I'm old; so's my bike!

Bruno · Post by **Bruno** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:49 pm

I called in to a Triumph dealer the other day to look at a 955 Tiger. I'm finding that riding my 11S all day tends to hurt more than it used to, so I thought I'd check out more comfy machines that I could justify the cost of.

Green Y reg 18k on the clock, heated grips, loud exhaust. £4k.

"What will you give me for mine?" says I.

Sharp intake of breath from salesman. "I'll have to ring round". says he.

Chap rings me back. " 52 plate Phoenix grey, ABS, panniers, h/grips, hazards, BM tank bag oh and 38K miles. It's a bit leggy; £2500 mate."

I spluttered.

"OK then, p'raps £2800".

I can pay for a few massages and loads of Ralgex for £1200. Sooo, 11S lives to fight another day. I have to stop after 140 miles anyway, and the lennies, SJ etc do make life more fun.

Does putting a standard length torque arm make much difference to the nose down attitude, with regard to weight on wrists and sliding forward on to less padded parts of the saddle?
I've moved the bars above the yoke which helps. Any other comfort suggestions apart from swapping bikes?

My R100S is nice and comfy but won't be refinished for a while and I'm selling my rigid Ariel single which is a hoot, but gives my back a hammering.

Mark

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:01 pm

Hi Mark, for extra comfort you could always get your seat altered to include a gel pad, and have a small hump inserted at the front to stop you sliding forward, speak to Marty at www.smartrrrs.biz for details, you could also try some bar raisers such as the sceptic's favourite "bar backs" ala pelican.

HTH

Steve

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:18 pm

Bruno wrote: Any other comfort suggestions apart from swapping bikes?

Mark

One of the Pelican guys does a bar conversion for even more comfort - do a search for barbacks. The US $ is in such a pitifull state at the moment it would be rude not to take advantage. Various footpeg lowering options are available if that floats your boat.

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:55 pm

Hang on....................... the Y reg Tiger is worth more than an 02 1100s????????

Bollocks!

get rid of the nose-down aspect and you're most of the way there

Al

JoeC · Post by **JoeC** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:41 pm

Bruno wrote: Does putting a standard length torque arm make much difference to the nose down attitude, with regard to weight on wrists and sliding forward on to less padded parts of the saddle?

A standard torque arm does make it a little easier on the arms/wrists as the tail is not as high in the air so to speak with a GS one.

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:01 pm

High bars
High screen
Footpeg lowering is the way to go.

Had a Daytona and the beemer is much more comfy.

Bob

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:49 pm

Yeah, I think I shall have to go the lower footpeg route. Check this out...
http://www.suburban-machinery.com/R1100S1.htm

Here for the seats.. http://www.smartrrrs.biz/70170/info.php?p=1&pno=0
I think I'll get mine done at the end of the summer

I think I shall have a set of these too...
http://www.rapiddog.net/MAINFRAMESET.htm

Steve

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:04 am

you could also try some bar raisers such as the sceptic's favourite "bar backs" ala pelican.

HTH

Steve[/quote]

Why 'sceptics favourite'?

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:18 am

Sorry, that should have read septics favourite

Steve

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 6:03 pm

Boxered wrote:Sorry, that should have read septics favourite

Steve

Ah. it all becomes clear.

Bruno · Post by **Bruno** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:10 am

[quote="Blackal"]Hang on....................... the Y reg Tiger is worth more than an 02 1100s????????

Bollocks!

The chap in the Triumph dealer wanted my bike and £1200. Tiger and my 52 plate very similar condition, but no panniers or centre stand on the Tiger.

I think I'll try the standard torque arm, anybody got one surplus they want to sell?
Then I'll possibly try a reworked saddle.
If I make the bike fit me better, I guess I can reclaim the steering response with longer shox.

I managed 500 miles yesterday and I could still walk this morning. Perhaps I just need to ride more.

What ever the problem it always seems to be the same solution. Throw more money at it.

Cheers once again.
Bruno

Daz555 · Post by **Daz555** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:32 am

I'd say chucking a couple of hundred quid at lower pegs along with a bar riser (or bar raise and bar back) would get you sorted.

Ade B · Post by **Ade B** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:00 pm

couple of hundred quid on gym membership maybe

Bruno · Post by **Bruno** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:19 pm

Oi Ade,
You calling me fat!

Paying to a gym's OK. Its having to attend thats the problem.

Mark

BockingBandit · Post by **BockingBandit** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:40 pm

That sounds like a 'Sting' from both ends. I know 'trade-in' prices are silly,.. but £4k for a Y Tiger. You'll pick up a newer 955i; (05/06) with firmier suspension, cast wheels and matching paniers for less than £4K privately,.. still in warranty. even on a bad eBay Day,.. you'd get £3.5K for the S.
Personally,.. i'd keep the 'S' and get friendly with a rather attractive physiotherapist,.. or 2,.. much more fun on both counts

Geoff

www.boxertrix.com

I'm old; so's my bike!

I'm old; so's my bike!

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