Seeking Advice on Comfort Mods for XS650

https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/us/...4575961260291489&utm_content=DI=US=S2 - Grips.

Im thinking these for a try, they sell bootleg similar covers these seem legit though.
I checked Amazon and found some more ideas. Definitely looking for something fatter, more substantial. Thanks for the replies.
Vibrations never really bothered my hands or in general. I mean I wouldn't discount anything to help either way. I had a very inexpensive set of plastic chrome ends w foam on them. I was worried about the end cutting through again. I bet those with the puppy covers will work. I'm trying for a more moderate look. I don't want them to look like they cost 10$ even if they do.
The set Marty put up looks about right. Id get the ones in the lower Pic w the switch gear guards.

Ya I keep my original stock pegs and have a nice chrome rectangular tube with plenty of room left and right. It came w small crash bars and pegs. Got to close to a curb one time and ditched them.
 
Bjorn said:
nice subject! I find this intereseting as well. I changed my pegs from OEM to a mix between mid- en rear pegs. Im not a fan of the original peg position because your feet are quite far forward. Making it to easy for my lower back to bulge a bit.

However ive come to realize that moving the pegs Can help! but now it makes the angle of the knees sharper. Its all related, seatheigth, handlebar, pegs.
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It's crazy to look at all the different configurations. I never rode a rice rocket, anyone have input there out of curiosity? Can someone do a cruising trip in that forward lean position? Most adventure and cruisers are nothing like that tho. I think someone said a pilon. When I have all my gear and back pack and stretch w forward pegs and use my gear as a back, it's a beautiful in motion break. I have the smaller tank so when going 175mi to the country I stop for gas atleast once.
 
joebgd said:
It's crazy to look at all the different configurations. I never rode a rice rocket, anyone have input there out of curiosity? Can someone do a cruising trip in that forward lean position? Most adventure and cruisers are nothing like that tho.
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I don’t know how old you are, but the lean forward position can be very hard on an enlarged prostate. My back doesn’t like it either. Sitting upright will also prove difficult if your core is weak. You have to find the best solution for you and that may be a compromise. For some, there is no solution.
 
joebgd said:
It's crazy to look at all the different configurations. I never rode a rice rocket, anyone have input there out of curiosity? Can someone do a cruising trip in that forward lean position? Most adventure and cruisers are nothing like that tho. I think someone said a pilon. When I have all my gear and back pack and stretch w forward pegs and use my gear as a back, it's a beautiful in motion break. I have the smaller tank so when going 175mi to the country I stop for gas atleast once.
Click to expand...

I have a Honda Fireblade 929 2000
It is not comfortable .. And engine don't run perfectly even at lower RPM It wakes at 5000 and above .
There is variable Intake and Exhaust channels that opens at I believe 8000 RPM getting the Extra Ooomph
147 Hp I believe top speed is 280 Km/h
Hard suspension.
As other configurations it depends on body Size.

The Honda is known for its civilized behavior at lower speeds compared to other sports bikes .Even torque curve. And maybe the best road handling
And one can ride reasonable cruising . But not good.

It has a forward leaning stance but its not a problem on the arms for me .Because there is a position where the speed and wind press the upper body backwards I hear other gets tired in the arms no problem for me.
It fits my size so I lean on the tank .. upper body resting there.
There is a position where I Stick the head above the front screen that has less drag and less noise
But if going fast ear plugs is needed.

I get tired in hands and lower arms but it is because one needs to hold on hard accelerating + the frequent shifting operation of the clutch driving sporty

The bike is capable of driving real fast .And driver is protected behind the fairing But it has no traction control no ABS brakes
So I don't push it to its limits. On curved roads. Going straight it happens.

But cruising trip I would say no.

It is more like a Gym workout 3 hours sporty riding one feels it In the body. .But it is exiting I did not believe it being such a fun rush driving fast
It was a surprise.
 
jetmechmarty said:
I don’t know how old you are, but the lean forward position can be very hard on an enlarged prostate. My back doesn’t like it either. Sitting upright will also prove difficult if your core is weak. You have to find the best solution for you and that may be a compromise. For some, there is no solution.
Click to expand...
Go faster, it keeps the upper body up, unloading the shoulders.
 
Glad to see the interest in the thread picking up just as I completed ~200 mile weekend ride on the bike, which gave me a chance to test out the mods from the original list that I completed over the last four months. Here is my review and ranking.

