Comfortable Sportsbike?
Discussion
Hi all. So Have just got into bikes late (mid 40's). Did all my training and tests on naked middleweight bikes (CB650 + ER6) and bought an MT07 shortly after. Really enjoying the bike and getting more riding experience.
Have alway been intrigued by sportsbikes but been too intimidated to try one out in terms of how powerful they are and my lack of experience.
My aim eventually is to go on long tours throughout Europe perhaps next summer or after. Are there sports bikes out there that are comfortable for long rides (I am 5ft 11, 15 stone) in terms of foot peg/knee position and overall comfort?
Or when I do trade up would something like a MT10/S1000R make more practical sense? My knowledge of sports/touring bikes is very limited, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers guys.
Have alway been intrigued by sportsbikes but been too intimidated to try one out in terms of how powerful they are and my lack of experience.
My aim eventually is to go on long tours throughout Europe perhaps next summer or after. Are there sports bikes out there that are comfortable for long rides (I am 5ft 11, 15 stone) in terms of foot peg/knee position and overall comfort?
Or when I do trade up would something like a MT10/S1000R make more practical sense? My knowledge of sports/touring bikes is very limited, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers guys.
Comfortable is a personal thing, and you tend to get used to whatever you ride to some degree. Some guys who have only had sportsbikes will swear blind that their Panigale is comfy for 3000 miles around Europe with a rucksack on their backs, just as you can go touring in a Caterham 7 if you are committed 
If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
S1000RR is probably the most comfortable. The previous model slightly more so than the current one. I did a tank of fuel without stopping on one and would have happily filled up and done another tank.
The last GSXR 1000 was pretty comfortable and the new one is supposed to be pretty good too. The ZX10 and R1 aren't great comfort wise.
If you like the looks a GSXS1000F or a Z1000SX are a kind of halfway house between full a on sports bike and touring.
The last GSXR 1000 was pretty comfortable and the new one is supposed to be pretty good too. The ZX10 and R1 aren't great comfort wise.
If you like the looks a GSXS1000F or a Z1000SX are a kind of halfway house between full a on sports bike and touring.
bogie said:
Comfortable is a personal thing, and you tend to get used to whatever you ride to some degree. Some guys who have only had sportsbikes will swear blind that their Panigale is comfy for 3000 miles around Europe with a rucksack on their backs, just as you can go touring in a Caterham 7 if you are committed
If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
As above, comfort is a personal thing. Nick Saunders went around the world on an R1 but, there are good reasons why most over 40's choose not to tour on a GSXR/R1/Blade etc.If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
The sport tourer marked is a little "thin on the ground" at the moment but there are still some new bikes that offer (very close to) sports bike power but with decent tank range, integral luggage and creature comforts, yet still offer handling that will keep up with any sports bike on pretty much any road you're likely to want to tour on.
A statement made by someone on here who brought a GSXR1000K6 to his first Old Gits trip has stuck with me. I was on a BMW K1200S on that trip. As we sat in Calais waiting to get the ferry back he said "You've done everything I've done at the same speed yet you've done it in comfort and with panniers!". Says it all I think.
Have you looked at the Ducati Supersport S? Got the Ducati badge, a bit of ohlins bling.
They are quite pricey for what they are and aren't the fastest things but they have got great reviews and I am tempted to get one later on. Think it would make a good daily/light tourer as it's still fun and got more wind protection than a naked. One let down for me is no heated grips or cruise control, for the price, these should be thrown in.
They are quite pricey for what they are and aren't the fastest things but they have got great reviews and I am tempted to get one later on. Think it would make a good daily/light tourer as it's still fun and got more wind protection than a naked. One let down for me is no heated grips or cruise control, for the price, these should be thrown in.
bogie said:
Comfortable is a personal thing, and you tend to get used to whatever you ride to some degree. Some guys who have only had sportsbikes will swear blind that their Panigale is comfy for 3000 miles around Europe with a rucksack on their backs, just as you can go touring in a Caterham 7 if you are committed
If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
Very much this. If you just want to experience the power, then you can get a number of upright and comfy bikes that are 160-180bhp, it will take you some time to experience all of what those machines can do ...particularly if you are a road rider, versus doing trackdays every weekend.
I think at some point in many of our riding career, we all want to experience what a 200bhp sportsbike is like. You could join a club like www.spyderclub.co.uk for a year and have long weekends on a range of bikes...doing 400-600 miles in a weekend will tell you if that Ducati Panigale you may dream about is comfy enough for you.
I toured on an older Fireblade and was very happy on it, however 300+ mile days and my hips get achey... that was my early 20's and I'm only 25 now!
The only way you will truly know is if you do it.
My 2p worth is whatever feels comfortable to sit on in a showroom (most sofa like) and you can test ride it at low speed, will give you the best idea as to whether you want to do big distance on it.
S1000R owner here. I've previously had 600 and 1000 sportsbikes.
The S1000 is pretty much a sportsbike in all aspects apart from riding position and lack of fairing. As you say, one of these or an MT10 are definitely worth a test ride.
