Choosing Your Motorcycle Riding Position

One of the most important skills you can learn as a motorcycle rider is choosing the correct riding position depending on your bike. How you hold and move your body while on a bike impacts your ability to ride. Using the right form is a great way to learn and practice how your body affects your riding.

At Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, we want our customers to have all the information they need to safely ride their motorcycles. That’s why we’ve put together this short guide with some basics about riding positions for different types of bikes. Read on to learn more, and visit our dealership in Westminster, California, to check out our wide selection of motorcycles for sale.

Why Your Riding Position is Important?

The most important aspect of different riding stances is that they allow you to easily position yourself for the body movements necessary to perform basic functions like changing lanes and turning. The way you sit affects your ride. Most importantly, proper posture helps you to stay in control, ride safely, and stay comfortable. Poor posture leads to more aching joints and sore muscles. You’ll be able to ride your motorcycle longer when you sit correctly.

General Rules

Although your riding position might depend more on the type of motorcycle you have than anything else, it always helps to follow the basics. Start by positioning yourself with your back and arms relaxed. This helps your body absorb bumps without contributing to the strain on your chassis. Keep your head up and chin facing in the direction you’re traveling. This increases your ability to notice hazards and adapt accordingly. It also keeps you traveling in the right direction.

Your body naturally turns to align with your gaze, and if you keep your head tilted to the side, you’ll find your motorcycle slowly drifting sideways. Don’t put too much weight on your wrists, since that’s the quickest way to make them too sore to operate the controls effectively.

Standard Position

The standard position for riding a motorcycle starts at the footpegs and works up from there. Make sure your feet are placed firmly on the pegs. Sit upright and lean forward slightly by 5 degrees. Keep your hands lower than your elbows and bend your knees at around 100 degrees. Keeping this posture places minimum strain on the joints and circulates blood in a better way. This stance is considered to be the most comfortable for city driving and is perfect for all riders.

 Cruiser Position

Thanks to the forward footpegs on most cruiser motorcycles, you can comfortably stretch your legs and sit straight without leaning. With your knees bent at around 100 degrees and hips at around 90 degrees, position your legs in front of you. If you keep them fully straight, it will become difficult for you to stay in control and balance the bike while making sharp turns. Make sure to sit at the correct angle and use this position if it suits your riding style.

Sport Position

When riding at high speeds, you want to be as aerodynamic as possible, which means getting low and leaning forward on your bike. Lean forward with your knees at a 90-degree angle and hips at a 75-degree angle. Tuck your feet as far back as they can go and hug the motorcycle frame snuggly. This position is ideal for shorter riders. You’ll find the sport position commonly used by professional racers to gain more control when they’re traveling at top speeds.

The riding position you adopt will depend on the type of bike you have, but it’s helpful to know about all of them to increase your abilities as a rider. If you have any questions, get in touch with us at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County in Westminster, CA. We proudly serve all those in Los Angeles and Orange County.