This post has been on my mind for quite some time. I’ve devoted a good chunk of time the last few months in getting my Honda Shadow Ace 750 to fit me just right. After walking through the paces I thought I’d pass the info along for other tall riders like myself.
The delimma; making a mid-size cruiser fit a tall person
I stand 6′ 2″ tall. Finding a bike to fit a tall rider is not an easy task, especially if you want to go with a mid-size displacement engine. Being highly practical I went with a Honda cruiser as I love the way they ride, they are economical and are notoriously reliable. I also wanted a bike that I could modify as needed without spending a mint.
Getting the Bike to fit Ergonomically
Finding a bike that fits you perfectly without adjustments is near impossible. Adjusting the bike to fit you is a necessary process, one that can take some time and dollars. I did not want to spend several thousand on a bike and then another grand or so on adjustments.
Some essential adjustments:
- Adjust handlebars. Replacing handlebars is an expensive proposition. The factory placement was too low and too far forward. The answer: Risers. I bought a set of risers for $130. Specifically Phat Risers II for the Honda Shadow ACE 750. They did the trick without purchasing new cables. The stock ones did have to be re-routed which I did all but the throttle cables myself.
- Added a Backrest for support. The I found an economical one off ebay for $120. It’s not adjustable and was a pain to install but actually fits just right. The Honda stock seat became significantly more comfortable after the backrest was installed. I’ve ridden nearly two hours straight with no significant discomfort.
Other minor adjustments for comfort. Beyond those two major purchases there are a number of tweaks I’ve done to make the ride more comfortable:
- Removed the foot brake pedal pad to give my leg more room. (Amazing the difference).
- Adjusted the position of the handlebars to the perfect angle for me.
- Adjusted up the windshield as far as it goes and raised the bottom sliding window to vent some air and remove some turbulence off the top.
- Added a throttle wrist rest. This $13 slip-on piece from the cycle shop is well worth the investment. Even for around-town riding it makes a big difference.
- Added an engine guard. I went with economical one for $120 off ebay which was a bit of a pain to install. Besides providing more protection for the bike in case of a spill and looking snazzy, the extra weight on the front-end helped the tire grip better.
Now that the bike fits just right I enjoy every minute of the ride. Being essentially a car replacement, I’m putting 1500 miles a month on the bike. The bike gets consistently between 50 and 52 miles per gallon. All purchases paid in cash and for a reasonable price it will pay-off in the long run.