Bike dilemma: the upright position is just better, I think...

[SWriverstone]

My first bike was a VFR. I've put 16K miles on it and think it's a fantastic bike.

Six months later, I bought a KLR, and did a 5,000-mile tour on it. I realized on that tour that I liked the upright riding position of the KLR more than the sportbike position (or somewhat moderated sportbike position) of the VFR. For me, it's just more comfortable, period. I like having less weight on my hands, and I like being able to rotate and look around more easily. (I have a strong back from years of kayaking, so sitting upright with more weight on my back/butt has never been an issue for me.)

So that's the situation. I love my VFR...but I'm just feeling more and more like it's just not "the" bike for me. I'm thinking I'd be happier on a big upright bike with the power and comfort for long-distance touring.

I've been fixating on the V-Strom, because it's really the only non-expensive, non-European big upright bike out there. I'd love to have a BMW GS1200 or a Multistrada or a Triumph Tiger...but I'm 100% sold on Japanese reliability and low cost of maintenance.

Just thoughts. Any other thoughts?

Scott

[st2sam]

My thoughts   , OK.......
The BIG "V-STROM", it's you all the way Scott.

[garry]

Comfort is very subjective. On my recent trip to ESTN, I had more butt/back aches on the Wee Strom than I ever do on my sportbike. Could be the weird bend of the bars, which I plan to address shortly. My extreme lower back gets achier on the Wee Strom too. I suspect that's because the Strom doesn't let me put weight on my legs as easily as the sportbike, so my butt takes more of the weight. It's either sit (in exactly one position) or stand up on the Strom. I can move around more on the sportbike which helps a lot I think. FWIW, I have the Suzuki gel seat on the 650 which adds an inch of height (makes it the same height as the 1000) and sometimes use a sheepskin seat pad on it too. I have a sheepskin pad for the sportbike too.

I took the sportbike out for a 350+ mile day with no stops except for gas (skipped lunch, my bad) and felt fine when I got off the bike 8.5 hours later.

All that said, both bikes are good for full days on the road (12 hours). I might be a bit achy when I'm done for the day, but within a half hour of walking around I feel fine and don't hurt the next day, so I guess that counts as reasonably comfy in the big scheme of things.

[servicerifle]

I know you're concerned about durability, but you really owe it to yourself to try the new Tiger.  The Sprints are doing great and a great deal of the meat of the Tiger is Sprint, with an upgraded suspension and upright position.  The engine will seduce you.

[garry]

Good point Steve. The Tiger, Ulysses and Multistrada are all very worthy competitors to the big Strom, especially if you're sticking to mostly paved roads.

[Rincewind]

Don't forget to try the Ulysses before you buy (and get the free bag).  The Buell has a lower redline than the others so makes senses if you don't wind your bike out often.  Maintenance is reportedly pretty reasonable, and the belt drive is neat.

[maddjack]

I agree with garry comfort is an individual thing,what works for me may suck for you. All the above mentioned bikes are definately on my short list(I need money to buy!) I am holding out for 1 More year in hope of the rumored baby Tiger 675,if not ,its looking for me a Tiger for my new LD mount or a 650 Strom. I would buy a Uly but the nearest Buell dealer for me is a tad far,and I have no desire to repeat LD travel for any needed Dealer service.Otherwise it would be the uly,its maintance is very low and its easy to work on yourself

[spd2918]

Why not get the 'Strom?  I loved the riding position of my 1000 but ultimately sold it due to no wind protection and poor passenger space (her words, not mine).

[Bodhi]

As Gary said, comfort is subjective. My first bike was an upright cruiser and I found that it transmitted every bump straight up my spine (I have a slightly bad back - nothing tremendously serious, but it does bother me sometimes). When I got the ST3, the first thing I was going to do was put on helibars, but on some advice in STN, decided to wait at least 1,000 miles to see if liked the bone stock (slightly sporty posture). I don't regret my decision. I find the slight forward lean means the bumps don't go straight up my spine - instead, my torso acts like a lever, ratcheting up and down to absord the bumps (like a skier with his kness flexed instead of locked). It makes sense to me if you have back issues, that a slight forward lean might actually take some of the jolting forces off your back.

[12Runderme]

If you're sticking to pavement, consider Suzuki's new Bandit 1250 or a used Kawi ZRX1200.  You'll probably want something with some mild off-road design, though, based on the Euro bikes you mentioned.

Just found this little video review of the new Bandit
http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=752841791&channel=711881422

[pushrod]

Riverstone, I smiled at the ergo observations, and some of the irony. I have a yen for a 'strom myself, mainly for a comfy platform on which to ensconce the lovely bride, and minor unpaved excursions. I actually fear the upright position of the strom, 'cause upright is much harder on my back like some have mentioned. I DO support your following your ergo assessments. None of the bikes you mention would seem to have any issues, and I'm also sold on Japanese reliability, though I think Triumph and Aprilia (Tuono?) would serve well also. I'm not willing to wade into daffydromic maintenance - I'd choose pushrods (Uly) before that.
 
'Hope the sale of the Viffer is good to you and that the new chosen steed just makes you stupid happy!

[kyzrex]

why not keep the VFR and put a set of helibars on it?   Would bring the bars up and back a bit to give you more of an upright position.

