Sore Knees!!

[fairwaysflyer]

I have returned today from Scotland, covering 1500 miles in 5 days. The bike ran faultlessly, which is more than can be said for me!! My knees and hips ache. This is the first longish trip I have done on my '03 Varadero since I bought it in June, my last bike being a VFR800. I am 6'2", and longish in the leg.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so how did you overcome it? Or, is it just me, I'm getting on after all, 56 last birthday. Perhaps I should change it and get something sensible, like a Blackbird!!

[Bluff]

Well I am but a youngster at 41 My kneees ache after 100+ miles. I am only 5' 9 but have short legs!

I have (and still am from time to time) been a very keen fell runner and I put it down to worn out joints. The only comfortable solution for me may be a, ahem....errr cruiser!!!! Not happening really is it.

I find just swinging them forward from time to time, or standing on the pegs for a second or two helps.

[fairwaysflyer]

I have done a bit of running myself in the past so you may be right 'bout the worn out joints, bummer eh!

[Bluff]

I have done a bit of running myself in the past so you may be right 'bout the worn out joints, bummer eh!

Well lets just look at it as us having more finely tuned kness than the rest of the acheless cant run for toffee masses

[Snaphappy]

I handed back my running shoes with my drill boots
I get an ache in my knee every now and then but only in the left, I find I have to twist the knee a bit to change gear.
It only happens if I have a long rest from distance riding so its my excuse to get out more

I'm sure it would happen regardless of bike

[Vara17]

Yeh, Its not just me then. Done 600 miles this week and feel like I need new knees and hips. Like others, the joints are just worn out. I find a bit of a rest and I'm good for a few more miles.

Now I just do miles in bite size chunks and as soon as the ache gets bad enough to annoy I stop.

[jasonbc]

I have returned today from Scotland, covering 1500 miles in 5 days. The bike ran faultlessly, which is more than can be said for me!! My knees and hips ache. This is the first longish trip I have done on my '03 Varadero since I bought it in June, my last bike being a VFR800. I am 6'2", and longish in the leg.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so how did you overcome it? Or, is it just me, I'm getting on after all, 56 last birthday. Perhaps I should change it and get something sensible, like a Blackbird!!

I did 1400miles on my 99 Varadero a couple of weeks ago around Belgium and France with the wife no problems at all. The older ones are more comfortable i sat on a new one in local showroom a few months back and the seat was the same as my XR'S, bloody HArd

[davsato]

sore knees on a varadero? no way! sore arse, certainly, i dont find the seat particularly comfy, its too big and soft if anything.

i used to get sore knees on my triumph sprint, but not the more sat up vara. are you sure its the position and not a bit of wind chill on the old joints?

[bodie]

Im 60 and 6 3" and rode my vara to Istanbul by which time i had a flat sore arse and aching knees, the knees i eased by straightening my leg forward but had to repeat occasionaly, no problem with the hips, still fun though.

[AncientAndy]

I have returned today from Scotland, covering 1500 miles in 5 days. The bike ran faultlessly, which is more than can be said for me!! My knees and hips ache. This is the first longish trip I have done on my '03 Varadero since I bought it in June, my last bike being a VFR800. I am 6'2", and longish in the leg.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so how did you overcome it? Or, is it just me, I'm getting on after all, 56 last birthday. Perhaps I should change it and get something sensible, like a Blackbird!!

1500 miles in 5 days is a lot on any bike, or even in a car.

I found the knee pain thing went away after a few weeks of long days, but the sore backside led to any excuse to stop. My next bike will have a smaller tank unless seats start improving. The sore hips is all about wrapping your knees around such a big tank, it just isn't natural to sit in that position for five days.

That said, the Vara is a great way to travel and I am 6'5".