Ha Ha Ha :lol :lol Welcome to the world of sportbikes Basti, I
take it this is your first sportbike. First thing, don't worry. It will
go away. Your arms, forearms and wrists all have to get use to
the position and the force of the pressure your putting on them.
I started out on a Yamaha YZF 600R and even with that bike my
wrists hurt like hell for a while. That bike has the clip-ons mounted
over the triple tree not under it like the R1 or R6. It even had a
more relaxed seating on it and I still hurt like hell. I'm about 160
and 5'10" fairly slim in size. Ok, what to do? Well, here is what I
do to keep in shape for riding. For the physical side of it I do a
few times a week stomach crunches and some push ups. Then I
use one of those spring loaded wrist grips that you just squeeze.
This not only helps to keep you in shape, but will help you feel
more comfy in your riding. Keep in mind. DO NOT put a death
grip on those handle bars and don't lock your arms. Ease up on
the grip and relax. Your right hand will feel numb since it's the
throttle hand. When your at a stop light or sign roll your wrists
back and forth some. I can do this while riding and it helps out
a lot. Work on the arch of your back while riding. Vary the position
of it. Don't just stay in one position. Move around some. It don't
take much moving to keep you limber. Roll your neck back and
forth a few times as you ride it helps also. Now, for the bike. I
would get some good quality riding gloves that have a decent
thickness palm pad in them. This does wonders for you. Take the
stock grips off and put on a pair of Pro Grip Gel Grips. I have them
on my R1 and along with good gloves it helps greatly. If your handle bars vibrate at 70mph or higher get a set of heavy bar
ends to replace the stock ones. I've done this and it makes a
world of difference. Just don't get discouraged. It takes time for
your wrists and arms to adjust to a sportbike. Hang in there and
you'll be fine. It aint nothing for me to jump on my bike and ride
a 100 or more miles and not be in any pain at all. If you ride with
the proper gear you'll feel much better. Good luck :boobies

 

I'm too lazy to read skeeters post, so sorry if i repeat anything.

First, make sure you ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs...dont hook your heels...just move you foot to shift/brake. Second, grip the tank with your knees. Use your legs and feet for support. Everything not supported by legs/knees you can get your back into shape. You should never be putting any significant weight on the bars.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

It all makes sense and I look forward to making the proper adjustments.

What exactly do you mean by "don't hook your heels"? Do you mean hooking the level of the heel of the boot on the pegs?

Would the handlebar risers make much difference? I found some that raise them 3/4", maybe the adapted riding style would compensate for more than that. I just feel it's harder to be smooth and accurate with throttle changes, clutch, and brake when I'm not putting any weight into it.

I also didn't get an owners manual. Can you guys tell me what tire pressures I should run and frequency of oil changes?

Thanks,

 

Sometimes my wrist gets sore if I am riding in a lazy position and putting all my weight on my wrists. Make sure you go over 100 mph and the wind will help hold you up.

 

My 03 R1 the label on the swingarm says front tire pressure is
36 psi for the rear it's 42 psi. I usually run the 36 in the front and
40 in the rear. Keep in mind I like mine a little bit higher than
most people because I do mostly open road driving. The higher
pressure will allow for better tire wear. A lot of the guys on the
forum will run much lower. If you do a lot of curves then lower
the pressure. As for the bar risers (helibars?) I would not spend
the several hundred dollars on them. You will be fine once your
body gets use to the new riding position. Your gonna hurt for a
while, but it will get better. Oil changes are 600mi with filter for
the first change. I'd change it sooner than the 600mi to get all
the metal shavings out. Then change it again around 1500mi
then every 3000. Manual says you can skip the filter on every
other oil change, but I'm not to keen on that idea. You really need
to get yourself a manual. Try a dealer or contact Yamaha to get
one. There is so much in there you need to know about.

 

Heli-bars. :yesnod

 

I do need a manual. Does anyone sell a shop manual for these bikes? I use Bentley manuals for my Volkswagens, you're probably all familiar with Haynes manuals for domestic vehicles. I'd like something more informative than just an owner's manual.

 

Yes, you can get a shop manual from Clymers (spelling) for your
year R6. With that manual you can do a lot of the small repairs
yourself.

 

Put your nuts against the tank...and ride on your toes. It doesn't hurt so bad when the throttle is cracked wide open.....oops its your first bike....welcome to the pain.

Seriously though, it goes away. Just try to sit up as straight as possible.

 

oh and the faster you go the more the wind holds you up!!

 

Just wanted to update you guys. I went for an hour ride tonight and practiced some new techniques and my wrists didn't hurt at all. Remember your first time above 35mph on a bike? What a rush. I can only imagine what life is like north of 8,000 rpm. I'm patient though.

Thanks again,

 

You just need to jack off more with your left hand

 

You just need to jack off more with your left hand

Sic:2bitchsla

BD

 

congratulations on the new bike, lucky.

 

A steering damper and bar ends might help as well. I couldn't believe the differenc ethe damper made in my 1. I am getting bar ends too, as I am told that they help in the vibrations. I go for very long rides in the summer (5+ hours at a time), and the vibrations are what kill me more than anything else.

 

A steering damper and bar ends might help as well. I couldn't believe the differenc ethe damper made in my 1. I am getting bar ends too, as I am told that they help in the vibrations. I go for very long rides in the summer (5+ hours at a time), and the vibrations are what kill me more than anything else.

I got my custom bar ends Saturday from the group buy that
earache had. Man, the R1 feels like a totally new bike. So much
smoother. I had the vibration real bad from 70mph and up. Not
any more. These things are very heavy and long and also double
as handle bar sliders. I don't have the damper yet, but soon I
hope so. I'd like to see a group buy on the Ohlins.

 

Where do you suggest I get those Pro Grip Gel Grips?

 

www.tricktape.com has them.

 

what color r6

 

are those throttle lock brass ends as heavy as earache's ??????i also heard tls bar ends are pretty heavy...if nothing else, the ones' on my dad's fz1 look pretty hefty....think they'd fit??

 

I have heard that the 03 (the ONE i've got) does not need a steering dampner.
any comments?

Good luck to you with the R6. take care, and always give safety first the right of way.

 

Dude the 03 (my bike) is the same as the 02..

All I have to say is Ohlins....alllla w/Graves mount.

Silver R6 soon! well it will b me cousins but i is gonna ride the little bugger !!!

hehe....as for having stuffed wrists. Yep...Welcome to our World..

Yes the pain will go away and you will get use to it Bro...

Try working out a bit more...



Welcome.

Enjoy.

and although going fast does help remove the weight off your wrists..

Remember ! Cops want to hurt your License. Trust me I as many know all to well, know this to be utterly true...

 

dont rush yourself on anything. if you ride with a group make sure you don't try to keep up. be smooth and pay attention and bring up the rear. if your riding with a responsible group someone of a stronger riding nature will bring up the rear with you to make sure you are ok. just because they get out of your sight don't mean they are leaving you they will be at the next stop waiting on you. don't advance yourself until your ready.

 

Not sure if this was mentioned, but ride with your elbows bent, not locked. Ideally, you don't want to bend at your wrists unless you're throttling.

 

Thanks for the link to tricktape. I have another question. They have a few different style of handgrips on there.

What do you recommend? What does the race compound do and is it good for street use?

Thanks for all your help.