Motorcycle Riding Positions: What To Expect by Bike Type
You’ve probably noticed that humans come in all different shapes and sizes. We also tend to have different interests and abilities. So, it’s no wonder that motorcycles vary wildly in size, shape, and mission to accommodate just about anyone with the skills and interest in riding on a motorized two-wheeler.
If you’re just getting into riding (or maybe getting back into riding), the number of motorcycle styles and formats can be pretty overwhelming. But aside from determining the type of riding you’d like to do (touring, trails or track, for instance), your next priority is finding a riding posture that’s comfortable. If riding causes discomfort, it’s pretty unlikely you’ll do much of it!
We’ve assembled a list of the different types of motorcycles and what you can expect from their riding position to help you narrow down what ride might suit you best.
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Standard Motorcycle
These machines are also commonly known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle, which refers to the style of bike most commonly produced by Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha in the 1970s and into the ‘80s. If you asked someone to draw a motorcycle, this is probably the style most would default to with a long, flat seat and gas tank, and handlebars that rise up and back toward the rider somewhat. In terms of riding position, Naked Bikes also fit these criteria.
Examples: Honda CB650R, Yamaha XSR, Triumph Bonneville
Riding Position: Neutral with a fairly upright to slightly forward riding posture and a comfortable open angle on the hips and knees, plus feet positioned below the rider.
Pros: Minimal pressure on wrists, back, or neck should make this comfortable for most riders even for longer stints in the saddle.
Cons: Usually minimal-to-none wind protection can become tiresome with constant wind blast at speed.
Sport and Sport Touring
Looking and feeling more aggressive than the Standard motorcycles, Sport and Sport Touring rides often have fairings and windshields to help make them ideal for longer rides with a healthy dose of handling and performance on tap.
Examples: Kawasaki Versys, Yamaha Tracer, Ducati Multistrada
Riding Position: Very similar to a standard-style bike, with possibly slightly more forward lean.
Pros: Comfortable, natural, neutral riding position but with wind protection afforded by windshield and fairings
Cons: In terms of riding comfort, there aren’t many cons other than typically taller seat heights, which may be nerve-wracking at first for shorter riders.
Super Sport and Hyper Sport
Designed to closely resemble race bikes, these machines often deliver performance that’s also very similar with the full-on track machines, offering impressive handling and acceleration.
Examples: Yamaha R1, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Ducati Panigale
Riding Position: These bikes are designed for speed, so comfort is low on the priority list. Riders are meant to tuck in low behind the small windscreen and fairing, with foot pegs lifted high to maximize cornering clearance.
Pros: Sensational performance and maximum control with the rider becoming essentially part of the machine.
Cons: The rider is folded with extreme angles at the hip, knee, and waist, leaning dramatically forward, all of which fatigues joints and can cause quick discomfort in the neck and wrists.
Touring
As the largest bikes, touring machines provide the most generous accommodations and offer plenty of space for carrying luggage, making these the best choice for long-distance trips.
Examples: Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Honda Goldwing, BMW K1600
Riding Position: Natural seating position with tall posture and wide handlebars, plus a comfortable open angle for hips and knees.
Pros: Unmatched comfort in the riding realm with plush, supportive seats and excellent wind protection, plus heated seats and grips.
Cons: Due to their size, these motorcycles are very heavy and quite wide, making them a lot to handle, especially for smaller riders.
Cruiser
Of all the categories, cruisers are the ones that vary the most in terms of riding position. These are the bikes that put style ahead of most other design factors and they’re often modified into wild customized machines.
Examples: Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, BMW R 18, Honda Rebel
Riding Position: With a very low seat height, the rider’s legs usually require a feet-forward posture. Handlebar positioning can vary from widely spread and thrust back to the rider, to flat, low, and requiring a reach. Ape-hanger bars will have a rider’s arms lifted up to reach the bars.
Pros: Relaxed riding position, plus low seat height can make this an appealing choice.
Cons: Legs-out-in-front can put more pressure on the spine, exacerbated by limited suspension travel on many cruisers.
Adventure
Designed to take riders down the highway and well beyond when the pavement ends, the handlebars are often quite wide allowing for good leverage, but the bikes are also designed to let a rider spend a lot of time standing up on the pegs when travelling on rough terrain.
Examples: BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere
Riding Position: These tall bikes are designed to cover wild terrain in addition to pavement, and offer a riding position that has a rider seated upright with plenty of room for open angles on the hips and knees.
Pros: With a neutral seating position and the ability to easily ride standing on the pegs, adventure bikes can be comfortable for long trips.
Cons: Very tall proportions can make the seat height daunting for many riders, especially at low speeds. Not much wind protection is offered.
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Equipped with a greater understanding of the different riding positions, you can now start shopping Cycle Trader’s listings to find the right fit for you.
Jeff Wilson
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