street bob discomfort
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 30
From: Ashburn, VA
Loosen up your grip! I noticed when I first started to ride it I would get fatigue in my hands and wrists and I realized I was putting to much pressure on them. Move the bars forward will help also. What I did one day was loosen the bars just enough to wiggle them forward/backward. Then sit on the bike, off the stand, and move the bars until I had the most natural position for me and then tighten them down and everything has been perfect.
Also, I like the bike much more now that I have slammed it down 2 inches front/rear.
Also, I like the bike much more now that I have slammed it down 2 inches front/rear.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 8
From: NW Arkansas
I have a Fatbob but wanted a solo seat so I bought a Streetbob seat. I like the looks but it is definately not as comfortable as the Fatbob seat. Its good for around town but I switch it out for long rides. Maybe you can get some forwards or move bars as others have mentioned.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL
She would have to explain it really herself, but my wife had the same feeling on her '10 Street Bob. A Mustang Solo Seat and 2 inch risers and changing the angle of the bars a litte bit fixed that. Shes pushing 10,000 miles now and seems to love it. Sublte and easy changes like that go along way.....
Like many have already said, there are a few differant things that can completely change the way a bike "sits" and feels.
Seat - stock sucks. but some seats can either set you higher, lower, farther back, or forward more. SO take that in mind and do research when you get one.
Bars - i loved the mini apes on my wifes bike. However they were just at an odd height for her (she is 5'4") Lower wasnt an option so we went with 2" risers and that worked. Also with those bars you can change the angle and improve a lot.
Pegs - Im assuming the '11 bobs come with mid controls. If you dont want to spend the money on complete forward controls, try a set of highway pegs first, see if that makes your more comfortable, if it does, get forward controls.
Biggest thing since you said you were a newbie. Time in the saddle. First few weeks your neck and shoulders will be sore because you are gripping that bike so hard. Get some time in the saddle and relax.
Like many have already said, there are a few differant things that can completely change the way a bike "sits" and feels.
Seat - stock sucks. but some seats can either set you higher, lower, farther back, or forward more. SO take that in mind and do research when you get one.
Bars - i loved the mini apes on my wifes bike. However they were just at an odd height for her (she is 5'4") Lower wasnt an option so we went with 2" risers and that worked. Also with those bars you can change the angle and improve a lot.
Pegs - Im assuming the '11 bobs come with mid controls. If you dont want to spend the money on complete forward controls, try a set of highway pegs first, see if that makes your more comfortable, if it does, get forward controls.
Biggest thing since you said you were a newbie. Time in the saddle. First few weeks your neck and shoulders will be sore because you are gripping that bike so hard. Get some time in the saddle and relax.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I put forward controls and a 1" riser one my ride and it change the feel of the 2010 SB. Bringing the bars back just that half inch and up half inch made a big difference and the forwards let me stretch out. I am only 5'7".
Like many have already said, moving the bar location does wonders. I sat on my bike with my eyes closed in a natural stance and raised my arms to where I thought I would be comfy, opened my eyes and made note of hand location and the way I was sitting. Then I losen the bars enough to let the move and brought them back to where I remember my hand being and repeated this process until my hands and the bars meet with my eyes closed. No more back pain from leaning forward!
It's like shooting a gun, the more natural your body feels the better you feel and the better your experience is.
Like many have already said, moving the bar location does wonders. I sat on my bike with my eyes closed in a natural stance and raised my arms to where I thought I would be comfy, opened my eyes and made note of hand location and the way I was sitting. Then I losen the bars enough to let the move and brought them back to where I remember my hand being and repeated this process until my hands and the bars meet with my eyes closed. No more back pain from leaning forward!
It's like shooting a gun, the more natural your body feels the better you feel and the better your experience is.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Well it's all pretty much been said but I wanted to put in my 2 cents worth since I ride an 07 Street Bob and mine was not comfortable either with the OEM seat.
You are not as tall as me (I'm 6'-2", 224lbs) so you may not need forward controls, but you might want to rotate the OEM mini apes forward some. Get a torque wrench (H.F. sells them for $20 to $30) and find out what the torque setting is for the bar clamp (I forgot but someone will tell you or I can look it up later).
Then readjust your mirrors and signal sockets.
I hated the OEM seat. It looked comfortable but I kept sliding from one side or the other. I bought a Mustang Wide Vintage seat and it has been great. I actually sit this seat instead of straddle it. If you do a search for Mustang seat you will find several pics of guys (including me) that have them.
Also I love my peg stirrups. I bought the smaller Kuryakyn front peg/stirrup combo. The are adjustable to keep your feet on the pegs so much better.
I also had a lot of vibration in my bob when I got it. I pulled the front motor mount and it looked deformed. So I installed a new mount and did the unload-preload washer shim. I did not tell too much at an idle but above 50mph my bike is sooo much smoother now. My foot pegs don't vibrate anymore.
Hope all this helps you. It's a great bike.
You are not as tall as me (I'm 6'-2", 224lbs) so you may not need forward controls, but you might want to rotate the OEM mini apes forward some. Get a torque wrench (H.F. sells them for $20 to $30) and find out what the torque setting is for the bar clamp (I forgot but someone will tell you or I can look it up later).
Then readjust your mirrors and signal sockets.
