What's the Most Comfortable Sportbike?

CanadianBiker said:
I've ridden mostly standards and cruisers, with only one sportbike - a '97 Honda Blackbird - and have found most of the sportbikes I've ridden to be a tad uncomfortable. Admittedly, I've only tried a few: ZX10, Ninja 900 (?), couple others.
So what's the most comfortable sportbike out there? Bear in mind I'm 52 years old and don't bend like a 19 year-old anymore, lol.
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I had a Hurricane which has similar ergos to the Blackbird. I find my S1000RR requires quite a different approach but I find it more comfortable for long hauls or any size trip so long as I'm moving. My *** would get sore on the Hurricane after 3 -4 hours. I'm good for 8-10 on the BMW before my legs get a bit cramped. Stop and go traffic is less comfy on the BMW.

I'm apparently one of those odd cats who prefers forward leaning to sitting upright or leaning back. I find it far more comfortable to put hours in the saddle of an SS than a standard or cruiser. I find it far more reassuring throwing an SS into a curve than a sport tourer. Most people seem to disagree with me (although most of those have either not ridden an SS or ridden one in a poor body position - i.e. rigid arms). If you find a Harley comfy, I don't suppose you're likely to find any SS comfy. I can't stand riding a typical Harley.

Good luck though.
 
CanadianBiker said:
Hey, thanks for the all the input, very helpful.
That cycle-ergo site is pretty cool, thanks. If I use the Blackbird as my benchmark, it gives me a good idea of what the numbers mean on other bikes.
Yeah, thought about a 'Busa but I have "issues" with them, lol. The Hayabusa took away the fastest production bike crown from the XX, so I'm duty-bound to hate them.:mad:Right now it's just idle speculation. Not about to give up my Harley and a second bike is likely to be a hard sell at home.:eek: Plus, then I'd have to get used to a whole different set of riders whining that I didn't wave; makes the head spin.:D
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Don't diss the busa until you've spent a few hours on it. I like Honda too.
Being a few yrs older than you, I was riding GSXR's for the last few yrs. Fourteen hour days didn't really bother me too much.
Regarding bending - don't worry, you'll get used to it. I have two 6" rods and several screws holding my lumbar spine together.
I bought myself a Busa for Christmas, and traded in the GSXR.
Unfortunately, I've had very little time to ride this season. Roughly 9,000kms so far....... but, I'm not in much of a rush to get rid of it ;)
 
I'm on a Gen 1 busa, after a couple years on a CBR600RR, and it's a considerable gain in comfort. ZX14 for tall guys is supposed to be the ticket.
 
ZX10'S are CUSHEY!!!!! ZX6R's aren't tooo bad either...
 
Hey Canadian Biker,you're an old geezer.

Just kidding, I was also born in 1959.

Correction, we're both old geezers.
 
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If your arms are long and your legs short you will only have to worry about the seat.
 
my 97 ZX6R felt like a couch relative to my 05 ZX6R... Also I heard ZX9Rs were pretty damn comfy.
 
Freestyle72 said:
my 97 ZX6R felt like a couch relative to my 05 ZX6R... Also I heard ZX9Rs were pretty damn comfy.
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ZX9's are just like an older gen VFR.

I was contemplating buying a used busa this year, but for me the 9 was/is more comfortable.

The key thing is one bike might feel better to a shorter rider than a taller rider, and vice-versa.
 
mikbusa said:
I'm on a Gen 1 busa, after a couple years on a CBR600RR, and it's a considerable gain in comfort. ZX14 for tall guys is supposed to be the ticket.
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I have a Gen II 2009 and I f'ing love that thing
 
A sport touring is what you'd mostly be comfortable on since most of the time they have a more upright position.
My bike is the "S" model so it has clipons and a front fairing and I am in a "sport" position.
The SV650 non-S has a handlebar and much more upright position.

If you're talking about SuperSport bikes, forget it. They are all designed to be ridden in "sport mode".
Your body's geometry may or may not be in your favor for different bikes.
The best thing to do it to sit on them and try to get as much data as possible, or better yet try and ride different ones either from demo days or borrowing from friends for a day (if they're ok with it).
 
from the 600cc category, I found the 08+ gsxr being the confiest you can get for someone over 6ft.
Still, the F4i from Honda (02-03) by far better in that category for tall persons.
 
I'm 5'11" and personally, I find my CBRF4i (2005) very comfortable (for a sport bike...LOL!) and Busa's are right up there as well. I can't remember exactly what it is...but ask Sundie about his BMW. I was amazed at how comfortable it was when he let me check it out at Mosport. It practically cradles you.
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I have a 2006 F4i... I can ride it all day and still have a smile on my face..it's very comfy

~Denise~
 
You had the answer already, Blackbird is the most comfortable sports bike :).
 
CanadianBiker said:
I've ridden mostly standards and cruisers, with only one sportbike - a '97 Honda Blackbird - and have found most of the sportbikes I've ridden to be a tad uncomfortable. Admittedly, I've only tried a few: ZX10, Ninja 900 (?), couple others.
So what's the most comfortable sportbike out there? Bear in mind I'm 52 years old and don't bend like a 19 year-old anymore, lol.
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Based on the cc's you want to go with Id say the CBR's are a safe bet. Stay away from the Yami's ie: R6 has extremely aggressive seating position.
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