Ergonomics Means Comfort and Safety
Your riding position affects your comfort – but what about safety?
You know that your riding position makes a huge difference in how you “feel” when riding – but did you know that it also can mean the difference between a safe ride or a dangerous one. Think about it. If your hand and foot controls are made for riders with larger or smaller than average hands and feet, your ability to control the motorcycle is diminished. If your handlebars aren’t in the right position for your arm length, or are set too high or low, you run the risk of placing too much weight on your wrists – and that can mean numbness in your hands, aching arms and more. How do react quickly in that condition?
If anything will demonstrate the importance of motorcycle ergonomics, it’s taking a long distance ride on a motorcycle that is not set up for your particular body type and comfort level. Motorcycle riding positions range from the Cruiser (basically sit straight up with your legs out in front of you) to the Standard (still straight up but with your feet under the line of your knees) and the Racer (hunched over the bike with your weight and head aimed at the handlebars). None of these positions is “wrong” ergonomically, but if it is the “wrong” ergonomic position for you – then you are going to be uncomfortable, distracted and that can lead to accidents.
So what’s the solution? First, choose the right motorcycle for your body and comfort level. And don’t stop there. You do have options – extend the footpegs or floorboard spacers to match your leg length and foot size, adjust the handlebars to the right angle for your arm length, put adjustable controls where you can most comfortably see them. What to know more? We can help – just talk to a 50’s Boy Advisor about your specific concerns and needs. We want you to Love Your Ride!
