Seeking Advice on Comfort Mods for XS650

[zrx1100]

Either because I have been spending more time riding my XS, or because I turned 50 (), I am looking into ways to make the XS a bit more comfortable on my weekend 150-or-so mile runs and figured I'd ask the community for their advice and feedback on some fine-tuning items I had in mind.

I am 6’5” and 270 lbs. Over the last 15 years of owning my 78E, I have had the suspension and pivots upgraded to my weight: race tech emulators, with heavy springs out front (worked with RaceTech on the settings), 13.25” progressive shocks with HD springs in the back, brass swingarm bushings, and cone bearings for the triple tree. I would like to maintain the overall original look of the bike, so no fairing or highway pegs, etc. My main issues have been the crunched foot position and not-so-great seat. So here are the mods I have been thinking about. Let me know your thoughts and experience:

1. Lower the front foot pegs a bit using these mid stance options: [https://www.monstercraftsman.com/xs...tercraftsman.com/xs650-foot-pegs-mid-stance/). Has anyone had experience with these? Any ground clearance issues? How hard does one really need to be riding to scrape these?
2. 33-tooth rear sprocket for less buzzy highway (I have only heard good things about this change).
3. Modern tires. My K70s look cool, but I am going to try the new BT46s as a modern option.
4. Will send the seat to Sargent, but ask them for a foam change and no dishing. I know dishing goes a long way, but I want to keep the XS650 look. Just need a bit firmer foam, I think.
5. My front suspension has been a bit harsh over the small features. I am thinking of adding a bleed hole to each of the emulator valve plates (currently blue springs with 2.5 turns, 15 W oil).

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[gggGary]

It's pretty hard to get comfortable on long hauls without wind protection.
my list
national cycle windshield
Virago handle bar risers they are an inch up an inch back from the stock risers.
correct wrist bend for a natural for you angle.
An inch change in hand grip position can a make a real difference in comfort
silligrips or some other grip protrusion that allows relaxed finger grip is huge.
1" dropped foot pegs with a wider rubber foot pad
The seats varied a lot though the years, I think the 76-78 standards have the best padding stock. 75's were bricks.
Move your butt fore and aft on the seat
use the passenger pegs now and then.

just got back from 600 miles in 3 days at the Ozarks. I've done a thousand mile day on it. But that was a couple years ago and I hurt for 3 weeks.
I need to get passenger pegs on it again.
Then again I'm only 70YO ;^)
6'2" 180lbs.
progressive rears shocks Minton mod forks
Ran 28PSI front and rear this week, think that and the wide rims n tires helped.
32 tooth works for me but I don't do much urban riding.
This 750 has never been a smooth motor the shaking starts at 3500.

 

[jetmechmarty]

2. Personally, I don’t like the 33. I have two Specials. One with 33, one with 34. I prefer 34. I seldom ride at over 60 mph.

4. I had Sargent overhaul the seat on my XS11 over 20 years ago. I still have the bike and the seat. No regrets on that. Get an AIRHAWK for the long trip. There’s nothing that beats it.

5. One full turn out did it for me. It now soaks up the bumps in the Mississippi roads.

I’m 6’ 3” 210 lbs

This one works for me. YMMV

 

[zrx1100]

It's pretty hard to get comfortable on long hauls without wind protection.
my list
national cycle windshield
Virago handle bar risers they are an inch up an inch back from the stock risers.
correct wrist bend for a natural for you angle.
An inch change in hand grip position can a make a real difference in comfort
silligrips or some other grip protrusion that allows relaxed finger grip is huge.
1" dropped foot pegs with a wider rubber foot pad
The seats varied a lot though the years, I think the 76-78 standards have the best padding stock. 75's were bricks.
Move your butt fore and aft on the seat
use the passenger pegs now and then.
View attachment 349776
just got back from 600 miles in 3 days at the Ozarks. I've done a thousand mile day on it. But that was a couple years ago and I hurt for 3 weeks.
I need to get passenger pegs on it again.
Then again I'm only 70YO ;^)
6'2" 180lbs.
progressive rear shocks Minton mod forks
Ran 28PSI front and rear this week, think that and the wide rims n tires helped.
32 tooth works for me but I don't do much urban riding.
This 750 has never been a smooth motor the shaking starts at 3500.

awesome advice

 

[zrx1100]

2. Personally, I don’t like the 33. I have two Specials. One with 33, one with 34. I prefer 34. I seldom ride at over 60 mph.

4. I had Sargent overhaul the seat on my XS11 over 20 years ago. I still have the bike and the seat. No regrets on that. Get an AIRHAWK for the long trip. There’s nothing that beats it.

