Laid back or hunched over?

[Tat2demon]

I got my old "Mystery Carbs" sold last night and now have the money to either change my bike into a cruiser or a sport bike. I'm split 50/50 and would be happy with either configuration but was curious about others preferences.

Do I put on forward controls for a more laid back ride or rear sets and clubman bars?

I wont be doing anything to it that cant be changed back so settle down you purists!

[Laptop_geek]

I prefer rear sets, or midsets in the case of the xs11's. But that's a personal preference. It really only matters what you want to do with it and your style of riding.

[natemoen]

Not really a fan of ONLY forward controls. This winter I plan on fabing up a set of mid/forward controls so I can control it either stretched out or from a more stable position.

[CatatonicBug]

Depends on how you ride. If you like long trips, I can't imagine being comfortable with rear sets and short bars. If you like to take fast corners and feel like you're cutting through the wind, they might be more your style. I don't understand the draw of forward controls myself. I need to be able to stand up and get my butt off the seat if I see a bump coming.

[Tat2demon]

At 6'4" the forwards will feel much better than the stock position. If I go with FC's I will make a bracket to attach them to the stock controls so I will still have the mids if needed.

I like both long trips and fast turns. Thats why Im having such a hard time making up my mind.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tat,

I can't recall if I told you about this MOD or not? See this thread:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...rward+controls

Excuse the crappy rattle can paint job, got fuel damaged, ran, etc.!!!

But it might give you some ideas on how to have both. I like having the OEM controls/positions for when I'm running the twisties, but also like the option of stretching out for cruising stretches. I'm 6'6" tall.

T.C.

[sparks]

Have no idea what "forward or reverse" means... I do know that my "special" dopesnt have the "pull back" bars it should and I'm looking for a set. Hopefully the person that put the short bars on it didnt trim the harness. I think the special bars will let me sit a bit more upright. but somebody will have to let me know what forward and reverse mean.. Guess I'm just stoooopid..

Lee
(Sparks)

[jwhughes3]

Lee lets see if we can clear it up.

Remember half the Harleys you see with feet way out front practically straight out? They have extended brake and shifter way FORWARD for cruising comfort. Great for highway, hard to get used to around town.

XS has MID controls stock. Feet under you.

REAR controls are like the GSXR / Ducati type sport bikes leaning over tank with feet BEHIND you.

Clear as mud?

John

[BA80]

I have the OEM controls on my bike. I'm not 6' 4" but at 6' riding all the time with my feet on the OEM pegs just don't get it. I'm more comfortable on the highway with my feet up so I have highway (go figure) pegs on the engine guards. Besides, the heat from the engine can get uncomfortable. That also gives me 3 positions to shift my weight on long rides.

Forward, OEM, or I can put my feet on the rear pegs.

The OEM pegs are where you want your feet in the twisties so that's where the controls are. It's not a big deal to drop your left foot to the shifter when on the highway and the rear brake is rarely used anyway.

I'm not voting either way. My choice ain't there.

[fredintoon]

- - - Do I put on forward controls for a more laid back ride or rear sets and clubman bars?
I wont be doing anything to it that cant be changed back so settle down you purists!

Hi Nate,
it don't matter which so long as you can swap back to the stock riding position once you realize that you are putting style ahead of comfort.

[Tat2demon]

Hi Nate,
it don't matter which so long as you can swap back to the stock riding position once you realize that you are putting style ahead of comfort.

Not necessarily true for everyone. One reason Im thinking of the rear sets is to get weight off my two blow blown disks and on to my arms. Just riding across town some days sitting straight up and down causes a lot of pain.

[Tat2demon]

I can't recall if I told you about this MOD or not?

Yep I came across that earlier. I would rather go with something like that than chop up the stock controls.

[fredintoon]

Not necessarily true for everyone. One reason Im thinking of the rear sets is to get weight off my two blow blown disks and on to my arms. Just riding across town some days sitting straight up and down causes a lot of pain.

Hi Nate,
you never see a chimp at the chiropractors, right?
Anatomically, a person is just an ape with short arms.
The original was designed to swing from trees and walk on it's knuckles.
Both these travel modes use the spinal column as a catenery in tension.
The change to walking upright has reversed the forces on the spine without changing it's design which is why we all get backaches and blown discs.
So you are right, low bars and rearsets is the way for you to go; with the riding position putting your spine back into it's correct tension catenery.

[Tat2demon]

I'm happy to be a monkey if it means riding pain free!

[sparks]

OK... Here is a dumb wquestion.. I have my special that somebody has changed the bars on.. The bars on it now are a bit uncomfortable. They are kinda straight and I have to bend forward a bit.. The pull backs that the bike came with from the factory seem like they would put my hands in an uncomfortable position.. But then, I dont really know.. For upright riding would I be better off with the bars that the standard camewith? Guess me and the chimps should go to school.. I also, like most at my advanced age have a bad back.. Hell, driving my car gives me a pain..

Lee
(Sparks)