A Guide to Choosing Your Motorcycle Riding Posture

Taking your motorcycle out for a ride can be a great way to add thrills to your daily commutes or long-distance trips. However, bikes come with certain unique challenges. This includes the role your whole body plays in controlling the motorcycle. Proper posture helps you to stay in control, ride safely, and stay comfortable.

There are different riding stances that can be better suited for different motorcycles and different riders. We’ve crafted this brief guide to help you choose the correct riding posture. If you have any questions, get in touch with us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson, and let one of our experienced staff know how we can help you. You’ll find us in St. Charles, MO, so stop by today!

Follow the Basics

Although your riding position might depend more on the type of bike you have than anything else, it always helps to follow the general rules. 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.

Standard Riding Posture

The standard position for riding a motorcycle starts at the footpegs and works up from there. 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.

Long-Distance Riding

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.

Racing Position

You want to be as aerodynamic as possible when riding at high speeds, 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 riding posture is mostly used by professional racers to gain more control.

We hope that you found this motorcycle riding posture guide helpful. If you have any questions, contact us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson. We are located in St. Charles, Missouri, and we welcome all those in St. Louis and St. Peters.