tall/big folks & touring or general comfort

interested in how taller folks set up their commando's for long distance touring, or even just for general riding comfort, i like to use at least a small shield, windscreen,

personally, i prefer big sized bikes to start with or very important is suitability/comfort for my size 6'2" 220 lbs,

did some time as a skinny 180bs kid on a roadster and legs becoming stiff and cramped got really ugly on short 3-4 hr hops, riding with a passenger didn't really work or was very tight along with the seat being too short

i prefer the interstate setup (stretched out) as a starting point, even the way it looks as opposed to the roadster that focuses on tight, light, small(er) and compact

Number one is being able to change positions of legs and trunk and neck as no one can hold one position even the best one for hours at a time w/o suffering side effects. Its mostly d/t upper then lower spinal cord nerve tracks choking down that then projects into back or limbs. Sit on Cdo and put hand out where feels natural ease then fit bars that suit that, which is like 8" rise for my 6'2" Ickabod Krane build. Allows full tuck down with head between bars and hands about ear level trying to exceed 120 or so. Rear sets are rather better to get the ~120-130 degree best hip angle but does leave knees bent enough eventually blood flow and tissue stretch will bother you, so greatly helps to make foot forward rests to straighten them full out for relief. Cdo's are pretty short for long leg critter to use crash bar pegs like TC uses so may still leave knees bent too much to get relief, [which is still more side effect of spinal cord nerve tracts "sag factor" than actual joint ache felt, if ya can believe a non MD spinal cord neurologist specialist]. I solved it on Peel with a foot bar mounted on fork brace, which has added benefit of feeling what happens in forks on cornering, which don't agree with main stream concepts. Seat should have a lumbar back up by luggage or bed roll or sissy bar pad to lean back on a while. Also the IS tank can support a Large tank bag one can lay chest on with feet on rear sets and neck held comfortable effortless to see ahead. Prior to these changes on Peel, I'd get numb hands, pain down right arm/upper back so bad had to let go of throttle going up steeps so almost stopped before I could grab hold in pain again. Also found prior cord pressure would mess with my urinary bladder causing too frequent piss stops and some squirming suffering till I could. With Old Brits IS over stuffed cafe seat, T140 triumph bars, rear sets, fork foot rests and big tank bag I would go into trace w/o a sense of body but being part of the Cdo so would circle around gas stations while my buddy gassed up not to break the trace just thinking as best way to travel in like 6 hr segments a go.

For long trips I consider 2 hours sitting on a Norton as a pretty good stretch. I used to stand just under 6 foot 3 but the way my back is now and after back surgery I am just under 6 foot 2. But it is my legs that make up for most of my height. My Norton Interstate originally had the European handlebars on it and at one point I tried putting rear sets on it thinking that would help my lower back pain before surgery. It didn't help at all. All it did was make me shift my weight more towards the handlebars which forced me to hold myself up when riding in slow traffic. After my surgery I replaced the rear sets with the original foot pegs and also installed the U.S. handlebars on it. After riding the motorcycle this way even though my lower back doesn't bother me now, I feel that it would be nicer to have the foot pegs a little lower not necessarily moved aft. So I purchased a set of used foot pegs that I hope to modify someday to about an inch lower.

I live in an area that can get pretty doggone windy - Tehachapi, California. I have ridden in some headwinds that would try to rip my legs away from the fuel tank which gets very tiring in a short period of time. On those days I think about fairings and windshields or even modifying the fuel tank with some nice knee indentations to boot.

Pete

Pete i know what ya mean on the nuance extra effort to keep knees out of the wind gusts while leaning a dozen degrees into wind to go straight-ish but veers a bit dt extra wind or short lulls in the main flow. Seat base to butt angle comes into play, sacrum all the way to skull so foot placement is more than just legs ease to bargain around. I'm been rather pleased with huge fork mounted wind screen for bad weather and surprising - 2 different screens on Combat forks actually damped wind / truck blasts. Others have taken their off d/t upset steering so trial error knowing big fork mount screens can be a blessing.

I've Peel's drilled out foot stalks to donate it ya like and suggest you rig up rear set like pegs as well as lower standard pegs as shifting body posture now and then goes a long way. Be aware anything fixed below standard pegs is hi risk of grounding so might try a loop - stirrup creation to rest feet for a spell yet foot pushed out and stirrup flicked up if having to lean much for any reason not always your choice.

On Ohio 1000 mile trip with Wes, so many bikes around only like types waved at each other, but I'd get the hand low waves of HD curisers when my boots soles were seen oncoming and got to be a game to creep up on HD hwy parades with my boot soles looking like theirs, till time to pass would put back on rear set and give em a blast of open header Peel with Wes right behind for a traveling wave of WFT twitches then oh Cool nods reactions.

