Ergonomics

BlackBearBill · Sep 22, 2013

I'm really impressed with the FZ8, but I'm worried about the ergonomics, specifically the forward lean, the stretch to the handlebars. I'm just over 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I've sat on an FZ8 at the dealer and to reach the handlebars I have to lean forward about 20 degrees. I've been riding a cruiser, which allows a much more upright posture, and before that a big scooter. So I don't have anything to compare the FZ8's ergos to. Any other shorter FZ8 riders out there want to chime in? Does a stock FZ8 fit a shorter rider's frame w/out uncomfortable pressure on shoulders and wrists? I'd be riding every day, commuting about 10 miles each way, with the occasional 100 mile plus day on weekends. Thanks!

FZ8Ryder · Sep 22, 2013

I'm about the same exact height as you and use it to commute every day the same amount and I am very comfortable on it and have no complaints. I love the bike. You would fall in love with it too. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Bajaedition · Sep 22, 2013

one big point you have to realize about the upright riding position is it takes in for the wind, which holds you up.
look back where cruisers came from, they have upright riding positions. The modern cruisers laid back, and fwd leg position is a result of the past 40 plus years of style over function development by HD. As the custom bike design keep crying for a lower seat so HD answered untill it seems the entire line has the Low Rider seating position.
The upright slightly fwd position of the FZ8 takes into the fact that it has no windshield and you will be having a lot of wind hit you in the chest. and then you do not even notice it. Plus notice it is not as radical as a super sport bike which puts you a lot more forward and the feet a lot more rear set.

I would go try to get a test ride, or try to borrow a bike with similar ergonomics for a bit. I can almost guarantee that a 10 mile commute you will love the bike, I live in the CA desert, it is a 50 plus mile ride for me to do anything and I love this bike.

Disclaimer:
that said, some guys just love the cruiser laid back riding position and nothing else works.

HenryT · Sep 22, 2013

Take a long look at the new FZ09 I think it will be even more upright. I have decided to go that route too, even though next year you can be getting new 2013 FZ8s for a very good price!! Im sure the new bike will be getting close to MSRP for the first year or so. The new bike will for sure rock!!

MotoRick · Sep 22, 2013

I'm the same height but with a 29" inseam. If I were you I'd wait to try an FZ09. It's more compact. I just got off my FZ8 and my back hurts yet again. I'm thinking about getting an FZ-09 as soon as one arrives at the dealer.

decooney · Sep 22, 2013

Ergos and feel of how it is suppose to "be" varies from one person to the next not just based on your body size and height, but it also depends on what you are use to. I grew up on dirt bikes, so the FZ8 is perfect to me. I did sport bikes in my younger years and did harleys/cruisers too, always wanting to get back to an upright bike. Tried Super Moto for a while too. Cross the two and you get the FZ8! My cruiser buddy and I swapped bikes recently and I quickly recalled just how much I did not like sitting back with less weight over the front wheel. I've owned all sorts of different bikes for street and dirt, and the reason I fell in love with the FZ8 was its ability to feel like a muscle super moto with the right handlebars on it. I did switch the bars and clamps on my FZ8. You can play with switching handlebars and clamps to get you were you want to be on an FZ8. If the feel is too much of a stretch for you, and the wider FZ8 tank is too wide for your 30" inseam, the FZ09 might be perfect for you and your size. In my case, the FZ-09 felt too small for me when I sat on one this summer at MotoGP. The best way to describe the size/feel of the FZ-09 is 7/8th scale to the FZ8 and much more narrow feeling. The FZ-09 is less of stretch, more upright, not as wide feeling as the fZ8. Feels like a totally different motorcycle if you ask me. This is why I think there will be two different market groups and size groups for the FZ-09 and former FZ8. The FZ-09 feel is almost like a cross between a street fighter and a supermoto in my opinion. Check out the FZ-09 or expect to do a bar/clamp change on the FZ8 to fit it to you.

Speedy2 · Sep 22, 2013

I am 5'5". I ride a lot. I haven't had any issues at all. I find the slight forward lean comfortable on the back on butt and find that the seat is really comfy. I had the fz6 for 9 years and find the ergos almost identical. I can spend the whole day on the bike. In my opinion, you will need to cut down on the wind that hits you on the chest. The wind will actually help keep you up as discussed in prior posts so sitting on the bike won't give you the actual feel. With a few mods (pipe, windscreen...) you can make this bike amazing! I also ride a cruiser. Different ride but great also. Good luck to you.

