Since I had the FJR I have been doing all I can to fix the ergonomics. I am 6' tall with a 33" inseam.
The V-Stream windshield is awesome, Russell seat needs a rebuild, but it too works fine. I fitted the footpeg lowering brackets and they work too.
Since I have had the bike I have had the Heli-bar risers (or similar), which move the bars up and back.
For normal riding that would be enough. Twelve hours of comfort, no issues. However, I do not do "normal", and I want to be able to sit on the beast for eighteen hours a day, day after day after day. I know many will think this nuts, and I neither mind nor care
So with the extended hours of riding I was still suffering. Aches in hips and knees (age) have been mitigated by the footpeg brackets, but I was still getting pain across my shoulders, base of my neck and arms. Most people wouldn't notice this, nor would I if I didn't insist on riding so long.
I have noticed that I have had to remember to relax my shoulders and elbows, rather than that being the natural posture.
What I needed was the bars a little higher and even further back. The 66.6 hours of the BMRx Rally was painful. Nothing I couldn't ignore but something I need to deal with.
So I decided to "stack" bar risers:
![Image]()
I paid $50 for another set of no-name risers from eBay and fitted them yesterday.
It was necessary to completely re-route the brake and clutch lines inside the bars, but they look secure and do not stretch when the bars are turned. The throttle cables still need some attention. The throttle binds a little on full right lock, but I think that can be overcome.
So today I went for a quick 40-mile ride and the difference was astonishing. My hands fall naturally on the bars and I soon realised that the relaxed posture I was having to "force", was now happening naturally. I sit a little higher, which means that I don't have to hold up my head so much to see straight ahead.
The eleven days of the Iron Butt Rally are now looking much more doable.
I still need to figure out shifting the backrest a little, but so far, so good.
The V-Stream windshield is awesome, Russell seat needs a rebuild, but it too works fine. I fitted the footpeg lowering brackets and they work too.
Since I have had the bike I have had the Heli-bar risers (or similar), which move the bars up and back.
For normal riding that would be enough. Twelve hours of comfort, no issues. However, I do not do "normal", and I want to be able to sit on the beast for eighteen hours a day, day after day after day. I know many will think this nuts, and I neither mind nor care
So with the extended hours of riding I was still suffering. Aches in hips and knees (age) have been mitigated by the footpeg brackets, but I was still getting pain across my shoulders, base of my neck and arms. Most people wouldn't notice this, nor would I if I didn't insist on riding so long.
I have noticed that I have had to remember to relax my shoulders and elbows, rather than that being the natural posture.
What I needed was the bars a little higher and even further back. The 66.6 hours of the BMRx Rally was painful. Nothing I couldn't ignore but something I need to deal with.
So I decided to "stack" bar risers:
I paid $50 for another set of no-name risers from eBay and fitted them yesterday.
It was necessary to completely re-route the brake and clutch lines inside the bars, but they look secure and do not stretch when the bars are turned. The throttle cables still need some attention. The throttle binds a little on full right lock, but I think that can be overcome.
So today I went for a quick 40-mile ride and the difference was astonishing. My hands fall naturally on the bars and I soon realised that the relaxed posture I was having to "force", was now happening naturally. I sit a little higher, which means that I don't have to hold up my head so much to see straight ahead.
The eleven days of the Iron Butt Rally are now looking much more doable.
I still need to figure out shifting the backrest a little, but so far, so good.
