Soar shoulders

[jonberm]

I'm about to buy a 2010 1200 R after 17 years of riding old Harley Davidsons. I went for a test ride the other day and fell in love with the bike, however, my shoulders felt uncomfortable after only a few minutes of riding. After reading tons of posts here regarding seats and risers, I'm not sure what I should address first. Obviously if I go for a Low Comfort seat or something similar, it might not be the issue and they're not cheap. Could a riser be the answer instead? I realize this is something I need to trust my instinct on, but I won't have much experience on the bike when I buy it. I'm 6 ft tall 170 lbs. I was NOT uncomfortable on the seat during the 15 minute test ride (pretty short time), quite happy in fact, just the positioning felt a bit off. Any thoughts??
Also, thanks for all the info you guys and gals have shared here. Great forum!

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Hate to be the one to break the news to you, John. But the answer to your question is to put 5000 miles on the bike and learn what might need fixing. You just might need to get used to the stock position. Then again, you might need the seat a bit higher, or the bars a bit higher. . . . Or not. Only way to tell is to ride the thing.

The 1200R is a pretty upright position as delivered. And you're a pretty typical size person. So it shouldn't be too far off in stock trim.

[mogu83]

I think you have to compare it to the riding position you are accustomed to (IE:HD). Euro bikes have a sitting position all their own and it takes some getting used to, bar-backs or risers will help some if you feel you are leaning forward too much.

On a personal note - I rode a friends Harley with forward controls and Ape hangers and was afraid to go around turns. I couldn't get off it fast enough.

[jonberm]

Bob Ain't Stoppin', Thanks for the suggestions and info. In the back of my head that's what I figured. I'm looking forward to putting 5000 miles on the bike.

mogu83, that's funny about your Harley ride. I don't blame you. Not my personal riding style either. Classic old Harley FLH 4 speed, swing arm cruiser is the way to go for me. Shovel Head and Pan Head Motors. It's like an old Caddilac. Totally ready for the switch to the 1200 R though. I haven't been able to sleep since I road the thing.

Thanks again.

[mogu83]

Don't expect it (R1200R) to replace your FLH, the Beemer is a whole different thing, not better or worse just different.
Dis you keep your Harley? If you read between the lines in these posts you'll notice a few of us have a cruiser bike sitting next to the Beemer in the garage.

[jonberm]

Yeh, thanks mogu83. I'm ready for a whole different thing. My Harley is actually up for sale. And as much as I wish I could keep it, I financially can't. Also, since I have ventured down this path, many people have shared the same thought with me. The older bike just sits there, which isn't good for anyone. I have not been doing any longer distance riding for years because my bike is so old, and I just don't like any of the new Harleys enough to throw down that kinda cash. The 1200 R has re inspired me. (Not my wife though. LOL)

[tobes]

When I first got this bike I loved the performance and look of it but a couple of things felt off, mainly the seat and the thin grips which hurt my hands. I immediately added an alaska seat cover and added foam covers to fatten up the grips. After about 6 months of riding I realized it was just a matter of getting used to this new bike and no longer need those things. The recommendation to put some miles on it first is a good one.

[AncientMariner]

Bob is correct. Ride the thing for awhile before you go making changes.

When I first started riding my R12 my back got sore, my shoulders ached and my wrists were in agony. (I had just come from a K75 and the riding position did not seem that different.) However after 5,000 miles I can report that none of those soreness issues remain. I'm so glad I didn't mess with risers, etc early on.

The low comfort seat was standard equipment on my bike and it is just fine for all day rides.

Bruce

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

One more thought for the OP. I'd suggest making any changes to the seat first. Two reasons. One, the stock seats are pretty bad on these bikes, so if you're really going to ride anywhere, you will need to make a change. Second, changing the seat will completely change you're relationship with the bars. So seat first, then bring the other points into alignment for your body.

[jonberm]

Awesome! You guys are great. The bike I'm buying has the stock seat, but I'm gonna leave it all alone and not spend money needlessly. Then, ride the hell out of the bike and figure it out from there. Very excited! Just have to sell my current bike and off we go. Thanks again guys.

Jon

[celticus]

Risers ARE inexpensive at least mine were and an easy to put on and take off fix. I put mine on a year and a half ago and usually forget that I have them. I had had my bike for several years before I installed the risers.
Of course it may just be the difference in riding position from the old bike to the new.

Mark

[D-Rider]

Was your test drive at low speeds? My shoulders/arms/wrists get a little sore
at low speeds because there's no wind pressure to relieve the forward lean.

Once a get up to highway speeds the wind magically makes the riding position
just about perfect.

Just a thought...

By way of comparison, I'm 6' 175 and also came from the HD world.

[sondey]

Jon, if you find that the seat bothers you after some time on it, you could try this fix which is inexpensive compared to a new seat. I have an air hawk with a lambskin over that and it works for me. I've been thinking of getting the comfort seat but then tell myself why fix something if " it ain't broke". Just realize that your seat height will raise about an inch. If you're reaching for the ground at a stop now that's a disadvantage. If you're not it can be better for cramped knees.
From what I've read, the stock seat is a pain for just about everyone here, but there are a few who have no problem with it. So if you are lucky enough to be a good fit with the stock seat sing halleluah, as you can spend your money elsewhere.

