riding position

1050 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by widerider98, Sep 11, 2009

widerider98

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2009

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I have a new 2009 goldwingcomfort nav. I am 6'4" and I cannot make peace with the riding position. I have bought a backrest and it pushes me too far forward. I have roadpegs. I have ridden for years but no wings since 1984 model.
Has anyone tall had any luck lowering driver pegs or raising handbars?
I am so frustrated that I am ready to sell.
thanks for your replys.

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SETHAN12

· #2 · Sep 10, 2009

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I am also 6"4" and did not buy a back rest for the reason you mentioned. I tried highway pegs but did not like them. I have heard some guys talk about raising the bars but I have owned my 2005 wing since new and the longer I rode it the more comfortable I got with it. You may not get this lucky. I think there is a thread in the FAQ/reference section about getting comfortable on the wing with a lot of information. Wish you luck.

TitaniumWing

· #3 · Sep 10, 2009

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widerider98 wrote:

I have a new 2009 goldwingcomfort nav. I am 6'4" and I cannot make peace with the riding position. I have bought a backrest and it pushes me too far forward. I have roadpegs. I have ridden for years but no wings since 1984 model.
Has anyone tall had any luck lowering driver pegs or raising handbars?
I am so frustrated that I am ready to sell.
thanks for your replys.

You can raise the bars, but you can't lower the pegs, they drag already.

Mick-O-Pegs might work for you, I don't have them but lots of members run them and love them from the comments I've seen here. When you put your feet on them they extend downward - work for straight cruising.

I am 6'2" and I have adapted and am comfortable. I recommend the Utopia backrest. It has an adjusting screw and will move back quite a bit. I love mine, heard lots of other pleased comments too.

What kind of road pegs do you have? I have Kuryakyn switch blades on standard length arms. These work for me. They make a shorter arm - I'd recommend that for you - this will move your legs further forward. The switch blades give you one more position to ride at - they support your heel. Or you could put mini boards on them. They have a lot of options.

Considering your 6'4" height, especially if you carry more of your height in you legs versus your torso, you might have to get a custom seat that allows you to move back some - depends on if you ride two up though.

Don't get frustrated - there are too many options out there - you should be able to get a set up that works for you. Part of it is just riding and adapting your position. I was use to being stretched out on Harleys, the wing is somewhat cramped - but that's about the only negative thing than can be said about it.

There are several thread on tall riders / comfort do some searches and you will find a lot more suggestions.

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widerider98

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 10, 2009

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I tried the Kuryakyn back rest, too tall. I own the custom chrome backrest and cannot get back far enough. I have the kuryakyn road pegs. They are fine but it is a L O N G way from the road peg to the brake pedal and I have almost gotten in trouble a couple of times because of this. Throwing 3-400 dollars at each possible solution gets boring to say the least. You are right about the cramped riding position. May have made a costly mistake here. Thanks for your reply.

4evermetric

· #5 · Sep 10, 2009

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It's all in the seat. You have to go back and up, to get your legs at the correct angle. And, you will have to get pull-back risers for the bars. I am 6-3" and have had to set up all my bikes this way. Am working through the process now with a 2000 Valkyrie. I came back Tuesday from Rich's in Seattle with a new seat, and I can now ride without pain. Working onthe risers today.

widerider98

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 10, 2009

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I think the only risers for the bars are the block style by kury or simular. there is no adjustment like the 1200 etc. All adjustments are with blocks and shims and are finite depending on the combo of the blocks used. Its just a crap shoot and more money and time.
I appreciate your advise. Im not going to put money into a new seat. Ill sell out first. Too bad as it has only 1100 miles and Ill take a bath. Guess its just not my style. I want to lean back, not sit up and reach down.
Good luck with your rig. JT

bbach

· #7 · Sep 10, 2009

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Wondering what type of backrest you have. Mine is very adjustable. I can move it towards the front for a more forward position and set it way back for a layed back sit. I have no clue what brand it is, but it is not the Utopia style. Utipia gives a cleaner look and has some adjustments as well. I've never had one of those. I don't know. I'm 6'2" and have a bad back and can ride my wing for hours without all the back stress I feel in every cage I drive. Maybe the extra 2" you have puts you out of reach. I even though about handlebar risers myself.

Fit and comfort are major reasons for owning one bike or another. Maybe the Wing is not the one for you. Sit on some other brands, models and see how they are for you.

Jluvs2dive

· #8 · Sep 10, 2009

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widerider98 wrote:

I appreciate your advise. Im not going to put money into a new seat. Ill sell out first. Too bad as it has only 1100 miles and Ill take a bath. Guess its just not my style. I want to lean back, not sit up and reach down.

I'm not trying to bust your chops but I find this statement curious. Why would you rather lose money by selling your new bike than to spend some money, probably less than you'll lose, on a new seat? I look at it this way, in a car you have a seat that moves all over the place, back and forth and able to lean way back,and in many cars even move up and down, so it's not difficult to find a position that suits you. With a bike you don't have all those options so they are built with a one-size-fits-most attitude. A good seat built for your size can make all the difference in the world, as 4evermetric mentioned. Some of the best money I've spent on bikes for comfort sake is the seat. When I bought my 1500 in Aug 08 the seat height put my knees at an angle that they didn't like. I had a Hartco seat built for my height and weight and what a difference. The built in backrest adjusts back enough I could lean way back if I wanted to. It's your money but IMHO I'd be looking at a seat first and Mick-O-Pegs second.

John

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widerider98

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 10, 2009

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Thanks to everybody for the input. I repositioned the roadpegs forward and down. Maybe that will help instead of forward. At least it gets me closer to the brake pedal. Also worked on the Show Chrome backrest a little with a drimmel. Filed it down so that the upward bracket will lean back farther. That is a small but sig difference. Im trying to get away from the milk stool position but might not make it on this wing. Wife likes it though so that is a plus. Ive got two other bikes to ride solo.

Rudy

· #10 · Sep 10, 2009

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Try a 1500 and see if you like it. 1800's don't fit everybody and some have come back to the 1500 for the differences it offers.

widerider98

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 10, 2009

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You might and probably do have a good point there, or at least a little thought of option. Thanks

jimreut

· #12 · Sep 10, 2009

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I rode an '88 1500 for 12 years and never a moment in discomfort! Used to ride 12 plus hour days and nothing was sore, never thought about the seat or anything!

I now I have an 05 1800 and just cant get comfortable. Have Utopia backrest and highway rests but boy do I miss the 1500. Yes, the 1800 has power, brakes and handling but cant match the 1500 on comfort and storage space. I should have been suspicious when the previous owner gave me an Air Hawk cushion! The passenger has the samefeelings.

Jim

widerider98

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 11, 2009

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Well I appreciate that a lot. At least I know that Im not nuts or a whiner. I can do 700 miles on a heritage classic harley but can't do 250 on this new wing. I bought it for two up trips or super long trips alone. I dont think Im gonna be able to hang with this bike. Its just too cramped. And Im gonna take a bath on it also, since it only has 1100 miles.
I appreciate your thoughts. Good luck with your wing. JT

aht_six

· #14 · Sep 11, 2009

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DDKing has complied a lot of information about making the GL1800 more comfortable for tall riders. Check out this link. Getting Comfortable

widerider98

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 11, 2009

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Thanks for that. Im headed there now. JT

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