Hi guys,
Me and my SP1 have a strange relationship at the moment. I'm absolutely besotted with it's speed, handling, looks and the noise it makes. Everytime I see it in the garage, I want to get out and ride it. The first 20 to 30 minutes are sheer joy but then joy turns into pain (literally). The riding position for a 6 ft, 17 (and a bit) stone bloke like me means numb fingers, sore lower back, aching neck and shoulders and stiff knees.
I've contemplated selling her for something less radical but I really don't want to. Is there anything I can do to ease my pain? I'm planning a long bike trip next year and want to do the 600 miles without having to go to a chiropractor.
Thanks for your advice.
Chazz.
Getting comfortable
I don't quite get why people expect to be able to do 500 miles or whatever on bikes like the SP (i.e. extremely focused race bred bikes - like 998's too)
I understand your love for the SP and desire to ride it all the time, but there's some things it's just never gonna do.
Get a VFR.
Alternatively, you could lower the suspension, lower the pegs (if you have adjustables) and fit raised bars, but honestly, why bother.
If you can only ride it for 30 minutes, I'd say some thinking was in order. Yeah, the SP's great but maybe it's just not the bike for how you want to use it. Seriously, I'd be looking for a 2nd bike or get rid of the SP altogether, but thats just me. Where possible I'd keep the SP for 30 minute blats and track stuff, and get a bike more suited to a comfy riding position for your size/weight/height.
I understand your love for the SP and desire to ride it all the time, but there's some things it's just never gonna do.
Get a VFR.
Alternatively, you could lower the suspension, lower the pegs (if you have adjustables) and fit raised bars, but honestly, why bother.
If you can only ride it for 30 minutes, I'd say some thinking was in order. Yeah, the SP's great but maybe it's just not the bike for how you want to use it. Seriously, I'd be looking for a 2nd bike or get rid of the SP altogether, but thats just me. Where possible I'd keep the SP for 30 minute blats and track stuff, and get a bike more suited to a comfy riding position for your size/weight/height.
Voted most likely to be found dead in park bushes following an act of autoerotic asphyxiation.
Like a firestorm 
I got to admit if i had an SP i wouldn't want to get rid but i got to agree with Kitch in that if your plannin on tourin you might be better off changin or if funds permit gettin a second bike.
Sayin that i'm sure by tomorrow you'll have a few suggestions from some of the SP owners.
I got to admit if i had an SP i wouldn't want to get rid but i got to agree with Kitch in that if your plannin on tourin you might be better off changin or if funds permit gettin a second bike.
Sayin that i'm sure by tomorrow you'll have a few suggestions from some of the SP owners.
Chazz,
I’ve got to be honest, but the SP is probably one of the unfriendliest bikes for touring that you could have. That’s just not what it’s made for, so it will be guaranteed uncomfortable on long distance trips.
I’m 6’1†and 14 stone, and don’t have any of the problems your getting.
Don’t get me wrong, when I stop for fuel after doing 100 miles im a little stiff but remember you’re on a sports bike, not a comfy tourer like a Pan. The chaps I ride with have Fireblades, R1’s, GSX-R’s, 999’s, etc and like me they’re all glad for the stop after an hour or so riding, so its not just the SP.
I wouldn’t suggest trying to adapt the SP to become comfortable for touring, as its just far too focused as a sports bike to make it what you want. You’ll just end up spending a fortune and be chasing your tail around.
I don’t know your financial situation, but if that was me id be starting a Firestorm fund ready for next year when you want to go away on the bike. Keep the SP as a blaster, and use the ‘Storm for your touring holiday and when you need to travel big distances.
I’ve got to be honest, but the SP is probably one of the unfriendliest bikes for touring that you could have. That’s just not what it’s made for, so it will be guaranteed uncomfortable on long distance trips.
I’m 6’1†and 14 stone, and don’t have any of the problems your getting.
Don’t get me wrong, when I stop for fuel after doing 100 miles im a little stiff but remember you’re on a sports bike, not a comfy tourer like a Pan. The chaps I ride with have Fireblades, R1’s, GSX-R’s, 999’s, etc and like me they’re all glad for the stop after an hour or so riding, so its not just the SP.
