Making a sportbike more friendly
Discussion
I was getting wrist ache from the levers which were set in the 'standard position, so i turned each down so they were set at a more comfortable angle. I also invested in some stomp grips for the tank so I could grip it more easily - the made the pain in my lower back lessen. Setting the footpegs up and back with some footpeg raisers help the pain in my Knees as well.
Paying my local suspension house to set the bike up for my weight also helped.
Paying my local suspension house to set the bike up for my weight also helped.
voyager1 said:
I was getting wrist ache from the levers which were set in the 'standard position, so i turned each down so they were set at a more comfortable angle. I also invested in some stomp grips for the tank so I could grip it more easily - the made the pain in my lower back lessen. Setting the footpegs up and back with some footpeg raisers help the pain in my Knees as well
Suffering for your art!You could have just a bike that was more comfortable
bogie said:
didnt Aprila make the Tuono for the guys that want a more comfy Mille ? 
change the bars, lower the pegs a bit ...leave the fairing and youve made your own Tuono
I think you light be onto something there.change the bars, lower the pegs a bit ...leave the fairing and youve made your own Tuono
Comfort is quite important for something ridden further than a circuit race
I have an identical Mille, I love the bike but they do take a bit of getting used to, the bars are a fair stretch if you are used to sitting up.
Mine had a white Sachs rear spring which must have been specced for a 25 stone rider, I changed it for a softer spring which improved the ride and feel no end, the rear tyre lasted twice as long as well as it was not bouncing off the road all the time.I changed the fork oil to 7.5W, the old oil was grim as well after 11000m. Most riders set the suspension far too hard for road use making the bike harsh and tiring.
I find that as an earlier poster says you have to "take it by the scruff" or it seems really hard to ride, if you don't move around the bike it seems reluctant to turn but if you "hang off" it improves no end.
Tyres and pressures are important as well, I use a 185 rear which seems better than the wider ones often fitted.
Mine had a white Sachs rear spring which must have been specced for a 25 stone rider, I changed it for a softer spring which improved the ride and feel no end, the rear tyre lasted twice as long as well as it was not bouncing off the road all the time.I changed the fork oil to 7.5W, the old oil was grim as well after 11000m. Most riders set the suspension far too hard for road use making the bike harsh and tiring.
I find that as an earlier poster says you have to "take it by the scruff" or it seems really hard to ride, if you don't move around the bike it seems reluctant to turn but if you "hang off" it improves no end.
Tyres and pressures are important as well, I use a 185 rear which seems better than the wider ones often fitted.
kev b said:
I have an identical Mille, I love the bike but they do take a bit of getting used to
It doesn't sound all that appealing other than as something challenging to master.I considered a Tuono, but decided that it was more than I needed or could make use of on the roads I ride on.
I don't want to paint the picture black, I love my Mille, it's very reliable, as cheap to run as any sportsbike, way less finicky and demanding than Ducatis, has more grunt than most bikes but still revs enough to reach 165mph (I am told).
Any bike has characteristics, the Mille just does not reward passive riding, it's a sportsbike not a cruiser.
Many bikes have foibles, BMW agricultural gearboxes, snatchy big singles, cramped Jap bike riding position, trail bike high seats, naked bike wind blast, HD V- Rod slow steering. The Mille has none of these but it is set up purely to go fast on smooth roads, you just need to understand this, if it's not for you then there are other bikes that may suit you better.
WRT changing springs and fork oil, all bikes leave the factory with compromised settings, the buyer may be 70 Kilo or 170 Kilo, that's a lot to accomodate on a 195 Kilo bike. The OP asked how to make his bike more friendly and I posted my experience of 10 years ownership.
Any bike has characteristics, the Mille just does not reward passive riding, it's a sportsbike not a cruiser.
Many bikes have foibles, BMW agricultural gearboxes, snatchy big singles, cramped Jap bike riding position, trail bike high seats, naked bike wind blast, HD V- Rod slow steering. The Mille has none of these but it is set up purely to go fast on smooth roads, you just need to understand this, if it's not for you then there are other bikes that may suit you better.
WRT changing springs and fork oil, all bikes leave the factory with compromised settings, the buyer may be 70 Kilo or 170 Kilo, that's a lot to accomodate on a 195 Kilo bike. The OP asked how to make his bike more friendly and I posted my experience of 10 years ownership.
Edited by kev b on Friday 18th April 10:25
kev b said:
I don't want to paint the picture black, I love my Mille, it's very reliable, as cheap to run as any sportsbike, way less finicky and demanding than Ducatis, has more grunt than most bikes but still revs enough to reach 165mph (I am told).
Any bike has characteristics, the Mille just does not reward passive riding, it's a sportsbike not a cruiser.
Many bikes have foibles, BMW agricultural gearboxes, snatchy big singles, cramped Jap bike riding position, trail bike high seats, naked bike wind blast, HD V- Max slow steering. The Mille has none of these but it is set up purely to go fast on smooth roads, you just need to understand this, if it's not for you then there are other bikes that may suit you better.
WRT changing springs and fork oil, all bikes leave the factory with compromised settings, the buyer may be 70 Kilo or 170 Kilo, that's a lot to accomodate on a 195 Kilo bike. The OP asked how to make his bike more friendly and I posted my experience of 10 years ownership.
And it was very useful and i do love the bike. Pushing it about a little more is certainly helping - bike feels much more stable and happy!Any bike has characteristics, the Mille just does not reward passive riding, it's a sportsbike not a cruiser.
Many bikes have foibles, BMW agricultural gearboxes, snatchy big singles, cramped Jap bike riding position, trail bike high seats, naked bike wind blast, HD V- Max slow steering. The Mille has none of these but it is set up purely to go fast on smooth roads, you just need to understand this, if it's not for you then there are other bikes that may suit you better.
WRT changing springs and fork oil, all bikes leave the factory with compromised settings, the buyer may be 70 Kilo or 170 Kilo, that's a lot to accomodate on a 195 Kilo bike. The OP asked how to make his bike more friendly and I posted my experience of 10 years ownership.
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