and allows you to have "soft hands"* on the bars. If you're too tense on the bike you transfer that tension through the bars to the bike making for an unpleasant ride. The trick is learning to relax. Stomp grips ( or similar ) helps you achieve this. *its a cycling term.
Leave to stomp grip on come sale time, for most it's an addition they won't have to fork out for themselves, Plus point. I have removed stomp before because it was badly applied and a bit tatty when I bought the bike, just heated them well with a hair dryer to soften the glue and they came off no fuss whatsoever, just have to be slow.
Sometimes you have to tell yourself to relax, loosen your grip, bend your arms etc etc sometimes you don't even realise your all tensed up, makes for a way better ride when you do.
Don't forget people are all different shapes and sizes, what might fit you might be something I have to squeeze myself onto making it less comfy Extended test ride is your best option
I have owned both (still have my 06). I found the gixxer very comfy, had several of them over the years. Personally found the gixxer a little comfiest as I seemed to `sit in it' more. I guess a lot depends on body shape, height and riding style. Tank grips may well help but also agree about making sure not being too tense, the gixxer is a great bike and whilst I love my modded blade I still miss riding a gixxer.
Just had a look at my thigh position whilst on the bike and with my pegs on the lowest position, my thigh doesn't really touch the tank, it's mainly on the side trims. I've just been taking to someone who recommends Gilles Vario handle bars, makes it a bit better seating position. Anyone tried them? Or a cheaper brand preferably?
