Arms too short

mushinspace · 11-17-2008, 07:31 PM

So, I finally managed to get my butt on one of these things (test drove a 2008 at a dealer -- not Dan Lund test riding, but still...) -- turns out my arms are too short!

How do the other vertically challenged folks like me reach the bars without their elbows being locked and arms feeling like they are at the limit of the sockets??

I found I couldn't reach the bars and sit straight up ... I had to lean forward in a sport bike mode (not that extreme, but you get the idea).

Would risers help? The bars can be angled, but they already seemed like they were at the right angle for my arm/wrist angle. I need to find a way to stretch them back toward me about 2", I think.

Thanks!
Sam

nighthawk700 · 11-17-2008, 07:40 PM

I used Phat II risers and it made a world of difference for me.

rooster1 · 11-17-2008, 08:02 PM

I used Aeromach risers and it did wonders for my control and comfort. :)

audiogooroo · 11-17-2008, 08:22 PM

4in up 1in back risers for me. Now it's perfect!

mushinspace · 11-17-2008, 08:23 PM

source for either of those? also, how big of a riser?

I need to measure my arm length so we can compare how they might work for me!

Thanks,
Sam

lw · 11-17-2008, 08:40 PM

Although not vertically challenged by a darned sight, I found that I was "reaching" for the bars and that caused neck/shoulder discomfort especially on longer rides. I investigated risers and finally settled on the 3" Chucksters risers. They brought the bars back and up enough that my riding posture was improved, the neck strain went away. Good price, simple install, improved riding. A tri-fecta.

paul · 11-17-2008, 08:45 PM

Like that laid back, sit and relax feeling. I went with 2" risers and it made a very big difference. If I decide to bite the bullit and change out some cables, etc. I will go to mini-apes. I just like the hand positioning better with these, but for now the risers make it mucho mejor!

dantama · 11-17-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk700

I used Phat II risers and it made a world of difference for me.

+1

Mine came on my 3rd Nomad that I bought used. Even though I have a long reach, I found that I liked them. I've been taking them to my next bike since then.

The phat II's go up, and turn back toward the rider.

mushinspace · 11-17-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk700

I used Phat II risers and it made a world of difference for me.

+1

Mine came on my 3rd Nomad that I bought used. Even though I have a long reach, I found that I liked them. I've been taking them to my next bike since then.

The phat II's go up, and turn back toward the rider.

Dan, since we're both in Denver, could I bother you to meet somewhere so I could see how they feel?

Besides, then I can see some of the legendary Dan Lund U-turns! :)

Thanks!
Sam

Netnorske · 11-17-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushinspace

So, I finally managed to get my butt on one of these things (test drove a 2008 at a dealer -- not Dan Lund test riding, but still...) -- turns out my arms are too short!

How do the other vertically challenged folks like me reach the bars without their elbows being locked and arms feeling like they are at the limit of the sockets??

I found I couldn't reach the bars and sit straight up ... I had to lean forward in a sport bike mode (not that extreme, but you get the idea).

Would risers help? The bars can be angled, but they already seemed like they were at the right angle for my arm/wrist angle. I need to find a way to stretch them back toward me about 2", I think.

Thanks!
Sam

Sam,
Welcome to the madness from the Pacific NW. I too felt the same and when I added a pair of PhatRisers II from Scootworks...all was well with the world.

http://www.scootworks.com/shop.cgi/p...216911081.1965

These did the trick and make the ride much more comfortable...not to mention they LOOK great... ;)!!

Cheers....Kris

mushinspace · 11-17-2008, 10:18 PM

Kris,

They do look awesome and would probably do the trick! Thanks for the link, too!

Next problem is going to be neck too short! :)

Everything I've read says you should be able to see over the windshield (in case you run into a squid?) ... does anyone have a shorter shield? My test ride was at the lowest level already, and even stretching won't get me over the top ... man, I feel like a little person now.

--Sam

socwkbiker · 11-17-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushinspace

So, I finally managed to get my butt on one of these things (test drove a 2008 at a dealer -- not Dan Lund test riding, but still...) -- turns out my arms are too short!

