More Comfortable - R65 or R80RT?

[apexeric]

I am a new rider. I have an R65 that I really enjoy riding for all of the obvious new rider reasons. However my lower back has been hurting even after short to moderate rides. This is a situation that evolved from many years of bicycle racing. I am curious to know if the seating position on the R80RT is more upright than the seating position on the R65. The handle bars on the R80RT seem to be more swept back than the bars on the R65. I appreciate any and all input. Thank you.

[donbmw]

I have a 1982 R65 that I bought new. I installed a Rapid Transet fairing new and installed bars that had only a 1 inch rise to the. I have over 86000 miles on this bike I like the position of leaning forward that sitting straight up. In 1985 I bought and R90 and installed the RS fairing on it with the flat bars and I realy like this better. I added the RS bars to my R65.

Don

[Littleleroy38]

An RT will put you in the sit-up-and-beg position, which is generally viewed as the U.S. style for long distance riding--as opposed to the Euro-crouch. Although some people complain that the RT position places a strain on their lower back, I believe that most riders would not agree. The RT's position is roughly the same as on Harley's Electra-Glide and Honda's Goldwing.

The big RT fairing is one of the all-time great designs in motorcycling. It will protect you in the rain like few others. Its only drawbacks are that it tends to isolate you a bit from the bike, and can be hot in the summer.

[jdiaz]

I have both bikes. Initially, both were equipped with the same type of high handlebar, but now my R65 has a low Euro bar.

My R65 is naked, and the R80RT has a full fairing. Without wind protection, trying to use high bars is really tough.

[jerryb]

I am a new rider. I have an R65 that I really enjoy riding for all of the obvious new rider reasons. However my lower back has been hurting even after short to moderate rides. This is a situation that evolved from many years of bicycle racing. I am curious to know if the seating position on the R80RT is more upright than the seating position on the R65. The handle bars on the R80RT seem to be more swept back than the bars on the R65. I appreciate any and all input. Thank you.


My doctor has told me I have a "text book back" from not only dirt bike riding but also birth defects so I'd say we have something in common, Welcome!
Are your rear shocks dampening properly? Your weight, shock spring stiffness, and pre-load adjustment could be factors. As for sitting more upright, certainly there are variables but as a rule a leaning forward position is easier on your back than upright. I went from a Cruiser to a R100GS and got a real education in riding position (and handling), don't forget handling you may really need it some day! The GS was a real lean to the bars compared to the Cruiser but it wasn't long before the light went on. Newer riders suffer many riding pains from tension and as you gain experience and relax they will go away.

jerryb

[apexeric]

An RT will put you in the sit-up-and-beg position, which is generally viewed as the U.S. style for long distance riding--as opposed to the Euro-crouch. Although some people complain that the RT position places a strain on their lower back, I believe that most riders would not agree. The RT's position is roughly the same as on Harley's Electra-Glide and Honda's Goldwing.

The big RT fairing is one of the all-time great designs in motorcycling. It will protect you in the rain like few others. Its only drawbacks are that it tends to isolate you a bit from the bike, and can be hot in the summer.


Well, that is what I am thinking. More upright would be more comfortable. After fifteen years of bicycle racing I've done enough of the Euro-crouch! That is why I am no longer racing bicycles. Too much lower back discomfort. But some of the other replys seem to indicate that slighty forward is more comfortable. :dunno

[apexeric]

My doctor has told me I have a "text book back" from not only dirt bike riding but also birth defects so I'd say we have something in common, Welcome!
Are your rear shocks dampening properly? Your weight, shock spring stiffness, and pre-load adjustment could be factors. As for sitting more upright, certainly there are variables but as a rule a leaning forward position is easier on your back than upright. I went from a Cruiser to a R100GS and got a real education in riding position (and handling), don't forget handling you may really need it some day! The GS was a real lean to the bars compared to the Cruiser but it wasn't long before the light went on. Newer riders suffer many riding pains from tension and as you gain experience and relax they will go away.

jerryb

I definitely love the way that my R65 handles. I am sure an R80RT would not maneuver as well as an R65.

My bike came with Koni's from the previous owner. I have them set on the setting that corresponds to single rider with no extra weight loading. Am I missing something there?

Are you saying that you are more comfortable on your GS than your Cruiser because of the forward position?

[paulfinney2]

I had an R65 some time ago, and now have had an 86 R80RT for over 5 yrs. It's stock except for bar backs and a fur seat [original] cover. I'm 5'6", and on this bike I sit upright, which is my preferred long riding position. It is a most comfortale bike to ride, and at the end of 500-700 mile rides, I stop because I've arrived at my destination, not because I am beat. My mother used to live 550 miles from me, and I regularly tacked on 50-100 extra miles cause it just felt so good to keep riding.

[BubbaZanetti]

I have both bikes. Initially, both were equipped with the same type of high handlebar, but now my R65 has a low Euro bar.

My R65 is naked, and the R80RT has a full fairing. Without wind protection, trying to use high bars is really tough.

after riding my R100 around with the US bars, i swapped them out for a set of R75/5 euro bars, 1" rise vs 4"+ rise..............for me it was more comfortable to lean foward without the faring than to sit back.................less buffeting/wind resistance.

[Littleleroy38]

It's been my experience as well that riding with standard U.S. bars (which means that you will be sitting bolt upright) without a fairing or windshield is tiring above 55 mph. However, when you describe the bike as an RT, I assume that it is still equipped with the fairing--an entirely different proposition. If I were riding 500 mile days--day after day--then I would definitely want an RT.

In other words, if you have back problems and want to get away from leaning forward, then an RT is a good choice--the best choice really if you want an airhead.

