Seat Height versus Risers

[Dal]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new here (been lurking a while) and I have a 2008 GSA with ESA and I would like some help / advise from you seasoned GS owners.

Firstly I'm only 5' 8" and have a pathetic 28" inside leg.

On Sunday a friend and I did a 250 mile round trip and during the later part of the ride I was aware of two issues.

1) My arse was killing me

2) My back ached across my shoulders

I probably already know the answer to this but here goes, clearly changing the bar height by fitting risers will probably sort out the problem of my back but there is also the possibility it will help with my aching bum as I will be sitting further back and not leaning forward as much. But the bar risers won't help my just about being able to touch the ground (I have the standard GSA seat) so will it benefit the other way round also? If I fit a lower seat it follows I will be lower and the bars higher so will this also cure the back problem?

Does that make any sense at all

 

[Dave78]

My wife has a F650GS with the low seat, and having sat on the standard bikes it does put your feet closer to the ground, and helps me at least with increasing the seat to bar distance if that makes sense..

If it were my bike (which it is not it is SWMBO) then I would still be thinking about bar risers, as I've got short legs and a long body..

If I was in your position I would be tempted to try and lower seat (either standard GS or low GS) first, see how that goes.. if you need bar risers is not like there is a world shortage of them that I know of..

Good luck

 

[Bury_Dave]

I had a similar problem with my '04 GSA.

First I got a low seat. Comfort level was better than the standard seat.

Then I lowered my footpegs as my legs felt cramped.

That then left me leaning too far forward so I got bar risers.

Then it was perfect.

I appreciate the bikes are different and the geometries and our bodies are different but my personal experience was that if you change one thing, you need to change them all. It's not just short height or legs but shorter spines and arms .....

Comfort is worth taking the time and money to sort out !

Dave

 

[Dal]

If I were to go the seat route it would be either a custom seat (my current one modified) or a Sargent / Touratech seat as I've tried the lower GS seat and I find it uncomfortable as you sit in it (like sitting between a camels humps) not on it.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

With a 28 inch inside leg and still using the OE seat I don't know how you touch the ground?

I have a 29 inch inside leg an on my 06 GSA I have a Kaheedo low seat fitted with an Airhawk and the NN risers (40mm up & 30mm back I think?)

Very comfy now

 

[Dal]

With a 28 inch inside leg and still using the OE seat I don't know how you touch the ground?

I have a 29 inch inside leg an on my 06 GSA I have a Kaheedo low seat fitted with an Airhawk and the NN risers (40mm up & 30mm back I think?)

Very comfy now

Lets just say Dani Pedrosa and I both have the same stance while stationary and thanks for the info!

 

[Neil W]

I think a lot of the problem with the 2008 onwards bikes isn't so much bar height but the bend of the bars and their width, they seem to be lower where the grips are but with quite a strange angle on them so that your arms are splayed from the shoulder and your wrists then twisted out. they remind me of the bars seen on old 1920's race bikes in the states .

The bend and set up of the bars fitted to the F800 Gs seem more natural and they have the benefit of being narrower.

 

[FlooFoo]

Have a fiddle around on here http://cycle-ergo.com/ to work out your lean angle etc using bar risers, lower seat etc.

Good fun and amazing how small adjustments affect your body.

 

[Dal]

I think a lot of the problem with the 2008 onwards bikes isn't so much bar height but the bend of the bars and their width, they seem to be lower where the grips are but with quite a strange angle on them so that your arms are splayed from the shoulder and your wrists then twisted out. they remind me of the bars seen on old 1920's race bikes in the states .

The bend and set up of the bars fitted to the F800 Gs seem more natural and they have the benefit of being narrower.

So would pre 2007 bars be better than risers?

 

[TheStig]

Have a fiddle around on here http://cycle-ergo.com/ to work out your lean angle etc using bar risers, lower seat etc.

Good fun and amazing how small adjustments affect your body.

So finally I have realised why the GS1200 doesn't work for me at 9ft tall

 

[TheStig]

So finally I have realised why the GS1200 doesn't work for me at 9ft tall

Or the wife at 3ft tall

Sorry I couldn't resist !

 

[FlooFoo]

PMSL!

 

[Neil W]

Earlier bars will not fit as the they are a different diameter

 

[davnjud]

I am getting lower back pain and some sciattica after riding my GS. do'nt get the same problem when riding another bike with a less upright position. I have bought some risers and will try them but am not optimistic. too much force is bouncing up down the spine - I wonder how many other GS owners suffer from this. Sadly it may accelerate my decision to trade it in if it carries on