I wouldn’t suggest trying to adapt the SP to become comfortable for touring, as its just far too focused as a sports bike to make it what you want. You’ll just end up spending a fortune and be chasing your tail around.
I don’t know your financial situation, but if that was me id be starting a Firestorm fund ready for next year when you want to go away on the bike. Keep the SP as a blaster, and use the ‘Storm for your touring holiday and when you need to travel big distances.
I have no idea why, but that was meant to be VTR... as in regular Firestorm... dunno where that 'F' came from, maybe its cos I was on the VFR site earlier reading about tyres...VTR1000KAZ wrote:if you want less radical... get a storm!!!!
Kitch.. how could you even suggest a VFR !!!!!! shame on you !
Still, I suppose you could get a VFR, very good bikes apparently, and perfect for sporty touring.
Voted most likely to be found dead in park bushes following an act of autoerotic asphyxiation.
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Pete.L
- Forum Health And Safety Officer
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Chazzman Said
Pete.l
Chazz, Iv'e only ever done about 300 miles in a day on the SP so far so good luck with 500. I think the best advice I can give is get a gel seat and get fit. Plenty of practice doing more than 1/2 hour blats will soon work up some stanima.The riding position for a 6 ft, 17 (and a bit) stone bloke like me means numb fingers, sore lower back, aching neck and shoulders and stiff knees.
Pete.l
Chazz
Most I've done on my SP1 in one go is some 250 miles.
I wouldn't want to do much more non-stop!
I agree its a brilliant bike and very rewarding to ride, but its just not the bike to do high mileage on. However, the guy I bought it off did ride it to LeMans and back.
Bets bet is to get a Firestorm and fit higher bars - lots on how to do that on this forum.
I've been invited to consider a week long Euripean trip this year, but I wouldn't think of trying it on the SP!!
[5ft 11in and 14 stone (well I was before Christmas)].
Most I've done on my SP1 in one go is some 250 miles.
I wouldn't want to do much more non-stop!
I agree its a brilliant bike and very rewarding to ride, but its just not the bike to do high mileage on. However, the guy I bought it off did ride it to LeMans and back.
Bets bet is to get a Firestorm and fit higher bars - lots on how to do that on this forum.
I've been invited to consider a week long Euripean trip this year, but I wouldn't think of trying it on the SP!!
[5ft 11in and 14 stone (well I was before Christmas)].
She's my idea of beauty and thats what I ride.
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Squiffythewombat
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Kitch wrote:I have no idea why, but that was meant to be VTR... as in regular Firestorm... dunno where that 'F' came from, maybe its cos I was on the VFR site earlier reading about tyres...VTR1000KAZ wrote:if you want less radical... get a storm!!!!
Kitch.. how could you even suggest a VFR !!!!!! shame on you !
Still, I suppose you could get a VFR, very good bikes apparently, and perfect for sporty touring.
freudian slip me thinks!
Squiffy_The_Wombat
Eagles may soar but wombats dont get sucked into jet engines!!
Eagles may soar but wombats dont get sucked into jet engines!!
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LotusSevenMan
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Chazzman_bm
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Gents,
Thanks for your comments. I suppose I knew all of that already but I hoped I could modify the SP to fit a fatter me. After all, I bought the bike because of its merits as a sportsbike.
I'll keep it for another season, but get back to the gym. When I bought the bike, I was a couple of stone lighter and much fitter and it was more comfy. I've planned my IOM TT 2007 trip in June and want to take the SP1.
We'll see how I get on. If, by that time, I'm still uncomfortable, I'll get a Storm. I'll have to tune it though as I'm addicted to the SP1's speed and power.
Thanks again for your advice.
Chazz.
Thanks for your comments. I suppose I knew all of that already but I hoped I could modify the SP to fit a fatter me. After all, I bought the bike because of its merits as a sportsbike.
I'll keep it for another season, but get back to the gym. When I bought the bike, I was a couple of stone lighter and much fitter and it was more comfy. I've planned my IOM TT 2007 trip in June and want to take the SP1.
We'll see how I get on. If, by that time, I'm still uncomfortable, I'll get a Storm. I'll have to tune it though as I'm addicted to the SP1's speed and power.
Thanks again for your advice.
Chazz.