Tall rider setup

[TheBearBiffer]

Hey everybody!

New member here.

I just bought a CBF1000FA (MK-II) a couple of days ago, and while I absolutely love the bike, I'm having some beginner questions.

I'm 192 centimeters tall (roughly 6'3, 6,4), and 125-130kg (roughly 275lb - 286lb), and I'm having some issues with sitting position, handlebar position and overall comfort.

1. I currently don't sit in a correct, "upright" position. I'm a bit bent forward, and I've already installed some bar risers, but they're interfering with some cables, which I'm also a bit worried about. Think I'm going to cut the zip ties and see if I can loosen them up a bit. (They get tense when the handlebar is turned 90-100% on both sides, and the handlebar goes back to the middle automatically if I per it go, which even I as a noob know shouldn't be happening).

What is there to do about that? Adjust the angle of the handlebar..? Is that it, or are there other tweaks?

2. My feet are in a pretty good position, but I have huge feet. I currently can't apply rear break pressure without lifting my foot a bit off the foot peg, which is pretty bad for safety. Is there a way to adjust it? (I've adjusted the gear lever, was pretty simple!)

3. My torso and my face is being hit like a truck on the highway. I need a much better windshield. Any recommendations?

4. Rear view mirrors. I have the original ones on right now, and I can't see directly behind me. I can see to the sides, but I can't see cars directly behind me, which is unnerving with some people having the same amount of IQ as shoe size (meaning that I've already had a couple of cars almost literally between my cheeks  )

5. Hand guards (for wind). It's been pretty hard finding anything in the bike shops around Gothenburg, because I want big ones (for my gargantuan, mutant hands).

I hope I didn't mess anything up with my post, and I really do appreciate all the help I can get from you experienced riders! Thank you!

Cheers and ride safe! 

[Rev Ken]

  :405:Two adjustments you might not know about. First the clamps on the handlebars can be rec=versed, but as you've fitted bar risers I guess that isn't important. However do you know the seat has three positions? It is easy to adjust and although I needed the lowest position my friends with their heads in the clouds generally found the high position helped their riding position and might make it unnecessary to lift your foot.

If my memory is correct you can reroute the throttle cable BEHIND the forks. Certainly undo the ties, but do make sure nothing is 'nipped' or fouls anything. (If anything restricts full movement it will fail the MOT).

There are bar risers that are 'up and back', but of course there is a limit without needing to lengthen cables and fitting an extension to the front brake pipe. (I had a MK1 and think it will be the same on the MK2.)

If my memory is faulty, there will be another member along soon!  

[g5guzzi]

The mk2 handlebar mountings are not reversible like the mk1.
 There is some adjustment on the rear brake master cylinder push
rod allowing the pedal to be lowered
Malc

[knapdog]

I wouldn't be riding that bike until you've solved those problems, for the sake of safety.
If you take the seat off and undo the two fuel tank bolts you'll be in a better position to loosen the cables a bit.

[TheBearBiffer]

Originally Posted by Rev Ken

:405:Two adjustments you might not know about. First the clamps on the handlebars can be rec=versed, but as you've fitted bar risers I guess that isn't important. However do you know the seat has three positions? It is easy to adjust and although I needed the lowest position my friends with their heads in the clouds generally found the high position helped their riding position and might make it unnecessary to lift your foot.

If my memory is correct you can reroute the throttle cable BEHIND the forks. Certainly undo the ties, but do make sure nothing is 'nipped' or fouls anything. (If anything restricts full movement it will fail the MOT).

There are bar risers that are 'up and back', but of course there is a limit without needing to lengthen cables and fitting an extension to the front brake pipe. (I had a MK1 and think it will be the same on the MK2.)

If my memory is faulty, there will be another member along soon!

Thank you very much for your reply, Rev Ken!
I actually knew about the seat could be altered, but only because the salesman at the dealership told me and switched it to the highest position. I'm one of those cloud-headed guys 

I'll definitely fix the cables next time I have some time with the bike. I'm home with a stick wife and two sick kids, but hopefully I'll be able to sneak out tomorrow and do some destruction... I mean newbie tinkering 

Thank you so much for your input, really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by knapdog

I wouldn't be riding that bike until you've solved those problems, for the sake of safety.
If you take the seat off and undo the two fuel tank bolts you'll be in a better position to loosen the cables a bit.

I guess this is a perfect example of rookie riders doing stupid things. Actually even asked a friend who's been riding for a while, but he didn't think much of it. I've been riding it a couple of times since writing this post, but I won't ride it again until I've fixed these issues.

Thanks Knapdog!

Originally Posted by g5guzzi

The mk2 handlebar mountings are not reversible like the mk1.
 There is some adjustment on the rear brake master cylinder push
rod allowing the pedal to be lowered
Malc

Thank you very much for that info, Malc! I'll check that out, even though it's actually become a bit better with me adjusting to the bike.

Thank you!

[motorhead13]

Hi, similarly I'm looking to move the handlebars up and back an inch for better comfort. I can obviously fit different handlebars and/or risers but am concerned about the cables etc, as mentioned in the other posts, particularly the brake line as doesn't look like there's much slack? Has anyone tried this? I guess mine's a mk1 as its 2006?

Rev Kev you mentioned about possibly needing to fit an extension to the front brake pipe, would this just be a case of getting a longer brake line? And it also looks like the bottom end of the line has a complicated fitting on it (I've not had ABS before, didn't particularly want it either for these reasons!), so would it need a particular type of brake line?

Cheers

[Rev Ken]

On my MK1 CBF I seem to remember I released the brake pipe from the clamp which gave enough slack with my risers (I can't remember how high they were). The difficult part was rerouting the throttle cable behind the forks. (It was a long time ago and I've had lots of fun with my present bike that definitely needed a special extension for the risers I bought - it came with the kit.)

I know many others on this forum have had fun with risers so please come to Motorhead's help!

[motorhead13]

Thanks for the info Rev Kev.
I've bought some risers that move the bars up and back a bit so will try those and see what needs doing. If it's too much hassle I'll leave it as they were only cheap, if its just a case of rerouting things like you said I'll give it a go.

[YDraig]

Mmm,  if you get the seating/screen position so the wind is hitting you higher like in the visor then you'll have the enjoyment of the biffa buffeting.  Taller screens don't seem to help.
RE: Mirrors.  Ensure that your mirror stems are perpendicular to the centreline of the bike so that they are as wide apart as possible that will help with getting a better see directly behind,  don't try and see everything behind in just one mirror as you'll lose view to the side and rear when you do.  If that's not enough then there are two options.  Mirror blocks that move the mirrors out about another inch can be found. The other option is Honda CB1300 long stem mirrors are said to fit (at least on the mk1) and have longer stems.