Obviously, the body position to ride the ZX14 is quite much more *aggressive* than my previous bike was, a Z1000.

Do you sit closer to the tank in order to sit upright as much as possible, or father back on the seat in a more leaning forward position, and just allow your muscles to grow accustomed to the aggressive position over time?

I think sitting up against the tank probably looks ridiculous, even though its actually more comfortable. LOL

I learned that you can't arch your back, and have to keep your back about as straight as possible. For me, this reduces the the ache in your shoulders. But the stress on the palms is still there.

I seem to be adjusting to the body position, but it may take some time.

But I can tell at this point, with only 285 miles on the bike (and only 285 miles in this leaning forward body position), I seem to be becoming able to ride longer with less stress through my shoulders and palms.

Dont worry it goes away with saddle time your wrists will get stronger,im only 5'7" and felt that way with my CBR1100xx & then my ZX1400 after a too year lay off, (stack) I now use 1" drop pegs and the Gen-mar bar risers that my 6'+ mate said helped him heaps with the weight on his wrists riding my ZX14 as his XJR1300 is more of an old school bike. but for sure you do build up more staminar over time

* Last updated by: bean07 on 10/15/2012 @ 3:17 AM *

Wow I've ridden the older 14's and there were much better Than my zx10 enough too try and trade it in on one until they said 4k was all there were given... I sure hope the new 14 didn't change that much...
I'm 5'11 at 180lbs..

"But the stress on the palms is still there"....use your knees and your abdominal /torso muscles to stabilize your upper torso.Try to get away from 'resting' your weight on the bars.A light touch is what your aiming for....use the tank and your ab muscles to shift your weight off the frontend(bars).You will do this second nature once you begin concentrating on 'doing it'.....You can get some "heli-risers" or something similar to shift your torso more upright.But your knees and all need to be used to support your riding position.

It aint a cruiser....

Depending on your body type...that tank can be very helpful in supporting the overall positions...depending.I sit just a mere inch back...so my(you know what) won't go to sleep.

You've got minimal miles on that seat...try finding a comfy riding position...then sit a bit farther back to get the seat to conform to the weight position.Focus on doing that while you ride for a while.The seat will begin to conform to that position.Once it does...it'll feel much better.Just experiment with the best feeling position...and consciously sit there every time.It won't take long for the foam to adjust.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/15/2012 @ 11:32 AM *

I guess I'm doing it all wrong.Putting too much pressure on my palms and wrists.Especially going downhills and my neck is killing me.I don't use my knees on the tank holding on the bars with a deathgrip.Guess I'll try that Wednesday when it's going to be 75 degrees.Thinking of selling it cause I'm in so much pain.
Craig

I wouldn't say "wrong"...the sportbike position is quite different than sitting back with your bars in your lap and your feet kicked out.It will take some adjusting for ya....find the most comfortable position....light rest on the bars.Keep using that position....let your neck rest some..relax while riding.Think on that.Sit back sometimes and use one hand to guide the bike,rest the other one on your thigh.That will help.Stay loose.If you have to stop and stretch some,or un kink something...do it.A lot of guys crack their neck back and forth....with their helmet on...I would say...."NO NO"....you're only gonna damage your discs doing that...and things will progress to constant pain and all.Maybe a taller windscreen will help to move the airflow up higher.That can make a big difference.Add some heli riers or some genmars...that will help as well.I wouldn't give up just yet...these 14's can be incredibly comfortable once you get the right ergos going for yourself.It doesn't have to work for anyone else.Only you.Privateer had some quality ergo mods to his 14.Maybe PM him and ask about it.I bought a Connie seat...factory...that GREATLY helped my ass...tell ya that.Could ride all day with that seat.The stocker...shit...MAYBE an hour before the shit hit the fan.Once my ass started hurtin...no amount of rest stops helped!

Well...I just looked at your bike stats there...seems you've got most of the comfort mods already!!!!!Sorry.LSL's aren't helping with your pains?.Maybe a readjust on those....maybe.Gotta use yer knees though to support your frame on there....practice.Even resting your heels on those heel guards can help...if you're not doing that already.

When I had LSL's on my 07...I used to 'lay' on the tank...set my throttlemiester...and let my upper body rest on the tank(forearms on the tank),while lightly having my fingers wrapped around the reservoirs or the center of the triple tree..Steering was easy...just a light pull on the opposite way ya wanted to go...or a push...however ya want to call it...countersteering....it was easy....and my whole upper body could totally relax.Covered miles doing that....it was totally safe as well.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/15/2012 @ 4:14 PM *

shift your torso more upright.But your knees and all need to be used to support your riding position. It aint a cruiser....

hmmm, my style totally Diff than listed above. I ride limp wrist, Lazy, almost every where I go. See a corner, gas it going in, shift all weight to my toes and drop in. Straight line shot, elbows down, knees in and pray lol. Wrist hands should not hurt. If so, Relax grip, she won't bite. This bike will cruze all day with no hands on the bars. Hope this helps. cheers.

