240 miles on a whim, knee issues

[steve.sharkey]

On the spur of the moment I took an afternoon off work on Tuesday to destress! Took a ride down to Swanage on the south coast. Despite the changeable weather (and the sat navs curvey roads option selecting the odd "dirt track") it was an excellent distress. However my left knee was quite sore afterwards. I've since changed the seat to the high position and it is a huge improvement in comfort (I'm a short 5'8" person so naturally went with the low position to get feet as near flat as I could for stability when stopped on my first big bike).

Irrespective of how I ride this bike, over a tank, it's returning me around 57mpg which I find quite astonishing still.

[beemerbaz]

I find sometimes that the older you get if you have had the bike layed up even for a couple of weeks then the aches and pains show themselves the following day, even more so if the ride was in the cold, my current complaint is right wrist pain but expect this is due mainly to change of bike / riding position, the only answer is to ride more.

[stelyn]

Agree with Beemerbaz,  weather does  seem to be improving ,  so try and ride out more.....

[Budman]

I to am 5'8" tall. I have the seat in the low position.


Im trying the Suburban Machinery foot peg lowering kit. I was pretty amazed and the difference it made. Ive never used a lowering kit before and Im now sorry that I havent in the past.


They do not affect the lean angle at all.


My 60 year old knees need all the help they can get.

[David.]

Motorcycle Ergonomics Simulator, http://cycle-ergo.com/

The Vehicle Customization can be used to simulate changes to, Handlebar rise, Handlebar pull-back, Seat rise, Peg forward offset & Peg rise.

I was out on the XJ650 last Sunday for the first time in 2015, my left hip & leg became a bit stiff with cramp, needed to stretch my leg/stand on the foot rests.

Looking forward to the more comfortable ridding position of the RT next week, might adjust the seat height (+20mm) & see how that feels.

Putting the miles in & getting "Bike Fit" is the way forward.

[Maz12]

Steve how do you now go on at junctions etc with the seat in the high position?
I too am 5'8" and have only used the seat in low position, 

[David.]

The standard seat height on an LC in the Low position is 805mm (31.7") & in the High position is 825mm (32.5").

[steve.sharkey]

Maz12, I find the high position is quite easily manageable, I probably think I was right to start with the low position after the big step up from a Suzuki gsf600 and will probably return to low setting for the ride tomorrow with pillion but definitely found the extra space for my legs useful for my knees when riding 2+ hours at a time.

[David.]

Good idea, been thinking along the same lines, might try the higher seat position, especially when doing long days in the saddle.

[stelyn]

Does work raising the seat  height,  eases the strain almost instant,  try it once the `aches' start and notice the difference.     

[Chad]

I always get the odd ache when I've not been riding for a few months. Often a cramp like ache in the hip area and/or aching forearms. The aches always disapear after a few rides. A few years ago whilst riding through St.Tropez I put my knee out whilst putting something on my pannier. The photo shows what I found when I took my boot off. What a ride home that was:-(

[stelyn]

Chad, that looked painful....  :-X

[steve.sharkey]

I can't quite work the photo out but I know it doesn't look "normal" ouch!