Quote:
Originally Posted by EenyBear
However, it always amazes me that when someone talks about using Helibars or lowered pegs the "love the one-size-fits-all or leave it" crowd jumps up and criticizes a legitimate attempt to fit the bike to the rider. 
Performance mods are applauded but the "bike-rider fit" performance implications are all too often ignored or misunderstood. |
I guess the way I think about it, perhaps a little unfairly, it's like buying a Trek Madrone carbon fiber and then turning the handlebars upside down so you can sit more upright. I'm blessed with a rather long reach, 36" (I wish I had a 36" waist to go with them), so the R12S bars feel perfect to me. And I think having a forward cant is more comfortable than sitting bolt upright. Plus, I get zero buffeting since from the shoulders up, I'm above the flow over the screen-the wind hits me in the chest which helps keeps me from having too much weight on my hands-I can feel the increased pressure when we slow down for traffic or in town. Also, these so-called sport bikes need some weight over the front wheel for really spirited cornering-the more you shove your mass back, the less I'm confident in the front wheel being planted when you're really pushing. Conceptually, it starts to take the bike out of it's design parameters. The seat for example works well riding suspended by your arms, hands and your feet. You alter your position upright, now there's concerns about the seat being not plush enough. Or maybe I'm just too anal about making non-performance changes and I should live and let live. (Don't lower your pegs, please...
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