Getting Comfortable

[ddking]

Getting Comfortable on the Wing

This used to be called..."For Tall Riders." But most of these ideas work for any sized person, so I've color coded it to that end. You might think of this as an infomercial on Goldwing comfort. Since we are all different, not everyone will appreciate everything and that's ok. Add your own suggestions. These are the things that have made the Wing fun for me and many others. Some ideas came from other riders...some from me...but I'm not telling. So, read on;


Everything posted is applicable to tall riders.
[Blue denotes uses for shorter inseams as well.]

[This post has been broken up because of the limitations of the new board.]

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Seat Pads

Seat Modification

Diamond Seats

Russell Day Long Seats

Corbin Seats

Handlebar Risers

Peg Relocation Kits

Highway Pegs

Suspension

[pshivers]

Hi Dan,

I've read your Getting Comfortable link many times and have referred to it as I check one item off at a time trying to get comfortable on my new GL1800A.

At 6'5", about 265 lbs and a 34" inseam I would be considered to be a "Larger/Taller" sized rider! (and size 14 boots!).

The information you have put together has been right on for me.

The first item I installed were the Mick-O-Pegs (Model K/A-HS) and used Kuryakyn Switchblade foot pegs I had purchased earlier (with mounts). The Kuryakyn's mounts did not work for me at all. The Switchblade footrests do work well with the MOP's.

Installed Kuryakyn 4453 Iso-Wing Mini Driver’s Boards, Rattlebars Kickshifter and Peg Relocation Kit,

The transformation to a comfortable ride is remarkable so far!

I will be straying off your beaten path when it comes to a seat. I will be going with Russell's Day-Long seat that will be custom made for my wife and I while we wait in early September.

I've got somewhere around 45,000-55,000 very comfortable miles on a Day-Long I had made up for my 1980 CB900C. I put a lot of 1,000+ mile days in that saddle and always felt ready for more!

A couple of questions for you...

When does one know they need something like handlebar risers? I feel fine with my current setup and pulling the bars back does not seem like a good idea for me. I guess this may change when I have the seat made and I'm sitting back a little farther than now.

Did you play with the height adjustments on the Rattlebars kick-shifter at all? I used the top holes on the mounting plate as well as the heel peg. Seems to work fine as is, but wondered if there were recommendations for different sized people.

Again, Thanks for the "Getting Comfortable on the Wing" thread, it has been very useful to me, (Probably saved me a lot of time and a ton of money too!).

[ddking]

If I could have ridden in to get a RDL saddle, I may well have done it. The only thing I'm not sure about is the amount of thigh support it gives. But the spring they add for us heavier guys may compensate for that. I'd love to try one sometime.

As far as risers go, I wouldn't get them until I tried the new seating position. You may not want them.

On my Rattlebars, I use the top hole in the front so I don't have to hit the shifter peg. It was a little strange at first but I like it now. I think the best thing to do is to try every possiblity to find the best one for you.

I'm glad this was helpful. I did it this way so people might be able to get things together faster than I did.

[Tony1M]

Dan,
I've very much enjoyed reading your fine post about getting comfortable on the Wing.

I sat on a Wing at the local motorcycle show last Feb and I was very impressed with the Wing. Last Sunday my wife and I rode our Venture to the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, where there was on display a "history of the motorcycle", which included about 150 vintage and modern motorcycles, as well as a very nice display of old cars, steam engines and aircraft.

Interestingly, Honda had set up in the Museum parking lot a display of all their new bikes and, in fact, one could sign up for, and take for a test drive, any new Honda model. I was excited until I tried out the Wing for size. I was much too forward and not nearly high enough as I sat on the OEM seat - so much so that I didn't feel that I could operate the bike safely on a test ride. As you might well imagine, I was very disappointed with this missed opportunity and, quite surprisingly to me, so was my wife.

I'm 6' 6", 260 lb, with about a 38" inseam and, from what I can tell from your photos, I appear to be similiar in size and shape to Bill Pearlman.

I had the exact same problem on our '84 Venture Royale, so I made a custom seat which raised the passenger and driver's postions 4" up and 3" back. By using wood and foam to "stagger" two OEM seat pans , I was able to create a seat which retains the original OEM shape of the seating surface of the seat. I also had fabricated a bracket which raised and moved back the trunk a similar amount. After I installed a custom passenger-peg adapter to do the same for the passenger's foot-pegs, we are now both very comfortable on the Venture.

The question I have concerns the ramifications on the passenger of the Wing driver having a seat similar to Bill's. The driver's area of his seat appears to have been "filled in" (raised) a substantial amount and moved back a bit - this maybe to the detriment of the passenger's comfort.

