first long ride

[loadmaster]

Ive had my 88 venture about a month now, able to fix most of the minor glitches, so yesterday took it on a patriot guard mission of 400 miles, LI to Dover Delaware and back home, escorting a fallen marine L/Corporal. The bike performed well mechanically, but comfort level wasnt what i expected, i dont like the pegs, both legs were cramping after about 5 hr, right had was numb, and dont get me started on the stock seat. the seat and the hand cramps can be addressed, but does any body know if there is a footboard/ forward control rig for these bikes, thanks for listening. Frank

[Squidley]

Frank,

I can only speak personally, but the 1st gens can be a bit uncomfortable depending upon your leg length. I'm not really tall, about 5' 11" with a 32" inseam, but I find my knees dont apprewciate the foot position on the 1st gens, even though I now own an '89.

Best piece of advise I can give you is to get a good set of highway pegs that you can stretch you legs out with. The floorboards are hard to come by and really dont change your footing position that much. You might want to think about having Rick Butler redo your seat and I dont know if you have a backrest, but to me that is a must for long times in the saddle. The highway pegs will GREATLY improve your comfort, thats what I would address 1st.

[gibvel]

I agree with Squid on this one. The Foorboards will NOT help in the comfort area. Highway pegs would be a big help.

 

As for the seat, I know others have raved about what Rick can do with a seat. I had him do my pillow top and it's much better. Can't tell you, for sure, about the 1st gen seat so maybe someone who's had him work his magic with their seat will chime in!!

[Dano]

Hey Loadmaster, welcome to the wonderfull world of customizing! Not sure how tall you are, I'm 6'2 with a 34 inseam. Put a Saddlemans Travelcade with a Rick Butler mod on my 84, raises me up about 3"s for a better leg position. You could have Rick redo your stock seat with his memory foam trick, probably help you there. A backrest if you don't have one is almost mandatory (comes with the Travelcade). For your numbness, get a "wrist-rest" at your local shop, about 10-15 bucks, will take the strain off of having to hold the grip so tight (just did 560 miles one way home last Friday, no numbness!) and you could add a throttle lock if you don't have cruise. Of course you can't use either one in a group ride, so the wrist rest is a good add-on. Handlebars are fully adjustable also.

Footboards and heel-toe shifters are out there, but it seems like the guys that are under 6' or so have better luck with them, due to the angle of the ankle. No forward controls available, unless you wanted to make your own.

 

Good luck with your mods, feel free to ask any questions you may have. Glad you enjoy your ride.

 

Dano

[loadmaster]

Thanks for the input everybody, i agree that highway pegs should be next,Just for fun ive attached a pic of my present "pegs":rotfl:

[GeorgeS]

Yup: they need to be a bit wider. I have the old standard folding pegs, work great for me.

[utadventure]

Frank- The seat mod by Rick Butler is a butt saver on the 1st gen seats. Get the mod and a backrest and you'll be glad you did.

 

I have pegs, floorboards and highway pegs on my '86 and I like the variety of foot positions this gives me. On the '88, I only have regular pegs and highway pegs. Being able to change foot positions, also helps you change your butt position and enables longer riding.

 

My wife's Sportster has the forward controls. We are looking right now into adding traditional midpoint pegs for the same reason. The forward controls force her to sit, rolled back onto her tailbone.

 

Good luck

 

Dave

[Squidley]

Thanks for the input everybody, i agree that highway pegs should be next,Just for fun ive attached a pic of my present "pegs":rotfl:

 

 

Ain't they cute

[Bob Myers]

Frank, I'm 6'+-½" on any given day, average 200 pounds. I have a set of the elusive floorboards on my 88 VR and my size 12 fit them well. I also fitted a set of "mini floorboards" on the crash rails to help stretch out a bit. Did an Iron Butt run on it last year, actually 2 of them back to back on the stock seat. Did well with that setup, and as you my right hand goes numb, bad arthritis in wrist. Cruise control is the answer there, even if you only run it for ¼ mile at a time, it is a saver. I'll have to take a pic of them but they are sold through JC Whitney for about $29 or so.

Edited August 19, 2009 by Bob Myers