The wife and I have begun doing a LOT more riding than driving and one of the things we like to do is go to the beach.  We live smack in the center of Florida so there aren't any beaches closer than about two hours (if we stay off the highways).  She's been riding for about 16 months now and the Savage is still a good bike for her in terms of size, peformance and weight.  The only trouble is, it does not appear to be set up (from the factory) for longer rides.

Thus far, I've modified her bike with a Sportster seat, ISO grips, HD floorboards, Dyna muffler (with white spacer removed) and a spitfire windshield.  She says that the floorboards and windshield helped the most, but her throttle hand is falling asleep - after the ISO grips.  These beach runs are close to 225-miles round trip, and we stop at least once each way.  The good news is that (according to her) the little chugger is much more comfortable than when it was stock.  She just has a few lingering quibbles and I am wondering what else i can do.

I've read about progressive springs (though I don't know where to find them yet), but I don't know if that would help more than saddle gel, or a different seat.  She likes the handling, so I don't want to mess that up.

I am wondering if I should put the stock grips back on (she never complained about her hand falling asleep with those - just the vibration).  I am thinking of trying a throttle boss before I give up on the ISOs

She wants more chrome, and I am wondering if I can find chromed engine case covers anywhere.  If not, even some chromed frame covers or a crash bar would brignten things up, and I KNOW she'd love some mag wheels, but I have no idea where I'd find any to fit this bike.

If that all helps, then she wants a headlight modulator and an air horn and I THINK she'll be happy for a while.  I wish I had a ton of money to throw at this, but we still have to drive the cages, and that ain't cheap any more.  I think we're real close to the optimal bike for this lady - but the last two-tenths are sometimes the hardest.

Moreso than chrome:

"No, no, no! You don't know what you want! Luigi know what you want. Black-wall tires, they blend into the pavement, but these white-wall tires, they say look at me, here I am, love me."
                                 -- Luigi, in Cars.

According to the web, Maxxis still makes their Classic M6011 in WW in our size front and rear.

pgman wrote on 05/27/08 at 05:05:48:


I have the same problem.
Here is bunch of options and suggestions:
http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/ThrottleRockerFAQ.htm

You could also try adjusting the handlebars.  If the wrist angle isn't ok, it could cause numbness of the hand.
OR, try a different type of handlebar.  (Straight instead of buckhorn, etc.)

pgman wrote on 05/27/08 at 05:05:48:

Grip anything for 30 min and your hand will fall asleep.  Muscle movement is required for blood flow when in a grip.  Flex the fingers every so often.
And I did find the pull backs put my hands in the most comfortable position.  When I put the drags on, they were in the worst because of the angle the bars were in to miss the tank.  Most likely a change in the bars adjustment will help.  Rotate the bar so that the outer ends drop a bit.

If you only stop once in 100 miles or so,the seat must really be comfortable

(Also,didnt mean to interrupt your post,when asking about the floorboards!)

I got a throttle rocker (a good price at the dealership, no less!) and it has helped with my hand cramping up.  I usually would start getting crampy (and bloated) after about 30 minutes (almost at work).  However, it did take a bit of getting used to.  I started with it too high and I almost let the bike get away from me.

I didnt notice a mention of what kind of gloves she is wearing. My hands will go to sleep if I hold too tight on the bars. I wear gloves from Lowes, padded a little. Wont ride without gloves..

Good [point. Last year, I didnt have numbing. I was riding a lot & just got to the point it didnt bug me, I think I am holding on too tight still.