The sun didn't last long but it didn't rain. I like Sundays as it is a non-riding day and I get to wear, or not wear, what I want, not all that bulky riding gear & riding boots, but rather shorts and sandals. I love my unshoes, Wokova minimalist sandals. They have Zero rise, sort of like walking barefoot. It takes a bit of muscle build-up and having to take shorter steps so your heal doesn't "HIT" the pavement first. It forces you into a better posture and is easier on your joints. "No Shoes, No Shirt" no problem, as it appears you are wearing something, rather than nothing.
I am still working on my list of things to do before I go on my multi-day bike trip next month. I have been wanting "highway pegs" installed but the problem is that I have GIVI crash bars which taper in towards the body under the gas tank, and you need BOW legs to reach them. If I had the Touratech crash bars they have off the shelf solutions as their bars are vertical, making them easier to install. The dealer where I purchased my bike had a McGyver solution and suggested I purchase these chromed cruiser style
and connect them to the lower connecting bar. I wished they weren't chrome as my bike is all black but then he said I could paint bomb them, on top of the chrome.
It seems solid enough, and I know that those GIVI bars are capable of supporting the weight of the 'Strom (don't ask me how I know) , and the only pressure is just my legs resting on them, so I'll give it a try and see how they work out. I seem to get a cramp every once in a while inside my inner leg and I need a way to change my leg position once in a while.
I went to HD: Home Depot and picked up some U-bolts, flat & lock washers so I could get it installed
I decided to use 3 - U-bolts. One on each side and one in the middle
It is basically a bar, made from 7/8" square steel and has hinged foot pegs at each end . It wasn't a very warm day but the sun came out again and I like to be comfortable (= wear less) when I work
There you have it . . . easy peasey. It was a simple installation. I overpaid for the bar but if it works, I will be very happy
and here's what it looks like in "static" action mode. It should also work wearing riding boots.
"I like Suday as it is a non riding day..." what an odd sentiment for a blog devoted to the notion that riding is a worthwhile fun activity. Anyway if you do ride with the highway pegs you can get a gynecological exam at the same time which is two for one. I like the standard riding position as it gives better control over the motorcycle but that is a secondary consideration in Florida luckily as there aren't too many corners that require weight shifting on the pegs.
ReplyDeleteMr Conch:
DeleteI am like you, I am not consumed with riding all the time. There's more to life, like eating and like KWD showing you some of the scenery in the PNW. Sort of like KW Diary but not as confined as walking up and down every street snapping photos at all hours of the day. It has always been about a "bit" of riding, with life mixed in.
The Highway Pegs are for boring straight highway stretches where you are cruising all day with your throttle "locked". I have been getting leg cramps after a few hours and I need a way to change leg position. I tried to "hang off" the rear pegs but after an hour or so you have problems getting yourself untangled, plus I know I may need them on the Overseas Highway . . .
Although I haven't been a big fan of the highway pegs I came to appreciate them on long boring stretches just to give the legs a little break.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure you will like them.
Sonja:
Deletebefore we leave we should exchange route info. I do not prefer Interstate I-5 travel but being SOLO I am going to take the fast route to roll on the miles and just get there. I needed a way to change leg position as I get cramping in my inner thigh after an hour or so, most likely the same thing that Trobairitz experiences. I may also bring my GEL pad. Plus on a HOT day you get the added benefit of "air conditioning" up your legs.
Chrome or not, it's function over frosting. I'm going to have to figure out something or someway to stretch my legs and change my riding position on longer rides as well. My original plan of switching bikes with Trobairitz isn't going as well as I expected.
ReplyDeleteBTW, how much are you packing with you? That trailer looks a little big for your bike, especially considering it uses a pintle hitch.
Troubadour:
DeleteI didn't really want chrome, but cruiser stuff is always chromed. I thought about painting it, but then it would chip and look awful. You need to scruff up the surface, so I am going to leave it as is.
I got cramping really bad on my prev SV650nK3, and it also happens with the V-strom after a few hours. I do have a GEL pad which I have never used so I may take it along. I used to raise my legs and rest them on my GIVI bars, but they are too high and the ledge is too narrow and my legs slip off. I had frame sliders on my SV650nK3 but they weren't quite long enough, but I could rest on them for a while on straight stretches.
You could switch bikes with Trobairitz if you had the Tiger 800 . . . I think your BIG Tiger is too tall, and perhaps too heavy as for the trailer, we are doing a construction project and I have lost my parking for a few months. I have to do my work "on the street"
Looks very uncomfortable to me but if it works for you, that's great. I would agree with Troubadour about function first.
ReplyDeleteI'd think that if you are starting to feel cramped on the bike as a great signal to stop and look around.
Richard:
DeleteOf course you are right about stopping, but I don't plan to except for a couple of quick washroom, snack breaks. Often I have lots of riding energy left, except my leg gets these cramps. I'm just trying to solve the problem by having more moving around options. It will be I-5 until I reach Oregon, then secondary roads from there, at which time I will stop more often
You should learn to stand up on the main footpegs Bob, like Charley Boorman and I do now...
ReplyDeleteNikos:
DeleteYou had guts to take that GS course. Of course Jenny wasn't hard to look at either. It's hard to stand on pegs at highway speeds. I needed a way to stretch my short legs.
I have discovered that standing is a reasonable option even on my airhead at legal highway speeds. With your DS bike, it should be even more natural.
DeleteRichard:
Deletenew motorcycle laws came into effect in British Columbia recently. You must be seated at all times. Standing on foot pegs is considered "Stunting", with resultant fine. Read link:
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/04/province-rolls-out-new-motorcycle-laws.html
see section on "Seating", para #2
they have also done away with beanie helmets which do not conform to DOT or other standards.