Riding takes some effort to stay alert and balanced body so chemistry also comes into play how long one can go w/o pumping extra blood here and there, besides fact that joint and tissue fluid tend to go to gel state after ~15 min, so sweets & fake sweeteners strong booze induces inflammation and tense mm's and if not blood sugar reserves enough mm's run out of energy to stay relaxed, does not take energy to contract a mm, so can cramp if too low and/or nerve irritation added. I try to clean up my act days or weeks before long ordeals for reserves to enjoy the treats on the holiday and get away with it at ease, for a time.

I find the Commando, even with US bars, small and compact, having my knees up by the gas cap, hunched over. By far the most comfortable vintage I have was this bike with the period installed apes, which, aren't really apehangers at all, but just bring the hands up to about elbow level. I've since removed them for correctness, but miss the functionality of the hi-rise bars. Maybe convert to Hi-Rider spec? (sorry for the off-brand post, just showing handlebars)

I thot Motorycler's like to be known as independent of following a fad or trend to suffer with so not behaving like gals with latest tallest spiked Hi Heels. None the less the world loves to see the F00kMe fast fashion wear so thank you for keeping your eye sore ape hangers stored. I'm old fashioned so see back packs as army or hiking gear drag but leaves nice profile w/o pilot on it. In the end even the best posture and support is not enough to stop or reverse spinal and joint decay, just ease and slow its progress so wise to arrange life and past times with least sag and strain and vibration - shock.


My 'boney' SuVee is a bad compromise of sport and utilitarian commuter to me, hard to get set right for balance and resisting the judders when creeping up on race tire skip outs I never know when till it happens and always scares and pisses me off it surprised me but got current limit down pat - can cause back of neck into one arm or the other to cramp up, vs long rides forced on me, Aug 21 4 hr turnpike 80's, 5th hr stop/go city at night, 6th hr peering squinting into darkest areas for deer. 1 st hr on turn pike neck upper back began deep to the bone ache so put L elbow on tank and rest my chin on fist playing with strains and relaxing till got it to go away then on off kept doing it next few hours to by time i hit city and beyond I was comfortable. In past would not always relieve w/o stopping so have regrown neck since last breaking by deer. I see some wisdom in this.

I have 25 year old Superbike bars on mine. I had them on my 76 KZ 900 Kawasaki and took them off when I sold it. I knew I kept them for a reason. When I got the Norton the bars were bent up. I poked around and surprise I found them and they fit. They lean you down and stretch you out some. They hurt my shoulders after an hour or so but for a taller person they may help. I have to lean down to reach them. I must say, that I do like the look. Just a thought.

I find the US bars do go well with the stock footrests.
For a big bloke though, I reckon the interstate tank helps as with a roadster, your legs and knees are flapping around in the breeze! The interstate tank fills the space nicely between your knees and seems to make the whole bike feel bigger.
The Corbin seat helps when using the US bars and stock footrest as it holds you in place very well, so you don't have to get white knuckles hanging on to the bars!
The Corbin seat is quite hard, but it's very 'arse shaped'! I guess the comfort factor may vary according to arse shape? I find it comfortable on my roadster BUT have not done long distances.
I am currently getting an interstate tank / Corbin seat combo sorted out for mine.

If you're big/tall an Interstate is definitely the way to go, but I'll be trying a Fastback with rearsets & flat bars as soon as I can get it built.

The most comfortable bike for distance work has been my 900SS Ducati, as the half fairing gives enough protection whilst still pushing enough air over the upper body to keep the weight off my wrists - very similar to a modern sportsbike. A Proddy Racer would give the same position, but no good for 2-up touring!

Since this photo was taken I've put lower UK bars on and I'm more than happy for rides up to a couple of hours, and it's great 2-up.
In Roadster configuration it's OK solo, but no use at all 2-up!

As Fast Eddie can testify, I'm at the 'upper end' of the spectrum at 6'10".... :|

Find an original type S model seat. They are thinner than the later seats and very firm. I like the low rise (3-4") bars. Leaning forward at 60 or so is not a problem. Use the passenger pegs as an alternative foot position. Fit a throttle lock so you can take your right hand completely off the bar and work out the cramps. If you like a windscreen find one that is quiet. And practice. Do a few 200 mile days before settling in for 500.

Greg

Putting fashion profile aside another benefit I found with T140 8" riser pull backs was ability to stand full upright on peg to stretch legs all the way to me neck, allowed faster drying after soaker summer rains and the hill climb parts of Peel's flight envelope. We all look too big or long to be on such a small light cycle no matter how ya sit or stand on it.