Yup...it's all individual...whatever works for ya.No two riders want the same thing....and probably no two riders would FEEL the same on a 14.One reason I love this bike....it IS killer comfy.

I guess I've got a ways to go yet, cause my experience is far from killer comfy.

Getting a bit better, but its gonna take time. Probably by the time I hit 1000 miles and get the exhaust and PCV on, the riding position will then be more comfortable.

But I noticed when you first get a bike with *aggressive* riding position, its' hell on your shoulders and palms. Not my wrists, but palms seem to take the pressure and end up somewhat aching.

I also don't get the gripping the tank with your knees. What is that supposed to do to support the weight of your upper body and help your shoulders and neck from hurting? LOL

I am getting there, but its gonna take quite a bit more pain endurance before I can understand calling this bike a sport *touring* bike. Cause at this point, its a spin around town bike. FAR from a touring machine. LOL

"I guess I've got a ways to go yet, cause my experience is far from killer comfy".ROFL.....now THAT's a friggin FUNNY answer!(no offense bro!)

"I also don't get the gripping the tank with your knees. What is that supposed to do to support the weight of your upper body and help your shoulders and neck from hurting? LOL"...

well...it's not like some sort of death gripping...no...but using your thighs and legs to stabilize your upper body....you won't be riding gripping it all the time...no...but you will see if you start doing that when you ride at different times how that will ease the weight off your upper body and wrists and such.Actually...it's your abdominals that will be supporting everything..gripping tank slightly just helps to get your abs into play.The stronger those get...the less you'll be grabbing the bars and all for a place to rest your weight.IDK...it worked(S) for me anyway.

All those muscles and tendons and such run from your neck on down through your shoulders and all.Getting the weight off those parts by stabilizing with your ab muscles is the key to more relaxed riding.You can do as another mentioned here...hold your torso with your abs and that...and pretty much relax your arms and neck and all...the bike will stay tracking with VERY LIGHT inputs...fingertips really.(I wouldn't advise that on curves...but even turning....you can lighten the bar gripping with practice).

Bean07 said"Dont worry it goes away with saddle time your wrists will get stronger"...yup...he's right.Takes riding,and bunches of it to get yer body tuned in on a bike like this.But there are some tricks to make it happen quicker...that's all.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/15/2012 @ 6:59 PM *

I will try that. I work my abs regularly in the gym, and workout 3-4 times a week, so I may adapt faster than I originally thought.

I'l give the ab support angle a try. Thanks.

And good luck, Audioboys. Hope you get used to your bike and enjoy it without discomfort or pain.

Cause at this point, its a spin around town bike. FAR from a touring machine. LOL

That is why you are finding it uncomfortable. It's not much of a spin around town bike. It IS a sport touring machine when you are actually at speed, the wind is holding your weight up off the bars, you're not stopping at one red light or stop sign after another. I often want to just go for a spin on my BMW S1000RR because it's so much fun to ride but honestly, if I can't out of the city and onto the twisties, there is nothing real comfortable about it. Stops and starts are for cruisers. Getting these bikes up to speed on some open road and letting them run is where the fun and the comfort is.

"Getting these bikes up to speed on some open road and letting them run is where the fun and the comfort is"...yup....#1 that!.

Exactly what Jag wrote.. Need that air pressure to aid in supporting our weight..just that little push back helps that much
This is why I avoid routing through the city as much as possible,, it's when I go through little towns with
Strict Speed limits that I wish I had my 2011 ninja 1000 back
But can't beat the stability of this heavy 14, rides real nice when super slabbing to the good stuff
Going to try the gen mar risers, hopefully this will make it a little bit more tolerable as a round town bike

I ride for a few hrs at speed.On the return trip I go through town and thats when all the pain starts.Hate going through town and all the lights.
Craig

Jeez! 285 miles? That's one short ride on a summer afternoon! You just need a lot more seat time!
Here's my two cents: If you don't have one, get a medium size magnetic tank bag. Besides being so very handy to carry essentials and emergency items, they make a very good marker for positioning your upper torso by feel.

For me, when riding briskly through curves and turns about short straights, the bag is just touching under my diaphragm as I am seated a couple inches ahead of the rise (ridge at the back) in the saddle, separating rider from passenger sections and just off the tank in front. Knees are gripping tank sides and I am looking just over the windshield with a light to moderate pressure, only, on the bars. The tank bag is offering just a little support but not too much and I lose contact momentarily and frequently with the bag as I am working the bike through the road course.

When droning down the interstate to get to the promised land, I am seated nearly butt-up against the seat rise, pecs are down and in contact with the tank bag, elbows nearly touching knees at the sides of the tank and my head partially behind windshield in the pocket of serenity at limit plus velocities (often high on the plus side, heh,heh). Tank bag is now supplying some considerable support most of the time and touch on the bars is very light.

