Getting bike fit
Discussion
I've got a course at work coming up, two weeks on the bike doing anywhere between 150 to 300 miles a day.
Bike is an RT1200 which is slightly too small for me, so I need to find ways helping my knees not ache like f
k after 50 miles.
Any suggestions would be most welcome. I can get a bit of practice between now and the course but not too much.
Bike is an RT1200 which is slightly too small for me, so I need to find ways helping my knees not ache like f
k after 50 miles. Any suggestions would be most welcome. I can get a bit of practice between now and the course but not too much.
I don't think any fitness will sort the knee ache. Fit some of those lowered footrests to give yourself a few more inches perhaps? Various available for various prices. Taller seat might be a shout too.
Alternatively change bike, since if its too small then the problem would have presented itself in the future at some point anyway. Most dealers will be happy to take in an RT so should be able to get a decent PX.
Alternatively change bike, since if its too small then the problem would have presented itself in the future at some point anyway. Most dealers will be happy to take in an RT so should be able to get a decent PX.
LosingGrip said:
I've got a course at work coming up, two weeks on the bike doing anywhere between 150 to 300 miles a day.
Bike is an RT1200 which is slightly too small for me, so I need to find ways helping my knees not ache like fk after 50 miles.
Any suggestions would be most welcome. I can get a bit of practice between now and the course but not too much.
It's funny you use the term 'bike fit'.Bike is an RT1200 which is slightly too small for me, so I need to find ways helping my knees not ache like f
k after 50 miles. Any suggestions would be most welcome. I can get a bit of practice between now and the course but not too much.
I was out yesterday for the first time in a loooong time and, even though I only did 70 miles or so before stopping, I was acutely aware not just that I was rusty (missing apexes, comfort braking, fluffing gearchanges etc) but that after just over an hour I could feel my lower back and my right wrist.
When I got home and Mrs 215 asked me how things went, that's the first phrase that I used; "I'm just not bike fit any more."
Obviously, the more time you spend in the saddle, the better it will be, but for me I'm doing some stretches, maybe going to try and lose a bit of weight (yeah, right) and also adjust my suspension a bit to take account of the extra pounds; it's not just about me being fit for the bike but also the bike fitting me.
Find a decent sports massage person.
I have a lovely Thai massage lady that I suspect hates me on an atomic level so I consider it a 'happy ending' if I can still walk after an hour of her company
An old neck injury meant I struggled to do more than an hour/75miles on the bike but she soon put that right so 150 miles in one hit isn't a problem
I have a lovely Thai massage lady that I suspect hates me on an atomic level so I consider it a 'happy ending' if I can still walk after an hour of her company
An old neck injury meant I struggled to do more than an hour/75miles on the bike but she soon put that right so 150 miles in one hit isn't a problem
LosingGrip said:
Sadly it's a work bike so can't modify it or change it...
A lot of people of a larger size must attend the courses so perhaps there's an adjustable seat option or a padded and taller seat they swap in and out for taller riders. Once passed you'll be riding the same model or one that will cause fewer difficulties for your knees?
In 2016, I bought a Suzuki SV650S. Great price, big discount, great bike but being past 60 and 5'6", the drop bars were a stretch, my neck is too short to turn that far and my arthritic hips screamed "Enough, FFS!".
The dealership would only buy it back for a crippling loss so I kept it and got "bike fit" which simply means getting used to the stretch and lessening pain. I should have bought a bike I fitted (like the previous MSX125)
The dealership would only buy it back for a crippling loss so I kept it and got "bike fit" which simply means getting used to the stretch and lessening pain. I should have bought a bike I fitted (like the previous MSX125)
Change the bike is the lazy answer before you try change yourself, but as you can't make adjustments to optimise the fit of the bike (a different seat would surely help and who would know?) perhaps a compression knee support sleeve could help in the short term.
I found these exercises years ago and they have been my go to, I'm not consistent with these and tend to fade in and out of sticking to them but are a great reference point and really helped me.
I found these exercises years ago and they have been my go to, I'm not consistent with these and tend to fade in and out of sticking to them but are a great reference point and really helped me.
Not sure if same model, but that thread says three seat heights:
https://www.1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6169
Given the use the bikes get, hashtag diversity, people come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, you'd think they'd have a selection of different seats for different course attendees.
https://www.1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6169
Given the use the bikes get, hashtag diversity, people come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, you'd think they'd have a selection of different seats for different course attendees.
carinaman said:
LosingGrip said:
Sadly it's a work bike so can't modify it or change it...