  • The pegs. After some research, it became clear that a simple peg swap would not accomplish my goal of improved comfort and functionality. With relocation of footpegs, the controls need to be adjusted as well. Therefore, I opted for picking up a set of rear sets off of eBay and designing brackets and linkages to convert those to more of a mid-set position. You can follow the process here: https://www.xs650.com/threads/aftermarket-rear-sets.62479/post-889800
  • The result: the sets lowered my hip bone/knee improving the comfort at the hip, but the angle at the knee decreased which makes the lower leg feel more cramped. Overall, though, the position is more comfortable, and the feeling of control and ride quality is better, much sportier. An additional benefit is more precise gear shifts.
  • Angling the brake and clutch controls to straighten out wrists. While it does not cost anything, greatly improved comfort in the wrists.
  • Switching tires to BT46 from Dunlop K70 has been a game changer. First noticeable improvement is better braking. The front has a nice initial bite and very nice control. Not sure why this is the case. Possible less flex in the tire and greater initial weight transfer. The bike is also much more planted in the corners and on the highway. The wobbling on the grooved pavement is completely gone. Better tread pattern, modern rubber and shape as well as the rear is ~0.5” wider than the original K70. I would rate the tires at the top of the mods.
  • Re-working the damping on the front suspension has been transformative as well. Read about it here: https://www.xs650.com/threads/race-tech-kit-and-adjustable-fork-caps.65415/post-884320
  • The rework of the seat by Sargent (https://www.xs650.com/threads/sargent-seat-review.68738/) has delivered the lowest bang for the buck. The comfort is better, but still noticeable discomfort after one hour of riding. It may be that my insisting on keeping the original seat shape limited what could be done. The “comfort channel” that was molded into the foam but not visible is of noticeable benefit. I am still glad I had Sargent rework the seat, but I have seen greater results on a Buell they did for me where they had freedom to do whatever was needed geometrically.
  • Have not tried the final gearing changes yet
  • As an aside, I also benchmarked various headlight options and switched to XS1100 lens with an H4 LED retrofit. https://www.xs650.com/threads/headlight-bake-off.68636/
So, to list the changes in the order of comfort/ride improvement:

1. BT26 tires

2. Adjust front fork damping

3a. Hand control angle 3b. Mid-rear sets

4. Sargent seat

1757622622920.png
 
Did 6600 miles this summer, not on an XS though. Here's what I figured out. Rehashing some of what's been said:

If you have Sargent add padding to your seat, it may negate the need for lower pegs. Opens the knee angle and softer on the butt. Higher seat height is the neg. My '74's foam is dead where the rider sits.

I put Renthal bars on a bike that was killing my wrists. All the difference in the world! Risers didn't fix the angle issue.

As Gary said, windscreen. I have one of the adjustable angle/ height "flippers" on top of a screen. It can be adjusted for temp & rain. Really valuable in a downpour. My HD bagger buddies can't see shit. Adjust height to minimize buffeting. Earplugs for long rides.

Throttle palm assist and/or adjustable tensioner. I like to be able to remove the palm assist. What works at 65 is in the way around town. Those VM's will get to you after a while.

Make sure you are using all your rear suspension travel in the G bumps. The ole zip tie works to measure. Consider spring rate change if using too much or to little of the limited XS travel.
Dave
 
Put 250 on Butterscotch over the last two days.
KIMG0411.JPG
A MikesXS repo seat was comfortable. Moving feet back to the passenger pegs and sliding back on the seat at 55-60 made for a great change in body position. But Wisconsin roads with substandard suspension extracted a price, :( Bottomed the front end several times and even the repo shocks pronged a time or 3 (I weigh185 in gear) a lower back ache settled in towards end of each day. I decided against a day three on this bike. High and back handlebars with the comfortable silligrips, and hands were not an issue. :thumbsup: It was pretty good about starting, usually only needing one kick. Night one the right knee was barking like a seal, but it was not an issue after longer day two. :shrug:
An XS650 is lots of fun on hilly curvy township and county roads! scattered deer and turkeys several times.
If I'd been on Madness I prolly woulda rode day three...
 
dave_a said:
Better get those emulators in those skinny forks, Gary!
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It's like you're reading my mind! (what's left of it....)
I didn't R&R the forks but it's on the todo list now. I had to take off the caps to install the turnsignals and there were 1 1/4" spacers over the springs. That's not right. Will look into finding some better springs and yeah mebby emulators. Gonna have to do something about shocks too. But honestly with Shinko tires it handled well. I was making good speed for a 7/10 of a century guy on a half century old bike.
 
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These springs helped my 74 TX's skinny legs gain some travel & ride height. Didn't do anything for what passed as damping in 74. Seller doesn't list as fitting earlier bikes like Butterscotch. Not sure why? Big improvement for $40. FWIW.

Yamahaxs650.com... https://share.google/DFFiArbayVQxNeveV
 
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What Shinko's do you have on it, Gary?

I was going to go with 705's (80/20) when I re-tire the 20 y.o. trials-universals someone threw on.
 

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