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Taking Control of Comfort: Why Your Motorcycle Fit Matters

Taking Control of Comfort: Why Your Motorcycle Fit Matters

Did you know that finding the right motorcycle fit for your body has similar safety benefits to finding a helmet that fits your head?

Motorcycles in their stock condition aren’t suited to riders of all shapes and sizes. It’s up to the rider to make the necessary adjustments after buying a motorcycle. Failing to tailor your bike to your body can lead to discomfort while riding and might make reaching pedals difficult in some positions.

If you want to ride in safety and comfort, check out our handy tips for improving motorcycle ergonomics.

Understanding the Motorcycle Angles

The four parts of your body most likely to experience discomfort while riding are:

  • Lower back
  • Shoulders
  • Hips
  • Neck

To minimize pressure on these areas (especially on long rides), there are two right angles you should look to achieve with your riding posture. First, your hips and lower back will feel at their best if you can maintain a 90-degree hinge at the hips in a seated position.

It’s not possible to get into that position with all bikes and riding styles. If that’s the case for you, consider making a right-angled triangle between your feet, your seat, and the handles (sometimes called the motorcycle triangle).

Tweaking Your Bike to Find the Best Motorcycle Fit

You can make many simple adjustments to get the most ergonomic position out of your bike. However, it’s always good to get them done by a technician if you’re unsure how to do them correctly. There may also be extreme cases where the bike itself is too small or too large.

Lever Angle Adjustment

It’s best if your fingers are in line with the rest of your arms when reaching for the levers. Many riders break this line by having their levers set too high, which can cause painful forearm tension.

Custom Seating

Custom seating doesn’t only soften the butt-to-seat action, but it can also affect the pressure on your hips and lower back. A cushion can raise you slightly off the default seat, which allows shorter riders to get into a more ergonomic posture.

Handlebar Adjustment

To set your handlebars in the right position, sit upright, hinging around 90 degrees at the hips, and see where your arms can comfortably reach your handles. Then, rotate your handlebars up or down to meet your hands at that optimal point. For sport bikes, follow a similar set of steps to adjust the clip-on position.

Pedal Positioning

How well your feet meet your pedals is a matter of motorcycle comfort and safety. You’ll want your pedals set so that your feet rest at the same angle as when they’re flat on the floor. Adjust your pedals to allow your feet to find this position.

Ride With More Comfort Today

Finding the right motorcycle fit enhances comfort, safety, and riding performance. You can adjust lever angles, handlebars, and pedals to suit your body and get custom seats to give you the optimal posture. Ensure that you get a professional to assist you if you aren’t experienced in tinkering with your bike alone.

At Wild Ass, we’re experts in delivering motorcycle comfort with advanced air cushion systems, providing unmatched support and pressure relief for riders. Find our products today for a smoother, more enjoyable experience on every journey.