ST Road Trip Impressions

[ElZorroRides]

Well, I bought my ST-L during the final weekend of Daytona Bike week in March. Road it straight to Daytona from the dealership that day then back home that night nearly 300 miles. I decided that the stock seat had to go because it sucks and since I have become accustomed to using seats from Ultimate Seats in Daytona on my previous bike(s). So I went up there to Daytona again and ordered my new seat and I got it a week before Spyderfest. A Hugh improvement over stock.



So far so good. It's D day and we head out for Spyderfest from South Fla. 1188 mile one way. We planned for a 2.5-3 day ride. Day2 and after hours of riding, I'm starting to feel a little crapped on the bike. Can't really seem to get comfortable. Sure it rides great and it handles good, pretty quick too but I just can't get comfortable. We get into Springfield on day 3 and I'm damn sure ready to get off the bike. We settle in to the Hotel later in the day because we had to make the rounds to Pitbull and Vendor Village, and to the Bonfire, etc. Next day we ride some more, get some stuff installed at Vendor village...... The weekend goes by and it's time to head back.

Day 1 return trip and by that afternoon, my mid back is in spasms. I fight through it and we settle in for the night. Day 2 more back spasms and a long day on this bike. Day 3 and we are almost home but I'm in a bad way. Manage to make it home and come morning, I'm stuck in bed with bad spasms. Get to the Chiropractor on Friday but not much relief. Muscle relaxers, Cold then hot packs. It's like a knife being stuck through my back by a used car salesman.

All the while on this trip, my lovely wife is completely enjoying her RT to and from Spyderfest with nary a complaint. Now mind you, she did say to me that she felt I would be better off buying an RT over the ST but who listens to their wife right? No, I want the New ST. I'm gonna love it after all, it's an awesome looking bike. Now bless her heart, she doesn't rub it in and say, "I told you so" but she doesn't have to as I can see it in her eyes. I spend the rest of the week (my vacation time) stuck in the house too cramped up to go anywhere, do anything and the weather here has been great to boot. Here it is Monday morning and you just can't call in sick on the heels of a 2 week vacation so I'm up and at'em but though I'm feeling a little better, I'm not near 100%.

In conclusion, As much as I like my ST, I have to admit it was the wrong bike for me and I should have gotten an RT instead just like my Mrs's said. So maybe next week, I'll head out to see if I can somehow get out of my ST and into an RT without taking too much of a bath on it. Either way, it's gotta go. Maggie Valley is next but I'm darn sure I won't be making the trip on my ST. Honey, you were right....again. When will I learn .....TBC

[Chupaca]

Sorry to hear the ST did not fit you. Don't know that some modifications would help seems your set and hope you can transition to the RT without to much added expense..thanks and good luck..!!

[flamingobabe]

Bummer...hate to hear that about you and the ST.....I find my ST comfortable...have the Corbin seat....I do think I want a wider shield...not taller...just wider...good luck on the trade

[spyder-dude]

I am loving my new ST also. I have almost 3500 miles on it within a couple of weeks. I rode 980 out to Spyderfest and the return trip of 980 was more comfortable as I ended up getting an alignment at Pitbull which made it a totally different ride as it was out of alignment from the factory and was toed in. Also order the CalSci XL Tall and XL Wide windshield which made a huge difference. I am not sure that the height as I have it all the way down and I can just see over it.....I am 6'4". When I have it up all the way it is way over my head and looking through it which I don't like. It does change the wind flow to a much cleaner flow compared to the stock. I may see if I can send it back for a small height one or else I will just be bringing the stock shield for around town usage on trips.

[spyder-dude]

The other thing I noticed is the ultimate seat is not as comfortable for the RS/ST series compared to the RT series. I have a Kontour design seat and looking at maybe going back to a corbin seat as the change in position on the ST also effects my comfort with the Kontour seat.

[aviscomi]

I just rode my ST Limited from Philly to Florida, the last 300 miles in rain. My only complaint is that the diameter of the grips are to small. I'll have to find something different when I get back home.

[Bob Denman]

Threally TOUGH part of all of this...
You just know that she's not going to let you forget it!
Could you do us a (BIG) favor?
Try swapping a 15" front wheel over onto the RT... We need to get a definitive answer as to whether or not it is possible...
And you've got the right bikes for the experiment!

[SPYD1]

You only live once, get what feels good. BTW...great looking dog!

[daveinva]

Hmmm. I have an RS with an Ultimate Seat, I find it to be quite comfortable, but like anybody, all things in moderation (it helps to get off the seat and stretch at every fill-up, plus I'm usually good for 3-4 hours before I need a longer stop for a drink/snack/meal).

Also, even with the Ultimate I still use an Airhawk and a Beadrider, I bring both along for the roadtrips and basically use a rotation between those two and the stock seat. I find that helps stay comfy.

One thing that helps a bit on my RS is that I still have (shorty) pegs in addition to my (Rivco) footboards, PLUS highway pegs. This gives me three separate places to put my feet, again keeping me flexible on long trips. Everybody I know loves footboards, and the ST has great ones, but trust me: IME the best thing to have is *multiple* options to "mix it up" over time. Even the best option becomes the worst option if it's your ONLY option.

Anyway, I think you should hang onto your ST for a little while, and here's why: a 1200+ mile road trip hurts on most any bike. When I put in 500+ miles a day, I'm begging for a hot bath at the end of my day. It's in the nature of the sport.

Also, you might just be in a bad spot physically and need time to adjust to the bike. My first months on the RS, I couldn't do more than 120 miles at a pop. Over time, my tolerance increased (and so did my number of mods-- seat, pegs, boards, risers, cushions, etc.) until I could really kill the miles. NONE of that happened overnight, and yeah, sometimes I really frakkin' hurt by the time I got home. There's a reason I always schedule massages for when I get home.

But all of it was worth it, for now I *can* ride all those miles and hours with nothing but a smile on my face.

I say give it time. At least another trip or two. You already took the depreciation bath; it's not like a few more miles is going to cost you all that much $$$ at resale/trade-in. Before you regret buying an ST, be dang sure you won't regret getting rid of it.

[mjw930]

Honestly, unless you've ridden your wife's RT the same distance you have no idea whether it would cause the same pain. Just because she doesn't have back issues means nothing.

You will take a massive hit on the ST, probably close to $4k so I suggest you try some different seats. While Ultimate makes a great seat it's not for everyone. Sounds like a custom seat like a RDL should be in your future.

[KMacs]

As a DC and other training I offer a couple thoughts. If problem is in mid back your seat is less likely to help. Mid back muscles are postural muscles so head, shoulder and arm positions are big deal - as I am guessing was your point. You could try sitting comfortably on wife's spyder and take a picture from the side and then do same on yours - if there is a difference in your posture - I would guess you would be more forward in shoulders and having to tilt your head back - that is more work on the mid back muscles. So... Could adjustment to handlebars help? If not, may be that you really overworked muscles but that they will get used to it over time - do some easy exercises with bands for a couple weeks and see if it helps? Or, you are correct and the angle just won't work for you. Just thoughts - I always respect patient insights.

[Saluda]

I'd say give it a bit. We absolutely love ours. I'm still with the original seat. Had the heated grips installed and love the size of them. Have noticed the windshield to be a little shaky depending on height and speed. The ride is fantastic, front end seems to be real tight and loves the corners.
(I know my picture is old)