In order to retain the original OEM shape of the seat's surface, and to give the passenger as much room and as good a view over the rider's shoulders as that OEM design provides, is it possible to move the trunk of the Wing both up and back about three inches to accomodate the likewise movement of the driver - in other words, to in effect lift and move back the entire driver/passenger/trunk configuration as a single unit?

I think the Venture's more modular construction may be more amenable to this type of modifictaion, but I thought I'd put this question to an expert.

Thanks for any advice you may have in this regard.

Tony

[Redneck Dave]

I like your gathering of great info, I'm also one of the "short" guys at 5'18 and 260 lbs with a 34 in inseam but I have lil' feet at only a size 12 boot.
Quite a few of the littler folks I talk to at motorcycle gatherings don't get all the things we normal sized guys have to do to get comfortable for those quality long runs. I just laugh and ask 'em how often they dump their bikes due to the short legs and chip on their shoulder! That gets their attention.
I'm still tryin' to figure out what I want to do for the seat issue, the stock seat isn't too bad and I'll probably try the cool cushion addition first and then look at the big $$$$ stuff if need be.
Keep on rollin'

[ddking]

Tony, Diamond/Hartco makes a backrest that makes more room for the passenger. It gives back 1 1/2 inches that get taken away by moving the driver's portion back. If you call them and tell them you concerns, specifically that you might be interested in a seat like Bill Pearlman's, they should understand the needs as the owner is 6'4".

Good luck. This bike is fun once it fits.

[oldtags]

Dan, just finished a 2 month 9,000 mile ride out west. I installed Mick's just before we left in May and they really worked great. Used them any time I had a straight strech and even scraped the right one a time or two on mild turns. I installed an Utopia Backrest today and wish I had it available for the trip. Isn't the Wind a great Ride!!

[pshivers]

Dan,

Have you done anything special for a driver's backrest. I plan on having Russell install a backrest when they make up our Day-Long seat.

I tried a Kury backrest with the stock seat, again a quality product but a disaster for a tall guy, forced me way too far forward in the seat even when adjusted all the way back.

I hear all sorts of praise about the "Utopia" backrest but have read nothing about how or even if they will work with custom saddles from Russell or Diamond/Hartco.

Is there anything you looked for in a drivers backrest?

[ddking]

Bill, I couldn't ride the 1800 without the Micks. Can't take having my feet bent back that way. I'm glad they worked for you.

Paul, When I had a stock seat, I used the Utopia and it was great. I think I've read that RDL can work around one. On the Diamond, I got the one they make which is bigger and love it.

[gregatkins]

I'm 5'8" and 165lbs and I think my inseam is around 30". I know when I'm at a stop that my top ball of my feet touch the ground with the suspension set at 0.

I did a 12 hour 700 mile ride and the only real problem I found was my knees got sore, and lower back near the 8 hour mark. What I really wanted is for the handlebars to come back about 1.5", backrest, and to stretch out my legs out and up a little bit.

I'm not sure what pegs to get, because I definitely don't want them scraping in the turns and I do hit some pretty hard turns out in Northern California.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

I like the stock seat, plan on getting the Utopia backrest..just not sure of which risers and pegs.

[ddking]

Greg,

Most guys who want to stretch out and up, go with the Kury 4056 pegs. Just make sure you mount them high enough above the crash bars. I think there are some for sale on the board right now.

If you only want to move the bars back about 1.5", the MBL's are your best bet. The one's that don't change the angle of the bars, only come back 1.25" while the other set comes back 1.5" but changes the angle of the bars significantly. I had this set and had no problems with it, but a lot of riders don't like them.

www.mblinnovations.com

[swipter]

How is the Windbender windshield as compared to the Tulsa estra tall? I can always cancel the Tulsa order tomorrow.

THanks

[ddking]

Originally Posted by swipter

How is the Windbender windshield as compared to the Tulsa estra tall? I can always cancel the Tulsa order tomorrow.

THanks

You might want to make this a "New Topic" as most will ignore this post [having seen it appear monthly for two years.] I've never used either shield.

[Arn Butt Bill]

Tony, Diamond/Hartco makes a backrest that makes more room for the passenger. It gives back 1 1/2 inches that get taken away by moving the driver's portion back. If you call them and tell them you concerns, specifically that you might be interested in a seat like Bill Pearlman's, they should understand the needs as the owner is 6'4".

Mark, the owner is 6'4" but Mike, a little skinny Harley pilot, built my seat. If you need a build-up job, talk to Mike.
Mark is tall but he works out like a maniac and is still built like he's in high school. His idea of a built-up seat didn't have as much, uh, spread to it...

Mike is a genious.

[Richard Hammesfahr]

I have purchased several types of pegs and boards that have came from KURYAKYN and all have had the chrome pealing in about a year or less.
Have had them replaced and the same thing over and over again---its hopeless. After each ride I wash my bike and keep the chrome polished and waxed---still don't seem to help.
Will not buy any more chrome products that they have-----seems that they all come from China!
Dick Hamm.