[nanbil]

I agree, I love the more relaxed but still sporty upright position of my TDM—slight foward lean. Coming off the TDM—which is not a small bike by any means—the Strom felt huge.  I didn't care for it at all.  If you are coming off a VFR I think that you will find a smaller more sporty bike, like the Multistrada or the Uly, a better fit.  Just my opinion.

Bill

[Prubert]

I second the advice to give the Uly a try.  I only have 1200 miles on mine and I really think it can do everything my Sprint/VFR did.  I have not ventured off-road with it yet, but I don't think that I will do that much.

You are right, the upright position is great, and with the Buell tall windscreen I have no pressure on my chest, it is a very neutral position.

The '07 seat is a bit lower then the '06 if you are inseamed challenged. and the bags swallow a full face helmet.

I really like the low maintenance aspect of the bike too...

And the messenger bag that Buell is giving away for a test ride is quite nice.  I have been using mine for over 2 months to tote around the macbook and it is showing no signs of wear, its even is a good design to take with you on trips to the airport.

[kendenton]

Scott,

I have no concerns about the current euro-bikes reliability.  If you're only considering current japanese bikes, I don't know what else there is other than the VStrom you mentioned.  The new Bandit would certainly be tempting if you don't mind a naked, and the price is right.

I demo'd the new Tiger, and that is quite the nice bike, with a perfect seating position - even better than the Multi.  ABS too!

[cal_tony]

I find the VFR too upright compared to my CBR. However it is comfortable to me. I have 2 upright bikes and also find them comfortable but not for long distance same speed riding.

The pain that I get in my back from long distance riding is the constant pounding  by my upper body weight to the base of my spine. I get sciatic nerve pain. With the forward riding stance of the sport bike, a lot of my weight is distributed to my leg and  stomach muscles and I experience no pain.

Initially, I did notice that I was putting too much pressure on my shoulders because I was trying to hold my body up. MY arms were fully extended  and it was uncomfortable. Now I find that my riding position is such that I find that my arms are low and not doing anything other than operating the  levers.

Regarding the tilted forward riding style making it difficult to look around while riding, thats a mixed bag.

If I go into town, I automatically use one of my other bikes because not being able to look around in town is a problem. On the road however, it helps me to concentrate on whats ahead and not whats on the side or off the road.

So, is the upright position better? As far as I'm concerned each position has it's advantages and disadvantages. If I want to go fast or log on some miles, it's the CBR. If it's just a leisurely ride or a 2 up ride (which I hardly ever do)  it's never the CBR.

Tony

[SuperHans]

Scott, do you really need a bike with off road capabilities when you have the KLR? Just something to think about.

The Triumphs are very reliable so I would'nt overlook them.

[maddjack]

I think the best way for anyone to judge comfort is to ride whatever machine they are intrested in,the classic sportbike position I Used to favor now destroys my back in a very short time,and more upright seems much better ,which is why the S3 i ride feels so comfy even on long days.maybe things just change enough as a person gets older,what was good is no longer and things that were not  are now good.My 2 coppers

[RunningLate]

My first bike was a VFR. I've put 16K miles on it and think it's a fantastic bike.

Six months later, I bought a KLR, and did a 5,000-mile tour on it. I realized on that tour that I liked the upright riding position of the KLR more than the sportbike position (or somewhat moderated sportbike position) of the VFR. For me, it's just more comfortable, period. I like having less weight on my hands, and I like being able to rotate and look around more easily. (I have a strong back from years of kayaking, so sitting upright with more weight on my back/butt has never been an issue for me.)

So that's the situation. I love my VFR...but I'm just feeling more and more like it's just not "the" bike for me. I'm thinking I'd be happier on a big upright bike with the power and comfort for long-distance touring.

I've been fixating on the V-Strom, because it's really the only non-expensive, non-European big upright bike out there. I'd love to have a BMW GS1200 or a Multistrada or a Triumph Tiger...but I'm 100% sold on Japanese reliability and low cost of maintenance.

Just thoughts. Any other thoughts?

Scott

I rode a WeeStrom for ~12,000 miles (my first bike). My longest day was 600+ miles (mountain hiways). The ergos were perfect for me, the next day I was not stiff or sore anywhere. The bike handled the twisties easily for a beginner rider and yes it was fun for me. Two problems started to bother me; for hiway use the engine (650cc) lacked passing power for my tastes and the original windscreen left me with a slightly scrambled noodle from the wind buffeting after a long ride. There is much discussion on the VStrom forums about windshield cures. I sold it because I want to ride many different bikes in as short a time span as my finances will allow. My opinion - I like VStrom.

[Farked Up]

The Strom is a capable all-purpose road bike. IMO it has plenty of power and the seating position is comfortable. I have a bad back (3 surgeries, fused L-4 & L-5, 2 rods), and I can ride an hour, or so, without much increased pain (using a prescribed back brace). I've got the buffeting under control with a Madstad mount. The stock seat could use more padding, so for longer trips, it would be nice to find a better seat. I've never had any problems passing cars on the highway. I have cruised comfortably at 85+ indicated for 50+ miles. That said, my next bike may be a Tiger or a BMW, which I think are a notch above, at least performance wise.