sports bike gear lever

[Byron Hall]

Does anybody else have a pain in there knees from riding and shifting gears on a sports bike.

I have adjusted the lever height but it is still to far under the bike so i have to twist and bend my knee and ankle to shift gears.

a longer gear lever that sticks out more would be ideal.

 

[Shirou]

After flicking my bike trough some twisties I always end up with my lower body in pain but it's because I'm not too fit. Depends if I hang from the bike or if the road is irregular I put a lot of work on my leg muscles, holding the tank or putting all my weight on the footpegs. It's mostly muscular pain, the same feeling you get after hitting the gym (or playing 2+ hours of DDR).
Check your body position while riding, if something feels painful it's because you're not positioning yourself correctly on the bike. It also depends if you ride with your back mostly straight or your chest sticked to the tank. For me, the most comfortable position for high speed trips is hugging the tank but it puts a lot of pressure on my lower body.

 

[Byron Hall]

Most of my riding is around town and at low speed. I can't seem to go up through the gears without putting strain on my knee. I've got the lever on a low setting but when I pull the clutch in and lift the lever I miss the gear as I need that bit more to get it into gear. Doesn't help that the lever is a tiny stub.

 

[janx101]

If the link works .... (iPad likes to mess me about) ... Look here... LOTS of different angle and length levers!

http://www.thefind.com/ ... And search the site for shift levers... Err no .. Hang on .. Search 'honda shift lever' otherwise you get MTB levers :roll:

Don't think there is too much you wouldn't be able to make fit

... Or just heat your current lever a little and bend it out some !

 

[MrFalloffalot]

Just remember, a racebike is 'Custom' made to fit the rider.

You need to mod it to your height, leg length etc.??
(handlebars/seat/pegs ALL 3 can vary position of a riders toe under gear lever)

Ive gotten seats 'scallopped' (more curve) to get a better arch in my back, for better riding position. another bike i changed the bars/clip-ons which helped riding position.
Worked for me, but im 5'10". So most bikes 'fit me' lol

Cheers

 

[Byron Hall]

Cheers guys, Great advice and link.

I bent the bar out a bit last night and it has helped but i dont think i will cure my knee ache.

getting old before my time. Only 29.

Might see me riding a scooter soon if this carries on.

 

[janx101]

Errr ... Where in your knee is aching? ... Centre and middle? .. Above kneecap to either side or one side? .. Below and to either or one side? ...

And ... What footwear are you riding with?

 

[O8ride]

Cheers guys, Great advice and link.

I bent the bar out a bit last night and it has helped but i dont think i will cure my knee ache.

getting old before my time. Only 29.

Might see me riding a scooter soon if this carries on.

Cheeky fecker!

 

[Byron Hall]

I like scooters. scooter would be ideal for me as i go around town most.

i might get a 125 for winter and around town then get the bike out on sunny sundays.

it hurts either side of my knee cap and i wear hiking books as only go to work and back etc.

 

[janx101]

Ok ... To start... I'm not a doc or a podiatrist or anything official...

But...

When I got my bike a few years ago... I was lacking cash for riding boots... Used my work boots for a week or so... Very similar to hiking boots in design... Nice soft flexi sole .. Soft and supple around ankle .. Etc... They not steel caps though..

Got aches in arches of foot, shins, knees ...

Too damn soft! .. And maybe I was too.. I suppose I got used to riding more also..

My riding boots are industrial look but ride designed... MUCH stiffer sole, lot more leather around ankle which also increases whole foot support... They are not as stiff as full on race boots ... I can wear them comfortably to walk around shops for few hours too...

Most ride designed footwear supports your foot in ways you don't realise... And puts a hell of a lot less stress on rest of your leg while shifting, braking and cornering too..

Sure a lot of folks wear joggers/runners/sport shoes ... Nike Adidas etc .. To ride... And lots of them don't get problems either...

But for 'us' with dodgy and worn knees... Proper footwear designed for riding DOES help..

Maybe not solve it... But at least for me the pain eased within days of having the proper style footwear!

 

[Byron Hall]

i did try my work boots as they are stiffer. when i lift my foot up to shift my toes raise a bit before the boot even moves so by time the boot moves im having to twisk my ankle and knee even more. i some time miss gears because of this.

iv never rode in motorbike boots as i wanted the comfort of a hiking boot to be able to walk about once i get to my destination.

i might try a firm/stiff pair motorbike boots.