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[Help]: Troubled with Yamaha R15 Riding Posture!

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  • #1

    [Help]: Troubled with Yamaha R15 Riding Posture!

    With a new Yamaha R15, I face the following issues:
    1. An aching lower back (middle and upper back are fine).
    2. Palms with poorer blood circulation (as if blood circulation is slowing down a lot).

    What I do:
    1. I do use my knees to hug the tank (just like I would on any other vehicle that has the tank shaped for this purpose).
    2. I keep my elbows bent a little so that I don't put the full weight of my upper body on my hands.

    Can the long term owners of the R15 provide suggestions and tips for a comfortable riding posture and/or how to get used to it? Should I keep my back straight or bent? Should I sit behind a bit? I would like to avoid these aches if possible (instead of getting used to them). It'd be great if a list (of DOs and DON'Ts) could be compiled with pictures too.

    I've searched the forums and found a couple of tips, but I feel I need more instructions. This thread might also (hopefully) help keep information in a single place.
    Tags: comfort, posture, suggestions, tips, yamaha r15
  • #2
    Query Renamed and Approved.
    :)

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    • #3
      Hey Vvvrrrooommm though I am new to riding style of R15, but till date the only time I had wrist pain and back pain was when I rode her for 600 odd kms. You doing one thing right is that u not putting complete weight on your wrist, but I think by doing that u r putting too much weight on ur back and keeping it stiff. Also I dont know but hugging the tank never helps you in every day traffic, unless you ride on circuit track for aerodynamics advantage.... so keep your body a bit free and relaxed and let the weight of your body rest on lower back in a relaxed way, try not to stiff out your body....and see if it can help you in any way. Also stop hugging the tank, be free and keep us updated .


      All the Best

      Save the Earth - We are the one who are running out of time, as Earth will take it own time to heal but that time may not be enough for us.

      http://www.ridesafewith.me
      I dont just ride my bikes, I live with them.
      Yamaha RX100 (1987 model)
      Yamaha YZF R15 (2010 model)
      Hero Impulse (2012 model)
      Mahindra Thar (2015 model)
      GIRed 2012

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      • #4
        In case you haven't already done so you can adjust the gear shift foot lever - get it adjusted to a notch lower. Any Yamaha Service Mechanic can do this for you in 2 min. This will help to relax your riding posture.
        Ride To Live

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        • #5
          the posture is one thing keeping be away from the R15

          no performance shop is making / marketing a pair of billet handle bar raisers for R15?

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          • #6
            ^^ you could, but then the forward height of the bike would drop, more risky to scrape something, or bottoming out the front forks.


            My offerings to the gods of speed -

            - KTM Duke 200
            - Yamaha RXZ 5 speed


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            • #7
              Originally posted by akshay View Post
              In case you haven't already done so you can adjust the gear shift foot lever - get it adjusted to a notch lower. Any Yamaha Service Mechanic can do this for you in 2 min. This will help to relax your riding posture.
              I will get the gear shift lever position lowered a bit in the next few days, but that's not a problem for me since I keep my foot positioned below it most of the time. I also intend to lower the rear brake lever position, if that's possible.

              The lower back ache is something I'm still trying to find solutions for. I have noticed that it's less or non-existent if I have a backpack on my back. But I can't carry a backpack every time I ride just to avoid the ache. And if there's a pillion rider then I cannot have a backpack.

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              • #8
                Stopping hugging the tank with your knees for everyday riding. It's only recommended if you are on a racetrack or doing a speed run or some such thing.

                Since you already know about bending your elbow, make sure you put the body weight on your hips rather than the upper body. Also make sure you lean a bit towards the front of the bike. Try to relax your muscles are far as possible. A tight jeans or tight piece of clothing is also generally not recommended for riding. Stiff muscles will lead to aches.
                sigpic
                Yamaha YZF R15 09' | TVS Apache RTR160 08' | Honda Dio 07'

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                • #9
                  The day i got my 15, had almost decided to sell it off as my right knee which was fractured in an accident in '07 started haunting me again(though the RTR which i do ride on and off, never troubled me),

                  i stuck with the motorcycle, found the posture in which i am comfy and never looked back since

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Wheel_Spin View Post
                    Stopping hugging the tank with your knees for everyday riding. It's only recommended if you are on a racetrack or doing a speed run or some such thing.
                    I should've clarified this earlier. When I said I hug the tank, I don't hug it tightly or try to hold the tank with my knees. I let my knees and leg just go along the tank's contours - that's both natural and comfortable.


                    Originally posted by Wheel_Spin View Post
                    Since you already know about bending your elbow, make sure you put the body weight on your hips rather than the upper body. Also make sure you lean a bit towards the front of the bike. Try to relax your muscles are far as possible. A tight jeans or tight piece of clothing is also generally not recommended for riding. Stiff muscles will lead to aches.
                    Will pay attention to these and see if they help. Maybe my back muscles need more strength.

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                    • #11
                      Actually nothing can be done with the riding position the bike has, you can try riding it with your errect back, but you'll find that uncomfortable after few km's too.
                      The Magician"

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                      • #12
                        can we go back to a normal handle bar? any T clamp suitable for the mod ??

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                        • #13
                          20 days since your original post. Well, did you find a better position by now?

                          My take is to ride with relaxed muscles. not with stiff muscles. Don't hold anything tight. Keep your elbows bent. Don't try to see very far - for this you have to lift your head a lot and that strains your lower back. Make sure your back and head are straight in one line at an angle proportional to your knee bent.

                          Use gloves with padding on palm for city riding too.

                          This link would be helpful. Read it a few times and try to implement those riding position techniques one by one. Body Positioning And Steering Techniques - Sport Rider Magazine

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by HydBiker View Post
                            20 days since your original post. Well, did you find a better position by now?

                            My take is to ride with relaxed muscles. not with stiff muscles. Don't hold anything tight. Keep your elbows bent. Don't try to see very far - for this you have to lift your head a lot and that strains your lower back. Make sure your back and head are straight in one line at an angle proportional to your knee bent.

                            Use gloves with padding on palm for city riding too.

                            This link would be helpful. Read it a few times and try to implement those riding position techniques one by one. Body Positioning And Steering Techniques - Sport Rider Magazine

                            There's been some improvement but it's not perfect, although sometimes I don't feel any strain on my back at all. I'm trying to figure out what makes the difference. One of the things I observed was having a backpack on my back. Another observation I have is that riding slightly longer distances (like 40-50kms or so) makes the ache appear.

                            That article you pointed out seems very interesting. Will definitely read and re-read that. Thanks for that! Will share my experiences later again.

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                            • #15
                              Don't worry. Give yourself more time, your body will adapt to the posture.
                              " I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not" - Kurt Cobain

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