I think that the BC laws discriminate unfairly against people with haemorrhoids - this matter should be referred to our Queen immediately!
DeleteI thought that first picture was my favorite until I saw the last one with your bare feet on the pegs. IT is a classic.
ReplyDeleteThey look like pretty serious highway pegs and should do the trick for you. If you aren't into spray painting too bad you couldn't find black shrink tubing big enough to slide around them and shrink to fit. They'd have a non-slip grip then too.
Oh, and hubby's Tiger is too big for me. Or at least I keep telling him, that. I'm too chicken to ride it so it must be. I think I could ride it but I worry about holding it up at a stop.
Trobairitz:
DeleteMaybe this will solve your problem too with the cramping. You need to move your legs around a bit. How about frame sliders ? I had them on my SV650nK3 and you can rest your legs on them.
Are you sure the Tiger is too big/tall ? Go to the Range sometime where it is flat and try it out. Heavens forbid in an emergency you may have no choice, better to practice now under controlled conditions.
Glad you liked the photos but you know how shy I really am
Why does that bar still seem too narrow? How can it be that your vstrom is fatter than a Harley?? Snicker snicker.
ReplyDeleteMs Lori:
DeleteI realize that you have a female bike as evidenced by your protruding Jugs, so you would require a much wider bar than my modest V-strom. Fatness is merely a state of mind. I prefer to hid my svelte body by wearing at least 40 lbs of clothes so it may just be an illusion that fatter may actually be narrower
Using 3 clamps seems a bit over the top, but you'll enjoy the highway pegs. I never had highway pegs until this bike I have now and I use them a lot! If you want to keep them you could get them black powder coated later.
ReplyDeleteCanajun:
DeleteI get cramping riding the V-strom after a few hours and I need to move my legs to a different position. The highway pegs are only when I am on an Interstate or divided highway where I am going high speed, Not two lane secondary roads
Function over form eh? I have to say, nanny state aside, standing on one's pegs briefly while at legal speeds and on long straightaways shouldn't be "illegal".
ReplyDeleteDom
Dom:
Deleteour Government is against bikes of all kinds. They are making more stringent rules like standing on pegs is considered "stunting". Lots of discussion on local bike forums. Also two bikes going fast are considered doing a "contest of speed" so subject to confiscation. If you are doing 40 km over the posted speed, your vehicle can be forfeited and sold with proceeds going to the Crown. The stop bikes all the time to check lights, mufflers and helmets for DOT or Snell specs. Most bikers now prefer to ride in the USA. We have more than one helicopter here patroling the main highways and they are usually always "in the air".
I never could get used to the highway pegs on my cruiser. I like having my feet on the pegs where I need them. I don't get cramps, just a sore butt, which shifting positions/standing on pegs/stopping helps. But only temporarily. I guess I need to work on building up some callouses back there. :-)
ReplyDeleteKathy:
DeleteI have never had highway pegs, but then again I never really had cramping before until I had my prev bike, Suzuki SV650nK3. Now my V-strom does the same thing after a few hours. I am preparing for long distance highway travel. I may also bring my GEL pad. "Pegs are only good on the Interstate or Freeway, not secondary backroads.
You probably need a custom seat with more "support"
looking good bob! i think you'll like the hwy peg setup, i know i need it to stretch my legs and move the knees around...
ReplyDeleteMs M:
DeleteI do not generally travel on freeways or interstates but to save vacation time I am making distance on my first day out. This means 8 hours at freeway speeds and I know my leg will cramp out so I needed a way to stretch and move around. I think your bike is more suited for this type of travel, but then I would need ear plugs.
Last year coming back from Montana, I rode 8 hours straight from Stevenson, WA to Vancouver in one shot, approx 350 miles stopping for one hamburger break and one gas stop in Bellingham (I have a large tank)
8 hrs is a looooooooong haul on any bike, holy moly bob. ooooh mole, yumm im hungry...darn... ;)
DeleteMs M:
Deletethe problem is that I have been on most of those secondary roads, so it is no use trying to duplicate where I have already been. I just want to pile on the miles and get there. Our longest day last year was Orofino, ID to John Day, OR, we were nearly 12 hours on the road. 2 or 3 quick meal breaks and gas stops
Dear Bobskoot:
ReplyDeleteI regret being virtually invisible for the last three months, but I have been having anxious moments working on my book (final details) and my recovery has been slow. The soft cast bandages came off the right leg today, and the ones on the left leg will follow next week.
Any solution that works for the rider, and which comes in under $1,000 (USD) is a good one. However, I agree with Lori... I think that bar is kind of narrow. Do you find yourself searching for those pegs?
Any government that will fine you for standing on your pegs, will eventually fine you for having a motorcycle in the first place. I suggest you read the works of Thomas Payne and act accordingly. Your ride plans have me green with envy. The doctor will not let me think of riding for another 5 months. But I intend to make up for a lot of lost time next year.
Next year, I will ride to the west coast. If I don't, it's because I will be dead. I am making plans for my next bike now, and hope to acquire it this fall. I either want a 2004 BMW K1200GT in Orient Blue (that can be lowered), or a 2007 BMW K1200GT (in dark paint) that can also be lowered.
Have a great time on your upcoming ride.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Jack:
DeleteBandages ? surgery ? I didn't know it was that serious. You better get better fast. In 5 months we will be back to Winter and you'll have to wait for next years riding season.
when you say West Coast I know you mean Eureka, CA in a cabin overlooking the beach. let us know ahead of time so we can make plans to be there. It will take me at least 2 days to get there. I hope to see you next year, and the other alternative is "unthinkable" so get that notion out of your mind