01-28-2023, 02:15 AM
ichiban's motto (just that) does have some merit, that is staying in shape can go a long way towards helping riders overcome some of a bike's ergos. When I first sat on the CB1100 '14 Standard, it felt too tight. I had at the time a KLR650 and with a 35" seat height, it felt perfect for me. But I really liked the CB1100's look, and I didn't always want to be on an 'adventure bike', so I bought it.
Sure enough, for the first time riding a motorcycle, I felt a tightness creeping into my right hip. The hip tightness was actually very slight prior, but riding the CB made it obviously painful--and wouldn't go away.
I love excercise and was already in decent shape--long walks and hikes, light weights, swimming mainly. I was determined to make the CB fit me and so I searched exercises to help with the hips and found all sorts of youtube videos--mainly stretches while sprawled on the ground which involved moving the hips this way and that--really nothing strenuous, just takes 10-15 minutes, 4-5 times per week. I added that to the other exercises and I would say that within a month the hip pain disappeared--totally, and hasn't returned.
I should add raising the seat height by strapping a bleacher pad on the seat eased the tension on the knees / hips and I found I could ride my CB 10 hours on a given day and then repeat if I'm doing a multi-day trip. Prior to all that, I began to think I might have to sell my beautiful bike.
It is wise to take into consideration the bike's ergos and what that will mean for us, especailly as we age and become less limber. I'm pushing 60 and would like to ride till I'm 80...or beyond. I know as I get older, I have to take "special care" as I swing the leg over the bike...wouldn't want to feel a new body tweak the next several days.
Oops...starting to ramble...
..............................>
Sure enough, for the first time riding a motorcycle, I felt a tightness creeping into my right hip. The hip tightness was actually very slight prior, but riding the CB made it obviously painful--and wouldn't go away.
I love excercise and was already in decent shape--long walks and hikes, light weights, swimming mainly. I was determined to make the CB fit me and so I searched exercises to help with the hips and found all sorts of youtube videos--mainly stretches while sprawled on the ground which involved moving the hips this way and that--really nothing strenuous, just takes 10-15 minutes, 4-5 times per week. I added that to the other exercises and I would say that within a month the hip pain disappeared--totally, and hasn't returned.
I should add raising the seat height by strapping a bleacher pad on the seat eased the tension on the knees / hips and I found I could ride my CB 10 hours on a given day and then repeat if I'm doing a multi-day trip. Prior to all that, I began to think I might have to sell my beautiful bike.
It is wise to take into consideration the bike's ergos and what that will mean for us, especailly as we age and become less limber. I'm pushing 60 and would like to ride till I'm 80...or beyond. I know as I get older, I have to take "special care" as I swing the leg over the bike...wouldn't want to feel a new body tweak the next several days.
Oops...starting to ramble...
..............................>