5'6" and some advice for touring please

[mbnu99]

Hi there,

I've just bought a 2014 GS TE after a break from GS's and trying a Triumph Explorer. I'm not tall but am fairly happy with the seating position even though it's the standard seat as I've fitted seat lowering cams (http://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/seat-lowering-cams-150-p.asp)

At the moment I find because I quite short I have to lean slightly forward and it's puts pressure on me hands and not only makes my wrists ache a but also causes my hands to be a little numb. I'm off for a three week touring trip in Spain soon with the wife and I'm thinking about buying some handlebar risers but from what I've read this perhaps would not suit a short rider only taller ones. My aim is to sit back a bit and take the weight off my wrists but having said that I don't want to end up with bars that act like ape hangers (if you know what I mean) either. Can anyone offer any advise of whether risers work for us short folks?

although I've been riding for 30+ years this our first real touring trip, but am already planning more if this works out, I've got the usual sat-nav, panniers, top box, tank bag, puncture repair kit etc, is there anything else I should consider taking for the trip?

Ta
Martyn

p.s I love the idea of the adjustable Rox Risers but the cost is almost insane at £110 compared to the non LC ones at about £78

 

[bellyboy]

Hi there,

I've just bought a 2014 GS TE after a break from GS's and trying a Triumph Explorer. I'm not tall but am fairly happy with the seating position even though it's the standard seat as I've fitted seat lowering cams (http://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/seat-lowering-cams-150-p.asp)

At the moment I find because I quite short I have to lean slightly forward and it's puts pressure on me hands and not only makes my wrists ache a but also causes my hands to be a little numb. I'm off for a three week touring trip in Spain soon with the wife and I'm thinking about buying some handlebar risers but from what I've read this perhaps would not suit a short rider only taller ones. My aim is to sit back a bit and take the weight off my wrists but having said that I don't want to end up with bars that act like ape hangers (if you know what I mean) either. Can anyone offer any advise of whether risers work for us short folks?

although I've been riding for 30+ years this our first real touring trip, but am already planning more if this works out, I've got the usual sat-nav, panniers, top box, tank bag, puncture repair kit etc, is there anything else I should consider taking for the trip?

Ta
Martyn

p.s I love the idea of the adjustable Rox Risers but the cost is almost insane at £110 compared to the non LC ones at about £78

Hi
Its all personal but I'd say the risers may work for you but the adjustable ones are better if youre not tall and just want them pulled back closer...( Breathaliser x2 for France,,, can be bought at ports)

 

[DING-DONG]

Ayup Martyn, I'm also on the small size just an inch" tailer then yourself, standard height seat was ok for me as i travel alone so i never need to put both feet down, however the handlebar position gave me some issues, i brought the wunderlich 35mm up&back bar risers from NN, sorted .

 

[brut33]

Hi there,

I've just bought a 2014 GS TE after a break from GS's and trying a Triumph Explorer. I'm not tall but am fairly happy with the seating position even though it's the standard seat as I've fitted seat lowering cams (http://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/seat-lowering-cams-150-p.asp)

At the moment I find because I quite short I have to lean slightly forward and it's puts pressure on me hands and not only makes my wrists ache a but also causes my hands to be a little numb. I'm off for a three week touring trip in Spain soon with the wife and I'm thinking about buying some handlebar risers but from what I've read this perhaps would not suit a short rider only taller ones. My aim is to sit back a bit and take the weight off my wrists but having said that I don't want to end up with bars that act like ape hangers (if you know what I mean) either. Can anyone offer any advise of whether risers work for us short folks?

although I've been riding for 30+ years this our first real touring trip, but am already planning more if this works out, I've got the usual sat-nav, panniers, top box, tank bag, puncture repair kit etc, is there anything else I should consider taking for the trip?

Ta
Martyn

p.s I love the idea of the adjustable Rox Risers but the cost is almost insane at £110 compared to the non LC ones at about £78

Hi Martyn,

Iv got a pair of Rox adjustable risers that I used on a 2013 GS TE for three months only.
You can have them for half price plus postage. PM me if interested.

 

[jtb]

( Breathaliser x2 for France,,, can be bought at ports)

No longer required. Although the legislation requiring you to carry a breathaliser exists, the legisation fining you for non-compliance was not enacted, so for all practical purposes these aren't required. (I drive in France a lot and have never been asked for one).

 

[NigelG]

I do know that on the 2011 GS the standard handlebar mounts could be reversed to bring them closer to or further from the rider. Worth checking if these can still be reversed in the WC and if so, which way round yours are.

 

[brut33]

pm sent with phone number

 

[DING-DONG]

Worth checking if these can still be reversed in the WC and if so, which way round yours are.

Top yoke and bar mounts are one piece on the wc .

 

[JimVonBaden]

I put these on my 2015, same reason as the OP.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121525365972?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Not many miles yet, but the ride felt good so far.

Jim

 

[mbnu99]

Hey Jim, the risers look cool and well made, thanks.


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[CPJS]

Hi mbnu99,
Grab the Rox risers off brut33. I am the same height as you and have these fitted on mine, it will transform the ride.
I fitted them on my previous bike (V-Strom) so it was the first mod I made to the GS.
If you want to try a bike with them fitted PM me.

 

[mbnu99]

Thanks CPJS, good to know I'm calling Brut33 today to arrange payment


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[stevie Allen]

+1 for grab them rock risers,
like yourself I'm short in the leg department I've got the 20up 20back from nippys , what a difference , no ache across the top of the shoulders your misses on the back will help with the reach unless you tweak the suspension button and you will actually feel it rise n fall.
My best buy was the Daytona boots with the insert, got them from Santa , so much more sure footed on cambers etc.

 

[mbnu99]

Thanks Stevie, I'm due a new pair of boots soon so think I'll have a look at the Daytona boots, they sound interesting.

Martyn


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[kurienp]

Well Martyn, it seems then that you are now sorted. So when do we get the ride reports?

All the best with yer rides.
K

 

[DC]

without coming away from your original post ..how do you rate the GS V Explorer…..im thinking of you had a GS ,sold it and for an explorer but then returned back to the GS..the GS was better ?

 

[CPJS]

+1 for grab them rock risers,
like yourself I'm short in the leg department I've got the 20up 20back from nippys , what a difference , no ache across the top of the shoulders your misses on the back will help with the reach unless you tweak the suspension button and you will actually feel it rise n fall.
My best buy was the Daytona boots with the insert, got them from Santa , so much more sure footed on cambers etc.

If you are used to walking round in high heels you should get on fine. I tried them and thought they seemed odd for walking around in.
If you were able to reach the ground from the lofty perch of an T Explorer I would guess that leg length is not an issue.
I went the route of the lowered GS.