Advice on fitting the Monster to my rapidly aging body. Legs cramping!

[JimFlorida]

I am getting a bit older and creakier. Riding my Monster, my upper leg/butt often cramps from being bent up so high in the normal Monster riding position. I have Dukabike rearsets, but I do not think they will adjust so they are lower so my legs will be in a less cramped position. Any advice? I have a 2005 620.

[stopintime]

Known problem, lots of ways to change/improve things 

Theory first:
Footpegs back opens the hip joint, but closes ankle joint (knee almost the same)
Footpegs down opens the hip, knee and ankle joints

You can play with the numbers here:  http://cycle-ergo.com/

If the suspension and normal lean angle, for you, will allow it - there are affordable foot peg systems that can lower the pegs ~ an inch or so. Maybe the stock peg assembly would do the same....

[Speeddog]

This was my solution to get more legroom and a more comfortable riding position:



Aluminum plates 1/4" thick, moving the entire peg assembly down an inch, and back an inch.

It is a really big change.

*This required some heating and bending of the header outlets, alteration of the muffler mounting, extending the shift rod, and removing some material from the brake lever.

[koko64]

You can have the seat custom rebuilt by a specialist and fitted to you or consider an after market seat. Also think about handle bar position.  You can do this while lowering the pegs. If ground clearance becomes an issue then raising front and rear ride height the same amount is an option.
Recent threads on this topic are worth a search with different solutions available and footpeg lowering kits ranging widely in quality. You might consider stock rear sets with an adjustable peg kit or new fully adjustable rear sets. Talk to our sponsors.

[JimFlorida]

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to drop the pegs down a bit. I am also trying the Rizoma handlebar, which I read may help a bit. I'd also like to get about 10 years younger, but that's probably not going to happen.

[stopintime]

If dropping the pegs gives you ground clearance issues, then Koko's seat advice could be a solution. Maybe you could do both. If I'm not mistaken, the 620 seat itself is lower than the stock 800/900/1000/S2R/S4R seats.

The Rizoma bars are swept back more - usually a more comfortable wrist angle and the grips a little further back. Depending on the height, they might limit the bar movement a little.

[Curmudgeon]

Rizoma "touring" bar and standard Sargent seat which is higher than stock. Depends on your inseam I'd guess. (I'm 5' 8+") Those Tech-Spec pads help in traffic too. 796, not 620 of course.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/282951-1/Rt_-Above.jpg

[Raux]

XDiavel?

[stopintime]

XDiavel?

Be nice 

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~
 If I'm not mistaken, the 620 seat itself is lower than the stock 800/900/1000/S2R/S4R seats.
~~~SNIP~~~

Yes, that's correct.

A Sargent seat would gain about an inch in seat-peg dimension over the OEM low seat.

[danaid]

  Custom, taller seat and lower pegs helped a little for me. Stretching before the ride and stopping more for breaks also helps.

XDiavel?

 Yes please!

[SpikeC]

 I have found tha a potassium supliment has almost eliminated muscle cramps! I am 66 and ride a Bimota DB5R, which has considerably higher pegs than the Monster, even when adjusted into their lower position!

[pitbull]

I have found tha a potassium supliment has almost eliminated muscle cramps! I am 66 and ride a Bimota DB5R, which has considerably higher pegs than the Monster, even when adjusted into their lower position!

Yep, potassium along with magnesium does wonders for relieving muscle cramping for me and the magnesium is an added bonus for lowering BP.

[pitbull]

This was my solution to get more legroom and a more comfortable riding position:



Aluminum plates 1/4" thick, moving the entire peg assembly down an inch, and back an inch.

It is a really big change.

*This required some heating and bending of the header outlets, alteration of the muffler mounting, extending the shift rod, and removing some material from the brake lever.

I have a similar desmo times peg lowering bracket for my ST4 and the small drop in the peg makes a massive difference. I'm going to make a copy for my monster.

Do you notice a ground clearance issue at all?

[JimFlorida]

Also, did you just have the bracket made up at a local machine shop? I believe something similar would work for me.