[jerryb]

I definitely love the way that my R65 handles. I am sure an R80RT would not maneuver as well as an R65.

My bike came with Koni's from the previous owner. I have them set on the setting that corresponds to single rider with no extra weight loading. Am I missing something there?

Are you saying that you are more comfortable on your GS than your Cruiser because of the forward position?

Check around the shaft seal area, it should be completely dry. If the shafts are pitted from weather it's likely the seals have been gone for some time. The Koni's I remember were rebuildable from kits?
Concerning the GS vs. HD/Cruiser rider position it's ticklish but I'll try: I remember an article from MCN or Rider? mag. saying a lean forward position was "better" for your back but how they equated "better" with "comfort" I don't remember. It seems logical that a riding position that's good for your vertebra/discs could be uncomfortable for unconditioned or tense muscles.
When I said "the light went on" with the GS I wasn't referring so much to comfort as to how it all comes together. The GS says "I can handle it" whether it's an edge trap, a vicious rain storm, a sudden bad curve, gravel, etc. The Cruiser while it may bring you through says "I'm not too sure about this". Certainly rider position (along with a bunch of other factors of course) plays a role. I remember David Hough in his book "Proficient Motorcycling" frowning on the Cruiser riding position as it pertains to handling but it may not apply here. I don't have my copy to check it out. Concerning your comfort question: I have put long days on both my '81 Harley and the GS and really I don't notice (think about?) more back pain on one or the other. As Clinton might say: "It is what it is".

jerryb.

[jerryb]

It's been my experience as well that riding with standard U.S. bars (which means that you will be sitting bolt upright) without a fairing or windshield is tiring above 55 mph. However, when you describe the bike as an RT, I assume that it is still equipped with the fairing--an entirely different proposition. If I were riding 500 mile days--day after day--then I would definitely want an RT.

In other words, if you have back problems and want to get away from leaning forward, then an RT is a good choice--the best choice really if you want an airhead.

Is this Great Stuff or what? New Rider: You don't know how lucky you are.

jerryb

[carockwell]

Unfortunately,you need to try it to really decide. I had a lot of back problems when bicycle racing that were solved by raising the bars. The opposite was true with my R80 ST. I was much more comfortable after I installed the low euro bars, in fact the bars could be lower like an R65 LS. Riding bolt upright in the RT style could be bad for your back. Peter Egan much preferred his R100RS to an upright bike because the forward position of his RS took the pressure off his back.

[apexeric]

I can't seem to get this position thing worked out. The same thing that bothered my in bike racing is bothering me on my R65. It's not so much of a lower back problem but more of a mid-back issue. If I'm slightly bent at the waist with arms and shoulders forward then my mid-back gets all locked up.

The reason that I brought up the R80RT is because there was a '85 for sale on ebay in my town. I let it go because I really did not want to end up with two bikes that I could not ride.

My R65 has a Pichler fairing on it and someone apparently raised and moved the bars back with an adapter. But, I still do not think that I am upright enough to alleviate this mid back issue.

[apexeric]

Oh, I don't want to get flamed....I'm putting my bike in the garage in this picture!

[jerryb]

I can't seem to get this position thing worked out. The same thing that bothered my in bike racing is bothering me on my R65. It's not so much of a lower back problem but more of a mid-back issue. If I'm slightly bent at the waist with arms and shoulders forward then my mid-back gets all locked up.

The reason that I brought up the R80RT is because there was a '85 for sale on ebay in my town. I let it go because I really did not want to end up with two bikes that I could not ride.

My R65 has a Pichler fairing on it and someone apparently raised and moved the bars back with an adapter. But, I still do not think that I am upright enough to alleviate this mid back issue.

This could get interesting, be sure to let us know how this works out.
How about asking your doctor about back specific exercises? I've been through at home traction, pains, etc. and considered surgery until I heard radio's Dr. Dean Edell talk about "the amazing self healing properties of the spine". Sure enough, I've managed to stay away from surgery and sometimes it seems like riding makes my back feel better.
My main focus with bars is not how high or low but wrist angle, my wrists start to hurt if the angle isn't right.

jerryb

[Littleleroy38]

Your photograph reveals that your posture is still inclined forward--more than you would be on an RT.

The sportiness of your current bike leads me to ask the following question--You do realize that the RT is considered kind of an old man's bike, don't you? Similar in that sense to the Geezer Glide in H-D's line up.

One advantage to an RT, however, is that the wide bars make for easier slow speed handling than an RS because of the added leverage.

[apexeric]

Yes, I am well aware that I am heading into "old man territory" on an RT! But if that is the difference between riding and no riding then RT all the way!

Hey, I am an old man. At 45 years plus the old body does not do what it used to do twenty years ago.

I'm going to go to the local BWM dealer this week to sit on an F650. Maybe that is more upright? :dunno

[Littleleroy38]

I'm 43 and discovered last year that my RS is becoming a little too aggressive for me. It wasn't 12 years ago. I'm going to fiddle with changing the bars. That said, I found that it was easier even 12 years ago to ride longer on my father's RT than on my RS.

[pilot]

You might also try a kidney belt. Those black wide belts worn by people doing lots of heavy lifting. They really support the back and make lots of miles very comfortable.

[barryg]

I like both styles of riding, American and European. From reading a lot of forum posts it seems that the the univeral fix for BMW handlebars is the K75C bars.

[apexeric]

I will research the K75C bars. Are the R65LS bars higher and more swept back?

Anyway, my chiropractor tells me that my bike position is fine but my orthodics are making my back unstable. These orthodics are brand new and the cost of them is not covered by health insurance. :banghead Sounds like a rant for another topic!

I appreciate all of the input so far.

Thank you.