My experience on a Sport Bike is limited to a few hours on an RC51 and hour or so on a zx600rr lightened for the track. The RC51 is fun to try and hold on under acceleration and a beast of low-end torque. But still uncomfortable for a 58 year old with 3 back surgeries under my belt. The Daughter-In-Laws 600rr weighs in at 310 lbs and is much more flick-able in the turns. It carries the weight so low that it is fun to ride and handles like a much smaller bike then it is. Both bikes are a blast to ride for different reasons but the Z is still my favorite out of the 3 bikes. After a few mods (Corbin Seat, Handlebars, Risers and a couple power adders) it is by far a more fun and comfortable bike for me.
I think age has something to do with it too.
i think it comes down to each body is different. i am 6-1 and a small built 205 lbs. i have long arms and legs. many here complain about the stock seat. for my body the stock seat is fine up to 100 miles. i had a 05 honda CBR 600 rr for a weekend a few years back and the thing killed my neck. to see forward i had to hold my neck at a very bad angle to see forward laying down as i was. the pressure on the wrists were real bad. maybe a guy 5-6 would be ok ??????
Yes, I didn't consider the height thing. Im only 6' tall, 200lbs..
i think it comes down to each body is different. i am 6-1 and a small built 205 lbs. i have long arms and legs. many here complain about the stock seat. for my body the stock seat is fine up to 100 miles. i had a 05 honda CBR 600 rr for a weekend a few years back and the thing killed my neck. to see forward i had to hold my neck at a very bad angle to see forward laying down as i was. the pressure on the wrists were real bad. maybe a guy 5-6 would be ok ??????
I'm only 5'6" and 140lbs and still have the same problems you described so it's really not a height issue
It definity has to do with ergonomics and age
The other thing I've noticed is how static you are on the bike, at the track you're moving around alot on the bike and I don't seem to experience all the discomfort that I did when I was street riding with the ZX6R
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Matt
'06 Z-1000(street)
'08 ZX6R (track) #601
I feel the need,the need for speed,
cause you never see a sport bike
parked in front of a Psychiatrist office
I traded my 08 ZX-14 in on the Z1000. As far as comfort on a super sport goes it's hard to beat a 14 or busa, the liter bikes are cramped. The modern designs are setup out of the box as track weapons and not good for much else. My 14 would over hear FAST, it has to stay moving or it will boil over in town on a warm day so it not practical. Now if you keep the speeds high it would run the temp gauge at two bars in 100 degree heat, but as soon as you stopped, it would climb fast.
I guess if you are on a bike that is ergonomically uncomfortable for 'you' then its time
to trade up, riding is all about the feel, how good it feels when youre handgrips fall niceley to your hands, and how niceley your feet reach the pegs, I love the Z1000 for that, however on longer trips its a different story, but its at least managable with frequent stops.. The Z1 is by far the best naked going around, no fear...
You gotta lurve the Zzzzzzz...
For me, it is less about comfort and more about the lack of low end and mid-range power on a SS600. If you are below 8K, they are totally dull. When screaming, they feel and sound great. There is no middle ground. You are either buzzing around waiting to unleash the power or unleashing it and looking everywhere for the cops. Neither is very fun.
Hit 45 again in the Northeast so I spent Saturday riding with one of my Ducati owning buddies. His present ride is an 1198 SP
It is funny to note that when we are cruising (which we were forced to do after an unscheduled stop after a 9 mile "pursuit" cop's words, not mine, involving 3 SCPD vehicles) he rides one handed. Obviously, this is because his bars are about 4 inches off the pavement.
I will also note the following:
EVERYWHERE we went he received positive comments from people about that bike, including the PO that spanked us.
He owned me in the 60-90 roll on (this may be bc he rides around in 3rd or 4th gear at sub 65mph).
The full Akro system on his bike may be the loudest and at the same time most beautiful sound that I have ever heard.
He is aware of every shortcoming of his bike, and makes no excuses for them. He bought that bike because he loves it, and had to own one.
He LOVES my Z1K, though he spends most of our time together contemplating how to convince me to spend money on a new exhaust.
I make fun of his one handed riding (BTW he is a better rider than I am with that 1 hand), and he mocks me for sitting so upright.
no bike i have owned or been on brings a smile on my face like my 2004 Z1000. the song of a full muzzy and a in line 4 is what gives me goose bumps. i am positive if i could take this bike in a time warp and go back to 1982 when i was 35 years old this bike would still be the one.