Of course too tall bars hinder full reclining ease

just need to fill out the back end with bags, trunk and stuff like on other bikes

https://www.google.ca/search?q=norton+c ... B500%3B375

http://www.lpmcc.net/motor/bike_hbc910l.htm

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp19 ... ando81.jpg

pictures-your-norton-commandos-t6210-60.html#p61818

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5846/i ... 089593.jpg

http://pnwriders.com/westside/104862-ba ... llard.html

The std configuration kills the arse and legs in about an hour,mine Interstate tank, euro bars or flat bars, any lower and my wrists and neck hurt, neck uphill wrists down hill,foot pegs in about line with the swing arm, modified std pegs, the kick start becomes a bit of a pain, had to lay it horizontal otherwise my shin was hitting it all the time and the biggest comfort improvement that I found was a seat with a hump or step in it, picked up a new Hyde seat of online auction, means you are no longer using you thighs to stop you sliding back on the seat

I like the look of the Corbin seats and the lower profile which distinctly helped the comfort handling & CoG security on my SV650 but on Commandos they make my unpadded skinny bottom burn within an hour till impatient to get off it. Shifting to get some circulation down there transfer the pressure to neck nerves into upper back or arms so I see Gunfigher users like party gals with too high of heels to go very far but looking good enough to eat.

The best solution I found on factory kick lever calf is trimming its peg stops so it folds up closer to engine in front of calf which also allows a bit more swing down range to get going easier.

when i looked at a commando frame recently, it looked to me like there wasn't much support in the rear frame loop area to carry xtra weight, like a passenger and or luggage,


then i stumbled on this
http://www.vintagenet.us/phantom/wsc.html

Preliminary Frame Work

After completely stripping my machine to the bare frame, Ken did some detail welding that included a box section reinforcement to support the rear fender loop an extra seven (unobtrusive) inches behind the shock absorber mount. This is a new type of reinforcement that does not interfere with, or require any modification to, the shock absorber top collars. We did this because the rear loop is not adequately supported and bends readily when you carry a heavy passenger or luggage. It is a worthwhile modification on any Commando frame, particularly the Interstate model.

Click to expand...

any pix of this mod out there?

84ok said:

.......any pix of this mod out there?

Click to expand...

Check out old britts web site , Fred has a kit for this, or at least a pattern if I remember correctly. Cj.........there are also ways to attach a flat steel bar from the "Z" plate up to the grab rail mount.

Join team " Ibuprofen & get a Throttle meister

Aspirin and other COX2 enzyme blockers that is vital for repair of connective tissue, blood vessels to gut lining is not a daily vitamin and aluminum buffers in baby aspirin poisons cell pathways the excrete other metals and toxins. Find yourselves a Chiropractic Biophysics practitioner that can teach DIY regrowing cervical spine and avoid old age ache/pain/numb/fatigue and risk of non-steroid-anti-imflamatroy-drugs. Naproxen has been found a bit less risky than other COX2 blockers and do use it myself time to time for hangovers but don't help much on body injury. I get best chemical pain control for me and severe patients with hi doses of proteolytic enzymes and multi mineral complexes. Last time I tried NSAIDS as directed was '06 helmet deer strike on Trixies til diaper full of blood out butt to realize I was gonna bleed to death or shoot myself going out of mine with brain/spine swelling so Heavy coffee plus enzymes and minerals relieved better to survive to do it again a bit lessor a couple more times.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=dangers+of+nsaids

Real health is measured by how much various types of stress you can handle w/o breaking down. Safe Journeys through rest of life. hobot

hobot said:

Aspirin and other COX2 enzyme blockers that is vital for repair of connective tissue, blood vessels to gut lining is not a daily vitamin and aluminum buffers in baby aspirin poisons cell pathways the excrete other metals and toxins. Find yourselves a Chiropractic Biophysics practitioner that can teach DIY regrowing cervical spine and avoid old age ache/pain/numb/fatigue and risk of non-steroid-anti-imflamatroy-drugs. Naproxen has been found a bit less risky than other COX2 blockers and do use it myself time to time for hangovers but don't help much on body injury. I get best chemical pain control for me and severe patients with hi doses of proteolytic enzymes and multi mineral complexes. Last time I tried NSAIDS as directed was '06 helmet deer strike on Trixies til diaper full of blood out butt to realize I was gonna bleed to death or shoot myself going out of mine with brain/spine swelling so Heavy coffee plus enzymes and minerals relieved better to survive to do it again a bit lessor a couple more times.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=dangers+of+nsaids

Real health is measured by how much various types of stress you can handle w/o breaking down. Safe Journeys through rest of life. hobot

Click to expand...

Interesting stuff... linky no worky Steve, please repair