Hi there,
I am fairly new to rockster. I have ridden choppers for a long time and once discovered that a bike can actually stop when braked and turn corners in a circle smaller than 5m. radius, I decided to change my ride. Now it has been only 100km. on my rockster and I love it.
But I have somequestions:
- The stock seat and my seating position seems a bit uncomfartable. Though there has been several posts in this forum about these topics and they mostly recommend Sargent Seat, lower pegs and higher bars, there usually are important facts missing; height and weight of the rider. So I would appreciate if any of you guys would kindly give me some recommendation on how I can be more comfartable on my rockster after riding choppers for a long time, please do indicate your height and weight.
- Especially when braking, do you also feel a lot of weight on your hands too? Do you think increasing the hight of the handlebars would help solve the problem?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Rockster seat and handle bar
Moderator: Moderators
From choppers to a Rockster is a giant step.
You've chosen for a bike that asks to be ridden sporty.
Of course you feel a lot of weight on your hands during braking !
Try another 5000 km, get used to it and decide if it's all that bad.
(if it is; get back to choppers, if it isn't; get out and have fun on your Rock
)
You've chosen for a bike that asks to be ridden sporty.
Of course you feel a lot of weight on your hands during braking !
Try another 5000 km, get used to it and decide if it's all that bad.
(if it is; get back to choppers, if it isn't; get out and have fun on your Rock
)Greetz, Erwin
2003 Rockster Full Black
2003 Rockster Full Black
Like the previous responder, I'd recommend you put in another couple hundred miles before making changes.
What sort of riding do you do? Around town/commuting or day long rides. Depending on how you're riding the answers may be different.
You say you are having issues with the stock seat? Is it too hard, too narrow, too soft, too high? The Sargent seat tends to be wider so you're sitting on it, not 'around' it. I've got the tall stock seat AND a Sargent custom seat. The stock seat is great for around town, but is no good for daylong rides.
Because of the slight forward lean, you will find your weight shifting onto your hands when you brake. The trade off in the slight lean forward is that your spinal disks get less abuse than a straight upright riding position. It means that you shouldn't be suffering from back issues in the distant future as the result of riding the Rockster.
P
What sort of riding do you do? Around town/commuting or day long rides. Depending on how you're riding the answers may be different.
You say you are having issues with the stock seat? Is it too hard, too narrow, too soft, too high? The Sargent seat tends to be wider so you're sitting on it, not 'around' it. I've got the tall stock seat AND a Sargent custom seat. The stock seat is great for around town, but is no good for daylong rides.
Because of the slight forward lean, you will find your weight shifting onto your hands when you brake. The trade off in the slight lean forward is that your spinal disks get less abuse than a straight upright riding position. It means that you shouldn't be suffering from back issues in the distant future as the result of riding the Rockster.
P
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riceburner
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Aktug,
As far as seating goes, that's too individual of an issue for me to comment on. I have great lucks with the BMW stock seat either for around town or long distance, but others have to resort to Sargent, Corbin or the Mayers fellow, or if you want something functional but ugly - the Alaskan Butt (sheepskin cushion that you strap onto the seat).
The handlebar feels like it's too low right now but give it a couple of months and you wouldn't want another handlebar. Some people changes the handlebar out for an R1150R bar PLUS risers for a straight up seating. That sounds great in theory and maybe around town, but not great for highway and long distance cruising. The straight up seating position forces too much weight on the small of your back AND your butt, not to mention that you really have to tension your neck in order to hold your head up against the wind.
The Rockster's handlebar is only slightly lowered and it allows your body to lean forward a little bit into the wind. You only have to lower your head a little bit and let its weight fight against the drag of the wind.
A couple things that you can do so that you wouldn't feel the weight on your hands:
1. Grip the seat/tank with your knees and hold yourself up. This way the weight is off your hands not to mention that if you hit a bump on the road, it doesn't make you feel like flying off the bike.
2. Flex your elbows. Don't lock your elbows and arms stiff, but keep your elbows flex.
Like you, the first month of riding the Rockster, I contemplated changing the handlebar and seating around. I am glad that I waited.
My other bike is an Aprilia Tuono (a crotch rocket with raised handlebar). Its seating position is nearly vertical and very comfortable...until you hit the freeway. At the end of the ride, my neck is sore from fighting the wind. In order to keep my neck from getting sore, I have to hunch over so that I can angle my head into the wind as oppose to the Rockster where I merely had to lower my head a bit because my body is already slightly angled forward.
