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As you have figured out by now, Jap bikes are made for small frame riders whereas U.S. and Euro bikes are made for larger frame riders. So if you're 6' or taller w/ 32" or longer inseam and w/ size 12 or larger shoes you're gonna need a full body massage after riding a Jap bike for more than an hour at a time. I shopped around for an '83 GS1100E for over a year and finally found one last month to replace my beloved Vmax. Not as scary fast but fast enough and about 150 lbs lighter making it alot safer!!! it was a 2 hr ride home w/ a few hours break in between but i'm still recouperating from that ride. i had aches and pains from my lower back down to my freakin' knees. ok, i'm 53 and my body isn't what it used but this bike is ridiculously painful to ride in stock form. i'm only 6'tall, 32" inseam , and size 12 shoes. some of you guys are 6"4 w size 15 shoes and i don't know how you can ride this bike for more than a few minutes before cramping up. anyway, i decided to do few mods to make the bike "RIDEABLE".
1. added 1" risers purchased on ebay for around $25 shipped. could have gone higher and back more but i didn't want to spend too much and i didn;t want to buy longer cables etc. all i had to do was re-route the throttle cable
2. added hiway pegs pruchased on ebay for around $25 shipped. i first installed them high on the crash bars but found more comfy mounted lower.
3. adjusted rear progressive shocks to stiffest setting to raise the seat which gains about 1/2" or so.
4. thought about buying those buell pegs that the busa owners use to drop it 1" but again, didn;t want to spend much and didn;t want to spend time grinding them down to fit. instead i removed the rubber pads which gains 1/2" - 3/4" (i didn;t measure them, just guessing by sight). then cut 2 pieces of bicycle inner tube and fit them over the pegs for traction.
i went for a 2 hr round trip ride today w/ a few hours break in betw and all was fine!!! finally i can enjoy the bike. otherwise, i was going to have to sell it. the other mod i'm going to try is ditch the gear shifter w/ linkage for a shifter from an older 1000/1100 (purchased on ebay for $10 sat which should arrive in a day or two) mounted directly on the shaft which is about 5-6" forward. currently, my size 12 shoe makes shifting awkward and painful especially riding in town where i'm constantly shifting. i'll post later this week to let you guys know if it works.
i've gotten alot of good tips and invaluable repair procedures from you guys over the years (used to have an 850G) so i thought i'd return the favor. i know most of what i'm suggesting you guys already knew but i've yet to read about removing the rubber pads on the foot pegs. and you've got to admit the inner tube mod is pretty slick and CHEAP!!! and lastly...... can you tell i'm cheap and i love ebay???!!! peace to everyone and safe riding.
1. added 1" risers purchased on ebay for around $25 shipped. could have gone higher and back more but i didn't want to spend too much and i didn;t want to buy longer cables etc. all i had to do was re-route the throttle cable
2. added hiway pegs pruchased on ebay for around $25 shipped. i first installed them high on the crash bars but found more comfy mounted lower.
3. adjusted rear progressive shocks to stiffest setting to raise the seat which gains about 1/2" or so.
4. thought about buying those buell pegs that the busa owners use to drop it 1" but again, didn;t want to spend much and didn;t want to spend time grinding them down to fit. instead i removed the rubber pads which gains 1/2" - 3/4" (i didn;t measure them, just guessing by sight). then cut 2 pieces of bicycle inner tube and fit them over the pegs for traction.
i went for a 2 hr round trip ride today w/ a few hours break in betw and all was fine!!! finally i can enjoy the bike. otherwise, i was going to have to sell it. the other mod i'm going to try is ditch the gear shifter w/ linkage for a shifter from an older 1000/1100 (purchased on ebay for $10 sat which should arrive in a day or two) mounted directly on the shaft which is about 5-6" forward. currently, my size 12 shoe makes shifting awkward and painful especially riding in town where i'm constantly shifting. i'll post later this week to let you guys know if it works.
i've gotten alot of good tips and invaluable repair procedures from you guys over the years (used to have an 850G) so i thought i'd return the favor. i know most of what i'm suggesting you guys already knew but i've yet to read about removing the rubber pads on the foot pegs. and you've got to admit the inner tube mod is pretty slick and CHEAP!!! and lastly...... can you tell i'm cheap and i love ebay???!!! peace to everyone and safe riding.
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