How long does it take to get that way? I had some severe ass cramping on a long trip with the stock seat. Doesn't happen anymore with a better seat.

On long stretches, I've also found that standing up with one foot on a passenger peg and the other on a rider peg allows me to stretch and keeps soreness from setting in. I used that technique very often on a September cross-country trip and was never truly sore, even after riding from Santa Fe to Philadelphia in three days.

 

Less than :30 mins? I’m pretty new to motorcycle riding, so I’m prob tense and holding my foot up off the shifter. My right hand seems to get tired quickly too (I assume tension is causing this)

 

How tall are you? Long legs? You may benefit from lowering the pegs. AdventureTech has the adapters

Relaxing will help for sure. Ride with the balls of you feet on the pegs and adjust your shift lever so the your boot fits under it without having to point your toe down.

Also just rest your hands on the grips, have a very light grip. That will help the bike not move around in the wind so much too.

 

My solution to the right hand thing was a larger grip(Most heated grips) and the O-ring trick for the throttle.
Standing when in the slower zones or just stopping to stretch keeps my leg happy.

 

Grip puppies are my cure for the hands issue. Not sure why all motorcycle grips seem to be so tiny, I've often considered trying to put 2 pairs of grip puppies on to fatten them up even more.

 

Tensing up will soon cause aches and cramps. Think about adjusting the gear lever a little to where you feel it out of the way until needed.
What boots do you wear? and are they comfortable? Tensing up in full dirt bike boots will cause this.
Most of all, get out and ride while concentrating on relaxing your muscles. Take your left foot off the peg occasionally and put it out and forward to straighten your knee, or stand on the pegs (if it is legal where you live).
And hold the throttle - no need to strangle it.
Nervous is good - muscle tension is bad, but should ease with experience and confidence.

 

I’m pretty short-5’7” with 30” inseam. I didn’t figure the AT peg lowering would help a short dude like me. Maybe I need to consider it...
I think I’m gonna get the GO Cruise 2 for the throttle. I’ve been contemplating getting it for those longer straight stretches (and just a quick opportunity to shake the hands out-especially while wearing insulated gloves)

 

Not sure what your fitness level is, not judging either. In the past I used to get way more cramps etc. Lost weight, became fitness nut for health reasons. Side benefit was waay more confidence on the bike, ability to maneuver bike aggressively and no more cramps

 

Lower the pegs and add highway pegs. I'm 6'4, so I stand quite a bit or use my highway pegs to stretch out.

 

When not changing gears OR applying the rear brake, move to the balls of your feet. Re: Grip - Learn to loosen your grip. Open your hand slightly and use the friction between your glove and the grip to rotate the throttle. Do an online search for this technique. There are a bunch of articles on the subject.

Safe Bike Travels :thumbup:

 

Good advice from everyone, I don't think lowering the pegs is going to help, it may make you vulnerable to dropping the bike. I have a 32" inseam and can't flat foot it when stopped with both feet touching the ground.

Ditto on the Crampbusters for your throttle hand and a bargain farkle at $9.95.

This time of year I ride with heavier gloves. After purchasing a few pair over the years I've learned to try on as many gloves as possible to find ones that fit my hands and not too tight especially around the wrist while wearing the heavier and warmer jacket.

 

Why would it make you more vulnerable to dropping the bike? I lowered the pegs on mine and it is more comfortable and the centerstand is still the first thing that hits the pavement. I also have a 32" inseam, and with the 3/4 drop I can put my feet flat down.

 

His inseam is 30", isn't the purpose of lowering the pegs basically for those with longer legs who feel cramped? I'm not aware of anyone wanting to lower their pegs if they have shorter legs unless a rider has long arms and stands up on the pegs often. To each his own.

If you're going to lower your pegs also look at how your foot meets the gear shifter and adjust accordingly. Also check to see if you can shift while standing up.

You may also want to add bar risers if you're having to reach too far forward and putting more weight on your arms and hands.

Here's what motorcycle dealers could do more for those additional charges they tag onto the MSRP....fit the bike to the rider which means suspension, reach and pegs.

 

Where are you at? If you come by the west side of Phx az you can try my "05 650. It has grip puppies, a crampbuster, lower pegs, highway pegs, and bars raised 30 mm.

Us old people are into comfort.

It may take a couple days to become completely familiar with a different setup but there is no substitute for sitting on and riding a bike with a different setup.

I think most people here would let you try their 'strom.

Cheers

RLBranson

 

I have a 30" inseam and it helps me a lot.

I'm also 5'10". Much more about bend at the knee than height.

 

Lots of great ideas on here-thanks for the responses. I rode today with many more stops, it was plenty warm to wear just regular gloves, and just my trail runners, and had no issues. I think I’m just too tense, and then staying in the same position too long on the longer stretches. I’m gonna go with it for right now until I get some more time in the seat.

 

Just ride your bike and extend the ride as you become more comfortable with it. Runners are not a good idea though - just in case the worse should happen.
If you are more comfortable in runners I'd suggest a visit to your bike shop for something more comfortable but still offering you reasonable protection. What boots do you currently have, and are they new? Boots sometimes take a while to wear in - or maybe they were a poor choice to start with. Like tight gloves, tight boots can become very uncomfortable very quickly.

 

I don’t like riding in the trail runners, for the exact reason you stated-no protection. I’ve been wearing my Asolo TPC 520 full grain leather boots. I’m still trying out decide on riding boots, but none of the shops I’ve been to, have any stock on anything I’m interested in. I’m interested in Forma Adventure Lows, Klim Outlander, Aplinestars Belize, etc. I tried on a pair of the Alpinestars Andes V2 and they fit better than any boot I’ve tried. (They all seem so still and huge. IDK how you feel the shifter/move your ankle in those...)

 

I have a pair of Forma Lows and love them. However, they are more cumbersome at the controls than my road boots, Alpine Star Ridge 2 Air.

The reality is that the more protection they offer, the more difficult it will be to operate the controls. You need to choose something with which you can accept the protection/suppleness trade-off and set your foot controls at what is best for you. It will become easier as the boots become more comfortable, and as you adapt to them.

The Forma Lows are roomy for me - but you must choose what best suits you. I find that most manufacturers range of boots either suit me, or none do. If the Alpine Stars fit you comfortably (with no tight bits) I would try them. They will become more supple with use.

 

After years of riding with dirt bike boots, I am very comfortable riding in high topped work boots. And if necessary I can walk comfortably in them and they have some protection.

Cheers

RLBranson

 

If your full leather boots are too stiff, treat them with Mink Oil paste (often). That will help make them more supple and flexable. >

 

I was having similar issues Chris. I just got my first bike (2012 Wee) last fall, so still figuring some of this out. But one thing that really helped me, that I haven't seen in any of the reading I've done, is to think of the bike like a horse, where you hold on with your thighs and not your hands. My hands are loose on the grips, and as someone suggested, palm the throttle with a light grip in the that crook just between your thumb and first finger and roll it, don't grip it.

 

I cant agree more with this advice! This concept also corrects the foot position on your pegs.

Secondly, before you start riding, sit on your bike, let the arms fall down and let the chin fall to your chest while exhaling. Do this several times - it allows you to release your muscels. Then, when you feel good, start the engine and off you go.

Safe rides !

 

Got to ride a longer ride with a fellow member on here RCinNC, and tried actively relaxing and standing more. It helped immensely. Thanks for the feedback/help!

 

Riding on a new bike always causes these muscles to feel strained or just uncomfortable. Especially with the kind of pants you are wearing too, you will definitely want to have enough space to stretch out while riding. I have had my boots tied too tight and definitely wore too skinny of jeans....lol. Always stretch your calves, back, and hammies before and after riding!