All of those straight seating positions on the R1150R, R1150/R1200RT, etc. are great because these bikes can be outfitted or come pre-outfitted with wind screens. But if you like to ride naked bikes like I do, the Rockster's lean forward position is near perfect.
As far as seating goes, that's too individual of an issue for me to comment on. I have great lucks with the BMW stock seat either for around town or long distance, but others have to resort to Sargent, Corbin or the Mayers fellow, or if you want something functional but ugly - the Alaskan Butt (sheepskin cushion that you strap onto the seat).
The handlebar feels like it's too low right now but give it a couple of months and you wouldn't want another handlebar. Some people changes the handlebar out for an R1150R bar PLUS risers for a straight up seating. That sounds great in theory and maybe around town, but not great for highway and long distance cruising. The straight up seating position forces too much weight on the small of your back AND your butt, not to mention that you really have to tension your neck in order to hold your head up against the wind.
The Rockster's handlebar is only slightly lowered and it allows your body to lean forward a little bit into the wind. You only have to lower your head a little bit and let its weight fight against the drag of the wind.
A couple things that you can do so that you wouldn't feel the weight on your hands:
1. Grip the seat/tank with your knees and hold yourself up. This way the weight is off your hands not to mention that if you hit a bump on the road, it doesn't make you feel like flying off the bike.
2. Flex your elbows. Don't lock your elbows and arms stiff, but keep your elbows flex.
Like you, the first month of riding the Rockster, I contemplated changing the handlebar and seating around. I am glad that I waited.
My other bike is an Aprilia Tuono (a crotch rocket with raised handlebar). Its seating position is nearly vertical and very comfortable...until you hit the freeway. At the end of the ride, my neck is sore from fighting the wind. In order to keep my neck from getting sore, I have to hunch over so that I can angle my head into the wind as oppose to the Rockster where I merely had to lower my head a bit because my body is already slightly angled forward.
All of those straight seating positions on the R1150R, R1150/R1200RT, etc. are great because these bikes can be outfitted or come pre-outfitted with wind screens. But if you like to ride naked bikes like I do, the Rockster's lean forward position is near perfect.
Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride.
03 Rockster, 07 Aprilia Tuono R, 07 KTM 990 Adventure
03 Rockster, 07 Aprilia Tuono R, 07 KTM 990 Adventure
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Guest
Another thing,
You will learn to appreciate the flat and low handlebar when you get to the twisties. Never say never just because you were a chopper boy. When you start to take the corners more aggressively, you will like it and you will appreciate the sporty nature of the Rock.
You will learn to appreciate the flat and low handlebar when you get to the twisties. Never say never just because you were a chopper boy. When you start to take the corners more aggressively, you will like it and you will appreciate the sporty nature of the Rock.
Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride.
03 Rockster, 07 Aprilia Tuono R, 07 KTM 990 Adventure
03 Rockster, 07 Aprilia Tuono R, 07 KTM 990 Adventure
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Guest
Re: Rockster seat and handle bar
It's a matter of technique, try not to brace yourself on the bars but squeeze with the knees like when horse riding. Make sure you feet are braced on the pegs via the balls of your feet. This will lock you into the bike better and help you resist the forces thrown at you. This frees up your upper body so you can be relaxed and flexible.Aktug wrote: Especially when braking, do you also feel a lot of weight on your hands too? Do you think increasing the hight of the handlebars would help solve the problem?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
I was also ready to change the seat and raise the bars at first, but decided to wait until the bike and I knew each other. I am now good with the seat, but may still raise the bars. I believe size and body shape play a role in comfort. At 6ft + I still have to rach down to the bars, but a riding buddy at 5'9" has no issue.
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Dave Bell
I changed mine....
put on higher bars from an R1150R and lower seat. Quite a bit of improvement. Got a Rick Mayer seat. HUGE improvement. I rode another guys Rockster with stock bars and seat a couple of weeks ago and it felt unbelievably cramped. I'm a big person, maybe it's good for him. He had just done a 4,000 mile trip from Texas to Canada, and back, and likes his fine.
Oh, and I got a peg lowering kit. and a parabellum windshield.
I like mine the way it is.
Oh, and I got a peg lowering kit. and a parabellum windshield.
I like mine the way it is.
I'm 5'10" and weigh 215, so not exactly a prize fighter, but I did all the things you posted and also have only ridden Harly's for the last 15 years, but now my rock is set up to run all day!! I have yet to break the 1,000 mile / day mark yet as I have done on my HD's, but only for lack of time. Next year, baby!
Good luck.
js
Good luck.
js
js