5. One full turn out did it for me. It now soaks up the bumps in the Mississippi roads.

I’m 6’ 3” 210 lbs

View attachment 349777
This one works for me. YMMV

thank you

 

[zrx1100]

It's pretty hard to get comfortable on long hauls without wind protection.
my list
national cycle windshield
Virago handle bar risers they are an inch up an inch back from the stock risers.
correct wrist bend for a natural for you angle.
An inch change in hand grip position can a make a real difference in comfort
silligrips or some other grip protrusion that allows relaxed finger grip is huge.
1" dropped foot pegs with a wider rubber foot pad
The seats varied a lot though the years, I think the 76-78 standards have the best padding stock. 75's were bricks.
Move your butt fore and aft on the seat
use the passenger pegs now and then.
View attachment 349776
just got back from 600 miles in 3 days at the Ozarks. I've done a thousand mile day on it. But that was a couple years ago and I hurt for 3 weeks.
I need to get passenger pegs on it again.
Then again I'm only 70YO ;^)
6'2" 180lbs.
progressive rears shocks Minton mod forks
Ran 28PSI front and rear this week, think that and the wide rims n tires helped.
32 tooth works for me but I don't do much urban riding.
This 750 has never been a smooth motor the shaking starts at 3500.

Gary, how did you drop the foot pegs?

 

[gggGary]

Gary, how did you drop the foot pegs?

chincon "dirtbike?" adjustable pegs. just a little fettling to fit the XS bracket.
Need to redo the foot bracket bushings (again)
a custom bracket would reduce the width a bit. But I've never dragged these and mostly keep up with the guys.

 

[zrx1100]

chincon "dirtbike?" adjustable pegs. just a little fettling to fit the XS bracket.
Need to redo the foot bracket bushings (again)
a custom bracket would reduce the width a bit. But I've never dragged these and mostly keep up with the guys.

i like this direction, Gary. how much do you think this moved the peg down and forward? seems like 0.5" each

 

[gggGary]

Lots of choice, both pivot and peg have 8? possible positions.
Looked for a while couldn't find where I bought em.
various hand grip angles and types.






Virago risers



Comfy std seat.

 

[jetmechmarty]

One more comment on 33/34 sprockets. I ride both of my bikes at the same RPM. I’m just going a little faster on the bike with the 33. The RPM sweet spot is the same.

 

[gggGary]

My airhawk goes on many bikes when a long ride is planned.

Very little air in it. Always less than you start with. Just enough to relieve pressure on the sit bones

 

[zrx1100]

One more comment on 33/34 sprockets. I ride both of my bikes at the same RPM. I’m just going a little faster on the bike with the 33. The RPM sweet spot is the same.

So not really worth it? What about 32 teeth on a bike with BBK

 

[Mikey]

My airhawk goes on many bikes when a long ride is planned.
View attachment 349837
Very little air in it. Always less than you start with. Just enough to relieve pressure on the sit bones

Is it his one ?
https://airhawk.net/product/cruiser-r-small/

 

[gggGary]

Is it his one ?
https://airhawk.net/product/cruiser-r-small/

Looks like it, I bought it used $50 a couple years ago,
but this might be the best fit for an XS....
https://airhawk.net/product/airhawkcruiser-small-mesh/

 

[Mikey]

Thanks !!
I found one on Ebay for $36 or B/O
Time to make an offer

 

[jetmechmarty]

So not really worth it? What about 32 teeth on a bike with BBK

This is just my opinion, no experience with BB or 32. If I install a BBK it’s because I want the bike to be quicker. A 32 tooth sprocket negates that extra oomph.

Ride the bike more. You adjust to the vibration. A few weeks ago the buzz at 60 mph was uncomfortable. I rode 600 miles in formation last week. Now I say, “What buzz?”

A well tuned XS650 vibrates less than one that isn’t, I say for the benefit of someone reading that may not be aware of that.

 

[zrx1100]

the benefit to speed of 33 tooth sprocket vs 34 is indeed very small. it would allow a drop of 150 rpm at 70 miles an hour:

 

[zrx1100]

View attachment 349811
Lots of choice, both pivot and peg have 8? possible positions.
Looked for a while couldn't find where I bought em.
various hand grip angles and types.
View attachment 349799

View attachment 349804
View attachment 349803
View attachment 349807
View attachment 349808
Virago risers

View attachment 349806

Comfy std seat.
View attachment 349801

Hi, Gary, for the replacement pegs, did you have to drill out the pins around which the pegs pivot? If so, did the pegs come with necessary hardware?

 

[5twins]

I know it doesn't seem like much (150 RPMs) but a 33T sprocket is sweet on an 18" wheel. It's what Yamaha put on the European models and is very well matched to this motor's power output. Go any smaller and the take-off power in the lower gears takes a pretty big hit. I tried a 32T and didn't like it because of that. On the other hand, I find a 32T is ideal on a 16" wheel. Final gearing is just slightly higher than the 33T on an 18" wheel, but not enough to hurt the take-off power ......

 

[gggGary]

Don't think I had to drill, used a plain shank stainless bolt so the pivot isn't riding on bolt threads, then cut off the excess length.