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Im definatley getting older... the proof (amongst other things) is that lately I just cant do more than 45 minutes constant riding without getting off the bike to stretch my knees out. After the stretch Im 100% fine again for the next 45 minutes.. its like my knees need to be "reset" or re-lubed. I have had cartlidge injuries in the past which is part of the problem.

Im not sure if altering the riding position will help, I think its merely the fact that my knees are stationary for a long period that is the problem, not necesarily the position they are in when stationary... but I want to give rearsets a try...

For those with adjustable rearsets experience, does the range of adjustment translate into a significantly different angle of the knee?

At least the 45min breaks will stop the DVT setting in!

You've never followed Woody or myself doing knee exercises en route.







.... or some of the others when the exercises also involve wing mirrors.

Not ridden a Falco, but used rearsets on quite a few bikes.

Without exception they have always raised the footrests and caused a less comfortable riding position (ie more cramped) as rearsets tend to be aimed at improving ground clearance on the track, rather than increased comfort on the road.

Its lack of exercise thats causing it, since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

Gio wrote: since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

that could be because youve stopped falling off

Paulh wrote:

Gio wrote: since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

that could be because youve stopped falling off

Thats one bonus , but to be honest I've never done an ankle in.

Gio wrote:Its lack of exercise thats causing it, since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

Unlikely.. I run 10kms 3 times a week with no knee pain and play cricket twice a week in the summer... its stretching related Im sure.

Syltiz wrote:

Gio wrote:Its lack of exercise thats causing it, since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

Unlikely.. I run 10kms 3 times a week with no knee pain and play cricket twice a week in the summer... its stretching related Im sure.

See, I'm right, off the bike and exercise and its not there, on the bike, static legs and the pains back

oh i understand now... so the real solution is to learn to do stretches while on the move.

Like Samray and Woody then. Do you guys give classes?

Syltiz wrote:

Gio wrote:Its lack of exercise thats causing it, since I've stopped riding I've not had the pain I had in my knees or ankles.

Unlikely.. I run 10kms 3 times a week with no knee pain and play cricket twice a week in the summer... its stretching related Im sure.

Give up all the running ... just keep the Falco and ride it

In my view things are not straightforward, it is not just a simple exercise of buying a more sit up and beg bike. I'm close to sixty and have had ostio arthritis in both my knees for more than 20 years, (probably a legacy of all the athletics and football when I was younger). More recently it's a case of where I haven't got arthritis.
I've been biking for 43 years with quite a few breaks along the way and came back again 6 or 7 years ago. Started out with a "comfy" Retro Honda CB Sevenfifty (1991), which I thought ticked all the boxes for an old fart like me.
Had it for nearly two years and hanging onto the bloody thing in the windblast was killing my shoulders and my knees and wrists weren't great either. Ended up doing a swap for a 1995 Honda CBR1000F, which I found to be like a ballistic armchair after the CB750. It had a big soft seat with clip ons a little bit higher than a CBR6. Could easily do 150 to 200 miles with no real problems (other than a sore arse after about 120 miles), and thought I couldn't find anything more comfy, but eventually decided to replace it with a Blackbird, but fell in love with a Black Falco instead. Was cheaper than the planned Blackbird, so kept the Honda as well as the Falco, in case I didn't find the Falco as comfortable as I hoped.
The Falco seat is harder and bars lower compared with the CBR, but strangely (for me at least), it's more comfortable anywhere except in traffic. Even the seat, which doesn't look comfy, stays comfier than the armchair on the Honda for longer, can easily manage a 200 mile run with only a very brief stop for fuel and a pee.
Can't explain why, but it's the most comfortable bike I've ever
I'm 5'9" and heavier than I should be, with 30" inside leg, am I just a good shape for a Falco.

Syltiz wrote:Im definatley getting older... the proof (amongst other things) is that lately I just cant do more than 45 minutes constant riding without getting off the bike to stretch my knees out. After the stretch Im 100% fine again for the next 45 minutes.. its like my knees need to be "reset" or re-lubed. I have had cartlidge injuries in the past which is part of the problem.

Im not sure if altering the riding position will help, I think its merely the fact that my knees are stationary for a long period that is the problem, not necesarily the position they are in when stationary... but I want to give rearsets a try...

For those with adjustable rearsets experience, does the range of adjustment translate into a significantly different angle of the knee?

Can't you get your legs off the pegs (one at a time) and stretch them while riding? It is working for me.

I've heard that you can fit Buell footpegs (the upright Buells like CityX) - they are 'bent' downwards - it gives you nearly an inch more space. Grampa

Get a similar problem in left knee but it's more likely to be affected sitting in a cinema than on the bike!
Trick is to fidget when you're riding. Pisses off your pillion but means you can still straighten your leg when you get to a traffic light (bad memories of teenage years; cold, no proper gear, long trip before first stop&drop...)
Strangely, it's more likely to play up when I've had my legs resting loose 'cos of long straight roads rather than when I've been gripping the tank

Actually... now that reminds me of the last long-haul flight i did 2 years ago. 12 hours to SA and 11 hours back and I had the same problem from keeping my knees bend for so long. As silly as it sounds, ive never thought of just extending my leg a few times while riding.

Maybe highway pegs are the answer.. bet I'll be the first for that mod on a Falco

Kenif wrote:Strangely, it's more likely to play up when I've had my legs resting loose 'cos of long straight roads rather than when I've been gripping the tank

Ditto - 3 hour ride on the motorway kills me every 80-100 miles (knees get locked, but mainly backside ache! ), but anything a bit more "energetic" where I'm moving out the saddle is fine, can go for hours

Syltiz, read somewhere recently about top racers being very careful on what training they do, especially upper-body weights, as the increase in muscle mass can lead to carpal tunnel/reduce movement at the elbow - don't know if your running might also have the same effect on knees?

That's my excuse for pie-eating, and I'm sticking to it