By Shane ‘rossey’ Ross
Hey motorbike fans, Rossey here again with another installment of Geared To Ride.
In the previous issue we discussed posture, and the importance of keeping your head up and eyes level and looking in the direction of travel. Well, I’m going to add a couple of more things to get your posture right, and ensure you enjoy a safe and enjoyable ride.
Along with keeping your head up and eyes level, you should also squeeze the petrol tank with your knees. This provides extra stability and frees your upper body to relax. Most people ride tensing their upper body, and tend to hold onto the handle bars for dear life, but this is actually incorrect. For best posture and control, you should grip the tank with your knees, and relax your upper body by sightly bending your back and arms, and not holding so tight to the handle bars. This technique provides better clutch, brake and throttle control, and also alleviates fatigue and the sensation of pins and needles from holding on too tight or leaning on the handlebars.
Speaking of leaning forward, believe it or not, the choice of motorcycle can also cause poor posture while riding. Now… I understand that everyone has their choice of bike, and will never change, but some motorcycles handle poorly as a result of their design, and some handle extremely well because of their design, but create poor posture on long trips, such as sports bikes.
Sports bikes have an aggressive design causing the rider to lean forward. This design provides better handling, better braking and more acceleration, however putting more pressure on the handlebars at lower speeds, causing wrist and back soreness and pins and needles, all of which causing fatigue over time. If you’re planning on shorter trips, track days and general sports riding, this is the bike for you.
Cruiser bikes have a more relaxed style, leaning back, feet forward, lower centre of gravity and higher handlebars. Having your arms up higher can cause fatigue on longer trips, the low road height can be awkward around corners, and feet forward causes instability at lower speeds. Cruiser bikes are designed for cruising, but not necessarily long trips. Much more suitable for Sunday cruising down the boulevard near the beach, or going for the odd day trip. Cruiser bikes are not suited for learner riders.
Touring bikes have a more upright sitting position, foot pegs directly under the seat, handlebars in a relaxed position, allowing your head to be more upright. However touring bikes are much heavier, causing greater braking distances, and awkward maneuverability. Touring bikes are a great bike for long distance riding, however not recommended for learning on as a result of their weight and difficult maneuverability.
If you are starting out, I would recommend a naked bike. Naked bikes have a more upright position, foot pegs directly under the seat, relaxed arm position, minimal fairings and usually lighter than other style of bikes. They handle well, and you can maintain a better posture while riding and learning.
Lastly, a sports touring bike can give you the best of all worlds. Sports look and maneuverability, good braking, lighter than a touring bike, more upright position than a sports bike, and more comfortable for those long trips.
In summary, if you have heaps of experience, and just want the bike you want, by all means, fill your passion, and go for it. But if you’re just starting out and learning, remember, less is more. Buy a bike that is light, has good ergonomic design creating better posture and minimal fairings (just in case you have a little slow speed mishap… Shhhhh), then go the naked bike, you will thank me later.
That’s it for now my two wheeled friends, as I always say… Stay shiny side up, and ride your own ride… I’m Rossey, and I will get you ‘Geared to Ride’.