Personally, I wouldn't want to tour on my S1000R, it's very low geared and does about 6000rpm at brisk motorway speeds, which might be tiring on a very long trip.
I've been round the Alps and Pyrenees on a Fireblade. Comfortable enough.
My advise would be to try as many as you can, fit is a very personal thing.
ETA: If I wanted to do some touring, and have a kick ass, fast bike that would keep up with anything I'd look at an S1000XR these days.
The S1000 is pretty much a sportsbike in all aspects apart from riding position and lack of fairing. As you say, one of these or an MT10 are definitely worth a test ride.
Personally, I wouldn't want to tour on my S1000R, it's very low geared and does about 6000rpm at brisk motorway speeds, which might be tiring on a very long trip.
I've been round the Alps and Pyrenees on a Fireblade. Comfortable enough.
My advise would be to try as many as you can, fit is a very personal thing.
ETA: If I wanted to do some touring, and have a kick ass, fast bike that would keep up with anything I'd look at an S1000XR these days.
Edited by cbmotorsport on Thursday 26th April 12:31
marcella said:
Have you looked at the Ducati Supersport S? Got the Ducati badge, a bit of ohlins bling.
They are quite pricey for what they are and aren't the fastest things but they have got great reviews and I am tempted to get one later on. Think it would make a good daily/light tourer as it's still fun and got more wind protection than a naked. One let down for me is no heated grips or cruise control, for the price, these should be thrown in.
Decent shout if a bit gutless.They are quite pricey for what they are and aren't the fastest things but they have got great reviews and I am tempted to get one later on. Think it would make a good daily/light tourer as it's still fun and got more wind protection than a naked. One let down for me is no heated grips or cruise control, for the price, these should be thrown in.
And the current GSXR1000 in R guise is only comfortable when you go fast enough that you aren't thinking about it.
cmaguire said:
Harry H said:
Most comfortable sports bike out there. BMW S1000XR.
Cruise to the Alps as comfy as any GS and behave like a nutter when you get there.
That isn't a sportsbike however much you want to pretend you own one.Cruise to the Alps as comfy as any GS and behave like a nutter when you get there.
I strangely found the 675 Daytona comfortable, but then I am an odd shape. It's the length of my legs that I struggle with on sportsbikes, I'm 6'1" but a 35" inside leg, they're not really built for the giraffe impersonators amongst us. Find I get really bad cramp in my hips, especially when I put my foot back on the peg after having been stopped at a junction or something.
neelyp said:
I strangely found the 675 Daytona comfortable, but then I am an odd shape. It's the length of my legs that I struggle with on sportsbikes, I'm 6'1" but a 35" inside leg, they're not really built for the giraffe impersonators amongst us. Find I get really bad cramp in my hips, especially when I put my foot back on the peg after having been stopped at a junction or something.
This is exactly what I get. Feels like your hip joint is locked, even standing up on the pegs doesn't always alleviate it. I love sports bikes but do quite a few miles so need comfort... I've ridden most current as well over the last couple of years and in terms of comfort (for me) I find the 04 - 14 R1 the most comfortable... followed by the new GSXR1000R, then the S1000RR.
If you find those are not comfortable then you need to be looking at sports nakeds or sport tourers...
If you find those are not comfortable then you need to be looking at sports nakeds or sport tourers...
neelyp said:
I strangely found the 675 Daytona comfortable, but then I am an odd shape. It's the length of my legs that I struggle with on sportsbikes, I'm 6'1" but a 35" inside leg, they're not really built for the giraffe impersonators amongst us. Find I get really bad cramp in my hips, especially when I put my foot back on the peg after having been stopped at a junction or something.
You need rear sets that put your feet down and back ... had same problem on my old Fireblade. This will rotate the hips and knees down... the issue is the OEM rear sets are too far forward which raises your hips.find a bike you are all day comfy on, then compare riding positions easily here:
http://cycle-ergo.com/
some bikes are surprising like each other ergonomically whereas others appear to be, but are not
How much forward lean you are comfortable with is different per rider and the hip/knee angle is what can give the cramps a lot, unless you are fit/flexible/exercise ...which is often the issue for some of us in our 40's plus, particularly if you have any mechanical ailments you have picked up along the way
http://cycle-ergo.com/
some bikes are surprising like each other ergonomically whereas others appear to be, but are not
How much forward lean you are comfortable with is different per rider and the hip/knee angle is what can give the cramps a lot, unless you are fit/flexible/exercise ...which is often the issue for some of us in our 40's plus, particularly if you have any mechanical ailments you have picked up along the way
cbmotorsport said:
This is exactly what I get. Feels like your hip joint is locked, even standing up on the pegs doesn't always alleviate it.
I think doing the Rossi leg wave helps, but giving an adjacent Audi a healthy kick as you pass with your toe sliders doesn't do much for biker/car driver diplomacy.trickywoo said:
The ZX10 and R1 aren't great comfort wise.
I don't entirely agree there - I ride a 2008 ZX10R and cover more miles than most I reckon. I've not really had any comfort complaints tbh - in fact I dislocated my knee last Friday and was back on the bike by Monday.Comfort is definitely personal.
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