SamuraiMark
n00b++
Hi all,
2006 FZ6, mostly stock.
I've been trying my hand at some longer distance riding, hoping to build up endurance for road trips like Ontario -> East Coast and Ontario -> Key West, and trying to determine root cause for any discomfort.
First run of the day I can comfortably do at least 2 hours. After that I can manage maybe 1hr15mins at a stretch, with a 30 - 45 min break though this remains to be proven. I'm doing some test runs to see if this pans out. If I can comfortably do four or five 1hr15min runs in a day, even with long breaks, then that is good enough for long distance touring.
Primary pain points are a sore ass (stock seat) and sore / uncomfortable knees and quads. Also issues with hands and feet. Wind doesn't bother me, though I do have Givi's taller touring screen ordered. Should be here next week.
As I said, I am not sure of the root cause (sore ass -> I could stand to lose 20lbs, need a different seat? Hands and feet -> vibration?, knees and quads -> sport touring style "closed" knee and hip angles? Vibration again?) but I suspect high-frequency vibration at freeway speeds (110 - 120kph, ~6000RPM in 6th) may be at least partially to blame.
And so I am looking for suggestions or discussion on your experiences. Obviously I should consider an alternative seat ... Corbin Gunfighter? The Yamaha touring seat only available in Europe AFAIK? And yes, I should lose that 20lbs.
I thought boots with Vibram soles might help (or anti-vibration insoles? Isolate It! Insoles, Premium Sorbothane Insoles) but I'm having a hell of a time finding actual motorcycle boots with Vibram soles. Maybe some Doc Marten's with their squishy soles? But those aren't actual moto boots. No armor.
I have Icon's Patrol boots. They've been decent enough (except for those damn fabric eyelets) but they don't do much to isolate vibration at the pegs.
Vibration in the handlebars is sometimes bad enough to leave me with the same kind of after-effects you gets from working with powertools for extended periods ... tingling and such. Granted, this is partly the result of holding the grips to tight. Alternative grips? Handlebar weights? Anti-Vibration Inserts | Fasst Company
[Edit: Found some bar end / bar weight ideas here: http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-general-discussion/49197-new-fz6-bar-ends.html]
So, how do the rest of you find the vibration of the FZ6 at speed over long distances? It is entirely possible that I'm just not built for, or too old for, the relatively closed up position of a Euro-style sport-touring bike. Maybe I need something more open like an F800GS or anything I can more easily move around on. But I love my FZ6, and would prefer to solve any issues of (distance limiting) discomfort if possible.
Cheers,
Mark
2006 FZ6, mostly stock.
I've been trying my hand at some longer distance riding, hoping to build up endurance for road trips like Ontario -> East Coast and Ontario -> Key West, and trying to determine root cause for any discomfort.
First run of the day I can comfortably do at least 2 hours. After that I can manage maybe 1hr15mins at a stretch, with a 30 - 45 min break though this remains to be proven. I'm doing some test runs to see if this pans out. If I can comfortably do four or five 1hr15min runs in a day, even with long breaks, then that is good enough for long distance touring.
Primary pain points are a sore ass (stock seat) and sore / uncomfortable knees and quads. Also issues with hands and feet. Wind doesn't bother me, though I do have Givi's taller touring screen ordered. Should be here next week.
As I said, I am not sure of the root cause (sore ass -> I could stand to lose 20lbs, need a different seat? Hands and feet -> vibration?, knees and quads -> sport touring style "closed" knee and hip angles? Vibration again?) but I suspect high-frequency vibration at freeway speeds (110 - 120kph, ~6000RPM in 6th) may be at least partially to blame.
And so I am looking for suggestions or discussion on your experiences. Obviously I should consider an alternative seat ... Corbin Gunfighter? The Yamaha touring seat only available in Europe AFAIK? And yes, I should lose that 20lbs.
I thought boots with Vibram soles might help (or anti-vibration insoles? Isolate It! Insoles, Premium Sorbothane Insoles) but I'm having a hell of a time finding actual motorcycle boots with Vibram soles. Maybe some Doc Marten's with their squishy soles? But those aren't actual moto boots. No armor.
I have Icon's Patrol boots. They've been decent enough (except for those damn fabric eyelets) but they don't do much to isolate vibration at the pegs.
Vibration in the handlebars is sometimes bad enough to leave me with the same kind of after-effects you gets from working with powertools for extended periods ... tingling and such. Granted, this is partly the result of holding the grips to tight. Alternative grips? Handlebar weights? Anti-Vibration Inserts | Fasst Company
[Edit: Found some bar end / bar weight ideas here: http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-general-discussion/49197-new-fz6-bar-ends.html]
So, how do the rest of you find the vibration of the FZ6 at speed over long distances? It is entirely possible that I'm just not built for, or too old for, the relatively closed up position of a Euro-style sport-touring bike. Maybe I need something more open like an F800GS or anything I can more easily move around on. But I love my FZ6, and would prefer to solve any issues of (distance limiting) discomfort if possible.
Cheers,
Mark
Last edited: