Tall rider questions

theMKoi
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My Bike: 1997 Suzuki Intruder 1400
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Tall rider questions

Post by theMKoi »

Hello community

I Am fishing for a couple answers before I start any of my major build this fall. I am 6'5" and ride a 97 1400. I was wondering if anyone had a handle bar setup that worked well? I am thinking of just throwing apes or home made z- bars on it and leaning them forward a bit. I have also viewed the handle bar risers, specifically the curved ones. I thought about turning them around and have them curve up instead of back. I will be also adding some forward controls that I will hopefully be making myself. I am planning on a 8-10" forward relocation.

So basically I am just looking for your guys opinions and comments on what has worked for you.

thanks,

theMKoi
Thanks,

Matt


'97 Intruder 1400

:hahafinger:

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enforcer
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

First off, forwards, invaluable. I'm 6' 2" and don't know how I got by without them.

Second, bars come down to personal preference. 12" apes are as high as you can go on stock risers. They aren't usually super comfortable, and taller risers tend to block the speedo. I would suggest sticking with the stock risers and mocking up in PVC pipe to find out exactly what you're looking for. Any higher than 12", and you'll be extending wiring, new cable and lines. For my comfort I find I like my arms almost parallel to the road with a slight bend.

Don't forget the importance of a good seat. I had a Mustang Square back that was perfect as it moved me back and down about 1" or more in each direction to really get that lazy boy feel. The stock seat, well, let's say about 30 mins in the saddle is all I was able to tolerate. With the Mustang, it was when ever the rest of my body gave up.
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jonnycando
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by jonnycando »

Either forward control, or highway pegs, and yes, perhaps a 12 to 15 inch ape will be better than the buckhorns. It's interesting though, the sitting position on the Intruder is nearly identical to the sitting position on an Electra Glide! I was very surprised, thinking glides ought to be roomy, being touring bikes and all.

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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

jonnycando wrote:It's interesting though, the sitting position on the Intruder is nearly identical to the sitting position on an Electra Glide! I was very surprised, thinking glides ought to be roomy, being touring bikes and all.
You're kidding, right? My E Glide is nothing like the Intruder was.
Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

Cycle Ergo is your friend. It's close, but a little here and there makes all the difference.
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jonnycando
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by jonnycando »

enforcer wrote:
jonnycando wrote:It's interesting though, the sitting position on the Intruder is nearly identical to the sitting position on an Electra Glide! I was very surprised, thinking glides ought to be roomy, being touring bikes and all.
You're kidding, right? My E Glide is nothing like the Intruder was.
Actually, it was a Road Glide Special....but I thought for 40000 simoleans there would be leg room!

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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

98VS1400 wrote:
enforcer wrote:Cycle Ergo is your friend. It's close, but a little here and there makes all the difference.
Image
Image
Cycle Ergo might be his friend, but he ain't yours! :lmao:
Those small angle differences mean inches. Inches make all the difference.
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

jonnycando wrote:
enforcer wrote:
jonnycando wrote:It's interesting though, the sitting position on the Intruder is nearly identical to the sitting position on an Electra Glide! I was very surprised, thinking glides ought to be roomy, being touring bikes and all.
You're kidding, right? My E Glide is nothing like the Intruder was.
Actually, it was a Road Glide Special....but I thought for 40000 simoleans there would be leg room!
Road Glide is a different bike, in a lot of ways.
Image
That's a '13, but those measurements would mean less comfort for me.
Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

98VS1400 wrote:
enforcer wrote:
98VS1400 wrote:
enforcer wrote:Cycle Ergo is your friend. It's close, but a little here and there makes all the difference.
Image
Image
Cycle Ergo might be his friend, but he ain't yours! :lmao:
Those small angle differences mean inches. Inches make all the difference.
You can see that your pics don't show up, right?
They show up fine for me. Maybe that site is blocked on what you're using.

Or you just need an Android phone. [emoji106]
Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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theMKoi
Tricycles are Cool
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by theMKoi »

Woah

Thanks for the fast responses and all the input.

Looking into a new seat is a good idea i do find myself sliding forward as I ride. Almost like teabagging the tank after 30 mins.

I ride the stock backbones with almost straight arms pushing me to a pretty laid back driving position. I will have to experiment with some different mock ups.

The ergo cycle thing is cool but what is the point of it? I just see an outline of a huge bastard on a little bike. I must look like I stole my lil brothers bike when I pass ppl.
Thanks,

Matt


'97 Intruder 1400

:hahafinger:

theMKoi
Tricycles are Cool
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by theMKoi »

I can't see any pics
Thanks,

Matt


'97 Intruder 1400

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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

theMKoi wrote:I can't see any pics
I'm going to upload them to photo bucket, as well as one on a VS1400 with your measurements.
Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

theMKoi wrote:Woah

Thanks for the fast responses and all the input.

Looking into a new seat is a good idea i do find myself sliding forward as I ride. Almost like teabagging the tank after 30 mins.

I ride the stock backbones with almost straight arms pushing me to a pretty laid back driving position. I will have to experiment with some different mock ups.

The ergo cycle thing is cool but what is the point of it? I just see an outline of a huge bastard on a little bike. I must look like I stole my lil brothers bike when I pass ppl.
The point of Cycle Ergo is to input your measurements and see what the difference in how you fit on any given bike.
Here's the normal 6' person on these 3.
Image
Image
Image
And here's you on the 1400. See the difference?
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Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

98VS1400 wrote:Stop!! No pics!
Uploaded them to my Photobucket. Better?
Current rides: 03 HD FLHT & 01 Yamaha XVS650(BIP)
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jonnycando
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by jonnycando »

So there is a little difference....my Triumph Rocket 3 Touring is the height of roominess....my Intruder is a tight little runabout by comparison....one I can run about quite fast, but not laid back. And the Harley's are just are not as roomy as the money would make you hope for.

theMKoi
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by theMKoi »

Ahhh yes i see them now, thanks
Thanks,

Matt


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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by enforcer »

jonnycando wrote:So there is a little difference....my Triumph Rocket 3 Touring is the height of roominess....my Intruder is a tight little runabout by comparison....one I can run about quite fast, but not laid back. And the Harley's are just are not as roomy as the money would make you hope for.
It doesn't look much different.
Image
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by jonnycando »

But alas....on the real thing your butt has room to scoot around....great for hanging off in steep turns...can't do that on a cramped bike. And the bars are actually a reach for me...I am tall and have never had to reach for a handlebar. The bike itself is nearly 8 feet long, so the ergo picture isn't quite right. Something it can't depict...how wide the bike is....straddling the Rocket is like riding a 50 gallon barrel. For tall boys, it's quite a different feel. For short leg folks...its near impossible to flat foot it.

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Herb
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by Herb »

I am 5'8" and there I would like to move the bars farther forward on mine. Trouble is that the 99 has the wiring inside the bars, this limits the bar movement. My 87 had the wiring outside the bars and I was able to push the bars forward to a much more comfortable position.

Have a backrest on my bike and the bars are actually too close to me. I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be for someone over 6 ft.

I just went to the cycle ergo site. What was really neat was being able to chose 2 or more bikes and get an overlay of each one.
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Re: Tall rider questions

Post by sgtcall »

Herb wrote:I am 5'8" and there I would like to move the bars farther forward on mine. Trouble is that the 99 has the wiring inside the bars, this limits the bar movement. My 87 had the wiring outside the bars and I was able to push the bars forward to a much more comfortable position
I had the same issue with the stock bars. To move them forward just pull the wires out and then use a dremal to grind out he wireing holes towards the front of the bars. A 1/4 extra will move the bars 2 inches forward. I did it and have not had any issues.

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