[hawker]

I've had a couple of SVs and currently on a Honda Hawk GT650. I think I've read all the Z650 tests and reviews and watched lots of videos. One comment that keeps being mentioned is the "Ergos" and how some people just don't like the way you sit on the bike. I have not sat on one yet and guess I'm wondering....what seems to be the consensus here?

Does seating position seem a little "off' to any of you? What is it? Reach to the bars, angle of legs or position of seat pegs? Whatever it is...can it be corrected?

Thanks, I'm new around these parts and hope to learn a bunch before I decide which trigger to pull.

 

[Brad]

im 5 foot 7, and i can daily ride this bike for hours on end. longest go was 150miles straight. very comfortable to me has a little forward lean and can get more aggressive if you tuck during speed. some say vibration in the bars suck but i dont feel it and i beat the **** out of it. even with a passenger this bike was great. maybe its because im 5-7... i can see someone taller complaining a bit as the bike does seem well suited for my size

 

[Jp Freeman]

I'm also 5'7" and find the ergo's to be excellent.
I also have a Hawk GT and like the Z650's ergo's better.
It has less of an angle to the knee bend.

Ride safely

 

[Shamsul Kamal]

If I rode aggressively it is fine because I will lean a bit forward. if I wanted to ride leisurely (on highway long trip) then I felt the handlebar should be a bit higher and a bit further back because I will ride further back and my butt on the widest part of the seat toward the back.

 

[czrlaker]

Let me start off by saying that I love this bike. However I recently noticed that the ergos are a bit off for me and my riding position. I ride my Z everyday to work and take 1 long cruise (200 mi) with a group of guys per month. When I do get on the highway I like to crouch down because of how windy it is on through the mountains. This sets my feet further back on the pegs, at which point I would have to readjust my feet in case of an emergency or simply just to change gear or work the rear brake. Also I noticed that the sweet spot for my knees would be a lot lower than where they currently rest when my feet are properly on the pegs. I am 6 foot 32-33ish inseam. No giant no any means but I have noticed this which now has me looking at a z900. Other than the ergos for my style this bike is perfect. I hope this helps.

 

[Shamsul Kamal]

z650 is very good for city driving and twisty road.

Can it do touring? A short trip maybe 3 hours is ok but more than that is not comfortable.

Modified it for touring.
1. Windshield. This is a must have item.
2. Sprocket modification.
3. Handelbar riser.
4. Foot rest modification.

Or buy two motorcycles. One for touring. V strom look good.

 

[Tylerlew89]

I am 5' 11" and find the ergos a little bit cramped. The bike is certainly comfy but after only ~30 minutes of riding I find myself wanting to scoot my butt further back in the saddle. Unfortunately there is basically a wall there and it can't go back any further. I think this is in line with other posters saying the knee position is a little cramped.

My 5' 4" wife loves the bike and finds it very comfortable.

 

[Cowasaki]

Maybe add a bit more padding to the seat to lift you up a bit and give your legs more room, or get a custom seat?

 

[hawker]

Thank you all for your input. I'm 5' 5" so it sounds like the bike was made for a guy like me.

I've also seen it mentioned that some people are irritated that when you put your feet straight down then they hit the pegs. I assume that's just one of those things and not a deal breaker?

Thx again.

 

[Naz]

Thank you all for your input. I'm 5' 5" so it sounds like the bike was made for a guy like me.

I've also seen it mentioned that some people are irritated that when you put your feet straight down then they hit the pegs. I assume that's just one of those things and not a deal breaker?

Thx again.

Hi
I'm 5'6 and the bike fits me perfectly. I think this bike is better suited to shorter riders as my taller friend just looks a little weird on the bike . Longest ride was 300km on back roads and occasionally I would slide back on the seat just to stretch a bit.

 

[Dangerouse1984.DM]

Let me start off by saying that I love this bike. However I recently noticed that the ergos are a bit off for me and my riding position. I ride my Z everyday to work and take 1 long cruise (200 mi) with a group of guys per month. When I do get on the highway I like to crouch down because of how windy it is on through the mountains. This sets my feet further back on the pegs, at which point I would have to readjust my feet in case of an emergency or simply just to change gear or work the rear brake. Also I noticed that the sweet spot for my knees would be a lot lower than where they currently rest when my feet are properly on the pegs. I am 6 foot 32-33ish inseam. No giant no any means but I have noticed this which now has me looking at a z900. Other than the ergos for my style this bike is perfect. I hope this helps.

I'm a similiar size to czrlaker and have to agree with the comments about adjusting your feet on the pegs for changing gear & using the rear brake. I don't find it a major issue on my commute which consists of some motorway miles & city riding. I've recetly riden a 340 mile round trip on the Z650 in some pretty windy conditions & was comfortable throughout with no cramps or arches afterwards. I find the handle bar position comfortable, i practised & passed my test on a Honda CB650 & got a lot of numbness in my right hand after about 45 mins of riding but nothing on the Z.

 

[czrlaker]

Just FYI. Ive had the extended seat for over a week, ride the bike 44 miles round-trip to work. It was definitely a huge noticeable difference for me, the only thing is that the seat is way harder. And rubs on the tank more than the stock. A piece of white gorilla tape solved the the rubbing sound. I am going on a long ride next Friday. I'll post up thoughts again then.

 

[amire]

I'm 180 cm tall. I think the bike is really comfortable.
My back is straight, legs and arms are in a comfortable position.

Only concern, the grip on the handlebars are a little short in length? My first bike so,... I don't have a clue if it's standard length or not.

 

[Avande15]

Just FYI. Ive had the extended seat for over a week, ride the bike 44 miles round-trip to work. It was definitely a huge noticeable difference for me, the only thing is that the seat is way harder. And rubs on the tank more than the stock. A piece of white gorilla tape solved the the rubbing sound. I am going on a long ride next Friday. I'll post up thoughts again then.

How did the longer ride go with the taller seat? I too am 6' with a 32 inseam. I'm looking at purchasing a z650 but am concerned about some of the comments regarding taller riders. I also found a foot peg lowering option, has anyone tried this?

 

[snapdragon]

I'm 5"11 and I find the bike to be pretty comfortable on rides up to a few hours. After that it just starts getting cramped - the pegs are a bit higher than I'd like. For round town riding and shorter rides, it's perfect. But if I wanted to regularly do longer rides, I wouldn't really recommend the z650.

 

[czrlaker]

World of difference. Much better ride. Its amazing how much an inch will do. I don't feel like I'm riding a z125 anymore. Even when at a stop I have my legs in a more natural position, instead of way in front of me when I am sitting down.

 

[Me2]

Having ridden mostly cruisers and standards for all my riding life, I find the ergos fairly comfortable for a bike of this ilk. It's certainly more comfortable than the Z900 I owned prior to switching to the Z650. I seat tested a coupla other bikes in this class and they were awful. I don't see me doing long distances on the 650, but it's fun for short jaunts. For reference, I'm roughly 5'6"( I'm old, so I may be shrinking), 29" inseam and about 175lbs,....... 180 around the Holidays.

 

[pper]

I'm 5'9 and the ergos are more or less perfect for me
longest ride was like 500km in one go and 1000km in less than a day, that was even without a windshield on the German Autobahn mostly going >160km/h
(bought me that Puig windshield after that trip )