Hello friends!
I'm coming from a Roadliner S 1900 but there are some things that bother me enough to start looking for two wheeled solutions:
1. Handlebars are longhorns and are very uncomfortable after a couple hours on the bike. There is no aftermarket anymore for this bike...I've looked for a new set for months now and no stock exists.
2. No 6th gear, and 5th is all pull. Not great for the highway unless you want to roar like an angry lion to pass someone.
3. My back isn't great and I have diverticulitis pretty bad so sitting folded (like in a car) is not good for me. It's why I ride a motorcycle actually; it doesn't make me as sick. I feel like an upright bike would be better here.
I did some research and fell in love with the Wee, at least on paper--upright riding position (Comfort for long rides is #1 for me), decent wind coverage, tackle light trails (where I live this would be handy), good power, and built tough. Plus it is so ugly unlike my Roadliner which I feel guilty if I don't polish every Sunday (and I HATE cleaning...would rather ride!)
So I found a 2014 Wee Adventure with 20k miles locally that has been for sale since November (price is 5k). The owner was nice enough to let me take it for a ride, but after 30 minutes on her I feel torn. I want the bike, but it is totally uncomfortable which is the primary reason I am looking at it.
1. I'm 6' 2" with long legs and weigh 155lbs. Sitting on the Wee my feet are flat on the ground and my knees are bent. I feel like I have to reach for the handlebars just as much as my Roadliner. I can sit back upright if I hold the bars with one arm.
2. It feels like I am sitting on my crotch. Like literally. Super uncomfortable even after 5 mins. I tried moving around the bike, but the bars being where they are, and the stock seat really didn't seem to have a good sweet spot.
3. Although the bike was super smooth, the handlebars were chock full of vibration. I'm not going to be cute here, but it really was noticeable. 10 mins on the highway and my hands were starting to go numb, and were by the time I finished my ride. It seemed especially bad at 60 through 80. The way to describe it is the bars felt like they were buzzing like an orbital sander on a low setting.
4. The foot pegs didn't seem to be right below me, but slightly angled back, which I thought was odd as I expected it to be a very upright riding position. I read on these forums that people like the pegs better than floor boards and highway pegs because they can move around better on the bike, but I need some tips here. My legs didn't feel super comfortable as my knees had to be bent quite a bit on them.
5. I have a Shoei Quest and the windscreen seemed OK, which was nice, though I did get some minor helmet buffeting. Not too big of a deal compared to other bikes with bad buffeting that makes you dizzy. However it was a windy day and I felt ASSAULTED by the wind. The bike was blowing all over my lane, and even sedans passing me or me passing them had me fighting the bike. Again, I'm tall, and it was windy for sure, but holy cow, this is one of the main things that has me scared away from the Wee. How do you deal with this? Is there seating positions that work? I rode my Roadliner home at the same speed and it wasn't even in the same category. I could feel the wind (and I have no wind screen) but was totally stable.
I really want this bike, but my body is telling me no. I realize there is a hopping aftermarket, but what scares me about aftermarket is you can spend alot of money which may or may not fix your problems. I want to give the bike another shot, but want to go into a second test ride with some body positioning tips and other bits of advice you guys have for getting a comfortable ride of out a Wee.
Thanks so much for your time. I really dig the culture on this forum. Peace!
I'm coming from a Roadliner S 1900 but there are some things that bother me enough to start looking for two wheeled solutions:
1. Handlebars are longhorns and are very uncomfortable after a couple hours on the bike. There is no aftermarket anymore for this bike...I've looked for a new set for months now and no stock exists.
2. No 6th gear, and 5th is all pull. Not great for the highway unless you want to roar like an angry lion to pass someone.
3. My back isn't great and I have diverticulitis pretty bad so sitting folded (like in a car) is not good for me. It's why I ride a motorcycle actually; it doesn't make me as sick. I feel like an upright bike would be better here.
I did some research and fell in love with the Wee, at least on paper--upright riding position (Comfort for long rides is #1 for me), decent wind coverage, tackle light trails (where I live this would be handy), good power, and built tough. Plus it is so ugly unlike my Roadliner which I feel guilty if I don't polish every Sunday (and I HATE cleaning...would rather ride!)
So I found a 2014 Wee Adventure with 20k miles locally that has been for sale since November (price is 5k). The owner was nice enough to let me take it for a ride, but after 30 minutes on her I feel torn. I want the bike, but it is totally uncomfortable which is the primary reason I am looking at it.
1. I'm 6' 2" with long legs and weigh 155lbs. Sitting on the Wee my feet are flat on the ground and my knees are bent. I feel like I have to reach for the handlebars just as much as my Roadliner. I can sit back upright if I hold the bars with one arm.
2. It feels like I am sitting on my crotch. Like literally. Super uncomfortable even after 5 mins. I tried moving around the bike, but the bars being where they are, and the stock seat really didn't seem to have a good sweet spot.
3. Although the bike was super smooth, the handlebars were chock full of vibration. I'm not going to be cute here, but it really was noticeable. 10 mins on the highway and my hands were starting to go numb, and were by the time I finished my ride. It seemed especially bad at 60 through 80. The way to describe it is the bars felt like they were buzzing like an orbital sander on a low setting.
4. The foot pegs didn't seem to be right below me, but slightly angled back, which I thought was odd as I expected it to be a very upright riding position. I read on these forums that people like the pegs better than floor boards and highway pegs because they can move around better on the bike, but I need some tips here. My legs didn't feel super comfortable as my knees had to be bent quite a bit on them.
5. I have a Shoei Quest and the windscreen seemed OK, which was nice, though I did get some minor helmet buffeting. Not too big of a deal compared to other bikes with bad buffeting that makes you dizzy. However it was a windy day and I felt ASSAULTED by the wind. The bike was blowing all over my lane, and even sedans passing me or me passing them had me fighting the bike. Again, I'm tall, and it was windy for sure, but holy cow, this is one of the main things that has me scared away from the Wee. How do you deal with this? Is there seating positions that work? I rode my Roadliner home at the same speed and it wasn't even in the same category. I could feel the wind (and I have no wind screen) but was totally stable.
I really want this bike, but my body is telling me no. I realize there is a hopping aftermarket, but what scares me about aftermarket is you can spend alot of money which may or may not fix your problems. I want to give the bike another shot, but want to go into a second test ride with some body positioning tips and other bits of advice you guys have for getting a comfortable ride of out a Wee.
Thanks so much for your time. I really dig the culture on this forum. Peace!