City traffic is the uncomfortable time, as others have noted, sitting up out of touch with the bag and "steering' the beast thru stop and go traffic with right angle turns, etc.

Hells bells, I sometimes almost fall asleep on those interstate cruise sections sitting in the "down" or pocket position!

For reference, I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam. Your exact position will be somewhat different depending on your size and the tank bag of choice, should you decide to give my descriptions a try.

Excuse me, please, if I am preaching to the choir. Otherwise, I hope this is of some help to you.

BTW: as a certified (NSCA) strength and conditioning specialist; may I suggest that if you need more abdominal strength, use lower reps and higher resistance in your "crunches" as opposed to lighter resistance (or only body weight) and higher reps as many people do. The former builds strength and the latter builds endurance properties of skeletal muscles. Also, be sure to work "honest" back extensions in the same session with the same resistance and rep scheme as the abs to achieve all-around balance in the torso developement and functionality. "Honest" back extensions involve the arching motion of the lower back under resistant loading; not stiff back hip extensions, as is often an error in trainees. And, especially, don't train the same muscles two days in a row; take a day or even two off between repeat sessions.

Cheers! Illustrations from MC.com article:

* Last updated by: PaulAB on 10/15/2012 @ 10:14 PM *

What everybody else said plus;
Get some tank grip pads of your choice to help you grip the tank.
TechSpec for me.Use those knees against the sides of the tank! You'll be surprised at the control you'll gain in just body weight transfers,on and off the gas/braking.I don't run any risers but do use a ZG S/T screen during a S/T.

I actually prefer the Gen1 seat for my S/T work but I do use an AirHawk seat pad,pull that off when I reach the twistys.
The Gen2 seat is softer but I need to get it recovered in slicker material for help in side to side transitions,it's to stickey for my tastes.
I recently returned from a 2,600 mile S/T and rode back home,straight through,940 miles.
Yes,it is a SPORT/Touring bike and I traded a C-14 in on it and have Zero regrets.

My main problem is my hands start going numb after about a half hour ! irritating ! don't know what to do, maybe I have carpal tunnel ?

Shotgun, how is that ZG S/T screen compared to stock ? do you get any "cross winds" at high speeds or when it is excessively windy ?

You probably don't have carpal tunnel....yet.But practicing shifting your weight from the bars to your torso BEFORE you start having any pain or numbness will definitely help.

Well, you guys sound like me when I started riding the BKing. I bought risers that raised the Kings bars up 2 inches which helped a lot. To fix the 14 you probably need about a 6 inch bar raise with associated new cables. In my waiting to get a ZX14R I'm going to locate all the pieces and parts I need to get back to a sitting up position. It is so much more comfortable than a normal sport bike position. Also, I can lay on the tank if I want to really twist it up. I would say that you need to spend money to fix the bar problem. No amount of seat time is going to make up for that very low mount bar situation. Especially if your old and out of shape like me!

You might want to look at Qwi gloves. They have the gel in the right places, not over the nerve clusters, but around them.

Google will find it. If you have big hands / wrists and need an XL, don't bother. The wrist slit isn't long enough to get them on without ripping the seams.

Very excellant gloves.

At age 65, riding comfort is critical. I ride hugging the tank as this provides a more upright position. I keep my hands fairly loose on the grips and make sure not to place much weight on the grips. Most of my riding is in the mountain twisties near my home so the constant weight and position shift no doubt improve comfort.

I'm finding the ZX14R to be a comfortable ride, even without risers or lower pegs. It fits much like my Aprilia Falco with heli-bars.

Today's 3 hour ride in the foothills near my home ... Fun bike !
I've done these roads a zillion times, but never tire of them. Tom

* Last updated by: Werks on 10/16/2012 @ 4:45 PM *

BEAUTIFUL pics....yup...the stock 14R as is extremely hard to top.I noticed a ride quality/ergos upgrade right away on my first ride.Like riding on a dream!

I remember my first ride coming back into town on a similar road like yours.It felt so relaxed and smooth.Soaked up the road stuff so nicely.Engine just purring.Yep.That 10mm stretch I think really did em proper for the ride quality.I wasn't going fast either...just a nice legal clip.She just seemed to be one with the shadow.No 'roughness' anywhere.Refined...that's how she felt....solid and refined.Gotta say...the Metzlers on there really are nice tires.

I knew I'd picked the winner again!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/16/2012 @ 4:09 PM *

the stock 14R as is extremely hard to top.I noticed a ride quality/ergos upgrade right away on my first ride. Like riding on a dream!

Yes, very smooth and composed ...

...the Metzlers on there really are nice tires.

Tom

* Last updated by: Werks on 10/16/2012 @ 4:44 PM *