Hi folks,

Bit of an odd one here, I'm afraid. At the ripe old age of 37 I have been diagnosed as having a bad case of osteo-arthritis in the hips. While this doesn't seem to stop me getting about too badly, it does stop me riding my bike for more than an hour or so. It's essentially down to two things: Staying in a hunched seating position too long and having my knees forced apart by the tank.

I've sold my big Acerbis tank, but the standard unit isn't actually much narrower. My question is this: Is it possible to make my bike seat and tank narrower? Does anyone know if this has been done? I'm not supposing for a minute that anyone might have done this for the reasons I want to, but was wondering if anyone had done it for off-roading reasons?

I'm wondering if there are any narrower tanks off an older XT (mine is a 2003) that might be narrower and fit?

Maybe I could use the tank and seat off a TT? Although I have a feeling the oil tank is in a different position on the TT and might scupper the tank swap at least.

Secondly, anyone else had arthritic hip problems and discovered a way to overcome them?

I'd rather not sell my bike. We've been through a lot together and I'd never get what she was worth to me on ebay.

Cheers,

Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I can get pain in the hips (usually after putting my feet down in traffic after a while on the bike) but I can resolve it by sticking my legs out and flexing them. Looks odd, but it works

You mustn't let it stop you riding, or even THINK of selling the XT. I don't know of a narrower tank, but a solution (if no-one comes up with anything better) could be to remove the tank altogether. That would give you a very narrow profile for your knees. You'd have to rig up an alternative location for the tank (pillion seat?), but it would work if nothing else would.

Yes, it was a silly idea. Ignore

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Matt,

having had a TT, and an XT, the difference isn't that great. Off the top off my head the thinnest bike I've owned is a VFR400R (and I've owned loads of bikes). while that's not exactly an 'adventure' bike, I did do trips to Assen, Alps, Spain on mine. And I'm a mighty bit bigger than you :-) I would recommend tracking one down and having a seat. Let's face it, these days you can get to Ghana on a road bike. screw convention.

If you are keen on riding, might be worth some lateral thinking. I disagree that you should keep the XT 'regardless'. XT's are a funny shape (I think), there are more comfortable/forgiving bikes around.

would be good to see you up at aviemore on the 24/25th oct?

good luck,

doug

PS. yes the TT and XT tanks are different. Different positioning.

PPS. what's the score with the Bullet? not good either?

You should be able to get your're seat redone, not so much of a problem i think. The tank is a bit worse. Would it help to sit a bit further back on the seat, so your're legs arendt so much apart?

Thanks for the input folks. I'm going to try playing about with putting some foot pegs further forward on the bike too.

Dougie,
I am thinking about getting a trials tank for the enfield, as its also uncomfortable to ride. I'm thinking there might not be a totally effective solution till I get my new hips!
Would love to come up to Aviemore, but have other stuff on that weekend or I might have given it a shot.
See you around sometime!

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

one has to accept one`s tank size AND arthritis as fairly permanent features i`m afraid. I advise patients who moan about rounds of golf for example , and arthritic pain during and after,to take a goodly dollop of ibuprofen before and after .So if ur not doing so already that might be a cheaper option for those longish rides.Tummy permitting of course!
best wishes

sorry to hear that matt,

what about having someone fabricate you a custom tank for the xt ?

dont know how much it would cost ?

failing that have your own tank customised with cutter and welder

hope it all works out or consider a serrow or similar

Hi Matt sorry to hear about your troubles. I've got a '91 XT and have changed to an Acerbis tank and I noticed a big difference in girth over the standard. Not sure if it's just me being pernickety (awesome word!) or if there really is a big difference. Don't know if the tanks are different from my bike to yours though? Perhaps worth a look.

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