A lot of people of a larger size must attend the courses so perhaps there's an adjustable seat option or a padded and taller seat they swap in and out for taller riders. Once passed you'll be riding the same model or one that will cause fewer difficulties for your knees?
O/P, your employer has a duty of care to reduce risks to their employees as much as is reasonably possible so I would be raising your issues about your knees and comfort on the bike in general in such a way as to create a paper trail just in case...
Hugo Stiglitz said:
A Seg course?
Nothing. I'd be more concerned about your hydration and energy. It's a lot of concentration.
Thankfully not! They use a 1200RS which is a lot smaller. I managed three miles on a demo bike before I turned back and got the RT for the rest if the shift. Nothing. I'd be more concerned about your hydration and energy. It's a lot of concentration.
carinaman said:
Not sure if same model, but that thread says three seat heights:
https://www.1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6169
Given the use the bikes get, hashtag diversity, people come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, you'd think they'd have a selection of different seats for different course attendees.
We have two heights for the seat. Sadly due to red tape, getting extras isn't possible. The hassle we have getting phone holders for a sat nav is stupid...https://www.1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6169
Given the use the bikes get, hashtag diversity, people come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, you'd think they'd have a selection of different seats for different course attendees.
Thanks for the suggestions on exercises etc. I'm doing some mobility work at the gym so will look at those. Will also get a sports massage booked in!
Thankfully once the course is done and I'm using the bike on duty I can pretty much stop whenever I want for a stretch.
Tango13 said:
Back when police forces all over the UK were having problems with their Honda Pan Europeans tank slapping themselves into the scenery I asked a serving bike copper if they really were that bad? He made the comment that the bigger riders, six foot plus didn't have any issues but the smaller and lighter riders were the ones struggling with the handling.
O/P, your employer has a duty of care to reduce risks to their employees as much as is reasonably possible so I would be raising your issues about your knees and comfort on the bike in general in such a way as to create a paper trail just in case...
They'll just stop me from riding. The course isn't needed for my role, it's an added bonus (I mean who doesn't want to get paid to ride a police bike fast?!). It's the same for the shorter riders. O/P, your employer has a duty of care to reduce risks to their employees as much as is reasonably possible so I would be raising your issues about your knees and comfort on the bike in general in such a way as to create a paper trail just in case...
LosingGrip said:
They'll just stop me from riding. The course isn't needed for my role, it's an added bonus (I mean who doesn't want to get paid to ride a police bike fast?!). It's the same for the shorter riders.
Remember the song 'Wear Sunscreen'? There's a line in that...'Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone'
Having read the thread in the health forum on knee replacement surgery I'd be seriously considering telling them where they can stick both their bikes and their course, lube optional.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
It's a weird one as I've got a R1200R and it came with the low seat fitted. I'm 6ft2. I actually like the seat depth(!) How do you perch on the pegs? I'm toes on with very little pressure. How's your core strength.
What boots are you wearing
That's another issue...I'm a size 14 shoe. I have to sit on the pegs with my toes pointing out. I've got Altberg boots. What boots are you wearing
Tango13 said:
Remember the song 'Wear Sunscreen'? There's a line in that...
'Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone'
Having read the thread in the health forum on knee replacement surgery I'd be seriously considering telling them where they can stick both their bikes and their course, lube optional.
That sounds like a future me problem ha. Plus it is just the course that I'm worried about. Once my course is done and I'm just doing normal patrols, I won't be hitting that kind of mileage. 'Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone'
Having read the thread in the health forum on knee replacement surgery I'd be seriously considering telling them where they can stick both their bikes and their course, lube optional.
Is it due to knee injuries or general knee stiffness ? You can do a lot to increase mobility (and with that comfort) if your knees are in generally good condition.
If you’ve got serious wear and / or arthritis. The low impact exercises will still help but it probably needs some pain management as well.
My own little sob story …. I’ve had quite a few nasty knee injuries. I’ve been told for years that the only medical help I can now get is replacements, but I’m too young. It’s a result of too many dislocations and breaks including a broken knee cap and I have very little cartilage left. All I can do is try and keep the flexibility and keep the strength in my quads etc. But it certainly does impact what positions I can manage on a bike.
If you’ve got serious wear and / or arthritis. The low impact exercises will still help but it probably needs some pain management as well.
My own little sob story …. I’ve had quite a few nasty knee injuries. I’ve been told for years that the only medical help I can now get is replacements, but I’m too young. It’s a result of too many dislocations and breaks including a broken knee cap and I have very little cartilage left. All I can do is try and keep the flexibility and keep the strength in my quads etc. But it certainly does impact what positions I can manage on a bike.
Edited by Hungrymc on Saturday 3rd August 11:36
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