Tall guys

Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
1
I've been drooling over pictures and articles of the new Nortons and I was able to see one yesterday. When I sat on the bike I discovered that my knees went past the indents in the tank where you are supposed to tuck your knees into. I'm 6' 4" tall and I'm wondering how other guys my height feel about this. The salesman told me that the shop owner had one of the new Nortons, but he didn't say how tall the guy is. If anyone reading this post is 6' 4" or taller I would appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks for your help.
Bill Mac
 
I'm 6' 2" and have the problem, due to long legs.
I imagine your situation is a bit worse.
If the foot pegs were mounted further to the rear it would relieve the situation.
However, there is no facility on the bike to do this.
I just live with the problem.
 
I'm only 5'10", but like to ride as close to the tank as possible, so if I squeeze my knees together, they will touch the edge where the indents start.

But, the indents make the tank so narrow that there's no benefit in attempting to grasp the tank with your legs, so with knees/legs relaxed and slightly bowed out, I don't touch the tank at all. This is a different feel than a modern sport bike where you can hold yourself in position with your legs. Felt strange at first, but was not difficult to get used to.

I've been checking the tank to see if I'm scratching the paint where the indents start and not yet, after 5,000 miles.
 
I think the shape of the tank, and the position of the indents was a decision made by Dreer early on to provide adequate fuel capacity, but preserve the classic styling, while integrating the pump/filter required for EFI.
With carbs the indents could have been further forward, and still keep the 4.5 gal fuel capacity.
Progress can be a bitch sometimes.
 
The Bonneville tanks were smaller when Triumph started to reproduce them until the EFI came out. They looked and felt much better, smaller. I'm only 5'9" so I don't make much contact with the tank. I can tuck in if I try hard enough, but I don't really think about it much. Less scratches on the tank, either way. I hate those "protectors". What are you protecting when they are ugly as sin? I'd rather have natural wear and tear.
 
Back
Top