6' 7" Biker needs to stretch out

[chag67]

I am looking to mod my "new" 07 Venture to accommodate my tall lanky frame. I am 6'7", 215-220 lbs. I was looking into the custom seat by Day Long. That is definitely an option and I am highly considering it. I do know that if I sit further back, I will definitely need bar risers so I am not reaching so far.

 

My main question is this - Can I lower or move the floor boards? I don't like that my knees are higher than my waist. It causes cramping in the hips at times. I have heard that the floor boards of the RSV is a bit higher than most bikes. I don't take turns as low as possible and there is no worry of dragging if I can lower or move them.

 

Thanks for any comments. Any other suggestions from you tall riders will be greatly appreciated.

[Condor]

I am looking to mod my "new" 07 Venture to accommodate my tall lanky frame. I am 6'7", 215-220 lbs. I was looking into the custom seat by Day Long. That is definitely an option and I am highly considering it. I do know that if I sit further back, I will definitely need bar risers so I am not reaching so far.

 

My main question is this - Can I lower or move the floor boards? I don't like that my knees are higher than my waist. It causes cramping in the hips at times. I have heard that the floor boards of the RSV is a bit higher than most bikes. I don't take turns as low as possible and there is no worry of dragging if I can lower or move them.

 

Thanks for any comments. Any other suggestions from you tall riders will be greatly appreciated.

 

On my '99RSV I found that the highway pegs let me extend my legs in two ways. By letting my heel rest on the front edge of the floorboards and the ball of my foot on the highway peg, or resting my boot arch on the peg only. From your weight I can imagine you do sit a bit farther back into the seat. I have help pushing me forward... And I actually used to be taller than you, but not any more... My inseam is 34". If your's is longer I can see where the risers would be a big help.

[bongobobny]

Yes, a set of Kuryakin Longhorns would be an excellent choice for you. For risers, Barons makes a 1 1/2" set but it also brings the bars back a bit as well. If you loosen the clamps on the stock setup and remove the caps, you can rotate the handlebar assembly which will bring them up for you. The handlebars are splined under the caps...

[sanderjack]

I use to be 6'5" and now I am somewhere between 6'4" and 6'3". The day long makes you sit higher and to me much more comfortable. When I put the stock seat back on, I feel like I am sitting in a bucket with my 36" inseam and knees above my hips. The highway pegs at least let me stretch out on those longer runs. My wife doesn't like the seat because it is a bit smoother and not the pillow top so I usually put it on when I am riding solo.

[chag67]

Can the Day Long be put on with the stock passenger seat?

 

Also can the floor boards be moved?

 

I'm a 36" inseam as well. I know highway pegs will stretch me out but I want my knees lower when I'm riding with my feet on the boards.

[sanderjack]

The day long I have replaced both driver and passenger seat. It's a one piece with a wider saddle. No slit in it for a backrest (bummer). If you are looking at lowering the floorboards, are you thinking of lowering your controls also (brake and shifter)?

[chag67]

Yes. I would lower the shifter and brake. If it is possible, of course.

[mabeline]

I'm a high pockets also, 6' 6" and 36" inseam. I know what your saying about your knees around your ears. I've got a Russel day long as well and like it very much, even though it wasn't built for me. I bought it off my friends wrecked RSV.

It appears that the cast piece that runs under the belly of the bike, that the boards are bolted to comes up at an angle. Looks like an 1 1/2" or 2" rise.

Maybe a good heavy piece of flat bar would do the trick.

The brake and shifter mechanisms are also mounted on the cast piece. Although they're mounted on the angle part coming up. So some sort of shim may be needed.

It was just a quick look, so it may not work. But it has potenial!

 

Maybe you can get a seat like what they're talking about in this other thread with a set of risers of course.

 

http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=77675

 

I just put on a set of Barons risers. I thought they would bring the bars to close. But someone else on here that's 6" 6" said he has them and liked them, and also got rid of the pain between the shoulder blades.

I also found the bars don't hit me in the leg any more like they use to, in a parking lot turn.

[chag67]

I'm a high pockets also, 6' 6" and 36" inseam. I know what your saying about your knees around your ears. I've got a Russel day long as well and like it very much, even though it wasn't built for me. I bought it off my friends wrecked RSV.

It appears that the cast piece that runs under the belly of the bike, that the boards are bolted to comes up at an angle. Looks like an 1 1/2" or 2" rise.

Maybe a good heavy piece of flat bar would do the trick.

The brake and shifter mechanisms are also mounted on the cast piece. Although they're mounted on the angle part coming up. So some sort of shim may be needed.

It was just a quick look, so it may not work. But it has potenial!

 

Maybe you can get a seat like what they're talking about in this other thread with a set of risers of course.

 

http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=77675

 

I just put on a set of Barons risers. I thought they would bring the bars to close. But someone else on here that's 6" 6" said he has them and liked them, and also got rid of the pain between the shoulder blades.

I also found the bars don't hit me in the leg any more like they use to, in a parking lot turn.

 

 

That thread is where I got the Day Long seat suggestion.

 

I don't think I am going to alter the floor boards if they involve a custome welded piece of metal.

 

I am likely going to get a set of highway pegs. I had them on my M50 Boulevard so I could stretch out. The only thing I didn't like about higway pegs was my pants legs always kept riding up. I tried all kinds of straps but the straps would come loose and they still rode up. The only thing that worked the best were knee high boot socks but those get very hot in the summertime. As far as straps, I have even thought about punching a small grommet hole through each side of my jeans. Those clips don't stand a chance at 80 mph.

 

I will likely get highway pegs that will allow me to just slide my feet about 6 inches forward while keeping them flat. Heel on the floor boards and the balls of my feet on the highway pegs.

 

Pegs with a custom Day Long seat and riser bars should do the trick. I do get tension in my shoulders from reaching.

[chag67]

Do any of you taller riders have pics of you sitting or riding on your Ventures so I can see how different a custom (non stock) seat would look?

Thanks.