Cafe' riding position for a newbie

scotts · Posted: May 24, 2007, 9:47 am Post subject: Cafe' riding position for a newbie

Love the Cafe' look, never even sat on one with the full treatment.
I'm a new rider. How much does the riding dynamic change when you put on clubmans/cafe' bars, rearsets, etc. ?
I can't imagine it being much different than some of the new Japanese bikes....

Cafe_Shop

Just one small comfort issue. Modern Japanese bikes halve forward angled seats. Classic bikes have flat seats that can cut into your inner thighs.

xs1961

I reckon the footpegs on the xs are too far forward for anyone over 6' especially with ace bars or clip-ons...best to fit some rear-sets...

scotts

I swapped out the Special handle bars for Daytona bars on my '83. I'm 6'2" and I find it very comfortable with the stock pegs.
I considered lower bars, but again, I'm a newish rider and didn't want anything TOO low on my firts bike.
Any other comments, experiences....??

kingwj

Clip-ons can fold back when the bike decides to fall over. I know we would never drop a bike. You can dent a very expensive tank if that happens. I did that on my R90S in 1976.

INXS650 · 650Rider Supporter Joined: Mar 22, 2007 Posts: 645

Put drag bars on mine, and love the way it rides now. Can get nice and low for those 80mph plus jaunts. It feels like a new standard style motor cycle rather than a cruiser.

xs1961

yeah I agree,cant beat drag bars..Ive actually this week just swapped my Kwack Z1 bars on the XS for my old set of drags, Its like having a new bike...

jasonrmorrow

As for riding position...here are some with me on my xs cafe...i'm 6' 1" but most of my height is my torso...i only wear 32" inseam pants. These are fairly deep drop clubman bars...i think i'm going to go with real clip ons after a season of trying these out. Its not near as bad of a position as i thought...i never did think about the seat angle...i think i'll have a wedge shaped seat made...without too much wedge or i'll slide into the tank and...well...

This is feet on stock pegs, and then an estimation of rearset pegs.

MNCaferacer · Full Member Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 45

It's not uncomfortable really. You'll find out real quick how good your back muscles are though! haha

Just depends on how you want it though. I ride my bikes with the clamps dropped and the clips REALLY low to speed up the handling a bunch.

Here's a pic of my last KZ cafe...

Allowed for a SERIOUS tuck when riding, good control, and really increased steering ability in corners. A little countersteer and the damn thing was in a severe lean... which is what I like. Twisted Evil

scotts

Nice looking bike. I always liked the look of the old KZ's. I almost bought a MINT KZ400 about two years ago and still kick myself for letting that one get away.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650