I hated the OEM seat. It looked comfortable but I kept sliding from one side or the other. I bought a Mustang Wide Vintage seat and it has been great. I actually sit this seat instead of straddle it. If you do a search for Mustang seat you will find several pics of guys (including me) that have them.
Also I love my peg stirrups. I bought the smaller Kuryakyn front peg/stirrup combo. The are adjustable to keep your feet on the pegs so much better.
I also had a lot of vibration in my bob when I got it. I pulled the front motor mount and it looked deformed. So I installed a new mount and did the unload-preload washer shim. I did not tell too much at an idle but above 50mph my bike is sooo much smoother now. My foot pegs don't vibrate anymore.
Hope all this helps you. It's a great bike.
Wow...thanks for all the great advice. I can think of only one other place a newcomer is met with such support and little ego as this forum....only thing missing here is coffee, doughnuts and newcomer chips! 
1. re: bringing to dealer to have properly set up. I found great deal about 1.5 hours from home. nearest dealer, 10 mins. i took riders edge at near dealer, but they didn't offer great deal. guess I can bring bike to close dealership, see if they'll have any resentment? dealer I purchased from is fantastic, but I don't think I'm quite ready for 1.5 hr on freeways through windy canyons.
2. re: forward controls. I think this is probably the direction I'll go. Even when I sat on the Wide Glide, I KNEW it felt more comfortable, but, I didn't want to spend the extra cost. haha, seems the $12,999 on the street bob lives up to it's 'naked' headline. and, after forward controls, seat, etc (er, and now I'm thinkin exhaust, air intake) the base price will become a moot point.
3. but, re: foot controls...do they make for awkward city driving? Lots of stop and go traffic in Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
4. Re: bars...I'm gonna play with the adjustment...does pitching the bars forward or back make throttle and control oreintation odd? ...or do I adjust grips too?
5. RE: seat. Already started shopping for a new one, both at dealerships this past weekend and few sites. I think is better to get from dealer to actually sample the feel of the seat?
Thanks again, really appreciate it. As I said, this is my first street bike....and, although I have about 8 years riding history, that was long ago, in the dirt, and on a Suzuki 1983 TS-125 if I remember correctly!
1. re: bringing to dealer to have properly set up. I found great deal about 1.5 hours from home. nearest dealer, 10 mins. i took riders edge at near dealer, but they didn't offer great deal. guess I can bring bike to close dealership, see if they'll have any resentment? dealer I purchased from is fantastic, but I don't think I'm quite ready for 1.5 hr on freeways through windy canyons.
2. re: forward controls. I think this is probably the direction I'll go. Even when I sat on the Wide Glide, I KNEW it felt more comfortable, but, I didn't want to spend the extra cost. haha, seems the $12,999 on the street bob lives up to it's 'naked' headline. and, after forward controls, seat, etc (er, and now I'm thinkin exhaust, air intake) the base price will become a moot point.
3. but, re: foot controls...do they make for awkward city driving? Lots of stop and go traffic in Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
4. Re: bars...I'm gonna play with the adjustment...does pitching the bars forward or back make throttle and control oreintation odd? ...or do I adjust grips too?
5. RE: seat. Already started shopping for a new one, both at dealerships this past weekend and few sites. I think is better to get from dealer to actually sample the feel of the seat?
Thanks again, really appreciate it. As I said, this is my first street bike....and, although I have about 8 years riding history, that was long ago, in the dirt, and on a Suzuki 1983 TS-125 if I remember correctly!
Last edited by 2011 Street Bob; Mar 1, 2011 at 08:51 AM.
...rotate the OEM mini apes forward some. Get a torque wrench (H.F. sells them for $20 to $30) and find out what the torque setting is for the bar clamp (I forgot but someone will tell you or I can look it up later).
Then readjust your mirrors and signal sockets.
I hated the OEM seat. It looked comfortable but I kept sliding from one side or the other. I bought a Mustang Wide Vintage seat and it has been great. I actually sit this seat instead of straddle it. If you do a search for Mustang seat you will find several pics of guys (including me) that have them.
.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Currituck, NC
As with everyone else here, I love my Bob. I'm 6'/230, have 14" apes, fwd controls, and a low two up seat. I feel so comfortable on it each day. I ride 50 miles one way at 4AM to work. The dealership should have adjusted everything defore you rode it out, or you could have been like me and just tore outa there. It took me a few tries, but I have her comfort level set.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 581
Likes: 1
From: williamston, n.c
with the bars I loosened mine and sat on the bike. Had a friend tell me at what point it looked like I wasn't leaning forward with my back straight. That helped my back out a little. Remember to far forward makes you crouch over.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Combination of things:
1. Bar placement. Try rolling the car further back or forward. Most back pain on a Bob sees to come from the bar placement. See the bars in my sig. I also got back pain until I moved them forward.
2. Stock seat. Yeah, you may like a nicer seat. Everyone is different.
3. Riding confidence. If you are riding nervous and tense, you will get sore quick.
Try moving the bars first.
1. Bar placement. Try rolling the car further back or forward. Most back pain on a Bob sees to come from the bar placement. See the bars in my sig. I also got back pain until I moved them forward.
2. Stock seat. Yeah, you may like a nicer seat. Everyone is different.
3. Riding confidence. If you are riding nervous and tense, you will get sore quick.
Try moving the bars first.