August 2022

by Gary Klinker

[er·go·nom·ics]

NOUN

the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.

I had to get out the old dictionary for this month’s article. Don’t get nervous, there won’t be a test at the end. Most of you have heard the word, and maybe think of padded wrist rests in front of a keyboard or maybe expensive spaceship looking desk chairs. All these things are made to make people more productive and prevent workplace strains or injuries. They also keep people more comfortable while they work.

Over the years of teaching, I have experienced the lack of ergonomic adjustments many times, mostly in Experienced Rider classes. I recently had a personal experience that precipitated this article. (Many times, I need a lightbulb moment to come up with something to write.) A couple months ago I had a leg injury. When it healed enough to ride again, I thought it would be a good idea to put the seat of my bike in the lower position to be able to reach the ground easier with the bad leg. The difference from high to low position is only about an inch and a half, but it seemed to help. In the high position I can’t flat foot both feet, but it keeps my knees bent less, therefore better ergonomics. After all, we spend more time riding than sitting with our feet on the ground.

Fast forward a couple months. After a week riding in South Dakota and back to my normal riding I was having pain about half- way up my back and to the right of centerline. A pretty specific pain that seemed to persist. I figured it was from not riding for a time, something I did in the woods, or from being born during the war. One day I was headed to Reedsburg and the back pain was there. It suddenly occurred to me that the seat was still in the low position. I pulled over and moved it back to the high position. Within five miles my back felt better and has not had that particular pain since then.

This got me thinking about the many times I have seen people struggle in a class because their bike did not fit them or was not adjusted to their size or riding style. The most common thing, and one of the easiest to change is the handlebars. Doing slow tight turns when it is an overly long reach to the bars is very difficult. By rolling the bars back toward the tank makes a difference. This reminds me of the 1990 Police bike I had. When I got it my back always hurt while riding. I rolled the bars back and from then on it was a very comfy ride.
Other adjustments to be made are the position of the brake and shift levers. Depending on the bike this may be simple or not. Clutch and brake levers are adjustable on many bikes for distance from the grip. Seat height is sometimes adjustable or new seats are a more pricey option.

The point is that you don’t have to ride the bike the way it came from the plant or the dealer. Make it your own by adjusting it to fit. It will be a much more ergonomic, comfortable, and safer ride. Don’t forget to adjust the mirrors.

Ride Safe,

Gary