I will definitely try it out. For now will keep the curren gearing since I am not done torturing this bike on the dyno
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Seeking Advice on Comfort Mods for XS650
- Thread starter zrx1100
- Start date
did you consider 40mm lower?
Also, try a sheepskin on top of the Airhawk. It allows air to pass under your butt reducing or eliminating monkey butt and keeping your pants dry. I buy mine from Ultimate Sheepskin in Washington state.
That's all I use. I tried a gel pad that also took air, and the top was fake sheepskin. Not so good. Anything more than a small breath of air in it had you sitting on a big bubble, lol, and it leaked out anyway after a while. So, I mostly used it with no air. Then I got a real piece of sheepskin with one of my bikes, and that became my "go to". Boy, I'm glad I didn't have to buy it, those things are expensive.
Yeah a custom built solution would be best but it's not high on the round tuit list.
Rode madness at the rally and noticed later how comfortable I had been riding. I'm starting to squirm at 150 (or less) on many bikes.
Hand position still isn't perfect but it's not FAR off. For true long distance runs I tend towards the cruiser position. with a back rest.
Another observation I made is that the XS has pegs significantly more forward compared to other bikes that i considered rather comfortable: GS1150 and Buell M2. It seems that there is something to it. Here is a post on a Triumph group: https://newbonnevilleriders.com/forum/threads/bonneville-foot-peg-lowering.6061/#post-111348; Or this: https://tro.bike/motorcycle-touring/triangle/
I am starting to think that getting some of these footpegs and rotating them backwards and down a bit may be the way to go. As long as the shifter and the rear brake can still be operated. Has anyone experimented with something like this? How well do rearsets work on XS?
I am starting to think that getting some of these footpegs and rotating them backwards and down a bit may be the way to go. As long as the shifter and the rear brake can still be operated. Has anyone experimented with something like this? How well do rearsets work on XS?
Attachments
You probably will need to drill the end of the pivot pin to get it out as it's "riveted" ......
The above two pics are of XS1100 pegs but the 650's are attached the same way. For re-mounting the new pegs, you may consider a clevis pin instead of a bolt. The XS850 used these .....
Yamaha still sells both of these pins but it would be much cheaper just to buy a bag of clevis pins of the proper size.
The price of original footpeg rubbers has gone way up (to around $40 each). Seeing as how I wouldn't pay the $24 asking price from a few years ago, you know I'd never fork over $40 for one, lol. The aftermarket ones are junk, wearing "bald" in just a year or two, so I watch eBay for deals. I managed to score 3 N.O.S. XS1100 footpeg assemblies about a year ago for only $12 each. I'm going to try to press the pins out on my hydraulic press, maybe I can save them for re-use. But if not, I already have a bag of clevis pins to use, lol.
The above two pics are of XS1100 pegs but the 650's are attached the same way. For re-mounting the new pegs, you may consider a clevis pin instead of a bolt. The XS850 used these .....
Yamaha still sells both of these pins but it would be much cheaper just to buy a bag of clevis pins of the proper size.
The price of original footpeg rubbers has gone way up (to around $40 each). Seeing as how I wouldn't pay the $24 asking price from a few years ago, you know I'd never fork over $40 for one, lol. The aftermarket ones are junk, wearing "bald" in just a year or two, so I watch eBay for deals. I managed to score 3 N.O.S. XS1100 footpeg assemblies about a year ago for only $12 each. I'm going to try to press the pins out on my hydraulic press, maybe I can save them for re-use. But if not, I already have a bag of clevis pins to use, lol.
awesome! thanks. Yes, the pins seem to be pressed in
I don't think the pin is actually pressed in, it's end is just "peened" over to retain it.
yes, wrong choice of words on my part
do those xs850 peg/bracket assemblies fit 78XS650E?
No, I don't think so, but the footpeg rubber is the same, and so are the mounting grommets. But I'll find out soon enough as I just bought a used one off eBay, lol.
Will follow along and will be interested in your peg moving experiments.
Foot location is very "individual" At 6'3" and 35 inseam my ideal may vary from yours.
Honestly I think Madness may be the first time in many XS650s that I've moved the stock peg location. These foot rests had been chromed long before my ownership so were already assembled with other than stock hardware.
Going from a foot PEG to a foot Rest is probably a big part of the comfort improvement. I've done that on several of my long distance MCs. A rubber insert that's flex mounted to the bracket helps too. The broader support reduces ankle fatigue.
Foot location is very "individual" At 6'3" and 35 inseam my ideal may vary from yours.
Honestly I think Madness may be the first time in many XS650s that I've moved the stock peg location. These foot rests had been chromed long before my ownership so were already assembled with other than stock hardware.
Going from a foot PEG to a foot Rest is probably a big part of the comfort improvement. I've done that on several of my long distance MCs. A rubber insert that's flex mounted to the bracket helps too. The broader support reduces ankle fatigue.
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