Hello all, firstly I apologize if this has been discussed before but I have searched quite bit for any topics on my issue. I just bought a 2013 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 and absolutely love it. However, I have found that that width of the seat and tank makes the insides of my thighs sore. The butt and tailbone are ok, just the thighs. I can't exactly flat foot with the bike, heels are up a bit but that doesn't bother me too much. The seat and bike is stock, no mods. Has anyone else had this problem and how did they alleviate it? I really don't want to lower the bike and sacrifice ground clearance and my wife and I are not exactly lightweights. Has anyone solved this issue with a different seat or something? Please give me some suggestions. Thanks.
Stay out of stop and go traffic. That ain't no fun. I have a 2013 Voyager too and I'm 5' 8". Sometimes I get cramps in my legs and using the highway pegs help relieve the cramps. Honestly I think part of it has to do with tensing up too much. Ride safe, especially with 2-up. This is a heavy bike.
I had a couple of health issues that kept me off the bike for a few months last year. When I got the bike and after last year's problems, I got sore inner thighs for a while, especially on long rides. IMHO it just means that you are doing it right (knees firmly against the tank) and just need to get used to the new tank width.
Hey,
Same here anything more than couple hours and start to feel it. I think it is because the tank is so wide. Only thing that I find helps is on the longer trips don't get in a hurry enjoy the ride take more breaks walk around and stretch a bit. You don't have to ride tank to tank.
Thank you all for your replies. I did some more longer rides today and I think you guys are right. Its been 10 years since my last bike and I'm a bit older and less flexible etc. Might have to get a back rest but I think the legs will get used to it.
Thanks again.
I came from a 84 Yamaha Venture that I enjoyed for 29 years and 100,000 miles to an 09 Voyager, On the V4 Venture my feet were about 12 inches apart on the highway pegs, on the Voyager me feet are nearly 3 feet apart and yeah when I first got the Voyager YEAH my thighs/groin ACHED for about the 1st 6 months until the legs got stretched out. The 300 Lb weight gain between the bikes....still workin on that after 3 years, but having an inch of foam carved out of the seat ( Cost $175.00) helped with my feet down stability.
I would not have guessed there was a 300 lb difference between these two bikes, but I'm not that familiar with the 84 Venture. What size engine did it have? Who did your seat mod on the Voyager?
Maybe it's because of my height, I'm 6', but I never did get sore like that. I had a 900 Classic LT and traded for the Voyager. I rode it for less than a week before I received my Mustang seat, but I don't remember getting sore with the stock seat or the Mustang.
The Yamaha Venture was 1,200 CC's my wife's cousin did the seat. something else that helped me a lot was Duluth Trading Company Ballroom Jeans - Duluth Trading Has some jeans called Ballroom Jeans that has a gusset in the crotch that really helped my legs spread wider without my Balls going flat.
I had same problem. There's a guy in Fla. that you mail seat and he puts in some kinda of kevlar according to your height, reach and bunch other questions. And it helps a lot. I found info somewhere in forum, just can't remember his name. I'll try and see if find receipt.
Your legs are to bent happens on that style of bike I had a Yamaha venture royal and had to get rid of it got a valcan now and sit on my butt and legs are relaxed good to go . Ps heard that if you ride a pedal bike it helps
Schlappy95, Same problem here. I rode a Harley 1200 sportster with an upgraded seat and forward controls. Never a problem with sore anything. Got a 2013 voyager with only 180 miles on it, thighs started hurting after riding for less than a hour. Took a 650 mile road trip over 2 1/2 days and thighs still hurt. The problem is the design of the tank! My son has a 2005 Nomad. They hold the same amount of fuel but his tank is longer and narrower. It doesn't hurt me a bit to ride his bike.
I'm 5'10" and weigh 220. My son is 6'3" and weighs 215. He said the tank on my bike was uncomfortable for him also. It is just too stinking wide!
I am going to try to find a seat manufacture that can design a seat to let me sit back further. If I sit back kinda on top of the back part of the seat my legs are good. But sitting down in the seat I am too close to the tank.
Let me know if you have found anything else that has worked for you.
My 2cents: came from 900 classic mustang seat 6.2 230lbs. Rodebbike new home from dealer 75 miles both legs cramped up. Had 2 keep stretching them out. Put pegs on and also sliced back of seat so it is flat now. Instructions from forum. This moved me back. Huge difference. I agree tank is cumbersome though.
I called Ultimate Seats today and asked if they had a seat that would set me back further and the guys said "no". Didn't offer any other suggestion or help.
I have already had the narrow front part shaved a little to give me more ground reach. My mistake for not asking what he charged prior to having it done (I had used the guy before on autos...) He charged me $135.00 for minor shaving... I was figuring around 50 bucks. :surprise:
I am not paying $515.00 for a Russell day long seat...so I will either shave the back of my seat or ride it like it is and hope I get used to it. But I will sure get a quote before I have the shaving done
Cockpit on the 1700 voy and the nomad are def shorter than other models,5 11 here and bout perfect like the tight feeling,did add the hwy pegs,but always battle leg cramps,can c taller riders having issues with the stock set up
My 2011 Voyager 886 pounds
My 84 Yamaha Venture was 783 pounds
My 2002 Yamaha Venture was 869 pounds
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Kawasaki Vulcan Forum
712.7K posts
67.9K members
Since 2008
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, Vulcan 1500, Vulcan 2000, Vulcan 500, Vulcan 1600, Vulcan 900 and all other Vulcan motorcycles.