BlackBearBill · Sep 22, 2013

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful and well-considered replies to my question about FZ8 ergos! I'll be back on the forum, and let everyone know if I buy an FZ8. Again, thanks!

BigOleChalupa · Sep 23, 2013

My previous bike was a Kawasaki Versys..........I bought it thinking the upright position would be best for my bad low back. Turns out, like a cruiser, the upright position is actually harder on the back than a forward leaning position that spreads gravity between your feet/legs/hips/hands/shoulders/wrists, rather than just up and down on your spine.
I feel 10 times more comfortable on my 8 than on my Versys......and I deal with chronic lowback pain!!! ;D
Enjoy
BIGO

greenturbo · Sep 23, 2013

Im 6'1 and its "ok"
i mind the knee angle is not ideal for me and the bars are a reach if your gonna sit on the seat the way it was designed for a longer ride..
the Shad seat helped a little bit.

HenryT · Sep 23, 2013

Dang 6'1" and its a reach to the bars.....hummm?

ssky0078 · Sep 23, 2013

The seat was designed for a slight forward lean. It's not a touring bike.

ssky0078 · Sep 23, 2013

Gentleman why leave this discussion up to conjecture? Why not use science? Geometry? and sexy computer programs?

Check out the link
Motorcycle Ergonomics

You can compare your body size on the different rides. It's cool once you start putting in the different bikes you can put the mouse on the diagram and scroll up or down and it will switch between bikes.

hlmiskelly · Sep 23, 2013

Cool tool.

My other bike is a moderately modified Triumph Bonneville, very upright sitting standard, and I was also a bit concerned about the forward lean on the FZ8. Using this tool I calculated that the forward lean and knee angle for the Bonneville were 10" and 82 degrees, respectively.

The same calculations for the FZ8 were 18" and 77 degrees. But I find the ride to be very comfortable, equal to that of my Bonneville. This past weekend I spent two hours in the saddle and felt absolutely great afterwards, no stiffness or pain. I should mention that at 55 I am much older compared to most of the others in this forum and probably more prone to back pain.

6Den · Sep 23, 2013

I am your size, and having owned and ridden every type of bike, I think the ergos are perfect with the FZ8. If anything it felt a little tall out of the showroom, but is now fine after break in.

decooney · Sep 23, 2013

I posted this a while back using the ergo tool. It shows views of the same sized rider on the FZ8 vs. the new FZ-09. Torso, arms, knee bends all look different.

rail · Sep 23, 2013

I am the same height and inseam as you and have no problems. I find that I tend to ride up on the gas tank when negotiating city streets and traffic, feels more weight-centered and a bit more upright. On the freeway I often scoot back and lean forward depending on wind conditions, it does feel like a bit of a reach then.
I should add that I bought the bike with Vortex rearsets installed, lowest setting. I haven't felt the bike with stock pegs. I guess higher pegs would help with the forward lean?

I have ridden a DRZ too which had the bolt upright posture (dirt bike) that the FZ-09 seems to have as well, I loved it for negotiating tight / urban stuff again but it was demanding on the highway. YMMV

good luck with your decision

greenturbo · Sep 24, 2013

yea long legs :s

for my specific build the bike its not long ride friendly.
even with the lean forward the seat was awful...

if i put my junk right up against the tank the bike feels just right..
but after 30 min of that they boys dont like me and the knees are complaining too

im thinking of getting different bars to help or moving the rear set around

pigdog · Sep 26, 2013

the first ride home from the dealership was uncomfortable. leaning on the bars, breaking made it worse. then i learned to squeeze the tank with my legs & use my torso to take weight off the bars. also, on the open road put the balls of your feet on the pegs. try it, you'll like it. oh ya unlock your elbows. this wasn't my idea but if you can practice doing this all at the same time you are gonna love this bike.

TorontoAlex · Sep 27, 2013

I'm 6'0 and I find the bike comfortable. There is lots of room on the seat to slide back and forth with changes forward lean and leg angle. I don't know if they purposely put the heart shape in that seat to reduce pressure on the spine but I find when I sit right back it's super comfy for long rides on the freeway. Remember you can always change bars or raise them should you find the lean angle uncomfortable.

The seat was real uncomfortable for the first 500-1000km but now I have no issues.

Ergonomics

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