Common sense motorcycle safety

It is surprising how many folks don't consider motorcycle seats as an important part of riding safety. How many times have you been stopped a traffic light and seen a motorcyclist “tippy toed” waiting for the light to change. Getting the proper “at rest” fit from your motorcycle is an important part of the safety decision on purchasing that bike.

Several bikes in the “cruiser” and “touring” categories not only are tall, but wide as well. If you are not standing flat footed while stopped and sitting on your bike, the bike is too tall for you and unsafe. Balance at rest is as important as balance while moving. Chances are high that if your bike is too tall for you, it is also too heavy as well. Falling over while in an intersection puts you and others at risk of severe injury. If you have a passenger, the bike's at rest balance becomes even more critical.

There are several solutions to the height challenge. One solution is lowering your motorcycle suspension. This can be expensive and affect the handling and look of your bike and should be done by a competent mechanic. Thicker shoe soles and heals are not the answer to safe riding but take heart. Most motorcycle seats can be lowered 3/4” without changing the seat's appearance. Depending on the complexity of the seat cover stitching, many seats can be lowered up to 2” by a competent seat technician. Many stock seats can be narrowed as well, which brings your thighs closer to the bike and consequently lengthens your inseam. When purchasing a new bike make sure that you are close enough to the ground, while sitting still, to sit flat footed. If your heal is more than 1” from the pavement, then you should consider another bike or have access through your dealer to have the suspension lowered or to have the seat adjusted to safely fit your height.

Kurt Morauer is the owner of Butt Buffer of North Florida. His firm regularly adjusts both both stock and custom seats for comfort and safety and provides services nationally. For further information check out www.buttbuffernfl.com or contact Kurt at 352-258-6034.