- Joined
- Dec 12, 2004
- Messages
- 1,282
- Age
- 76
- Location
- Weatherford, TX
- Bike
- '16 Versys 650LT
- STOC #
- 1134
Thinking about replacing both of my current bikes with one that allows me to sit as near to vertical as possible due to the development of a bad neck. Right now I can't even make 150 miles on the ST1300 without having to return home (and I already have MCL III risers). I'm currently in physical therapy for the neck but don't see it improving to the point of being able to do extensive traveling on the ST (don't want to have the operation). This problem caused me to miss TexSTOC this year. This hit just as I was getting ready to get back into long distance touring after having been out of the game for several years because of other medical issues.
I went on a motorcycle ergonomic site to see what bikes might work for me. I found two bikes that would fit the bill in that both of these show I'd be sitting at 0 degrees from vertical, or bolt upright:
1. Goldwing GL1800
2. 2005-2009 R1200RT.
The Goldwing ergos are perfect both for my neck and short inseam (I'm 5'8" w/ 30 to 31" inseam) but it's main drawback is that it's huge, heavy, & pretty expensive, even for used ones with plenty of mileage.
The RT is taller than I'd like and I really don't like the meager dealership network throughout the country, an important consideration if I'm going to use the bike for transcontinental traveling. I do however have a line on a well priced, low mileage 2009.
A bike I'd really like to have is the Suzuki DL650a but the newer ones are just too tall. I've sat on the 2007-2011 generation (which have close to 0 degree seating but not quite) & height wise it would work but it's seated ergos are not perfectly straight up & down even though close. It might work with Rox risers or some other type of bar-backs but don't know for sure.
For those of you who have neck problems and have not had the surgery, how have you adapted your rides for LD travel & what bike works best for you?
I went on a motorcycle ergonomic site to see what bikes might work for me. I found two bikes that would fit the bill in that both of these show I'd be sitting at 0 degrees from vertical, or bolt upright:
1. Goldwing GL1800
2. 2005-2009 R1200RT.
The Goldwing ergos are perfect both for my neck and short inseam (I'm 5'8" w/ 30 to 31" inseam) but it's main drawback is that it's huge, heavy, & pretty expensive, even for used ones with plenty of mileage.
The RT is taller than I'd like and I really don't like the meager dealership network throughout the country, an important consideration if I'm going to use the bike for transcontinental traveling. I do however have a line on a well priced, low mileage 2009.
A bike I'd really like to have is the Suzuki DL650a but the newer ones are just too tall. I've sat on the 2007-2011 generation (which have close to 0 degree seating but not quite) & height wise it would work but it's seated ergos are not perfectly straight up & down even though close. It might work with Rox risers or some other type of bar-backs but don't know for sure.
For those of you who have neck problems and have not had the surgery, how have you adapted your rides for LD travel & what bike works best for you?