[LDM]

Dan, I'm reading some tough going for Navi/Comfot package owners looking to add REG risers. They are saying that it's hard to fit with the wider plastic cover that is over the seat/grip heater controls. Have you heard of this also? Got any answers for us Navi/Comfort package owners?

Thank you in advance,
LDM

PS Thanks for helping us tall riders.

[hossman]

Originally Posted by LDM

Dan, I'm reading some tough going for Navi/Comfot package owners looking to add REG risers. They are saying that it's hard to fit with the wider plastic cover that is over the seat/grip heater controls. Have you heard of this also? Got any answers for us Navi/Comfort package owners?

Thank you in advance,
LDM

PS Thanks for helping us tall riders.

I'm not exactly sure which part you are talking about. But, I have an 07 Navi/Abs model. I have the REG risers installed. I DID gouge a small part of the pastic/black part on the outside (technically inside) part. It would be the area the outside of the handlebar would run by. It's not really that bad, but it's noticeable. I'm sure it has something to do with how I ran the cables, but I can deal with it.

[ddking]

Since I know nothing about 07s, I'd post this question on the board to get more people reading it. You'll have a better chance at a solutin. And I'm sure Hossman will answer it again for you. I think he has a goal to respond to every post made.

[hossman]

Originally Posted by ddking

Since I know nothing about 07s, I'd post this question on the board to get more people reading it. You'll have a better chance at a solutin. And I'm sure Hossman will answer it again for you. I think he has a goal to respond to every post made.

And I'm reaching my goals!!! I don't like to lose. 123,491 more responses go !!!

[Jaru]

What holds the Aqua Aire in place on the seat? Does it just sit there or are there straps or whatever? Thanks for a great list of comfort items.

[ddking]

Originally Posted by Jaru

What holds the Aqua Aire in place on the seat? Does it just sit there or are there straps or whatever? Thanks for a great list of comfort items.

It just sits there. It was made for wheelchairs but works well...and you're welcome.

[StevieMac]

Originally Posted by gregatkins

I'm 5'8" and 165lbs and I think my inseam is around 30". I know when I'm at a stop that my top ball of my feet touch the ground with the suspension set at 0.

I did a 12 hour 700 mile ride and the only real problem I found was my knees got sore, and lower back near the 8 hour mark. What I really wanted is for the handlebars to come back about 1.5", backrest, and to stretch out my legs out and up a little bit.

I'm not sure what pegs to get, because I definitely don't want them scraping in the turns and I do hit some pretty hard turns out in Northern California.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

I like the stock seat, plan on getting the Utopia backrest..just not sure of which risers and pegs.

I'm 5' 8" as well and I went with the MBL 'wide' risers. They bring the bars back but not inward. They work great for me. I'm happy with the utopia backrest as well. Can't help on the pegs as I haven't needed highway pegs on this bike. I find the stock pegs to be in a very comfortable position.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Steve

[EtrnlSoldier]

Thread bookmarked. Thanks!

[deutschman]

Man, that was some great information. Thanks Dan. I had some other questions that you already answered.

[Jim B.]

Dan,

I'm one of those guys with short legs. (5'11", but only a 29" inseam). Your suggestions have been invaluable to me. Whenever I'm thinking about adding something to the Wing, I look up your recommendations and read them again. So far, I've gotten the Rattlebars peg relocator, the Rattlebars heel/toe shifter, the Aqua Aire pad, and the REG risers. They have all worked great and have made my ride much more comfortable. Thank you.

Jim

[ddking]

Originally Posted by deutschman

Man, that was some great information. Thanks Dan. I had some other questions that you already answered.

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Dan,

I'm one of those guys with short legs. (5'11", but only a 29" inseam). Your suggestions have been invaluable to me. Whenever I'm thinking about adding something to the Wing, I look up your recommendations and read them again. So far, I've gotten the Rattlebars peg relocator, the Rattlebars heel/toe shifter, the Aqua Aire pad, and the REG risers. They have all worked great and have made my ride much more comfortable. Thank you.

Jim

Glad it was helpful. I sure wish someone else had done it first though. They would've spent all their money.

[Circles]

Dan, I for one like the looks of your Corbin seat. I have told friends for years that I think the reason we could run all over the country back in the 60's on 350 to 650cc bikes was because you could move all over the seats on the old bikes. That seat looks like you can do exactly that, change positions all over the place without your butt being stuck in the bucket. One question, where did your hand grips go? Did you just remove them because you ride one up? Is leaving them on an option? Getting it up on the center stand must be fun with nothing to grab onto.

[ddking]

I just had not put them back on yet. I have long enough arms to lift it using the rear crash bars.