How do the other vertically challenged folks like me reach the bars without their elbows being locked and arms feeling like they are at the limit of the sockets??

I found I couldn't reach the bars and sit straight up ... I had to lean forward in a sport bike mode (not that extreme, but you get the idea).

Would risers help? The bars can be angled, but they already seemed like they were at the right angle for my arm/wrist angle. I need to find a way to stretch them back toward me about 2", I think.

Thanks!
Sam

rksaw · 11-17-2008, 11:04 PM

That's hysterical.

Sam, I feel most comfortable looking over the shield, but my best friend likes looking through his...it's a matter of what you are comfortable with.

lw · 11-17-2008, 11:25 PM

If memory serves (definitely not a sure thing any more) there may be a thread or two in the archives related to cutting down windshields.

cactusjack · 11-17-2008, 11:55 PM

Sit on a phone book?

Seriously, get some risers with a pullback to move the bars closer to you.

11-17-2008, 07:31 PM	#1
mushinspace Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Arms too short So, I finally managed to get my butt on one of these things (test drove a 2008 at a dealer -- not Dan Lund test riding, but still...) -- turns out my arms are too short! How do the other vertically challenged folks like me reach the bars without their elbows being locked and arms feeling like they are at the limit of the sockets?? I found I couldn't reach the bars and sit straight up ... I had to lean forward in a sport bike mode (not that extreme, but you get the idea). Would risers help? The bars can be angled, but they already seemed like they were at the right angle for my arm/wrist angle. I need to find a way to stretch them back toward me about 2", I think. Thanks! Sam Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-17-2008, 07:40 PM	#2
nighthawk700 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Farifax, VA Posts: 198	Arms too short I used Phat II risers and it made a world of difference for me.
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11-17-2008, 08:02 PM	#3
rooster1 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cheltenham , Penna. Posts: 1,091	Arms too short I used Aeromach risers and it did wonders for my control and comfort. :)
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11-17-2008, 08:22 PM	#4
audiogooroo Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado/Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,390	Arms too short 4in up 1in back risers for me. Now it's perfect! __________________ Audiogooroo - Daryl Porter Colorado Springs, CO VBA #248 VROC #17261 1999 Grn/Grn Nomad
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11-17-2008, 08:23 PM	#5
mushinspace Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Arms too short source for either of those? also, how big of a riser? I need to measure my arm length so we can compare how they might work for me! Thanks, Sam Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-17-2008, 08:40 PM	#6
lw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 2,117	Arms too short Although not vertically challenged by a darned sight, I found that I was "reaching" for the bars and that caused neck/shoulder discomfort especially on longer rides. I investigated risers and finally settled on the 3" Chucksters risers. They brought the bars back and up enough that my riding posture was improved, the neck strain went away. Good price, simple install, improved riding. A tri-fecta.
	0

11-17-2008, 08:45 PM	#7
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	Arms too short Like that laid back, sit and relax feeling. I went with 2" risers and it made a very big difference. If I decide to bite the bullit and change out some cables, etc. I will go to mini-apes. I just like the hand positioning better with these, but for now the risers make it mucho mejor! __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
	0

11-17-2008, 10:18 PM	#11
mushinspace Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Arms too short Kris, They do look awesome and would probably do the trick! Thanks for the link, too! Next problem is going to be neck too short! :) Everything I've read says you should be able to see over the windshield (in case you run into a squid?) ... does anyone have a shorter shield? My test ride was at the lowest level already, and even stretching won't get me over the top ... man, I feel like a little person now. --Sam
	0

11-17-2008, 11:04 PM	#13
rksaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Damascus, OR Posts: 1,430	Arms too short That's hysterical. Sam, I feel most comfortable looking over the shield, but my best friend likes looking through his...it's a matter of what you are comfortable with.
	0

11-17-2008, 11:25 PM	#14
lw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 2,117	Arms too short If memory serves (definitely not a sure thing any more) there may be a thread or two in the archives related to cutting down windshields.
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11-17-2008, 11:55 PM	#15
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Arms too short Sit on a phone book? Seriously, get some risers with a pullback to move the bars closer to you. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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