[ShinySideUp]

I'm in total agreement about riding some more. If your shoulders hurt after a short ride I'd be willing to bet it's all about the excess tension you created there while on an unfamiliar bike.

After a 700 mile ride the first day I owned the bike (flew to buy it used and rode it back home), I was SURE I wanted an aftermarket seat. Done.

Of less importance (and cheap) were foam grips. Still love 'em. After 35K miles, mine are starting to shred a bit and I'll definitely replace them.

I also went for bar risers (not the really expensive ones) and I lowered the pegs, even highway pegs on the crash bars. But I came off a Honda ST1100 and loved the comfort of stretching everything while sitting upright.

Your body will tell you what to thin your wallet on, and your wife will tell you why you shouldn't!

[Tarmac]

Ok, your 6' tall. Im 5' 9". You came from Harley's, I came from sport bikes. When I picked up my 12R, it had the stock handle bars, and low seat (the girl I bought it from was 5'1"). I rode home, 60 miles mostly highways, and had a "kid sitting at the grown up table" feeling the whole time. I felt like my hands where waaaaayyy up above my head, and didn't like it at all. Putting on the standard seat helped a lot, but I was thinking that I need clubmans, or at least a flatter super bike bar, and possibly rear sets to get comfortable.

After 3k on the bike, the bars and pegs feel fine, but the seat sucks after 1 hour. Rear sets and a lower bar are still possible, but im gonna do something about the seat 1st.

At your height, I can't imagine needing the low seat (way too low for me), you should be able to get both feet down flat at a light easy. Maybe you should get crash bars and highway pegs? Maybe the lower pegs, if your not planning on riding her quickly.

[Kieran R1200R]

One more thought for the OP. I'd suggest making any changes to the seat first. Two reasons. One, the stock seats are pretty bad on these bikes, so if you're really going to ride anywhere, you will need to make a change. Second, changing the seat will completely change you're relationship with the bars. So seat first, then bring the other points into alignment for your body.

Listen mate! Don't take any notice of all these short arses on this forum! They'll have you changing everything!
You said you are 6' tall there fore make sure when you buy your bike it comes with a high seat. Yes there is 3 seat opptions on this bike! Take the tall seat opption and you wont have a problem. There's 3' more padding from a tall seat to a low seat.
As far as your shoulders there is a 100 and 1 opptions to fix the problem. Buy the bike and then see what you need.
I have changed the bars on my bike umungst many other things.
What you will find is the motor shares the same longevity as the HD and takes a very long time for it to run in.
I'm from OZ and our Police ride BM's here and say that after 40,000km the bike starts to give better fuel ecconomy and more HP.
The first thing you will notice is the bike likes to go around corners, it is a very flexable bike, so much so, I have been riding for 35 years and have had countless bikes, 6 BM's and this R1200R is by far the best. it's very veritile and will do anything you want from a bike. Good luck and let's know how you get on!

Cheers

[ka5ysy]

Welcome to the"Test Ride Victims Club"


If you are still having the sore shoulders in a couple of days, it is a pretty good indicator that you need some bar backs and risers. I had that problem and I am 5' 11". After about 30 minutes the stock bar position gave me a serious burning sensation across my shoulders.
Moto-Techniques fixed the problem quickly and inexpensively:

http://www.moto-techniques.com/

These are 1" up and 1.25" back.





As a lot of us have figured out, the stock seat simply sucks. I tried the cheap route and did the Alaska Leather cover. That made the seat go from a 30 minute seat to a 2 hour seat. Eventually I spent the bucks and got Rick Mayer to build me a custom seat. It looks great, and fixed the seat issue. Now I can go all day easily, as can my lovely wife riding 2-up.

[jonberm]

Good stuff! Thanks guys.

[Sander Abernathy]

Early on my shoulders and back hurt quite a bit. I had the normal height stock seat and I was always pushing back to get on the wide part of the seat to ease the pain in my arse. Now that I have the comfort seat I stay forward in the seat most of the time (because that's what Troy Corser would do). The thing that helped my arms is staying forward, gripping the tank with my knees to give myself a stable base and using my back muscles to support my upper torso in a slight forward lean. In this position, you can stay in the right postion while shifting your weight from your back to your hands.

The other thing that helped a great deal was remaining loose. Early on I was always very tense and that was the cause of a lot of the pain.

[jonberm]

Picked up my 2010 R 1200 R 2 weeks ago. Thanks again to all for your advice. It was very helpful in the planning process. And for whatever it's worth...Sander Abernathy's advice just above, really hit the nail on the head. My test ride problem seemed to be related an unfamiliar situation, which forced me to ride too stiff.

I have not put any serious miles in yet, (a few 30 and 40 mile rides to break the bike in) but so far, with the stock bike setup and the stock seat, it has been an awesome experience. LOVE this bike!

Thanks again.