Ergonomics

If you’re purchasing a motorcycle, you’re probably not planning to offload or sell it a few months down the line. Just like a car, a motorcycle is a long-term investment that should serve you for many years to come before you can think of getting rid of it. That’s why long-term comfort is a key factor when it comes to purchasing a motorbike. Have you ever heard of the rider triangle? It simply means the relationship between your legs, hips, and wrists, which goes a long way to determine your long-term comfort as a rider.

Ensuring that your motorbike is ergonomically compatible with your body may sound easy at first, but in essence it is a bit tricky. Yes, taking a motorbike on a test ride is important, but this may not be enough to help you know if the bike will provide long-term comfort. As a matter of fact, many people test bikes for comfort before purchasing only for the bikes to cause extreme tiredness or even pain, especially on longer rides, later. Hence, ergonomics is a complex subject you need to give the attention it deserves for better understanding. You can learn about it online; there are various websites devoted to contrasting bike geometries to body types. If you don’t want to go the whole hog and read, you can do the following to determine if the bike you’re just about to purchase is ergonomically compatible with your body:

• Check if your weight excessively rests on your wrists; excessive weight on your wrists may cause soreness down the line.
• Check if your knee is bent too far. Excessive bending is tiring in the long run.
• Check if your hands can easily reach the handlebars; save your hands from straining.

While doing the above checks, you need to be honest to yourself. Don’t get carried away with the beauty of a new bike. Remember, finding your perfect physical match will ensure long-term happiness with your two wheels.