Suspension problems! It pains me to say but my SP and me are not getting on basically when on a ride for more than 20 miles which is everyday for me it kills my forearms and hands to the point where it's very painful and my hands go numb and dead. Tonight on my way home from work my hands were so battered that they went dead and I couldn't actually pull the front brake lever, To me that's just dangerous and after just 1200 miles I'm considering parting company with it. I'm going to take it to a suspension specialist and get it setup for my height and weight 6'1 and 14 stone (muscle not fat). If this doesn't solve the problem then I'll be trading it in against an S1000RR but will offer it on here first if anybody is interested. Gotta say I'm really gutted about this as I never had the same problem with my 09 Blade. Will keep you guys posted but living with this on a daily basis just isn't viable I'll end up dead before long....
Throw in a wham bar and a air guitar and ill do a straight trade with you for my 09 repsol. Lol It's a shame you're not getting on too well mate, is it the commute miles that's the problem or all miles? I would've suggested giving it a bit time to get used to, but with you having problems after a very few miles then you're not really likely to get used to it and sad to say that a trade in my be the only way for you to go. The BMW is a very cool bike so if it's comfier for you then it's a no brainer. Good luck with it. Andy B
Gutted to hear that buddy. They changed the geometry a little didnt they? Perhaps that's it? Hopefully the set up might help, but if its the more extreme riding position, the s1000rr might cause same issues??
Thanks dude well at first I thought it might just be the commute but went out for a blat the other weekend with Rewy on here and we did 70ish miles and my arms were buggered after that so I guess it's deffo me that it doesn't like lol.
Phat wheelie that Jimbo! Yeah riding position changed on this years model I really hope it's just suspension that's causing the problem. I had an S1krr a couple years back and got on ok in terms of comfort with that. I have to say I feel like a prize bellend as I'm not normally a gambling man but as honda wouldn't allow test rides of the SP before hand I bought it on faith and feel a bit let down.
after riding Danny's SP, I actually thought the riding position was more upright and comfortable than my 06! sounds like a suspension set up will sort you out.
Suspension is rock hard nick. Remember It's track focused and not made for commuting. Tho.. Ohlins are well known for being a hard ride so maybe look at putting softer springs in if it's that bad. I'm 15 stone and had to take 3 turns of compression off the front and one off the rear as the chatter was unbearable on the road.. It's bob on now .. I had 4 turns off for a whole but it was spondgy as **** and over steered like mad when it was tipped in.. Not fun ha.. Pulls wheelies nice in 3rd tho which is nice and just on the power with no clutch.. Good luck if you get the bm. My pals just got a brandnew one for 12200 .. It looks mint I Kniw where my money would go
Ha ha! Cheers.... Silly one - how's the lever positions? Could be something minor? I'd struggle to see it as suspension tbh unless its vibrating bad through bars as its too harsh? But I'm certainly no expert on set ups, my bet is riding position so maybe some rearsets and adj clip ons could be the answer??
Cheers Daz I'll give the suspension a go see if it makes any difference but you're right about the ohlins. The last bike I went for a burn on with ohlins was the 11 zx10r and I was glad to give that back at the end of the hour. At the moment I feel like I went to bed with Jessica Alba and woken up with Hayley Cropper....
Are you maybe putting too much weight onto your wrists? I used to have the same problem with my 600rr until a seasoned biker pointed out I was putting all my weight through my wrists. Im almost 2k miles in with my SP and I haven't experienced any problems along the lines your talking. I really hope you get it sorted.
Have a fiddle with lever positions mate....it makes the world of difference. Also, are you gripping the tank with your knees at slow speeds? It makes all the difference when commuting and takes the weight of your wrists. Use your torso muscles and thighs to grip the bike rather than weighting your wrists. Otherwise, get the suspension set up or soften it up a bit in little increments yourself.
Cheers gents yeah been gripping the tank but I'll check lever positions worth having a fettle. Appreciate the input though as I would like to get on with the bike as it's such an amazing machine but this is the only bike that's ever given me this problem.
Sorry to hear you're having problems. I've got a 2014 ABS (not a SP) and found StompGrips and adjusting the levers has made a massive difference. Hope you get it sorted.
Not had this problem with my SP although last weekend on a slow ride out with Rich Stone and his Buell bubbies the tops of my shoulders were sore.
Watching this thread with interest. I do most of my miles on bumpy roads (Dales) and my 2013 Blade suspension is very good on those. I was tempted with an SP but not so sure now! Hope you get it sorted Nick_BladeRR. If you do decide to go for an S1000R a mate of mine works for a BMW Dealer and will be able to sort you a good deal - and I can buy your SP off him if you px
That does seem a massive shame mate, to get what must have been the bike of your dreams and be a bit disappointed. Hopefully as others have said "it might be better after the suspension setup", fingers crossed for you pal. Andy B
