General topics » May be a short stay on this forum...

I have only had my '20 RS for 7 months and 4000 miles, but I'm thinking it's not a good fit for me. When I got it I had not been riding for several years due to family reasons. The test ride was fine, but I was not able to ride long (Mid-West late January). I had it delivered, and by the time I got a good long ride in I was hurting. Tried the lower pegs and 1250r style bars (by LSL) and it helped, but I can't put the miles in I'd like without knee or elbow pain. With a taller seat, my knees feel better, but have more weight on my hands. I have a physical job that had killed my joints, but never dreamed this bike would cause me pain. I love the looks and performance of the bike, and I hate to eat the depreciation, but I want to ride comfortably.
I'm looking at a '21 GS 40th later this week or early next week. I will take it for a several hour ride to see if it's me causing the pain or the RS.

Zitat von puffdaddy im Beitrag #1

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I have only had my '20 RS for 7 months and 4000 miles, but I'm thinking it's not a good fit for me. When I got it I had not been riding for several years due to family reasons. The test ride was fine, but I was not able to ride long (Mid-West late January). I had it delivered, and by the time I got a good long ride in I was hurting. Tried the lower pegs and 1250r style bars (by LSL) and it helped, but I can't put the miles in I'd like without knee or elbow pain. With a taller seat, my knees feel better, but have more weight on my hands. I have a physical job that had killed my joints, but never dreamed this bike would cause me pain. I love the looks and performance of the bike, and I hate to eat the depreciation, but I want to ride comfortably.
I'm looking at a '21 GS 40th later this week or early next week. I will take it for a several hour ride to see if it's me causing the pain or the RS.

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No real answer, but I have an ‘18 RS. Got a Sargent saddle which IS much more comfortable, but after a 12-hour day, my upper hamstrings and flutes were killing me. Used an AirHawk pad for the next 7 days of riding. Same discomfort. Not the saddle…it’s me. Bike is otherwise comfortable. I just can’t handle long days as I once did.

You may find no bike will be “comfortable” for you after many hours in the saddle.

I,to, had a long break (11 years) from riding motorcycles. I started back with a 1400gtr (Concours 14) which proved to be a mistake. I traded it for my 17RS.

Like you the test ride was fine but, having purchased the bike and gone on longer rides, I found my wrist suffered from my leaning on them. I fitted a pair of 30mm bar risers and bingo! the positioning geometry change for me was superb, feels like a different bike and so much better.

I do hope you can find a suitable steed 🤞

Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #3

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No real answer, but I have an ‘18 RS. Got a Sargent saddle which IS much more comfortable, but after a 12-hour day, my upper hamstrings and flutes were killing me. Used an AirHawk pad for the next 7 days of riding. Same discomfort. Not the saddle…it’s me. Bike is otherwise comfortable. I just can’t handle long days as I once did.

You may find no bike will be “comfortable” for you after many hours in the saddle.

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Zitat von Moogus im Beitrag #4

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I,to, had a long break (11 years) from riding motorcycles. I started back with a 1400gtr (Concours 14) which proved to be a mistake. I traded it for my 17RS.

Like you the test ride was fine but, having purchased the bike and gone on longer rides, I found my wrist suffered from my leaning on them. I fitted a pair of 30mm bar risers and bingo! the positioning geometry change for me was superb, feels like a different bike and so much better.

I do hope you can find a suitable steed 🤞

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Remove the screen and take a decent test ride. A serious suggestion.

See if the breeze lifts the weight off your wrists.



This is a very biased view since I've been riding with my chopped down screen for years now.

I'm not tall, but use lower pegs and highest seat. Standard bars are good for me.

But my revelation was "weightless wrists" and much less helmet noise.

IMG_2273.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

just reading boxerboy55 post reminded me that i cut down my screen on my 2012 Ducati 1200 Multistrada which worked for me. maybe a cheap e bay screen to test the theory

I don't have that much pain while riding, per se, but braking is really rough on my elbow. I get elbow pain from my repetitive job, and have already had one surgical repair. Just got off 3 month restricted duty in an immobilizer to help heal the start of a tendon tear (different one than first time), and wasn't able to ride much at all (very carefully, short trips). Once back in the saddle, after lifted restrictions, I had the pain return from riding (my work is the slow season). My job flares it up and I can't ride on the weekends or I ride and it hurts to work. Sucks wearing your body out...
Today I test rode the GS for 2.5 hours without any pain! This was after a 3 hour drive to get to the dealer... I will always prefer the style of the RS, but I'm trading it in on Tuesday. The upright riding position and anti-dive tele-lever suspension on the GS made a world of difference! It comes down to, do I have a bike to look at or to enjoy riding? I'll take riding any day.

Zitat von neilgw im Beitrag #8

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just reading boxerboy55 post reminded me that i cut down my screen on my 2012 Ducati 1200 Multistrada which worked for me. maybe a cheap e bay screen to test the theory

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Zitat von puffdaddy im Beitrag #9

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I don't have that much pain while riding, per se, but braking is really rough on my elbow. I get elbow pain from my repetitive job, and have already had one surgical repair. Just got off 3 month restricted duty in an immobilizer to help heal the start of a tendon tear (different one than first time), and wasn't able to ride much at all (very carefully, short trips). Once back in the saddle, after lifted restrictions, I had the pain return from riding (my work is the slow season). My job flares it up and I can't ride on the weekends or I ride and it hurts to work. Sucks wearing your body out...
Today I test rode the GS for 2.5 hours without any pain! This was after a 3 hour drive to get to the dealer... I will always prefer the style of the RS, but I'm trading it in on Tuesday. The upright riding position and anti-dive tele-lever suspension on the GS made a world of difference! It comes down to, do I have a bike to look at or to enjoy riding? I'll take riding any day.

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Will do. Picking it up tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I can warm up to the looks... a beauty queens she's not. The RS on the other hand is sexy

Zitat von puffdaddy im Beitrag #12

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Will do. Picking it up tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I can warm up to the looks... a beauty queens she's not. The RS on the other hand is sexy

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How'd your test ride of GS go? (or did you buy it?) if you can't stomach the looks, check out a K1600GTL - the GTL has more upright riding position than GT or RS, just a tad wider seat than GS, which may help w comfort. and, imo looks better.

Lastly, the advice above is good if you want to try and keep RS. I would add that right windscreen + bar risers + RDL seat = very comfortable. I did an 11 day 3k mile ride with some 400+ mile days at about 11-12 hours with only smiles to report.

Zitat von backRoadS im Beitrag #14

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How'd your test ride of GS go? (or did you buy it?) if you can't stomach the looks, check out a K1600GTL - the GTL has more upright riding position than GT or RS, just a tad wider seat than GS, which may help w comfort. and, imo looks better.

Lastly, the advice above is good if you want to try and keep RS. I would add that right windscreen + bar risers + RDL seat = very comfortable. I did an 11 day 3k mile ride with some 400+ mile days at about 11-12 hours with only smiles to report.

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