F6B not knee friendly....help

[LPMojo]

I think a big part of new rider discomfort on the F6B, is the missed riding position on past bikes.

You have to get used to the new seating position of a Goldwing centric modeled bike.

It takes time, it did for me.... though with with some 3/4" drop adapters it helped me...

I dunno. I've around 8000 miles on my F6B now, and my shoulders and neck still hurt after anything over an hour of constant riding.
I've moved the handlebars a few times...up, out, closer to me, Mustang seat, adjustable hiway pegs, adjustable windshield to eliminate buffeting...
Haven't figured it out yet.
Luckily, my butt, back, knees and everything else feel great after an all-day ride on the F6B.
The F6B is overall more comfortable than my 2002 Night Train. But while the NT hurts me a lil in a few different spots after a long ride, the F6B hurts worse in that one spot than I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. It gets numb, and hurts for days after. Kinda defeats the point of buying the bike for more comfortable, long trips.
So, I get where the OP is coming from.
What I can offer is, if you really dig the bike, try those forward pegs and a different seat. Not the Mustang seat. It puts more bend in the knees. I'm 5'10" and it put my knees right at 90 degrees.

[VStarRider]

Interesting thread to read.

I think a lot of people come to the F6B from traditional feet-forward Vtwin cruisers, like I did.

In fact, I almost didn't buy an F6B because of the standard seating position, versus feet-forward. A guy with a BMW told me that, ergonomically, having your feet directly under you is better for longer distance as it naturally distributes some of your weight between your arse and your legs, versus a cruiser, where your arse is responsible for supporting all of your upper body weight.

In my experience, at 6'1", 230 lbs, and a 33" inseam, he is right. Strange how so many of you guys, my height or even shorter, find your knees to be in pain from this seating position. Reading this thread, this is the first time I have even considered knees as an area of comfort concern.

I have logged 14,000 miles on my F6B and I find it to be more comfortable with the stock pegs and seat than the two 1100 Vstars I owned. One even had an Airhawk R!

My problem with any motorcycle, snowmobile, jet ski, ATV seat is width at the hips and thigh support. I would describe my body as an upside down guitar, wide at the hips, wide at the shoulders, long legs. The F6B has the widest seat of any recreational vehicle I have owned, and I think that is why it is the most comfortable (I still don't like to go more than an hour without a five minute break) of any of the non-cars I have owned.

On almost any machine I have owned, my butt gets so uncomfortable after a few hours, I cannot tolerate sitting on it any longer. I cannot ride a bicycle for more than 10-15 minutes without wanting to walk the rest of the way.

[Jimmytee]

I dunno. I've around 8000 miles on my F6B now, and my shoulders and neck still hurt after anything over an hour of constant riding.
I've moved the handlebars a few times...up, out, closer to me, Mustang seat, adjustable hiway pegs, adjustable windshield to eliminate buffeting...
Haven't figured it out yet.
Luckily, my butt, back, knees and everything else feel great after an all-day ride on the F6B.
The F6B is overall more comfortable than my 2002 Night Train. But while the NT hurts me a lil in a few different spots after a long ride, the F6B hurts worse in that one spot than I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. It gets numb, and hurts for days after. Kinda defeats the point of buying the bike for more comfortable, long trips.
So, I get where the OP is coming from.
What I can offer is, if you really dig the bike, try those forward pegs and a different seat. Not the Mustang seat. It puts more bend in the knees. I'm 5'10" and it put my knees right at 90 degrees.

That's how I was when I bought my new 13 in 14. SHortly after, I installed the Helibars and completely cured my neck and shoulder pain. I have put in 16 hour plus days with no discomfort in that area at all.

[billsim]

The issues with butts and knees could be an age issue as much as a bike issue. When I first started riding I was almost 50 years younger and never had issues with seat comfort or handlebar position.
Now my knees, back and other parts are showing some wear and never fail to remind me of the abuse I put them thru.
Knees have a better memory than an elephant.
Just sayin......

[dickiedeals]

Fact is the leg position on the Goldwing F6B or other sucks period.Having come from years of the Harley riding position I have spent thousands of dollors on my F6BD trying to stop my knee's feet, shoulder neck, and elbows from aching...The handlebars to low, The distance from the seat to the pegs too close and to far back under your body. And then the width of the bike that keeps your legs spread in an unnayural position are all facts of riding the B...I keep riding it because of the smooth effortless exceleration... I have to be honest though it my be I'm getting older and hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle have taken its toll...I can Barely ride 450 miles in one sitting..If I push it to say 600 miles I can but can't repeat it the next day like I did in my youth.....I see in the poll for the 2018 Rally it could be in Colorado..As much as I enjoy the rally if its in Colorado I'll not be there unless I fly out and rent a bike...It would take my old body a week to ride to Colorado..I don't have that kind of time.......
I think a lot of people come to the F6B from traditional feet-forward Vtwin cruisers, like I did.

In fact, I almost didn't buy an F6B because of the standard seating position, versus feet-forward. A guy with a BMW told me that, ergonomically, having your feet directly under you is better for longer distance as it naturally distributes some of your weight between your arse and your legs, versus a cruiser, where your arse is responsible for supporting all of your upper body weight.

In my experience, at 6'1", 230 lbs, and a 33" inseam, he is right. Strange how so many of you guys, my height or even shorter, find your knees to be in pain from this seating position. Reading this thread, this is the first time I have even considered knees as an area of comfort concern.

I have logged 14,000 miles on my F6B and I find it to be more comfortable with the stock pegs and seat than the two 1100 Vstars I owned. One even had an Airhawk R!

My problem with any motorcycle, snowmobile, jet ski, ATV seat is width at the hips and thigh support. I would describe my body as an upside down guitar, wide at the hips, wide at the shoulders, long legs. The F6B has the widest seat of any recreational vehicle I have owned, and I think that is why it is the most comfortable (I still don't like to go more than an hour without a five minute break) of any of the non-cars I have owned.

On almost any machine I have owned, my butt gets so uncomfortable after a few hours, I cannot tolerate sitting on it any longer. I cannot ride a bicycle for more than 10-15 minutes without wanting to walk the rest of the way.[/QUOTE]

[wjduke]

Now we're into shoulders. While I have no knee discomfort, I do get stiffened shoulders after a long period. I do rolling exercises front and back, keep them loose, and it works for me. Most anyone, after a long period will stiffen up. Let's face it....most of us on this bike are at least 50. Nothing stays young at that age!

[willtill]

Posture too! How many of you hunch down; when on the bike for a long time? Sit up straight; and also move a little as Wjduke suggested.

[thumper 549]

I have always had Harleys, But have always admired the flat 6 in most any form.
I bought this F6B about 250 miles ago and not sure what to about the seating arrangement either!
The Harley just allows one to spread out, lean back, and ride in comfort all day.
In fact on my road king, there are at least 3 places I can place my feet, under me, away and further away from me.
I guess I like to ride like sitting in the EZ chair with my feet out on the footstool.
This bike- I feel like I am wadded up in an egg.
I love the technology, but the ergonomics are certainly missing.
Esp for a bike with this along of a production run.
There has to be a way to solve it, and I am sure My body will reach a compromise.
The other aspects of the bike make it worth trying.

[willtill]

GREAT avatar Thumper.

[thumper 549]

Thanx
I like yours too!
There seems to be a lot of Military on here.
great to see!

I need to go find my Stetson.
D Troop 3/5
C1/16