Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Knees

When I ride, my knees are giving me problems. They've been going down hill for the last couple years. I've been nursing them along, I wear a brace when needed, and yet riding seems to annoy them. I suspect my trouble involves the feet forward riding position.

I'm an old guy - going on 72. Bought my first scoot in '69, first trumpy in '70. Not having any other ride related problems - reaction time, balance, etc., I have no desire to give it up. I know someday I'll have to, but...

I wonder if it would help to go back to the original foot pegs. Or get a bike with center pegs like a bonnie. Anybody have any experience with knee issues other than surgery or quitting? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

You might try boards on your current ride, as boards enable you to move your feet around a bit. I have a prior injury that tends to make me very sensitive to foot positioning. That said, a "standard" Bonnie is pretty comfortable for me.

I second the boards for the reason I can change the angle but never over 90 degrees. I'd not be able to ride a sport bike today unless I had training wheels my knees lock up when cranked past 90 for too long and i'd bite the dirt on a quick stop. Try using a topical analgysic (sp?) like Voltaren I put it on when I go downhill skiing, it helps. Boards also help with strain on lower back changing the angle of your hips a little.

Thanks for your responses guys — I’ll give them a try!

Floor boards make a huge difference. You can move your feet all over putting your legs in different positions.

Thanks again everyone. I should clarify that I have a set of floor boards (not Triumph brand) on the bike, they do allow me to move a bit; and yet I still manage to make my knees unhappy. I've also tried wearing a knee brace. I had to buy mine after market because Triumph didn't have any left over floor boards that I or Fast Eddy could find. I do appreciate the suggestions and will try them - maybe I just need to place my feet differently. Anyway, thanks again!

What is causing the problems - is it because your legs are too straight or not straight enough? If the former, I am sure that in the past someone (newbonneville.com?) offered a relocation set which moved the pegs back towards the seat. If it is the latter, I find that resting the backs of my legs on the pegs (putting my feet in front) helps. Not sure that this would be comfortable with floorboards if they have an edge at the front but I use Kuryakyn switchblade pegs which have a rounded front edge and also a flick out heel support. Might be an idea to switch back to the original pegs to see if stretching out helps before buying

We have a member right here that makes peg relocation brackets...
http://bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=595499#Post595499

You can talk to Des for pics etc...

Thanks Nobby - I appreciate the thoughts - I was thinking about switching back to the pegs since I'm not sure what's messing up my knees - too straight or not straight enough. If that doesn't help, I'll check out the switch blade Kuryakyn foot pegs - I think Fast Eddy has or had them for sale

Two wheel - thanks for the link... I sent mcfcinusa a PM. Sounds interesting - hope to hear back from him. Thanks again guys!

Roadie, Mcfcinusa here, i’m In Nebraska for another week before i get home. The power plant outage got extended another 3 weeks and i won’t leave till next Thursday for a 3 day drive home to NC. I’ll have to get more blanks cut and then machine them. What year bike have you got, 2003 to 2010 take FPB-1 and 2011 up use a different kit FPB-2. Des Young AAMMP

McFcinusa - Thanks for getting back to me on this. I've got a 2010 America. Let's visit via private message when you get settled back in NC. Looking forward to learning more about your product! Thanks again...

Yeah I can relate. My knees don't like me much any more either. Staying in one position in general kinda bugs them but after a bit on a bike, it takes me a few steps to get them sorted out again.

Roadie, lots of people have bought my relocation kits over the 10 years i have been making them. aacycleproducts.com is my website and has an installation video too. One fellow dropped his bike and the bracket save his bike from any major damage. They are 5/16'' thick 1018 steel. it bent the bracket slightly so i sent him a new one free of charge.
If you don't like them send them back for a refund minus shipping cost, i can't be any fairer than that. I have even installed them for customers too. Des Young AAMMP

That’s certainly more than fair Des - Thanks! I’m heading over to your website now!
Roadie

Don't discount the difference a seat pad can make. A slight elevation can change all the angles from the hips down.

After about an hour, I put my HD Circulator on the Corbin and everything changes.

Thanks hermit!

A big addition on all my bikes have been highway pegs.
Just being to change leg position periodically helps my knees tremendously.
You'll need the dresser bars to mount them to.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=longhorn+pegs&_sacat=0

Roadie, did i get back to you about the relocation kit? I finally got 30 sets of blanks cut and can get some made. Did you also consider putting a set of Rivco bar risers too. They move the bars back about 2 " and a bit higher as well.

Hey mcfcinsusa - thanks for getting back to me. Question - I've got aftermarket floorboards (my pegs are gone, I'm afraid). Would the relocation kit work with that set up, and would I be able to still get my kickstand down?
Thank you for the Rivco bar riser idea too...

The brackets move the mounting holes back and down. So whatever bolts into the original holes on the frame will bolt into my brackets. Kickstand will still go down as the brackets don't interfere with the kickstand.